THE ADMINISTRATION: Man in the Storm

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If anyone ever comes to any part of this Government . . . claiming some privilege . . . on the basis that he is part of my family or of my friends, that he has any connection with the White House, he is to be thrown out instantly . . . I can't believe that anybody on my staff would ever be guilty of an indiscretion. But if ever anything came to my attention of that kind, any part of this Government, that individual would be gone.

—Dwight D. Eisenhower, May 4, 1956

One day last week, two years and 55 days after he forcefully spelled out this rigid code at his press conference, the President of the U.S. stepped soberly before 257 newsmen with a sheaf of 5-in.-by-7-in. cards in his hands. On the cards was typed, in extra big size, a new statement. As he read, licking a finger now and then to dislodge the cards from the stack, the President boomed the words out in bass tones. "The intense publicity lately surrounding the name of Sherman Adams makes it desirable, even necessary, that I start this conference with an expression of my own views about the matter."

The President's voice rose. "The circumstances surrounding the innocent receipt by a public official of any gift are important, so that the public may clearly distinguish between innocent and guilty action . . . Anyone who knows Sherman Adams has never had any doubt of his personal integrity and honesty. No one has believed that he could be bought; but there is a feeling or belief that he was not sufficiently alert in making certain that the gifts, of which he was the recipient, could be so misinterpreted as to be considered as attempts to influence his political actions. To that extent he has been, as he stated yesterday, 'imprudent.'

"Now, the utmost prudence must necessarily be observed by everyone attached to the White House . . . Carelessness must be avoided. I believe that the presentation made by Governor Adams to the congressional committee yesterday truthfully represents the pertinent facts.

"I personally like Governor Adams. "I admire his abilities. "I respect him because of his personal and official integrity. "I need him.

"Admitting the lack of that careful prudence in this incident . . . I believe with my whole heart that he is an invaluable public servant doing a difficult job efficiently, honestly and tirelessly."

Armor & Rebellion. Thus Dwight Eisenhower talked into the swirling storm that had hit harder at the structure of his Administration and his party than any other big blow of his political career. For the first time the storm's eye centered on the White House and on wiry (5 ft. 8 in., 135 Ibs.) Presidential Assistant Sherman Adams, 59, ex-Governor of New Hampshire, presidential chief of staff and next to Ike the most powerful man in the Administration. Adams, by presidential assignment the guardian of the integrity that Ike had always promised, the man of stern incorruptibility who threw out Government appointees of high rank at the first whiff of scandal, was now himself in deep trouble for having tarnished the armor he had so ceaselessly polished.