Monday, Sep. 11, 1933

"Aspire to Office!"

Exuberant young Democrats from 30 states met last week in Kansas City under the auspices of the Democratic National Committee. After listening to speeches by Postmaster General Farley, Secretary of Commerce Roper, Missouri's Governor Park and Indiana's Governor McNutt, they revolted against prepared addresses by their elders, limited them to ten minutes each. Likewise they threw off the national committee's yoke to pick their own officers for the Young Democratic Clubs of America.

Most famed young Democrat in attendance was moose-tall James Roosevelt, eldest son of the President. As treasurer, he reported the clubs took in $1,846.78 last year, spent $1,642.35 but still had a deficit of $1,947.53. The convention with a whoop elected him secretary. For president they chose Clifford Woodward of Des Moines.

Secretary Roosevelt made a ringing speech:

"These are troublesome times! . .Our leader is appealing to all of us to unite in his crusade. . . . Many of us, perhaps, have political ambitions. . . . Aspire to public office by all means! But remember what Grover Cleveland said: 'Public office is a public trust.' "

Since his father entered the White House 26-year-old Son James has become a political personage in Massachusetts where he sells insurance. He is called the "Crown Prince," is supposed to aspire to the Governorship. He has set himself up as an important arbiter of Federal patronage for the State. Said he in a statement last month: "As you know. I am probably closest by blood and affection to the man who makes the appointments. I have an interest in knowing that the men who are appointed will measure up to a fair standard of loyalty to the President of the U. S."

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