The Wilmington morning star., 1945-04-21
FirstNon1ination Termed
Climax In FDRS Career
sixth Article of a Series)
BY KIRKE L. SIMPSON

sixth Article Of a Series)
BY KIRKE L. SIMPSON
WASHINGTON, April 19.-R-A
widely circulated news. picture
taken at the Democratic national
convention in Chicago in 1882 has
very special significance for me.
1t shows Franklin Roosevelt,
come to- accept in person his first
presidential nomination. Beside
him under the blistering klieg
lights stand Mrs. Roosevelt and
the frail figure Of seamed-fsce
Louie Howe. Almost bashfully,
Howe was enduring the spotlight
OF publicity he labored so long
and so artfully to keep focused
on THE Boss"
To my mind that moment to
Franklin Roosevelt was climactic.
All that had gone before it was
preparatory, all that followed an
tl-climax if I read him Alright.
believe that in the four years
of his Governorship- at Albany
Franklin Roosevelt was testing
himself physically and mentally
for what was to come-proving to
himself that his high confidence
in himself was not misplaced and
that his infirmities would not be.
tray him in a greater task.
In those Albany years he trav-
eled the whole wide front of New
York state activities as no New
York governor before or since has
done. The mileage he covered by
train and bus despite his crippled
condition was enormous. 1t was a
part of his preparation for a
Presidential race, a test of him.
self.
The more personal significance
that convention picture has for me
has to do with Mrs. Roosevelt 1t
shows her bending to the left a
little and smiling down, her lips
forming words utterly inaudible in
the din.
The AP convention staff was
posted down where she was look
ing, and I was holding down its
left flank. She had spotted me
and was saying hello"
Speaking of Roosevelt travels
as governor, I think should turr
back a bit to the time he came
to Washington to attend meet
ing of committee of the Confer
ence of Governors, in which he
was active. He was to be in town
only for the afternoon and I die
not attempt to pay my respects
But just before the meeting
broke up his body guard called tc
say the Governor would like to
see me before he left. I hot-footed
over and was invited to ride with
him to Union station.
The first moment we were alone
in his private car he asked if
had heard of a plan Of Chairman
John Raskob to call a specia
meeting of the Democratic nation
al committee for the purpose 0.
committing the party to proh;bi
ton repeal and revision - Up
ward-of tariff policy.
I had not but promised to lc'
him know if I did and to star
APP news wheels on the tip.
think that is what he wanted.
The meeting came some week!
later. 1t was not my pigeon, bu
looked up Louie Howe. AS
entered his hotel room, Louie:
phone rang. He waved to me t.
answer it, and well known
voice came from Albany:
Louie, I've CHI ged my
mind"
"Wait a minute, Boss" I broke
in. This is Kirke, not Louie I'll
get him.
NO" said the voice. Tell him
that if Raskob offers his resigna
ton as chairman this afternoon
our fellows should not oppose its
acceptance as previously planned
but express their regret and g
along. Our man to replace hin
would be Harry Byrd Of Vir
ginia!"
How times have changed. Ras
kob didn't resign then. I cite thu
experience merely to show hov
well organized the Roosevelt-for
President move was even at tina
time. Among the ''our fellows" a
the national committee meeting
were Cordell Hull and Henry Nor
genthau, Sr.
I had no more connection will
the first Roosevelt Presidential
campaign than with his "hoss
race" first gubernatorial election
or the second, but the Cuf-Linkers
rallied as always for his birthday
dinner in January, 1933-that TIM
at the Roosevelt cottage adjoining
the Hyde Park estate.
It was grand party, lasting
almost until daylight. If any OF u
felt awe that we were on such in
innate terms with President
elect and I did, a little-we dit
not show it. Awe was not In. thu
Franklin Roosevelt or CuH-Link
tradition.
In Washington, when that amaz
ing first hundred days OF tn
Roosevelt administration began,
| u.s do;no dai1v column calle(