The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-05
in
New York
nv PAIL HARRISON

New YOrk.-frOm COuey ASiaA~
to Harlem, Little Italy to China
town. the Bowery to Broadway,
Gotham put its heart into the oc-
casion Of celebrating the presi-
At the Nippon club Japanese
lifted glasses of saki in salute ana
shouted: ''Tanjobi omedetah!
which means "lfappy birthday
There were hundreds OF din
ners, and while $500 attended a
banquet at the Aston, 200 Chinese
gave a feast for the same purpose
right across the street.
Champagne corks popped az
many places, but at a banquet or
the Spirits club, an organization
of liquor dealers and manufactur-
ers, the Roosevelt toast was. drunk
in water. About so important
hotels held birthday dances, and
six-foot cake was cut at a Broad
way dime-a-dance palace.
The Drowning Event
At the Observation-Disclosures
was a party! Partly because that
great hosiery can accommodate
more people than any other place
in town. Partly because famous
folk, and wealthy ones, and the
most glittering social lights were
there. But mostly because one OF
the guests was a certain grand old
lady named Sarah Delano Roose-
welt.
It had been a busy time for the
mother Of the president-tea on a
liner. dinner at the Aston, and
then this browning event of
what she said was the happiest
day Of her life. There was no
precedent for the pomp and
pageantry and mixed emotion
alism that marked that night.
whenever she moved, 1t was be-
tween stiff ranks of shakoed, gold
braided resplendently uniformed
members Of the swank Seventh
Regiment. Back of these files
friends called out to her gaily.
Thousands applauded. 8 m 9
cheered. A cripple wept.
The grand ballroom was simply
decorated with a few flags. Also
by some Of Ned Wayburn's dane
ing gals, So costumed debutantes
CARRYING huge candles, George M.
Cohan,, and a great many spot
lights darling here and there.
Thousands Of those who jamned
the place were unable to get seats
to see the pageant that preceded
the dancing.
Judy O'Grady breathed
down the back of Mrs Van
dergould, or climbed mp on
the same chart with Mr. AS
torbilt. : And still nobody 4
seemed to mind.
A New Social Deal
Social changes inherent in the
New Deal were apparent in the list
of boxholders at the ball. Among
the Biddles, Harrtmans ana
Baruchs was listed the Interna-
tionaI Ladies Garment Workers
The Dowager Mrs Roosevelt.
belle of the ball, sat in the nag
.draped central box and beamed.
Beamed, and talked to friends
who crowded around, and out OF
her welled-up emotion impaired
little snatches OF "reminiscences.
"Of course I'm proud. All moth
ers are proud on their sons birth
days. "He was such little
baby-52 years ago. Rather thin.
I worried. Then he grew strong"
:T'm very happy, Of course.
No, i can't say was terribly sur
prised when he grew up to be
president. Don't all proud moth
ers expect their sons to be IA
mous?" I'm little tired.
But it's so thrilling "of
course I want to cut the cake!
But I'm glad it's not that big one"
f. Franklin used to say he'd be
q seafaring man. In another stage
of his boyhood he got pretty bossy
with his playmates. said: Don't
give too many orders. Franklin
and he said: But II 7 don't give
orders, nothing happens'" :.
mo didn't send him a birthday
present. Couldn't think of any
thing he wanted. But we talked"
Goodness! It's 1915 and
must go. Besides. Franklin's birth
day Is over"