How to be President

Getting elected President, after receiving the nomination, is a five-month job. Learning to be President--to do the right things at the right times, and not to do the wrong things--is a much longer job.

Luckily for him, President Hoover will have at his elbows two oldtime White House technicians, one for social, one for executive, routine.

The social assistant is another man named Hoover. In Harrison's time, this man, Irwin Hood Hoover, came to the White House as plain "Ike" Hoover, a tall, long-nosed electrician to superintend a wiring job. He stayed on and on until he became major domo, chief usher and master of White House protocol. He has a little office off the main foyer, to the right as you enter. Crisply grey of hair, vigorous of demeanor, it is he who inspects all callers, who engineers all receptions, arranges the First Lady's teas, sends the White House motor hither and yon.

Is the new Peruvian Ambassador calling to present his credentials? Major Domo Hoover will warn President Hoover what time to go upstairs and wait. When a military aide appears, escorting the Ambassador, Major Domo Hoover will put them in the Green Room, go aloft again to bring the President down to the Blue Room, open the Green Room door, bow in the Peruvian, wait, lead the Peruvian out to his motor, bow him away.

In the executive offices, the connecting link between all administrations since McKinley's is Clerk Rudolph Forster. President Hoover will never have to say "What do I do now?" because Clerk Forster, a slim gentleman with heavy spectacles and a solemn air, will be there at his elbow from the very first moment, anticipating, suggesting, directing, reminding, educating.

Here, for example, are 17 miscellaneous resignations which the President must study, accept or reject. Mr. Forster has already sent the usual form letter acknowledging their receipt. And whom does the President wish to appoint Collector of the Port of New Orleans? Mr. Forster guessed it. Here is the lucky man's name, all in proper form for submission to the Senate for confirmation. . . . Now here is a report and a recommendation from the Tariff Commission for a 50% duty increase on cheesecloth. If the President wishes to follow this recommendation, Mr. Forster will prepare the customary order and proclamation. And here are the engraved commissions for the six new U. S. judges just confirmed by the Senate. Would the President blow up a bridge in California tomorrow evening? Very well, Mr. Forster will arrange for the connection. What flowers does the President like on his desk? Mr. Forster will get them. Will the President receive a delegation of Choctaw Indians and be photographed with them? No? Mr. Forster will send off the necessary regrets. Etc. etc.

Clerk Forster's office is a little back room between the No. 1 Secretary's and the telegraph room. An humble cog, it is he, largely, who keeps the big wheel revolving.