Death of a Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt cast so great a shadow that in his lifetime all other Roosevelts were lost in it. During his lifetime, however, Theodore Roosevelt was ever conscious of one of these obscured Roosevelts, a cousin and friend, and his financial adviser. The public learned of this other Roosevelt in 1923 when he gave to the National Association of Audubon Societies a bird sanctuary to surround the grave of the late President. He was heard of again last week when Death found him peacefully asleep in his Manhattan home. He was William Emlen Roosevelt, 73, head of Roosevelt & Sons, Manhattan bankers.

Even had not the late President made it so difficult, William Emlen Roosevelt would never have striven for the prominence of his cousin. His philanthropies, many, were ever discreet. His financial aid, if such existed, to his cousin (who though well off was never as rich as he) was never given publicity. William Emlen Roosevelt was a Roosevelt of Roosevelt & Sons, founded in 1797. He was not, even in Death, a Roosevelt of the front page.

He inherited leadership of Roosevelt & Sons from his father, James Alfred, bril liant Civil War banker. Most remembered of his financial operations was the formation of Mexican Telegraph Co. and Central & South American Telegraph Co., later merged by him into All America Cables, Inc. In 1925 he achieved a measured prominence by stoutly championing a receivership for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, permitting himself at that time one of his few essentially quotable phrases: ". . . An open wound demands attention. A scar does not."

His sons, George Emlen, Philip J. and John Kean, survive him and, even as he succeeded his father to leadership of Roosevelt & Sons, so do George and Philip succeed him.* They, unlike him. how ever, have no cousin who is President.

* John Kean is not with Roosevelt & Sons, is vice president of All America Cables, Inc.

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