Evening star., 1933-04-06
HOME RULE CALLED
| ROOSEVELT POLICY
DuhameI ReaSsureS Oldest
Inhabitants on Presidents
Probable Choices.

Prediction that President Roosevelt
would appoint commissioners who will
conform with the wishes of the citi-
zens,' was made last night by James
F.. Duhamel of this city, who served
with MIR, Roosevelt as State Senator of
New York, at Albany.
Mr.. Duhamel spoke at meeting of
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District of Columbia.
Some of the civic workers of
Washington would like to know the
probable attitude of the President re-
garding the District of Columbia" said
Mr.. Duhamel land in this respect the
matter of home rule" has been one
of the cardinal doctrines of the Demo-
cratic party in New York State and the
President has never been known to
leave that beaten path.
Little Friction Noted.
s'While Tammany has differed with
many of the Governors of New York,
yet during the administration of Gov
Roosevelt there was little friction,
and this has been in consequence of his
home rule policy.
For this reason" said Mr.. Duhamel
eve may hope to get high governing
officials that will conform with the
stress of national wants is lessened it
Is to be hoped that the President may
select loyal and acknowledged compe-
tent commissioners conversant with the
intricate conditions of Washington
government.
"It must be remembered" said Mr..
Duhamel, "that Tammany attempted
its arrogant and dictatorial methods
with Cleveland and with Wilson, both !
of whom declined to surrender their |
prerogatives as the representatives of |
the people at large, but that was be- |
fore the day New York City had at |
tanned the population and power that |
warranted a demand for home rule |
The recent appointment of the collec- |
tor of customs indicates the adherence |
to this policy of local appointments to |
local men,"
Pictures Senator Roosevelt.
word picture of Mr. Roosevelt |
when he first entered the State Senate |
was drawn briefly by Mr.. Duhamel |
the Senate taking the oath in groups |
of six, he said there was a much |
younger, smooth-faced man, with good |
complexion and in very good humor,
but there was much evidence of excite |
ment and nervousness in his actions, |
although he entered into the talk and |
animation of his little group. The 'cere-
mony being over, I made no effort to |
learn the identity of this group, al
though I later became acquainted with
them in the Senate and the young man
I especially refer to was Franklin D.
Roosevelt"
Describing the fight made in the
State Senate by the "insurgent group"
of Democrats with Mr.. Roosevelt as
the spokesman, Mr.. Duhamel recalled
the Roosevelt opposition to William H.
Sheehan of Buffalo for United States
Senator, and the later election of Judge
James OGorman of the New York
County Supreme Court to represent the
State in the Senate here.
Mr.. Roosevelt, Mr.. Duhamel recalled.
had been elected over John F. Schlos-
ser by vote of 15,708 to 1853 in
what was then and has since remained
a strong Republican district compris-
ing Columbia, Dutchess and Putnam.
In the vote last Fall. Mr.. Duhamel said.
1t gave Hoover 42,057, and Roosevelt
33, ,220
Entertained at Residence.
"The insurgent group" said Mr.. Du-
hamel, combined social life with their
official duties and as the Roosevelts had
q large house for entertaining we were
invited there on several occasions to
play cards and indulge in other
amusements.
AT the conclusion of our fight" he
said, "a sumptuous entertainment and
dinner was given US at which we pre-
sented Senator Roosevelt with a silver
punch bowl which was bought with
contributions by his colleagues, and on
that occasion the punch bowl went wet
several times amid the wishes for the
future successes of the progressive
cause
"On another occasion during his Sec
ond term and before his resignation to
enter the Navy Department we were
again entertained, but this time the
members of the Senate"
During the meetings at the Roose-
welt home, the speaker said, "Roose-
welt always showed himself cheerful and
in good humor willing to surrender his
home and his time for our cause, feel
ing no doubt like Francis Scott Key,
that Our cause was just and win We
must"
Mr.. Duhamel said Senator Roosevelt
was chairman of the Committee on
Forest, Fish and Game. He was how
ever. favorable to all of the progress
siye measures.
Mr. Duhamel was commended for |
his address by Fred A. Emery, who !