The first goal was sought through unstinting condemnation of aggression and the second through ceaseless efforts in. behalf of the reciprocal trade treaty programme. Though both may seem "lost causes" at the moment, their desirability and the realization that they might have gone far to avoid the present world crisis has heightened the Secretary's stature.
Tireless also have been Mr. Hull's efforts to convert the Administration's "Good Neighbour" policy into a broad pattern of ce-operation among the 21 Pan-American Republics, Never has the cause been "lost" even temporarily, and the recent conferences at Montevideo, Lima, Panama and Havana have seen inter-American friendship and understanding blossom as never before in New World history.
Evidence of the esteem in which Secretary Hull is held by the American people was clearly shown during the last presidential campaign when the Democrats, fearful of the progress being made by Mr. Willkie in his attacks upon President Roosevelts foreign policy, drafted the secretary to defend-the administration's conduct of foreign affairs in a notable speech before the National Press Club in Washirgton.
In addition to former Secretary Seward, Secretaries James Madison and Hamilton Fish came nearest to the longest tenure of office. The former served under President Thomas Jefferson from May 7, 1801 until March 3, 1809, the latter serving under Presidents Grant and Hayes from March 17, 1869 to March 12, 1877. Secretary Fish missed out on the first eleven days of Grant's administration as the post of Secretary of State was held for that short period by Mr. Elihu Washburn, a gentleman of whom history has little to say.
In addition to Secretary Hull, two other Cabinet members begin their third term in the same position. These are Secretary of Labour, Miss Frances Perkins and Secretary of the Interior, Mr, Harold L, Ickes,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.