Laurel outlook., 1945-04-18
Presidents Life
Was Characterized
By Vigorous Action

Unlike the "log-cabin" president
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was n
born into poverty. When Frank
arrived at Hyde Park, N. Y, {
January 30, 1882, he came into
family that had possessed wealt
for many generations. The Roos'
velts had been thrifty landowner
in the Hudson valley since the fir.
of the family came over from Ho
land. On his mothers side ais
there was a substantial fortune
Among his ancestors were man
men who had served the state i
various capacities.
Young Franklin attended the yer
fashionable Groton school, wher
he prepared for Harvard university
After completing the liberal art
course he entered Columbia U. Law
school, from which he was gradu
ated in 1907. Two years earlier
however, he married his distan
cousin, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor vas a niece of Theodore
Roosevelt, at that time in the White
House.
After two years of legal prac-
tice, Franklin entered politics,
running on the Democratic
ticket for the New York state
senate. He Unexpectedly defeat
ed a strong Republican candi-
date. From the beginning of his
career he identified himself with
reform movements, opposing
the powerful Tammany organi-
cation in the statehOuse. He was
reelected in 1912, by which
time he had become a leader of
the anti-Tammany faction.
Woodrow Wilson appointed Roose-
welt assistant secretary Of the
navy. When World War 1 broke out
Roosevelt proved himself an eff
cient administrator, handling bill
lions of dollars worth of contracts
for ships and supplies. He served in
this post throughout the a
Ran for Vice President.
In 1920 the Democratic national
convention chose him as running
mate for James Cox. While cam
paigning for the vice presidency
Roosevelt made many acquaint-
ances valuable in later political
life. Cox being defeated, F.D.R.
returned to legal practice.
The following year the great
tragedy of his life struck him
infantile paralysis. The big,
strong young man became a
bedridden invalid. For months
he lay without ambition, almost
without hope. Slowly his pow
erful will took command, how
ever, and by persistence he
partially regained the use Of
his muscles. 1t was during his
convalescence at Warm Springs,
Ga, that he determined to do
what he could to eradicate the
scourge that had almost ruined
him. The March of Dimes"
campaign was the result.
At the Democratic conventions of
924 and 1928, he aligned himself
With the group supporting Alfred
9. Smith, New York's governor.
When Smith vas nominated in 1923,
roosevelt a for governor of his
tate and was elected. At the end
f his two-year term he was again
lected, this time by the greatest
majority ever given to a New York
.%overnor.
AS governor he continued the re-
orm and improvement policies of
is predecessor Smith. His achieve
lents attracted nationwide atten- O.,
on. AS the depression that began
ate in 1929 deepened, his efforts ,
control the mounting business :
unemployment and dis :
'ess in his state revealed his abili- /,
es as a vigorous leader in grave
mes. l
Swept in as President. ;
When the national convention =
let in Chicago in 1882 Roosevelt c
as quickly chosen. He was swept &
ito office by a plurality of seven !
liiiOi NOISo, carrying II StdlGS. /
9th houses went Democratic. /
Before he could take office
a wave of bank failures threat C
ened the whole economic struc- t
ture. The famous "bank mora Z"
torium" order, one of Roose-
velt's first official acts, closed \
all banks until they could be re- +
organized on a sounder basis, a
thus preventing disastrous runs.
In the spring of 1892 came the .
repeal of the 18th, or prohibit
ton amendment. Then came
the National Industrial Recov- j
cry Act, or "NRA," under :
which extensive emergency pow
ers were granted to the Presi.