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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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“Well,” I said, “whoever is accustomed to swearing in people here. You must have somebody who swears in people.”

“Well,” she said, “the chief clerk swears in all the employees.”

I said, “That's all right with me.” Chief Clerk wasn't the title, but it was something about that level. “Have you got a Bible in the office?”

Mr. Mitchell looked sort of funny and said, “I don't know whether we have or not.”

Miss Morris said, “I've got one.”

He sent out for this clerk who swore in all the people who were appointed. I thought he would send for the other Commissioners. But he didn't. It was up to him and I didn't say anything about it. I was sworn in right then and there. I shook hands with Miss Morris and Mr. Mitchell and the chief clerk. Then I asked if somebody would take me down to my office. They hadn't thought of that, but one of them got himself together and took me down. They introduced me to the secretary who had been Mr. Wiard's secretary. She was sitting in the outer office - a very nice girl. She'd cleaned things up very nicely. Everything was dusted, cleaned and emptied. It was fine.

There I was sitting in my office without anything to do. Mr. Mitchell had given me no conception at all as to





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