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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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I liked him, and I knew him a little, but I had no sense of being important to him or of having any rational relationship with him which would enable me to say things to him except what was strictly in my line of duty. I could tell him what was specifically in my line of duty, but I never felt I could philosophize with him, could analyze a situation with philosophical and historical references, pin him down, as I would have Roosevelt, you see. Say, “This is just like that, or just like something else,” and “This is the basic idea in this part of life anyhow.” I mean, I couldn't say things like that to Truman. I don't know why I couldn't, but I didn't have any sense that I had a right to or would be wanted to. I would have felt awkward, would have felt that it wasn't what was being asked for. And I think everybody else felt the same way.

I think Francis Biddle felt pretty sure of himself with Truman, but in that kind of joky way that Francis Biddle has. He thinks he's very practical, and of course I think he's quite the contrary, but he always thinks he's a very practical soul.

I remember that Henry Morgenthau was sort of snooty. A stranger didn't quite like his attitude. I mean, he was--well, a little snooty is the only word I can use for it, about Mr. Truman. He had, of course, sewed himself up to an idol, you know, and nobody could ever equal Roosevelt





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