Presidential Papers, Doc#503 To Edgar Newton Eisenhower, 30 October 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #504

Document #503; October 30, 1953
To Edgar Newton Eisenhower
Series: EM, AWF, Name Series
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part III: The Space Age Begins; October 1957 to January 1958
Chapter 6: Building strength when there is "no perfect answer"

 

Dear Ed: Tradition, politics, and a great deal of ignorance in critical quarters combine to prevent a truly efficient organization of the President's office. I assure you, to compare with what was here eight months ago, we are now a model of smooth operation.1

Of course, I agree that a four or five hour session is tough; for a man of my age, it is also exasperating and exhausting. However, meetings such as the kind that was taking place while you were here also demand the time of others to such a degree that, in arranging for all these important officials to come together, I have to be prepared to give to the meeting whatever time is necessary for decisions and approval of plans.2

I did try out my arm the other day--I don't think I hurt it too much. However, it is far from well.3 With 5 greens consuming 15 putts, I still limped around in the 7th--which for me was not bad, not good!4 As ever

1 Writing on October 27, Edgar observed that in his view the President's office needed "definite organizational improvement" (AWF/N). Edgar said that he was "disturbed" to see, during a White House visit on October 7, that Eisenhower's morning appointments lasted five and one-half hours "without a break" and that a number of his secretaries "pulled" at him following one of the meetings. Eisenhower's day had begun at 7:45 a.m. with an off-the-record breakfast meeting, followed by appointments with the Secretary of Agriculture, a reporter from Look magazine, the president of the AFBF, the president of the National Association of Manufacturers, the chairman of the AEC, members of the NSC and a delegation from the American Hungarian Federation (see the Chronology).

Edgar suggested that Eisenhower "conserve time" and "eliminate frustration and confusion" by allowing for relaxation between meetings and by delegating one person to coordinate all office appointments. For background on Edgar's visit see no. 400.

2 According to biographer Steven Ambrose, Eisenhower organized his White House office "along lines taken from both the SHAEF example and that of the British War Cabinet" (Eisenhower, vol. II, The President, pp. 24-26). Early on, just after taking the oath of office, Eisenhower held his first staff meeting to discuss channels for handling correspondence, staff briefings on international matters, staff roles as liaison between himself and administrative agencies, procedures for scheduling White House visitors, and scheduling staff meetings (Jan. 22, 1953, AWF/D, Staff Notes Jan.-Dec. 1953. See also Adams, Firsthand Report, pp. 50-58, Ewald, Eisenhower the President, pp. 63-65; and Eisenhower, Mandate for Change, pp. 87-89).

3 Edgar had inquired about his brother's tender golfing arm (AWF/N). For background on the elbow injury see no. 400. Edgar would write again on November 6 with another suggestion for the President (AWF/N).

4 Eisenhower probably meant to say "in the 80s."

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Edgar Newton Eisenhower, 30 October 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 503. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/503.cfm

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