03/17/97 AN OLD BOYS' CLUB AT TREASURY

AN OLD BOYS' CLUB AT TREASURY

ALTHOUGH THE CLINTON Administration stresses diversity in its appointments, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin's inner circle of advisers has become nearly an all-male club. Under Lloyd Bentsen, seven women political appointees held top policymaking posts in such areas as finance, taxes, economics, and international policy. Now, there are just two: Assistant Secretary Linda Robertson, the congressional lobbyist, and IRS Commissioner Margaret Richardson. But Richardson is leaving under prodding from Rubin.
Women have left for various reasons. Darcy Bradbury, assistant secretary for financial markets, went to Wall Street. Rubin aide-de-camp Sylvia Mathews moved to the White House, and General Counsel Jean Hanson was sucked under by Whitewater. Men replaced them. Treasury officials note women hold other top positions, such as Treasurer of the U.S.--yet they're not in policymaking jobs.
Not until recently, say Clinton insiders. ''Rubin was an untouchable when it came to White House pressure on appointments,'' says one. ''But the pressure has picked up.'' Rubin aides say he will soon name a woman as a senior policymaker.
By Owen Ullmann
EDITED BY LARRY LIGHT