Antiquated

Francis White wanted the Cuban Ambassadorship and all last April a solid bloc of Maryland Democrats angled to get it for him. They knew he was well-fitted by experience (18 years in the diplomatic service, specializing in Spanish and Latin American affairs) ; and also by temperament, for he believes in knocking off work around 2 p. m., siesta time, and returning to the day's task around sundown. Result: he got Czechoslovakia.

Last week he came home and said: "The U. S. Government owns in Prague an antiquated house that is absolutely uninhabitable. We had to move to a hotel because the roof leaked, the window ledges were crumbling, the windows were broken, there were no electric lights and no kitchen. The house is several hundred years older than America itself."

A sentimental gleam came into Mr. White's eyes just once as he recalled his evacuated legation. "It would be a lovely old place if repaired. But the Government sent over an architect several years ago who recommended changes costing $200,000. I understand the Government has decided to spend $6,000." With this shot, Career-diplomat White, only 41 years old, resigned from the U. S. foreign service which he had long and ably served. He expected to be better off in a Manhattan banking house with South American business than in a post of dig nity with $10,000 a year and a ruin.

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