Eleanor Roosevelt: My Day (1946)

161

July 6, 1946

HYDE PARK, Friday – Over the radio this morning, I heard them say that yesterday – in New York City, at least – had been the sanest Fourth of July that the police had ever experienced. It is rather a relief not to be awakened by firecrackers at dawn, and to wonder all day whether children are going to dash in reporting various kinds of accidents. Mine were never allowed to handle anything which could do real harm, but I can remember making plenty of noise as a child, and my children certainly made plenty of noise.

I doubt very much, however, whether any of our children were conscious of the real meaning of Independence Day, and I wish that, as a nation, we could adopt some kind of observances which would bring home to us all why we celebrate the day and would remind us of the names of the men who did so much to start us in building our freedom.

Yesterday, the maids from both my son’s house and my own went off in the afternoon for a picnic, so we combined and had one of our own. We cooked our own steaks over the charcoal grill and decided that it was quite the best meat we had had in a long time.

I had been a little nervous about our steaks, because they came from a cow not designed to serve as prime beef, but I must say that every bit of the meat put into our freezer has been good. And I have been grateful many a time for the things that we have grown on the farm this summer. Just now, we are a little swamped by peas, which we have been putting up in large quantities for use later on.

I wonder if the new OPA bill which is promised to us will overcome the President’s objections to the last one, and really be a bill which will safeguard the people’s interests. The way prices have jumped up in the last few days must have made those who hoped for self-control wonder whether one can ever control that instinct in human beings which makes them try to get all they can in the way of cash returns. Human nature seems to have one great failing – it concentrates on immediate results and forgets about the future.

I have heard a great deal from my farmer friends about the hardships they have endured because the price of milk was kept down, and I personally am glad if the farmers can get a fair return for their produce at all times. However, I must say that, on the whole, as I drive through the countryside, there is evidence that farm returns have not been bad in the last year. Barns and houses are newly painted and there is a general air of greater well-being.

Of course, there must be many cases where this is not true, but, by and large, the evidence points to a satisfactory prosperity in which we should all rejoice, because farm prosperity also means prosperity for the working man in the city.

162

July 8, 1946

HYDE PARK, Sunday – Yesterday was one of those busy days which this quiet country life sometimes brings! Among others, Judge and Mrs. Samuel Dickstein came up from New York City to lunch. They brought me a very lovely painting which I wish with all my heart my husband were here to enjoy. The artist, who gave it to Judge Dickstein, left a little legend pasted on the back. This tells that the picture was painted on order in 1870 for Mr. Edward Delano by an artist in Antwerp, Belgium, and that in 1872 he brought it home to “Algonac,” Newburgh, N.Y., which was the home of my husband’s grandfather, Warren Delano, whose brother, Edward Delano, lived with him when he was not traveling in different parts of the world.

It is a little mysterious to me how it found its way back into the artist’s possession, but I am certainly glad to have it, for as a painting I like it very much. I shall lend it to the library now and then, but for the most part I think I will keep it hanging here and enjoy it for a time at least.

I am most grateful to Judge Dickstein for bringing this painting up and for wanting it eventually to find its home in the library among the other family possessions. Other gifts which the judge presented to my husband are already in the library.

In going through some of my mother-in-law’s “stored away in the attic” possessions, which I am gradually unpacking, I found yesterday some of my husband’s father’s old English-made tweeds. I shall give these to the library also, because there is a date on the maker’s label inside the pocket. These handmade tweeds have been in existence more than 50 years! I wonder how many of the materials we are buying today will be found in old trunks, and still have good wear in them, 50 years from now!

I woke early this morning and was happy to see blue sky and the sun just coming over the trees and shining on my sleeping porch. It seemed a peaceful time to finish reading Howard Fast’s “The American.” As I closed the last page in the book, I found myself sorry to say goodby to Peter Altgeld. A truly American product, he developed slowly. He searched all his life for inner satisfaction and, finally, found that when he fought for other people he was fighting the only fight that was really worthwhile.

It is good for us to read this story of the control, through money, that was so completely in the hands of a few people in those earlier days. The government and the people in government positions responded in that era to the strings held by the men of great wealth. Human nature being what it is, and education having to take place all over again in every generation, it is well to read this record – so interestingly presented in this book. The people may not be as easily fooled today as they were then. But their freedom depends on their constant vigilance and understanding, and on their courage.

163

July 9, 1946

HYDE PARK, Monday – I received from the New York War and Peace Memorial, a non-profit corporation which is sponsoring rehabilitation and health centers as living war memorials, a rather interesting circular describing what they hope to do in New York City in memory of the men who fought in World War II.

It has always seemed to me that very beautiful memorials are of value in themselves because of their mere beauty, but if you can have something of beauty and at the same time make it serve the needs of the people who live in a community, I think you have doubled the value of your memorial.

This New York organization’s plan is for a new type of physical health center. The architect is to be Harvey Wiley Corbett. They hope that it will serve the needs of many convalescent servicemen.

The building will be 500 feet in diameter and will enclose an indoor beach surrounding a large circular swimming pool. The interior will be lighted by a sun of ultra-violet rays, with purified and air-conditioned atmosphere. In a congested area such as New York, this will mean a great deal to those who cannot seek rest and change away from their work.

I was discouraged on receiving word the other day that the trial of the Columbia, Tenn., Negroes was to be moved to a place where the tension and anti-Negro feeling is, if anything, stronger than it is in Columbia. The fear among the Negroes, to which apparently not only the civilian population but the law-enforcement officers of the state reacted, is very unfortunate. When once fear crops up between groups of people within a community, there is little hope of any real understanding and confidence developing between them.

Throughout this whole case, I have been wondering why we could not understand that, among the men in this community, there were numbers of Negro veterans. They have fought in the war. They often felt, during their war service, that there was discrimination against them. And to come home and face the difficulties of readjustment and of finding a job is as difficult for them as for the white men.

They undoubtedly feel that the public owes them a certain amount of consideration. They left jobs in many cases and went to war feeling that they were defending other people as well as themselves, but that the other people were not always treating them and their families with consideration and fairness.

This trial, therefore, should be conducted under the most favorable circumstances. Every fact should be carefully checked and verified. To move the trial now to a place where tension is greater seems to me to bode no good for the prisoners or for the people of this country who desire peace within our own land.

164

July 10, 1946

HYDE PARK, Tuesday – Leaving the country at 8 o’clock yesterday morning, we reached New York in ample time for me to do an errand before going to the closing ceremonies at 99 Park Avenue, headquarters of the New York City Defense Recreation Committee. I went to the opening five years ago, and I remember well when Mrs. Anna Rosenberg, founder of the committee, started getting the organization together, interesting the Mayor and talking to all the people who eventually made it a success.

The people who worked at this recreation center for the servicemen who came into the city did a tremendous job, but I think they must have been repaid a thousand times over by the enjoyment which they brought into so many young men’s lives. However, the staff at headquarters could have done little without the cooperation of innumerable other people, primarily people in the entertainment world.

Mrs. Rosenberg knew this, and so John Golden, the theatrical producer, who had done a similar job in World War I, was urged to get into harness again. Under his leadership, every type of entertainment in the city extended hospitality to the men of the services, either as they went out to distant parts of the world or as they returned. Many a boy will never forget this center, which gave him information which he needed and made it possible for him to enjoy his last day or two in his own country.

Mayor O’Dwyer must have been glad to get this building back, since buildings are scarce, and I think everybody present yesterday was glad that it was possible to turn it back to him for peacetime purposes. A pledge was given by Mrs. Rosenberg and Mrs. Julius Ochs Adler, chairman of the committee, that the organizations that had worked so hard together during the war would continue to serve the men in the armed forces during peacetime. Secretary of War Patterson, who gave a very fine address, said that these services were still much needed, as there are 1,500,000 men in the Army at present and there will be 1,000,000 still in the Army a year from now.

My niece and a young friend of hers, who have been staying with me for a week, came to town with us and spent the afternoon window-shopping. They assured me that they had been into the Public Library at 42nd Street and into every shop on Fifth Avenue in that neighborhood!

In the evening we went to the Radio City Music Hall, which is really an exciting place to visit for the first time. I enjoyed the movie, “Anna and the King of Siam,” very much indeed. I think Irene Dunne makes it seem quite reasonable that Anna could “get away” with her outrageous behavior toward the King and finally win his regard, admiration and affection.

As for the rest of the show, it seemed to me that “The Strange Interlude,” as done by the Arnaut Brothers, was one of the most amusing things I had ever seen. I had never heard either a cock or a hen converse in quite such eloquent tones, but they were completely understandable and I was quite sure I could translate what they were saying to each other.

Altogether, yesterday was a full and busy day, and now, after another early start, we are back in the country awaiting a small and cozy party of 160 young people!

165

July 11, 1946

HYDE PARK, Wednesday – On the Fourth of July we celebrated our independence, but this year a ceremony took place on that day in the Philippine Islands which gave a special point to our own celebration.

From the time Admiral Dewey took these islands from the Spanish, a conflict went on within the United States as to their final disposition. There were people who felt that, having taken them in a war which, like all wars, had cost us a certain amount, we were entitled to develop them and to get some return on our investment. There were others who felt that, when people wanted freedom, we were obligated to help them to obtain it. And besides, in the last World War, it looked as though our investment had been amply repaid by the loyalty and goodwill of the people of the Philippines.

These people had long asked for ultimate freedom and we had promised it. And when the date finally was set, I think the majority of us in the United States felt a pride that we were able to give a people their freedom, and hoped that we would help each other in the future so that our economic interests would fare as well under this new situation as they had in the past.

Hard times are not over in the Philippines. The birth of a new nation and the development of self-government is never an easy process. But I hope we will continue to help, for the war has taken a heavy toll both of the people and the material possessions in these islands. For ourselves, I think the sense that we have fulfilled a promise will always add to our appreciation of our own Independence Day.

I have had one or two personal experiences lately in regard to the admission of girls into colleges, particularly co-educational colleges, which make me wonder whether we shouldn’t begin a campaign to prevent the young women of tomorrow from losing the opportunity for higher education. The pressure of returning veterans has forced many colleges not only to add to their facilities, but to cut down on the number of women they are able to take in.

Miss Margaret A. Hickey, president of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, noted this fact at the opening session of their convention in Cleveland. While no one suggests that veterans should not have priority, it begins to look as though the result were going to be a lack of opportunity for young women. This would certainly mean that these young women would not be prepared to take their share of responsibility in facing the economic and political problems of the next few years.

I think this is a very serious situation for the colleges. And perhaps consideration should be given to providing for girls the kind of quarters that would be available to unmarried veterans. A breakdown in the higher educational opportunities for women, even though it may last only a few years, would have very serious results.

166

July 12, 1946

HYDE PARK, Thursday – I have been asked by Americans United for World Organization to mention the fact that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has appointed a subcommittee to consider the United States’ acceptance of compulsory jurisdiction of the new International Court of Justice, which was created by the United Nations Assembly at their organization meeting in London last winter.

The members of the subcommittee are Senator Elbert D. Thomas of Utah, chairman, Senator Carl A. Hatch of New Mexico, and Senator Warren R. Austin of Vermont. Hearings have been tentatively scheduled to begin in the near future. I am wondering whether Senator Austin’s appointment as our permanent member of the United Nations Security Council will mean that some one else will have to be placed on this subcommittee.

In any case, it is of great importance that we, as citizens, let this committee know how we feel on this subject. Personally, it has always seemed to me ridiculous to set up a world court and then not accept compulsory jurisdiction. I wonder how our own courts would function if individuals were able to announce that they did not wish to appear before them. It seems to me that it is essential for the peace of the world that all of us accept compulsory jurisdiction.

It is also essential that the best men, from a legal standpoint, who can be found throughout the world should be members of this court, for no taint of personal prejudice or of interest in any one nation, not even their own, must ever affect the judgement of these men. Only men of such caliber can build confidence in the court and justify the willingness of all nations to accept their decisions.

I am delighted to find that the conversation which Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gould and I held one winter afternoon in my New York apartment, and which was published at the time, has had a good result. It has brought individuals, groups and communities to the point of adopting not only individuals in Europe who have suffered from the destruction of war, but also whole towns and villages.

One American couple, Mr. and Mrs. Girard Hale, have adopted the little French Village of Maille. This village was devastated by the Germans, and a portion of the population were killed. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are sending regular shipments of the things which they have been notified are most needed, and they hope to put the village back on its feet.

The Belgian Relief organization reported to me that Beaumont, Texas, has adopted Beaumont in Belgium. And another community has adopted another Belgian town. I hope this will be done for towns all over Europe, since I think it will do more to cement friendly relations and create a love for our country among Europeans than anything else we could do.

167

July 13, 1946

HYDE PARK, Friday – It was a shock which brought with it a real sense of personal loss when I heard of the death of Sidney Hillman. He was one of our citizens who, having come here from a foreign country, had absorbed the love of freedom and an understanding of democracy, so that he brought real statesmanship to the labor movement. For the people in his own union, he always worked unselfishly, with a broad vision both of the needs of labor and of the responsibility of labor to the community as a whole as it gained power.

Mr. Hillman was a good negotiator and knew how to conciliate different factions. And his European background gave him an understanding of international problems which was valuable in labor fields and valuable in his service to the United States Government.

Yesterday I had a few guests to luncheon, and then took them over to the Wiltwyck School, where we saw the boys at their craft work. Some little boys who had come there in a very cowed frame of mind were painting happily in a big, light room. I could not help feeling again a sense of satisfaction at the evident contentment that reigned among them.

In the evening, five members of the Gold Star Wives of World War II came here for supper, and then we went to Poughkeepsie. The Lafayette Post of the American Legion had given them permission to use a room for a meeting. It was a very small meeting, though the casualties among servicemen from Dutchess County were pretty high.

I do not know whether the organization will be able to build a local chapter which will be of value to widows of World War II, but I enjoyed meeting the few young women who were there last night. And I think it may be a help to them to get to know other young women who have many of the same problems and the same hopes for the future.

They discussed some of the bills in Congress which affect the widows of the war. And Mrs. Edward H. Jordan, national president of the organization, who has just come back from a trip abroad during which she visited many of the U.S. cemeteries in Europe, gave them a description of how the work on these was proceeding. I think she left them with a great sense of confidence, for she told them of the interest which the men in charge had shown, of the thoroughness with which the work was being done, and of the kindness of all those concerned.

She described the ceremonies held on Memorial Day in one of the big cemeteries in Holland, which 40,000 people attended. Gen. Joseph T. McNarney and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands were both present at ceremonies at two large cemeteries during the day. And other important people attended the ceremonies at other cemeteries.

It is a comfort to know that these graves are well cared for and not forgotten, and that, in the Pacific as well as in Europe, this care is assured by our own government.

168

July 15, 1946

HYDE PARK, Sunday – I was particularly glad yesterday to learn of the forming of the new Council of American Business, Inc. This seems to be a group of progressive businessmen, from all over the United States, who want OPA controls primarily to prevent inflation. They seem to remember history, and in the letter which I received they quote facts going back to the period after World War I, when we tried combating inflationary pressures with a free price system.

They remind us that, in 1920 and thereafter, we did not achieve a balance between supply and demand because the demand did not hold up to the supply, since the public could not buy goods at the peak to which inflation had carried prices. A so-called balance was finally achieved by the falling off of demand to such a point that a third of our factory workers lost their jobs and the farmers were producing far more than they were able to sell. The annual average farm income dropped from $1,360 a year to $460 a year, and 453,000 farmers lost their farms through mortgage foreclosures. By 1921 the manufacturers of the nation went into the red to the extent of $55,000,000 – after making, in 1919, $5,896,000,000.

These are some figures we had better think about. Sometimes history is instructive.

As I listened over the radio yesterday morning to the provisions of the new OPA bill, it seemed as though it would have less meaning than before. Under this new bill, for example, rent control would be exercised only in such states as had not set up state machinery to control rents. Since there are very few states that have passed their own rent control legislation, it would seem more sensible for the whole problem to be handled on a federal basis.

I was glad to see that as ceilings were being taken off dairy products and meat, they were also going to be taken off grain. It would be impossible to ship grain to the famine countries if we control the price of grain, yet remove all price control on meat and livestock and dairy products. The demand for grain to be diverted for food would be greater, and the prices in the United States will promptly go up and translate themselves into higher prices for meat and dairy products. The balance between the supply of all products and prices and our real needs is essential to prevent world famine.