Evening star., 1944-10-21
Roosevelt -Lauds
Wagner in Rally
AT Ebbets Field
Travels in Twin Role
O4MiIitory Chief
And Compoiener
(Picture on Page A-4.)
BY the Associated Presa

dent Roosevelt-traveling in the
twin role of Commander in
Chief and candidate for Office
brought the fourth-term cam
paign into New York City today
for a round of military inspec-
tions and political appearances.
He visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard
and other war installations, but he
was dressed for campaigning, an old
felt hat and his favorite Navy cape,
and the first public word he spoke
was a political Endorsement for SEN
ator Robert F. Wagner, Democrat,
Of New York in a rally at Ebbets
Field.
$1,000 Brave Rain.
The President said his "old friend
Bob Wagner" deserves well of man.
kind, and should be returned to the
Senate for another term. Mrs.
Roosevelt sat with him in his car
as he made the brief talk.
Mayor F. H. La Guardia estimated
10000 persons braved a drizzle to
attend the rally and commented, ut
must be affection to come out in this
weather" The seating capacity of
the park is $4,000.
tSanding bare-headed in his open
car on ramp in the center of the
ball park, the President said he
came Ito pay tribute to my old
friend, Bob Wagner"
Il have a confession to make"
the President told the Brooklyn
crowd. I've never been in Ebbets
Field before, but I've rooted for
the Dodgers. And I hope to come
back to see them play"
Recalls Days Together.
But my chief reason" he said,
"is to pay tribute to my old friend
Bob Wagner We served together
in the Legislature. I hate to say
how many years ago and We
are close friends because We have
the same ideals of service to fellow
man. If every one knew of
the help Bob Wagner has been to
mankind there would not be any
question about his going back to
the Senate for another six years. u
The lower stands were we'll filled
and spectators took up part of the
space in the upper stands as Mr.
Roosevelt entered the park. A chant
We want Roosevelt swefIed from
the crowd as his car moved up the
ramp to speak.
The President. shedding the Sc
crecy that has surrounded his
travels since America entered the
war, arrived at the New York Port
of Embarkations Brooklyn Army
Base at 7:l3 am. and began his
tour of the base at 9:58 am. Rid
ing In an open car with Mayor
F. H. La Guardia, Frank Kelly
Brooklyn Democratic leader, and
John J. Cashmere, Brooklyn bor-
ough president.
Fala at His Side.
Soldiers and civilians greeted the
President during flve-minute ride
| about the Army base Most of the
crowd watched from windows, a
steady rain beating down on the
presidential car.
Outside the gates Mr.. Roosevelt
was cheered as he left the base for
the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Sitting
beside the President, and apparent
ly enjoying the rain, was Fala, the
Scottie
1t was Mr.. Roosevelt's first public
appearance outside Washington
since the campaign reached the in
tensive stage, and it presaged other
political trips.
Already scheduled are speeches in
Philadelphia next Friday and in
Boston probably the night of No
vember 4. Chicago and Cleveland
are other likely appearance spots.
Thirty-seven reporters, photog-
raphers and radio men accompanied
the President from Washington, the
first time they have boarded a pres
idential train since Pearl Harbor
On other wartime trips he either
has been unaccompanied by cor
respondents or has taken with him
only the White House reporters fol
the three news services.
Others in Party.
Also in the Presidents party were
Secretary of the Treasury Morgen-
thau, Presidential Secretaries Ste
phen Early and William D. Hassett
Robert Sherwood. the writer who
recently left the Off1ce of War In.
formation to join the White House
staff, and Vice Admiral Ross T
Mcintyre, the Presidents physician
Mrs. Roosevelt Joined the party
shortly before the President began
his tour of the city.
Mr.. Early said Mr.. Roosevelt had
no intention of concealing himself
today behind voluntary censorship
His appearance at Ebbets Field
marked the first time of the cam.
paign that the President has turned
up at a political rally, although hi
will repeat next Friday at Philadel-
phia's Shibe Park. His opening
campaign speech in Washington last
month was at dinner meeting OF
the AFL Teamsters' Union, where
admission was by ticket only. Wha,
other talks he has made have beer
delivered by radio from the White
House.
BY the time Mr.. Roosevelt gets
around to tonight's radio address
before the Foreign Policy Association
at the Waldorf Astoria at $50 pm,
his schedule also will have taker
him to Brooklyn Navy Yard, to tn,
Ebbets Field rally, the Bronx tt
inspect the WAVES training station
and to Manhattan, where hi
planned to rest at his wife's apart.
ment before the dinner.
The region he will cover is ar
area normally rich in Democratic
votes and carries within its confine.
the principal hopes of the Demo.
Gratis for capturing New york's Il
electoral votes.
$ Are GOfj