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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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there will be a Cabinet meeting at eight o'clock tonight. He wants everybody there.”

I said, “Hackie, what's the trouble?” Surely I'll be there, but what's the matter? Why are we being called in tonight?”

She said, “The war, you know.” Then she hung up, “I'm in a hurry.” She was working like mad getting people all over the United States, finding out where they were and getting hold of them.

I turned to this woman who was working for me. I didn't know her very well. She was just a person I got to work for me when I was in New York. I didn't like to tell her, because I didn't know what might be secret. But I thought I'd burst. I said, “Something has gone wrong. I don't know what it is, but some terrible crisis has come upon us. The President has called us in by eight. It's now after six. I have to get the first plane there is. While I pack my bag and put on my clothes, will you call the airport and get me a seat on the next plane to Washington.”

She was some time on the wire and I was rushing back and forth getting things together. She said, “I guess you can get aboard.”

I said, “Haven't you got me a seat?”

“Well,” she said, “they're very confused at the airport. I told them who it was and they said they'd certainly have a place for you, but that they've got such a rush





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