Nation: Second Man Out

One by one, John Kennedy’s inner circle of advisers was breaking up. First to quit was Kennedy Speechwriter Theodore C. Sorensen. Last week Lyndon Johnson accepted the resignation, effective March 1, of ex-Harvard History Professor Arthur Meier Schlesinger Jr., 46, who has decided “to return to scholarly work.”

Wrote Johnson in a “Dear Arthur” note: “I know that the academic world will be the richer for your return.” The return will be delayed, however, while Schlesinger writes a “rather personal, rather informal” account of Kennedy’s years as President. Sorensen also plans to write a book on Kennedy, but the two should not conflict. Sorensen’s volume will deal with the broader aspects of Kennedy’s Washington career, beginning with his election to the Senate in 1952.