The intimate papers of Colonel House arranged as a narrative by Charles Seymour.

142 INTIMATE PAPERS OF COLONEL HOUSE

judge. He did not make a good impression on me personally.
Y made a better impression, but I do not regard him as the
very best kind of material. If I should act wholly on my own
impressions, I'd guess in favor of Y.
However, if you gentlemen think it wisest to select X, I
will recommend his appointment and take the chance. He
said that he was not certain about acceptance if tendered.
We ought to know whether he will, before any formal tender
is made to him.
Will you see that the rest is done?
Called you on the 'phone, but you were reported out with
the President.
Sincerely
MCREYNOLDS
House's opinion was finally approved.
With Gregory, who succeeded McReynolds when the latter was appointed to the Supreme Court, Colonel House's
association was even more intimate. The Colonel discussed
frankly with him the relations of a Cabinet member with
the President, and gave him the benefit of his own experience:
'Never to go into long-winded arguments upon any subject, but to state his position in brief terms and never repeat.
That when he and the President agreed upon a matter, never
to give him reasons for so agreeing, as the President was too
busy to listen to unimportant details. I was sure he would
always be able to see the President whenever necessary if he
did not burden him with unimportant and unnecessary
verbiage....
'Gregory is very able and has been exceedingly successful
with New Haven affairs, but it has not spoiled him in the
least. He is one of the few that I have ever met who, I believe, would never get "the big head" no matter how suc