When gentlemen didn't read other people's mail

On July 11, 1941, with the United States not yet at war, F.D.R. created the post of Coordinator of Information, and inserted Donovan into the position. The job description was a little vague, which suited both men. At first, Donovan reported directly to the President. Spying was still regarded with distaste by many people in the foreign-policy establishment: in 1941, while Hitler was overrunning Europe and threatening Great Britain, the State Department had eighteen people working in intelligence.