Double Upping

One day last week President Roosevelt sent to the Senate the nomination of Summer Welles for Under Secretary, of Robert Walton Moore for Counselor, of the State Department. Next day both came back confirmed. Thus did Secretary of State Hull escape from a quandary, for Sumner Welles, a dapper, twice-married 44, and "Judge" Moore, a hardheaded, bachelor 78, both Assistant Secretaries, had virtually deadlocked in their claims for promotion. Mr. Welles, an expert on Latin American affairs, a career diplomat of 22 years' standing, had set his heart on becoming Under Secretary. "Judge" Moore (whose title was conferred upon him conversationally by his colleagues during the twelve years he served Virginia in the House of Representatives) has been with the State Department only since Cordell Hull picked him to succeed Raymond Moley; but in spite of his 78 years, he has loved his job and been a glutton for work. Senators have been heard to remark that "Judge Moore is the only man in the State Department with any guts." Sumner Welles's nomination for Under Secretary might not have been confirmed if Judge Moore had been passed over.

Hence Secretary Hull first got Congress to revive the job of "Counselor," co-equal with Under Secretary in rank and pay ($10,000). The younger, career diplomat, he gave an office adjoining his own, the right to be Acting Secretary in his absence. To the older, amateur diplomat he gave an office two doors away, a closer place as his personal adviser on semilegal and political problems. In short, Sumner Welles will wear the spats, Judge Moore the carpet slippers.

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