Valuable advice from Ike’s press secretary

I’ve just finished reading Bret Baier’s fine new book on President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Three Days in January.”

I’ve read several books on “Ike” and found this one particularly riveting.

The book captures the drama of the transition period between the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.

One of the historical characters mentioned frequently in the book is James C. Hagerty, White House press secretary under Eisenhower from 1953-61. Hagerty was reputed to be the president’s closest day-to-day advisor.

The former New York Times reporter served as press secretary for New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey before joining Ike. A straight shooter, he was respected by members of the media. For his insistence on honesty and decorum, some called him “Iron Man Hagerty.”

I met him in July 1964, when he was 55 years old.

Actually (caution: caveat ahead!), I didn’t exactly meet him. Not personally.

Hagerty was known for his competence and candor. He was also said to have a low boiling point and didn’t suffer fools lightly. For the most part, however, he was relaxed, friendly and unrelentingly professional.

Hagerty played a significant role in the Eisenhower administration’s decision-making process. Not simply a “mouthpiece,” he was a true advisor.

In his first meeting with reporters in D.C., he set parameters for the White House Press Corps.

“I am not going to play any favorites, and I’m not going to give out any exclusive stories about the president or the White House,” he told them.

“When I say to you, ‘I don’t know,’ I mean I don’t know … aside from that, I’m here to help you get the news.”

He was a facilitator, and did an outstanding job.

After leaving the White House in 1961, he became ABC’s executive vice president for corporate relations.

In the spring and summer of 1964, I was a 19-year-old U.S. Army private stationed at Fort Slocum, N.Y. I attended the U.S. Army Information School, and was in training to become an Army information specialist — a dispenser of Army information to the news media.

At the end of the eight-week course of study, Hagerty was the featured speaker at our graduation ceremony.

It was a hot and sticky Friday morning — we were already sweat-soaked in our khakis! — and 100 of us, along with guests, were seated for the ceremony in an un-air-conditioned post theater. We’d finished our final exams Thursday, and spent Thursday night in the NCO Club celebrating our accomplishment.

A good percentage of the graduating class sported throbbing headaches Friday morning. Because of the heat and early hour, several dozed off during the ceremony. Invigilators, with long poles, were assigned to awaken them with bonks to the head, prompting many stifled giggles.

Though I don’t recall much of what Hagerty said that morning, I remember he was impressive. Beginning that afternoon, 100 graduates would be taking off for military installations around the globe.

I was sent to Fort Benning, Ga. to serve in the public information office. The following year, I went to Korea and worked in the Eighth Army Support Command’s press office, and was an editor of an Army newspaper. I later ran a news bureau.

Following my discharge, I returned to college and earned a B.A. in communications, then worked for 37 years as Orange Coast College’s public information/media relations/community relations director.

This impressionable 19-year-old never forgot Hagerty, or that sultry New York morning. He commanded attention. Hagerty was no shrinking violet, and he gave us the straight scoop.

During his Army Information School speech he told a number of Eisenhower Administration stories. I was taken by the fact that he was unabashedly loyal to his former boss, Supreme Allied Commander and President, Dwight David Eisenhower.

I never forgot that.

I remember that he emphasized that P.R. professionals were obliged never to obfuscate the truth or lie to the media. Never! I didn’t forget that, either.

Also, never once in my 37-year career did I ever say to a member of the media, “No comment.” Never once. Never.

Jim Hagerty was the best of teachers.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.