Evening star., 1945-04-13
Presidents Death e-a'1
Long F Foreshodowed
But the News Itself Came With
Indescribable Shock
Bv David Laurence

BY David Laurence
The sad news which for months and
months most people on the inside here
had feared-the sudden death of the
President-has come as shock to
Washington that is truly indescribable.
The tragedy Of an abrupt ending Of
the career of the man who had been
elected four times to the presidency and
who had been intrusted with greater
powers than any other Chief Executive
In all our history will be felt throughout
the world. For to remarkable extent
the Government of the United States
this last II years has been interviewer
with the personality of Franklin D.
Roosevelt
History will say Of him that he was
courageous and even daring He risked
his life to make the long journey over
seas to confer with war leaders. He
worked at all hours at his Job Of Com
mander In Chief. He faced the certain
results Of possible overwork without
thought of himself.
Truman Well Liked.
No~J AAS~ ! ACcAOCuG-k1dlTy o.
man-takes the reins OF government in
accordance with constitutional custom,
He Is good man. He is well liked by
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol
Hill. They have had a chance to know
him intimately and they speak of him
With respect and affection. They con-
slider him square-shooter and a man
OF klndllness and deep spiritual feeling.
This correspondent happened to at
tend on Wednesday morning of this
week breakfast with a dozen Senators
from both parties and Mr.. Truman, II
was an informal meeting for prayer and
spiritual fellowship and the then Vice
President spoke simply and understand
ingly Of human problems. One did not
suspect then that before 48 hours had
elapsed Mr.. Truman would become the
head of our Nation. Curiously enough,
before Mr.. Truman arrived, one of the
Senators said he had heard new
rumors' of the Presidents health. But
as happens so often when rumors arise
and are denied, there was a tendency
to think that perhaps these rumors too
were baseless.
Yet all through the last campaign
there were men who claimed to know
OF the Presidents physical condition and
spoke OF the future with forebodings. It
was considered political to discuss the
PRESIDENTS health, and yet it was ap-
parent from the moving pictures and
the still photographs that he was fail
ing
Back in December, 1943, when Mr.
Roosevelt went to Teheran he picked
up a germ. He never succeeded In
overcoming its effects. For it weak
ened MIN. He lost weight. There was
talk of a heart condition. But what
ever brought on these rumors. there
was no Official information given to
corrooorate them. The drawn face and
almost haggard look that came from
his eyes continued to arouse fears. To
an amazing degree his face took on the
same look that had preceded the death
OF President woodrow Wilson Maybe
1t was because Mr. Roosevelt began
wearing the same kind of cape, or
maybe 1t was the similarity in the
contour OF the features. but again and
again there were comments about the
tragedy that might repeat itsef-the
breakdown in health of a second war
President
What turned the thoughts Of OBJ
servers away from any idea Of an i'm
pending crisis in his health was Mr..
Roosevelts powers of recupera ton and
his buoyancy of spirit. His demeanor
was that of man happy in his work
and enthusiastic about his current
tasks There were smiles that were so
dlsarmlng that many correspondents
who saw him always felt that he soon
would snap back into good health.
Impressed on Memories.
The record Of the Roosevelt admins
trations is too recent to be appraised
but friend and foe In politics will
agree that his aims were ALWAYS in the
direction of an improvement in the lot
OF the common man. He encountered
the bitterest of antagonism from busi-
nessmen because of his avowed interest
IN social-economic legislation. but his
passing will not mean that these laws
will be weakened or nullified
For Franklin Roosevelt managed al
ways to win his majorities by drawing
strength from both parties and to a
large extent from all classes. He came
here early in 1918, handsome young
man fresh from the State Senate of
New York, and served as Assistant Sec
retary of the Navy. NOBODY who really
knew him throughout the years as did
this correspondent could fail to have
for him the deepest affection, and this
was true of many who disagreed with
his policies. For he was a man OF en-
gaging personality whose charm was
unmistakable
There need be no concern abroad or
at home. The new President under
stands the Roosevelt policies and will
carry on. The mourning of the people
of the world for Franklin Roosevelt
will in itself leave an indeiible i'm
press on the memory of all who have
witnessed his rise to great heights only
to be summoned by Divine Providence
as his work as war President was COM
ing to a victorious end. In the peace,
others will carry on for him and his
ideals will be safe in their hands.
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