A Pill for the Boss

Into Chicago's Sherman Hotel last week trooped 600 secretaries of U.S. businessmen, to attend the National Secretaries Association's annual convention. Most of them had passed the age when they daydreamed about marrying the boss. They concentrated on such serious business as getting a recognized status as "certified professional secretaries," just like the accountants.

The secretaries were not at all pleased by a list of "ten commandments" drawn up by a panel of businessmen. Samples: "Keep the tired businessman's pills straight. Dress with decorum, not decollete; the boss wants to keep his mind on his work. Correct the boss's grammar and spelling, but do it tactfully. Take messages that won't need the decoding of a top secret. When the boss's wife calls, be diplomatic. Be compatible, but not too compatible."

Outraged, the secretaries drew up their own advice for bosses (sample: "Remember your secretary didn't hand you that 15th Scotch & soda the night before. Don't bring your hangover into the office. Maybe she had a bad night, too."). Snapped Delegate Augusta Hirst: "That compatible business applies to employers more than secretaries. The only syllable they recognize in the word is the second one."

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