The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-08
FDR Ready
TO Defend
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more pressing international prob
1ems.
The President came home to a
turbulent labor situation and be
fore the week is out, he probably
VIII have something to say on the
complicated situation arising from
government seizure Of Montgomery
Ward, an action already under con-
aressional investigation.
Early Conferences
In the field Of foreign affairs, he
scheduled early conferences with
Undersecretary Of State E. r. Stet-
tinius, Jr., Just back from mission
TO London, andd Ambassador Averell
w. Hartman, who was a surprise
arrival last week from his post at
Moscow.
These were the more immediate
matters at presidential hand, but
the biggest items on his agenda
were 1914 political decisions and the
long-awaited western front invasion
OF Europe. There were as many
potential headache in these two
items as In all the other White
House problems put together.
Mr.. Roosevelt was in better ply
steal shape to cope with his grind
ing official routine than he has
been in long time, and his ply
stefan intended to fix a schedule
that will keep him fit.
I'VE have gained everything we
hoped to gain in this four-weeks
rest and I am perfectly satisfied
with his physical condition" Nc
Intire said as the vacation ended.
All traces Of winter ailments van
ashed under the magic Of salt air,
lots Of sleep and rest and long
hours Of sunbathing ashore, afloat
and In an open automobile.
Perfect Health"
McIntire declined to answer when
asked whether, should the President
decide to run for reelection, he
physically Is ready for a political
campaign. The doctor did say Mr.
Roosevelt's health was perfectly
fine" and that he was going to
check his personal observations
against medical science by giving
the President thorough physical
examination within a few days.
That probably will be at the Naval
Medical Center in suburban Be-
eheSda, Md.
This was the longest actual vaca-
ton the President has taken since
entering the White House. Mr.
Roosevelt left Washington on April
/ 8. The spot he picked offered the
type Of SecluSion he has sought for
! years.
Heavy forests OF messy live oak
/ sypress and pine surrounded the
! red brick Georgian home-Baruch's
big house where the President
lived for a month. Only 100 of the
$4,000 acres in Hobcaw Barony are
under cultivation, most of the land
being used as hunting preserve
where quail and duck, deer and
wild boar, rattleSnakeS and alliga-
tors abound. The roads that cut
through the estate are sandy and
r1ltty but were packed down under
the automobile traffic incident to
Mr.. Roosevelt'S presence.
Area Guarded
/ During the presidential stay the
area was guarded by the secret
service and q Marine detail.
The President lived the easy go
ing life Of Southern plantation
\ owner. He breakfasted in bed
!. about $50 o'clock in the morning
i and until lunchtime lolled In the
sun on a red-tiled terrace, using
this time to hanle mail and ofacial
papers sent to him about every
other day from washington. Lunch
at one, then an hours nap and the
President was ready for the after
noon program Of boating. fishing
or driving about the plantation
country until the 7:30 dinner hour.
Mr.. Roosevelt usually was in bec
by $50 p. m, reading a while be-
fore dropping OF to sleep in his
ground floor, corner bedroom that
looked out over the bay and Wac
camaw river.
A famous angler. Mr.. Roosevelt
had spotty fishing luck on this trip.
He seemed content, however, to ex-
plore Yinyah Bay and its five trib-
utary rivers In powered whaleboats
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ers.
The President made several long
motor trips to nearby plantations
and once drove up the coast to
Myrtle Beach, but for the most part
and aside from his boat trips, he
remained close to Hobsaw. He rev.
eled in the fact that Baruch's place
had no telephone: that the nearest
one to him was five miles away. At
the same time, the chief executive
remained In close touch with WASH
sngton and stayed up to the minute
on progress Of the war.
In q chat with the three press
association reporters who were at
tached to the official party based
eight miles from Hobcaw at George
town, the President said shortly be-
fore returning to Washington that
he felt grand; that he did not feel
that he was coming back TO any
particular accumulation of business
because he had kept fairly abreast
G his paper work while resting.
A6Mnahers Of the immediate Presi-
6enkiai party who lived at Homcaw
WIN the President and Baruch in
eluded McIntire; Admiral william
ID. Leahy. chief OF staff to the Pres
adent: MAJ. Gen. Edwin M. Watson.
secretary and military aide. and
Rear Admiral Wilson Brown, naval
aide.
Few Guests
Mr.. Roosevelt had few guests dur
Eng his stay. His son, 1t. cmdr
FRANKLIN D. Roosevelt, JF. (UsNRl
dropped By for q nights visit en-
E0lte 10 q new station and COM
nland Of q destroyer escort vessel.
Afrs. Roosevelt few down from
Washington with offleial luncheon
guests: Australian Prime Minister
and Mrs. John Curtin and Costa
Riean president eieet and Sonora
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