THE PRESIDENCY: The Hagerty Snag

A fishing lure held up a Cabinet meeting in the White House last week. Just after the pre-meeting prayer, Vice President Nixon broke in to say that the day was an important anniversary: one year before, the Republican National Convention in Chicago had nominated for President "the best fisherman for votes the country has ever had." As Nixon finished his brief speech. Press Secretary James C. Hagerty and Presidential Assistant C. D. Jackson set before the President an anniversary gift from the Cabinet and the White House staff: two dozen assorted fishing lures mounted on velvet. A bass lure with two gangs of hooks got loose and snagged the press secretary's navy blue silk trousers.

Vice President, Cabinet officers and presidential assistants scrambled to Hagerty's rescue. Others stood by and offered suggestions, such as, "Take your pants off, Jim." Since Secretary Oveta Gulp Hobby was on hand, Hagerty ignored the advice.

As would-be rescuers bustled about him, trying unsuccessfully to choke down their laughter, Hagerty grew red and fidgety. Guffaws pealed down White House halls. Dwight Eisenhower roared so heartily that tears trickled down his cheeks.

At last, Agriculture Secretary Benson handed Nixon a penknife, and the Vice President liberated Hagerty by cutting a slit in his trousers. Nixon announced that the lure, formerly known as the "Hula Diver," would henceforth be called the "Hagerty Snag."