THE CABINET: Garner Leaves

There is no ritual Nunc Dimittis for a departing Vice President of the U. S. Those who imagined that farewelling John Nance Garner might write one misread his bad-prosy character. Last week, when he attended his last Cabinet meeting, he was surrounded by reporters who hoped against hope that he might say something that could be interpreted as a last word. Never more in character, Statesman Garner squinted out a White House window at the foggy drizzle and grated: “It’s a rough day out, isn’t it?”

Same day he got an offer to go into the movies: to act the role of Vice President of the U. S. in a Columbia cinecomedy to be called Senate Page Boys. It seemed like work that Mr. Garner might do without strain. Columbia sent him a wheedling wire: “Senate Page Boys is a high tribute to American youth. . . .” But Mr. Garner said he would reject all such offers.

When the inaugural bands blared forth, holding a borrowed silk hat, Mr. Garner smilingly swore in new Vice President Henry Agard Wallace. Then, having regretted invitations to dinners and the inaugural reviewing stand, he took a last ride in the Vice President’s car—to the station, where he entrained for Texas.