The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-12-06
Fair Enough
By WESTBROOK PEGLER
tight. 1915, by King Features Syndicat,

By WESTBROOK PEGLER
(Copyrixht, 1915, by King Features Syndicate)
NEW YORK-Anong the properties and
sources of income of Franklin Delano Roose-
welt and members of the Delano family there
were and, as to some individuals, there still
are coal mine and company town called
Vintondale, in Cambria county, Pa.
Frederic Delano, Of Washington, an uncle
of the late President, and numerous otheS
Delanos still have financial interests in the
properties. Frederic Delano was chairman of
the National Resources Planning Board, with
Offices in the State Department from 1894 to
1943, when he retired.
This board is q radical new deal agency.
It's purposes according to analysis by some
opponents, who may be prejudiced, include
compulsory insurance against every hazard
from womb to tomb and mixed economy
whereby union agents would first participate
in the management Of privately owned prop
critics and, eventually, would control the
properties entirely.
Uncle Frederic was born in China, the son
of Warren Delano, the old Canton opium
smuggler, who founded the Delano fortune in
this trade and a brother OF the late Sara
Delano Roosevelt, the mother of Franklin D,
He is one of dozen relatives in whom Pres
ident Roosevelt recognized abilities of value
to the public and appointed to salaried po-
reveals that he served for a time as chair
man of the International Commission Of the
League OF Nations on inquiry into the pro-
duction' of opium in Persia"
Thus far my inquiries have not revealed
the extent Of the late Presidents income from
the Vintonda1e coal properties. That he was
interested was established, by a letter on
White House stationary, dated June 20, 1912,
and signed by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt.
@D>1~ =.
letter said, but my husband sold all interest
in these holdings and, therefore, he could do
nothing"
This letter was reply to one from a man
claiming to hold $4,000 in mortgage bonds
on the property who believed he was being
treated unfairly and that the conduct of the
company toward its obligations violated some
of Roosevelt's prot essed principles. The
claimants bonds were deprecated to negligi-
BILE value while sales company called the
Delano Coal Company, with offices in New
York. was receiving a big income for acting
as agent to sell the coal. The mining compa-
ny, itself, was having serious financial dit
fculties
Sharp complaint was made concerning the
financial practices employed but letter
which the claimant says he received from
Frederic Delano from the address 1870 State
Dept Building Washington" defended the
said that, obviously, there can be no income
from the property except by sales, and I see
no obligation on the part Of anyone to conduct
such sales service without compensation. 1t
is only by reason Of advances made by the
Delano Coal Company that the Vinton col
liery has been able to operate at ALL
On March 10, 1910, the Pittsburgh Sun-Tele-
graph published 4 story from Vintondale &C.
companied by n photograph showing miners
Als 81 4s~aA Ysxa%~
Galleries Corp, had shut down the mines and
departed without paying $4,000 in wages.
They can do nothing except sit and hope the
company will come back. Behind them is the
company store. In it IL locked 700 pounds Of
meat, the main supply Of the town. They are
the company will not remove this
food"
The text Of the story. signed by Arthur
Moore, said Imminent shutdown Of their
power supply today threatened 500 miners
families with blackout nights, schoolless days
and irreparable damage to the Vinton Col
ieries Corporation mine. Abrupt closing Of
the mine left most Of the towns 1850 in
habitants without money for food, cut off their
supplies at the company store and gave them
no hint when the miners will get $780, 900 due
them in wages" .~rt
Further Moore's story said, Walter q. Nor
ris, a local public official, charged that "the
of the Blaklik valley. They were in a hurry.
And to see that nothing stopped the cars
they brought three auto-loads Of police. When
the cars were leaving the valley the company
blocked all the telephone lines 80 that we
couldn't call OUT
The story quoted Joe Lutsko, 4 Vintondale
miner, a. saying there is enough food in
town but you need cash TO get it. We have
only so pounds Of flour and 81 worth Of canned
milk in the house,. Mrs. Lutsko was quoted
az having remarked: I'VE can't let the chill
dren starve and we won't. Our youngest must
have milk. The company store has meat spoil
ing while we stand in want" 49,
'The food problem is so ACUTE Mr.. Moore
wrote, that the Department Of Publ. As
sistance '(poor relief has already given emer-
gency orders to- 10 families. John Blonde,
president of the United Mine Workers, local,
said he tried unsuccessfully to get food at
the company store and charge it against the
wages due the miners: He said Superintendent
Brandon contacted the companys offices in
New York and was denied permission to dis
tribute about 700 pounds Of meat and groceries
in the store ....
On April 49,, the Johnstown Democrat pub
lished six photographs under the caption ZAP
pies on Easter Stnday-meat goes to waste
The text below said "Vintondale miners. out
Of work since March IA, ate raisins, apples
and corn meal Easter Sunday, thanks to the
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