The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-30

equal opportunity anu soclHI SecuE- ity."
 The president said after making public his letter:
 Will Make Many Happy
 His (Lehman's) decision makes me very happy and 1t will make mile lions of people all over the United States very happy. It will be a great influence for good in carrying through social legislation in the broadest sense of the word"
 Mir. Roosevelt made public @ let- ter that bore the salutation Dear Herbert" and which he sent from Hyde Park to the governor yester- day.
 The message set forth the social legislative side of the political pie ture and pointed out that MT. Roosevelt believes the next two years will be very critical ones, land what takes place in New York will have an outstanding effect all over the nation"
 Letter Sent Lehman
 HIS letter folloWS:
 Dear Herbert:
 'For some weeks and particularly since the close of the New York state legislative session, I have been giving careful thought to- some mat ters of grave importance to the country, and especially their rela- tionship to the state of New York. May I repeat to you what I have already told you-Athat I was deeply disappointed when you stated that you would not again be a candidate for governor; though at the same time, as you know, I fully appre- ciate the valid personal reasons which impelled you to make the statement and sympathized with you in those reasons.
 Other Side of Picture
 Nevertheless, I am writing frank ly and with the deepest sincerity to tell you what conceive to be the other side of the picture.
 For many years you and have worked for many kinds of social legislat tion--fnuch legislation of this type has been. enacted, but at the same time much remains unful- filled.
 Our state was and still is among the pioneers, and today the federal government is making 1t possible for all the states to join in this work.
 "The next two years think, will be very critical ones, and what takes place in New York will have an outstanding effect all over the nation.
 "If the next state administrat ton should be in the hands of any in- dividual whose heart is not in the right place in respect to these great ideals or is even in part controlled by those who are unsympathetic to obJectives which you and I have. we would fail. More than that, I fear that many of the excellent laws put on the statute books dur ing your four years as governor would be repealed, weakened, or enforced by people who had their tongues. in their cheeks.
 Would Be Hurtful
 "The state of New York would be hurt thereby, even more impor- tant to the nation, the nation would be hurt thereby--for that kind of an example is initiated and spreads.
 T have referred to social legis- lation such as fair wage laws, un- employment insurance, old-age pensions, care of the destitute, but I should include the equally wide range of legislation affecting public utilities and conservation and, in general, the lives of the average citizen.
 T am convinced that your re- turn to Albany for another two years would have 8 splendid effect on all the rest of the country. That magnificent and richly deserved tribute which was given to you in Philadelphia last week shows what the other states think of your fine and successful leadership.
 T hope therefore that not only for the state but for the national good, you will be willing to recon slider your statement that you would not run again. Such recon- sideration would make me very happy--more than that, it would make millions of people all over the United States very happy.
 with my affectionate regards, very sincerely yours,
 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"
 Once owned by Sir Joshua Rev.