The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-01
n. Y. GOVERNOR
BATTLED ODDS
TO CAIN FAME
Roosevelt, Man Who Came
Back GameIy Beat
Physical HandicapS.

By United Press
NEW YORK, Oct. Franklin D.
Roosevelt, who rose to the highest
position his state offers, despite
physical handicap, might best be
described as "the man who came
back" Tuesday he was nominated
by New York Democrats to succeed
himself for Governor and his can
didacy for the presidency launched.
A distant relative Of Theodore
Roosevelt, the fighting President,
Franklin D. Roosevelt shows the
family strain. AS a youngster at
Harvard, from which he was grad
uated in 1904, Roosevelt excelled in
physical prowess. He was a star
football player.
In the summer of 1924, he was
stricken with infantile paralysis.
The disease left him paralyzed from
the waist down. In few weeks he
was bereft of the use of his legs
and little hope, held that he ever
would walk again.
Overcome Paralysis
AS helpless as an infant, he had
to be propped up in bed. His family
told him he was going to be all
right. There may have been doubt
in the minds of family, friends and
medical men about this but there
was none in the mind Of Roosevelt.
He set himself to win back the use
of his legs.
They did not respond to treat
merit at Roosevelt hospital here, but
continued to waste away.
But Roosevelt vowed he would get
we'll. Soon reports were heard that
he was improving. Then he was seen
motoring and finally there came a
time when with the use Of light but
strong iron braces and crutches, he
swung himself along and kicked his
legs. Today he walks with the aid
of strong canes.
Nominated Smith
Three years after he was stricken,
Roosevelt headed the movement to
nominate the then Governor Alfred
E. Smith for President of the Unit
ed States. He was at the Smith
headquarters early and late, con-
ferring with Democrats from other
states, deciding questions Of policy
and looking for strategic advantages.
Roosevelt presented the name of
Alfred E. Smith to the Democratic
convention as candidate for Presi-
dent. 1t was a dramatic moment in
political history, when he made his
way with difficulty from the floor
to the platform and made a speech
regarded as a political masterpiece.
Shortly thereafter, Roosevelt was
nominated for the Office which Gov
ernor Smith vacated and subse-
quently was elected Governor of
the state Of New York.
Roosevelt was born in the ances-
trail home at Hyde Park, N. Y,
Jan. 80, 1882. He holds an M. A.
degree from Harvard and Ill. B.
degree from Columbia.
In war days, Roosevelt was as
sistant secretary of navy.
AS Governor he has been con-
fronted recently with two important
decisions-what path to follow on
the prohibition question and what
stand to take toward exposures of
corruption in Tammany- controlled
New York.
In the first instance, Roosevelt de-
cided upon favoring repeal of the
eighteenth amendment, with a
proviso that states should determine
their own liquor problems except
that no state should have the right
to restore the old-time saloon.
Roosevelt, risking the possible
wrath of the powerful New York
city machine, ordered an investiga-
ton of charges of barter of
magistrates Offices in New York and
since has bestowed power to extend
the original inquiry. His latest move
in this particular situation was a
demand upon Tammany leaders to
abandon their refusals to waive i'm
munity which had been holding up
efforts to get these mems testimony.