Eleanor Roosevelt – My Day (Dec. 1940)

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eleanor

MY DAY

By Eleanor Roosevelt

December 2, 1940

Washington, Sunday –
Yesterday morning, I enjoyed the most beautiful exhibition in the Labor Department auditorium. This is the main one in Washington, DC, put on for Art Week. It features not only arts and crafts, made by District of Columbia artists, but contributions from all over the country. There are other exhibitions dotted all around the city. In the Procurement Division of Fine Arts, there is a delightful collection of water colors.

I wish I could have seen them all. In the meantime, I bought a number of things which exemplify the variety of exhibits. I was interested to have Mr. Ed Rowan, who is responsible for the hanging of this exhibition, tell me that the names of the artists showed, as they did in Chicago, the great variety of races which make up our cultural background and which have contributed to the development of our civilization.

On Friday evening, Mr. Jerome Davis, who has been appointed by the YMCA to take charge of their program in connection with prison and concentration camps in Canada, told us a little of what this work means. It is not only a humanitarian effort to make the lives of men who live within barbed wire entanglements a trifle more human, but contributed greatly to the willingness on the part of the Axis nations to allow YMCA representatives to do similar work in Germany.

There are some two million people in prison in concentration camps in Germany as against a few hundred thousand in Canada. If good work is done in Canada, it gives an opportunity to the representatives serving in Germany to ask for the same type of work to be done in camps in Germany.

It is curious that Mr. Davis, who served in this same capacity during the World War, should find himself confronted with the same problems and be again devoting his life to the same type of work.

Yesterday afternoon, I saw some of the most interesting documentary films. We have not come to realize the full value of these films in this country, but gradually we are awakening to their possibilities. The films which I saw were Wings Of Youth, Valley Town, And So They Live, Atlantic Patrol, They Also Serve, Youth Gets a Break, and Look To Lockheed For Leadership.

The films should, of course, be distributed through the regular distributors. It would mean education in citizenship to many of our people. We are too apt to be ignorant of both the needs in our communities and the efforts which are being made to meet these needs and, therefore, these efforts do not receive our wholehearted support.

The weather seems to be fine and we are flying to Texas this morning

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December 3, 1940

Abilene, Texas, Monday –
The first part of our flight yesterday from Washington, DC, to Abilene, Texas, was over the clouds and it seemed as though we might run into bad weather and snow. A little rain fell before we landed in Nashville, Tenn., and we did not land at all in Knoxville. I am always sorry for the passengers whose stops are left out, because it must be disconcerting to figure how to return to the place you expected to be in much earlier in the day.

Once out of Nashville, the sky cleared gradually until we could feel that we were approaching the South. By the time we reached Abilene, it was no longer cold.

We made up the time we lost earlier in the day through a delay in leaving Washington because of strong headwinds, so that we reached the hotel in Abilene before 7:00 p.m. The first and only request was that I see the press. This did not take up much time, however, and we were soon able to have dinner and retire early.

I found myself really sleepy. Even though I was deeply interested in a book which I had been reading on and off all day, I had to turn out my light somewhere around 10:30. After all, I reflected, it is 11:30 by Washington time and I have been up since before 7:00 this morning.

I finished the book early today. It is Harold J. Laski’s Where Do We Go From Here?. Anyone reading it, will recognize that it is easier for an Englishman to write it, because it is more important for an Englishman to have the answer immediately. When you fight for existence, you must consider everything which will give strength and unity to those who make the fight. Having conceded that, however, I still think it is an important book for us in America to read.

The complexities of modern civilization make it no longer possible to simplify our beliefs and actions as we could in our Revolutionary days. Much that was never dreamed of then, now faces us at home and abroad. It is easy to say that the fundamentals remain the same. They do, but the answers are vastly different. We know that the questions presented in this book have to be met by us as well as by all the other democracies in the world, and yet we run away even from the discussion of the problems involved.

There is one quotation from a page toward the end of the book which I should like all our people to remember:

Fear is the child of privilege; it is endemic in every society where men possess its benefits by the prescription of ancient evil instead of justice of an equal interest. To abolish fear, therefore, we need to abolish privilege. We can do it by the voluntary perception of its dangers, or we can do it by the compulsion of violence.

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December 4, 1940

Dallas, Tuesday –
We woke yesterday to the most lovely balmy weather. It was like a warm October day in New York State. A drive around the city of Abilene and out to Hardin-Simmons University gave us an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine.

When we were here last year, Dr. Sandefer, who was president of the university, was in very delicate health, but I remember with pleasure my short visit with him. Since then, he has died and we took some flowers yesterday to his grave on the campus. I particularly like the inscription, which pointed to the university buildings all about as his real monument.

We stopped for a minute to see his wife, a very charming elderly woman with a lovely face, who is re-adjusting her life in a new house and new duties and interests. This must be hard to do, and yet she gave me no sense of finding it a burden.

I think perhaps, one of the things most to be desired in old age, is the power to acquire new interests and to meet whatever situation comes with a gallantry which makes people feel that you are conferring a privilege on them when you share a little of your life with them.

Back at the hotel, we spent the afternoon reading and writing. I am proud to say that I actually have no unanswered personal letters in my briefcase, even the longhand ones were written yesterday.

At 8:30 we went to the auditorium and the new president of the university, Dr. White, introduced me. The most colorful part of the evening was the cowboy band. They played and sang “The Eyes of Texas.” At the end of the program one of the boys sang “I Am An American,” and finally the whole audience joined in singing “God Bless America.”

I think this cowboy band is coming to Washington for the inauguration, and I shall watch for them with interest in the parade. They will give me an added reason to pray for good weather, for rain would be as destructive to their very effective costumes as it was to my own hat, coat and dress in 1936. That drive down Pennsylvania Avenue in an open car in the pouring rain is still fresh enough in my mind to make me hope we shall not have to repeat that part of the inaugural ceremony.

After the lecture last night, Mr. Frank Roberts came to my door just to pay his respects, because he had served under Uncle Ted and still liked the Roosevelts. I think it is remarkable how the young men who served under Uncle Ted have never forgotten him, nor lost the memory of the spell of his personality.

Abilene is a nice friendly place. Even though we did not leave until this morning, young Mr. Sandefer came for us and took us to the station and saw us safely on our way.

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December 5, 1940

Houston, Wednesday –
It was interesting to see the West Texas oil men wandering in and out of the lobby of our hotel as they gathered in Abilene for their convention. There is a long, lean, Texas type of man who reminds me always of Will Rogers. One imagines that they all possess the qualities which were so attractive and loveable in him. They look like people who can stand sun and wind, who are at home on horseback and in far places by themselves. They give one a great sense of security in the future of our country.

In Dallas, Texas, we spent a little over an hour yesterday in the railroad station before leaving for Houston. A reception was held for me in the station by the Women’s Democratic Luncheon Club. The members brought me flowers and were most kind in coming down to welcome me as I went through their city.

Mr. Murrell Buckner presented us with something very unusual, which the chef of our dining car cooked for our dinner. It was venison sausage. I confess I wondered what it would be like, but it turned out to be very good and we enjoyed our evening meal on the train.

By the time we arrived at Houston, I felt as though we had had quite a long day, but I must say that hours spent on the train give one an opportunity for reading rarely obtained elsewhere. I finished a whole book, which I had carried in my brief case for some weeks before returning it to the Junior Literary Guild with my criticism.

Yesterday, we went through some hilly sections of Texas that had a certain amount of water. It does make a great difference to the countryside. I am struck by the fact that on the outskirts of nearly all small towns and big ones, there are houses which look very much like some of the California migratory camps. The houses are made of scraps, apparently, bits of corrugated iron, even heavy cardboard is used and it looks as though they were built on the dump heaps of the towns.

It can not be very healthy for people to live in them. One wonders how conscious the town authorities and the town people are of these conditions on their outskirts. I suppose this is partly the result of being a new country, where people come either to begin life for the first time on their own, or to begin it over again, if, for some reason, they have failed elsewhere. Modern conditions do not make the pioneer way of living as safe as it once was. However, I can not help feeling that there should be some better way of meeting this problem in modern society than the one which seems prevalent in many parts of the country.

We have had a most comfortable night in Houston, for which I should probably thank Mr. Jesse Jones, for I think our hotel is one of his Houston interests. In an hour we shall leave by motor for Victoria, Texas.

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December 6, 1940

Laredo, Texas, Thursday –
We had a delightful drive yesterday from Houston to Victoria, Texas. Victoria is an old town for this part of the world, having celebrated its centennial some years ago. Mrs. Royston Nave, our hostess, made us most comfortable. Soon after our arrival, we started to drive through the streets of the town. W. headed the procession and when we came to the reviewing wing stand, stopped and joined the Mayor, the other officials and their wives. Various high school bands from Victoria and neighboring towns, passed and looked very youthful and smart. Decorated cars which carried various other important people came and waved at us gaily. I think I rarely looked over a square with more children in it. If children mean riches, Victoria, is indeed rich.

A press conference followed and a very pleasant small reception at our hostess’ home took place after it. Later there was a small dinner before the lecture. Afterwards, we went to a reception for the members of the Bronte Club, who sponsored the lecture. This club is one of the oldest women’s clubs in the country, and I was particularly interested to have several people speak to me of my old friend, Mrs. Percy Pennybacker.

I never come to Texas without thinking of her with affection and regretting that she is not here. A valiant and gracious woman, her presence still lives in the memory of her friends.

At 8:00 this morning, we left Victoria with Mr. and Mrs. Rubin Frels and Mrs. McCutcheon again as our hosts. We drove first to Goliad. Here a National Park is being established and a veterans CCC camp under the guidance of the National Park Service is rebuilding the buildings which once were here, on the old foundations. They have done research work in Mexico and found the old plans.

Among their men, extraordinarily good workmen have been developed. The ironwork and the woodcarving delight the eye. I could not help congratulating these workmen on a job of historic reconstruction which would be worthy of specialists in every line of work.

We visited the old church and saw the monument to Fannin and his men. Even the administration building is in keeping with everything else; hand hewn beams, hand wrought nails, all made on the spot. I do not think this could have been accomplished unless the director had been an artist with a real feeling for the work he is doing.

After a stop in Alice, Texas, where, in a very comfortable hotel, we had a cup of coffee with cinnamon toast or doughnuts, as our individual taste prescribed, we continued on our way to Laredo, which we reached before 2 o’clock.

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December 7, 1940

Laredo, Texas, Friday –
We went without lunch yesterday, because, on arrival in Laredo, I found a whole delegation waiting to receive me. I went right in to shake hands with everyone and to listen to a group of three musicians who were playing most delightfully. Then, for a few minutes, I talked with quite a large group of the press, not only from here, but from various neighboring places.

After that, a Mexican delegation, which had come to greet me, appeared. The Mexican Consul suggested that we might like to cross the border to see Nuevo Laredo, which lies just across it. The Mayor of Nuevo Laredo was most kind, and it was very interesting to see the new municipal building in which their offices are soon to be housed.

They have space enough here to erect beautiful arched balconies to keep the sun away from the rooms inside. It certainly makes a charming architectural effect. The park in front is not yet finished, but if the present one which lies at some distance is an indication of what this new one will be like, I am sure many people will enjoy its flowers and loll in the shade of its trees.

We were shown the waterworks and a most beautiful municipal swimming pool, where I was told that many of the children from the United States side of the river come to swim. The water and electric light plants are municipally owned, which means, they tell me, good lighting for the streets. We shopped in one or two shops, bought some delightful French perfume, a few pieces of Mexican silver jewelry and some Indian weaving.

Then we went back across the border and we settled down to a little work on mail, but even as we worked we enjoyed the many lovely flowers which filled our rooms. A most beautiful platter of grapefruit with a basket of oranges, grapes and dates reminded us that this is the land of fruit. The dates had no pits and tasted particularly good. A most wonderful basket with different kinds of candies and fruits is going back with us on the plane, so that others in the household at home may enjoy it with me. So many people have sent us various kinds of remembrances, that we found it very difficult to close our bags this morning.

My lecture last night was on a new subject, “Strengthening the Bonds of Friendship Between the Americas by Cultural Ties.” I felt that there were a number of people who could have talked with more authority and greater knowledge. I enjoyed, however, being able to give expression to my belief that the development of our cultural relations is basic to any political and economic understanding.

If we are to defend ourselves in this hemisphere and preserve our democracy, we must have unity in the Americas. That will only come through the understanding of our various cultures.

We leave in a few minutes to drive to San Antonio, from where we expect to fly back to Washington.

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December 9, 1940

Washington, Sunday –
San Antonio, Texas, is a city which I think has real charm. There were two things I wanted to do there on Friday, which I did not succeed in doing, so I shall have to go back there before long. Mayor Maury Maverick has been rebuilding an old section of the city which I wanted very much to see and, in addition, I wanted to visit the housing project which is nearly completed.

I had time, however, to see two or three friends at the hotel. After lunch, the Mayor’s car took us to the airport where a number of Democratic ladies were kind enough to come and see us off on our plane, which was half an hour late.

In Dallas, we had time to go to the hotel and have a comfortable dinner before we went to the airport to take the sleeper plane for Washington. We ran into a windy, rainy stretch and tossed about quite a bit before we reached Nashville, Tennessee. Then calm settled on us again and we arrived ahead of time, about 5:15 a.m. at the Washington airport.

I went to the White House, to be greeted by a number of the staff, who should never have been up at that early hour. Though I tried to go to sleep again, I might just as well have stayed up, for I was wide awake and glad to see my breakfast appear at 8:30. It is nice to feel settled again, and I am having no more long trips for some months to come.

As I look back on this trip, I feel that I know a little more about that vast State of Texas. I am not quite sure whether I shall not have to ask Miss Dorothy Thompson to join me on my next lecture trip, for everyone looks so disappointed when my secretary gives her first name and it is not Dorothy!

Yesterday was spent catching up on mail – which certainly had accumulated – and beginning to wrap up Christmas presents. I really enjoy going into my closet, where I accumulate things for this particular season, and doing them up with gay paper and ribbons and marking them for mailing. So many have to go far away this year, that they must be ready well ahead of time.

I lunched with the Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Morgenthau and the Secretary’s father; a particular pleasure for I do not see Mr. Morgenthau Sr. half as much as I would like. At tea time, Miss Grace Frysinger brought Lady Archer-Shee and Mrs. Roop from Virginia, to talk over some of the problems of our rural women in their organizations particularly in connection with their work in the Associated Country Women of the World. This organization, which includes women all over the world, is trying even now to keep in touch with some of its members in occupied areas and countries which are at war.

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December 10, 1940

Washington, Monday –
This morning, I saw a heading in the newspaper which disturbed me very much. On reading the story, it appeared that one of our admirals was before a committee in Congress and reported that the Walsh-Healey bill was creating contractual difficulties and retarding the defense program.

He asserted that this act, under which firms accepting government contracts are required to meet certain labor standards fixed by their industries:

…continues to be a disturbing factor in the procurement of some lines of government supplies.

He emphasized the reluctance of many manufacturers to bid for government contracts because of the minimum wage determinations, and cited experiences with steel and aircraft clock manufacturers as examples to illustrate his point.

I think it is often forgotten that it is the red tape surrounding the government work which deters people as much as any legal restrictions. Payment is slow and many difficulties arise which do not arise in private contracts.

The Walsh-Healey Act was passed by Congress after long and careful debate. It represents safeguards for labor which seem entirely reasonable to many people and must have seemed so to the majority of Congress. If that majority today decides that it was wrong, it seems to me the changes should be made only after due debate in Congress.

I cannot escape the feeling, however, that the tendency has been, so far, to say that labor much make sacrifices of wages and hours because of the necessities of national defense. I have yet to see anywhere a statement that manufacturers and business concerns and the general public through investment returns, shall make this same type of sacrifice in the cause of national defense, by cutting profits and reducing the salaries of their executives.

Our volume of production is dependent on the willingness with which men work with their hands and their heads. Necessary as is the work of the men at the top, they can do nothing without the vast army of workers. The workers can do nothing, I grant you, without the men at the top and what they represent in capital investment and in ability and experience. It is quite evident that this a cooperative job. Sacrifices will have to be equal. Work and devotion to the country for which we sacrifice can only be equal if everybody concerned feels that they have at stake a way of life for which it is worthwhile to sacrifice.

Last night, six of us went to see the first performance given this winter by the repertory club of the Washington Theatre. It was called the DC Melody. Much of the script was very entertaining, many of the actors had some professional experience, and some of the music and dancing was attractive. One dance in particular, where the chorus danced behind a veil and the lights they held made patterns on a screen, I thought was particularly interesting and attractive.

I had some rather expert criticism with me where the dancing was concerned, for Miss Mayris Chaney, who is a member of the dance team of Chaney and Fox, was with me for the evening. We all enjoyed it and I think it must be a novel sensation, if you are accustomed to doing the entertaining, to sit back and watch someone else do the hard work!

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December 11, 1940

Washington, Tuesday –
Yesterday was the first opportunity I have had to get the ladies of the Cabinet together. We had a very pleasant lunch on and discussed our winter obligations. It was generally felt that while there was no reason to do away with all social activities, there were very good reasons why we should curtail some of these functions. The objective is to gain more time for work which might be helpful, either in our country, or to some such democratic nations as we can still help in other parts of the world.

It was my first opportunity to greet Mrs. Stimson, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Wickard since their husbands have joined the President’s Cabinet. They had all been seeing each other, I am sure, but I have been a gad-about this autumn and am only just settling into the swing of Washington life again.

In the afternoon, I had my first musicale of the season. The East room was filled with guests and we enjoyed the pianist Mr. Mieczysław Munz, and the singing of Miss Virginia Lewis. Miss Lewis was discovered in Philadelphia a few years ago; a little colored, orphan girl who had been a domestic servant. WPA gave her her first chance to obtain some training for her voice. Kind friends have helped her. She sang a program of Italian, German and English songs and was well received and enjoyed by her entire audience.

In the evening, I went over to the Chamber of Commerce Building to attend a local housing meeting. The hall was very full, showing how much the interest in the question of housing has grown in this city. The interest today is not only in the effort to wipe out the slums, but in defense housing, for we realize that we cannot augment our workers in any line without at the same time increasing our capacity for housing them.

The same condition is confronting many other communities. It seems to me that the least we can do is to plan for the housing of people when we remove to areas already crowded, or to areas so remote there is no housing near the job for them or their families.

This morning, at Congressman Tolen’s request, I appeared before the Congressional Committee studying the question of migratory workers. I listened with interest to Mrs. Thomas, a mother of six children, who testified on their travels during the past few years in search of work. Five of her children were there with her, and a finer family you could not ask to see.

It seems cruel that these children should not have the advantages so many more fortunate children can enjoy. I often wish that when we see young people who are unable to profit by their advantages, we could switch them over and give the chance to others who would undoubtedly use every opportunity to great profit.

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December 12, 1940

New York, NY, Wednesday –
We held a meeting yesterday of the committee for the National Achievement Award of the Chi Omega. In the afternoon, I had a small tea for various people who have come to Washington for one reason or another, and whom I had not had an opportunity to see.

In the evening, I attended the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra concert which was, as always, refreshing to the soul. After that, I took the night train to New York City, so that I might have a full day here. My first official appearance will be at the sale for the blind at 11:00 this morning.

While I am talking about the sale for the blind, I think I might mention an appeal which has come to me from Helen Keller on behalf of the American Rescue Ship Committee. This ship is to bring refugees from Lisbon, Portugal, to various safe ports on this side of the ocean.

More directly in line with her work for the blind is a second appeal from Miss Keller, asking for help for the Institution for the Chinese Blind. They are trying to reoccupy their school in Shanghai, which was closed because their workshop was wrecked by war conditions. If you can send something through Miss Keller, she will be grateful for a contribution to either or both of these interests.

I have just received a notice about the Christmas cards being sold by Parents Magazine. 85% of the cost of these cards goes into a fund for needy children, sponsored by the magazine. This fund distributes the money thus raised to charitable organizations throughout the country and renders outstanding service to children in need.

This is a way in which you can buy something almost all of us need and, at the same time, do something for unfortunate little children at this time of the year, when they should be uppermost in our minds. Christmas is the feast for little children, instituted because of the birth of a little child many years ago.

More in sorrow than in anger, someone called to my attention the fact that I had said a great deal about a book called Happy Days in Czechoslovakia, but had never mentioned another book called Jenik and Marenka by Zdena Trinka. I hastened to acquire the book and I hope that many other people will do likewise, for it is delightful reading.

I think children will enjoy it greatly. The illustrations are not quite as attractive or as distinctive as are those done by Mr. Jarka Bures in the other book, but I think you will like the one right at the beginning of a little girl feeding the ducklings. Many of the other illustrations have charm, even though they seem a less vital part of the book than those done by Mr. Bures in the other Czechoslovakian book.

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December 13, 1940

New York, NY, Thursday –
It seemed to me that I visited a great many “sales” yesterday, and each one had attractive things. I find this kind of Christmas buying doubly nice, because I give myself an added pleasure in choosing something I hope a friend will enjoy and, at the same time, help some charity.

First, I visited the Czechoslovakian shop, and fell in love with their dolls on horseback. The horses are really delightful. They urged me to come to their work rooms where the women make these horses. I was told they looked even more attractive in their semi-finished state!

In response to a rather stern letter, I finally screwed up my courage to find The Southern Highlanders at 610 5th Avenue. For some reason I had made up my mind that I would wander through miles of corridors and had the feeling that it would take me a long while to find them. Instead, I discovered that when I walked in from the street, I was surrounded by familiar pieces of handicraft work from all the best centers in the South and the mountain regions.

I went also to the Greenwich House Pottery shop and there I fell a victim to one of their “creches.” The little glazed figures in a wooden shelter should be a permanent ornament under anyone’s Christmas tree. Perhaps they may serve as an everlasting reminder that this Christmas season is not just a matter of gifts, but has something to do with the renewal of the spirit of love in the world.

I rather hope that, instead of my presenting this to somebody else, the family will agree to present it to me for a perpetual decoration under our own Christmas tree. Nothing like choosing one’s own Christmas present!

I received a letter yesterday from Commander Stauffer of the Philadelphia County Council of the American Legion, reminding me that Sunday, December 15, will mark the 149th anniversary of the Ratification of the Bill of Rights in our Constitution, and that at this particular time, every one of us should reread those ten articles and ponder on what they mean.

They are perhaps the epitome of the difference between our own philosophy and the totalitarian one. Commander Stauffer makes the suggestion that we should ask Congress to make the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary next year, a national holiday. Perhaps enough people will feel that this is important and make the suggestion to their own Congressman.

I am going this morning to the sale for the blind and to do one or two other errands, before attending the opera this afternoon.

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December 14, 1940

Washington, Friday –
On reaching the sale for the blind yesterday, it was a shock to learn of Lord Lothian’s death. As an ambassador, he has had a peculiarly difficult position in a very trying time and it is no wonder that his health suffered. It is sad that at the present time his services should be taken from his country.

A raffia doll, which was to be presented to me at the sale for the blind by the English consul, was given to me instead by Mrs. Straus. I was interested in this new idea, which seems to be something every gardener will enjoy.

I thought there were a number of new ideas for gifts. The blind workers who were plying their trades were interesting to watch. I was fascinated by the worker who was dipping bayberry candles. His hands moved with such precision and the work progressed so rapidly.

I went from there to see Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Knopf, who published my little Christmas story, and I enjoyed so much seeing many of their fine books.

The rest of the day was one of complete personal self-indulgence. Perhaps it was somewhat of an orgy, for I certainly crammed many things into a short time! In the afternoon, I went to hear “Tristan and Isolde” sung by Madame Flagstad and Mr. Lauritz Melchior, ably supported by a remarkable group of other singers. It was, as it always is to me, a tremendously moving experience. I can never listen to the last act without finding something deep down inside of me responding to the emotion of the music and the voices.

Afterwards, I went to see my aunt, Mrs. Stanley Mortimer, and later to dine with Mrs. Grenville Emmet; her daughter Pauline, and Franklin Jr. and Ethel. Mrs. Emmet and I left the young people and went to see Ethel Barrymore in The Corn is Green after dinner.

I think Miss Barrymore does a beautiful piece of acting, for it seems so real. The last scene is beautifully acted and has an emotional quality which one cannot resist.

We found Franklin Jr. waiting for us as we came out. He had made up his mind that he was going to give two old ladies like ourselves, a whirl by taking them to “Cafe Society” to hear some really very excellent musicians. We spent an enjoyable hour and a half there, but I will acknowledge that when I reached my apartment, I closed the door with a feeling that I had run the gamut of various kinds of emotions and that a little calm and quiet would be a good thing for an old lady.

I flew back to Washington this morning and had a pleasant time on the way down with Mr. Roy Howard, who like many other people, is arriving in the city for the Gridiron Club dinner tomorrow night.

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December 16, 1940

Washington, Sunday –
I was deeply distressed Friday to miss attending the meeting of the American Red Cross. My first appointment in the afternoon was with an economist, who proved to be so interesting that I could not get away before the time had come to rehearse for a little curtain-raiser which a few of us were preparing for the “Gridiron Widows” party last night. Some of my experiences furnished the idea, but all the work was done by Mrs. Henry Morgenthau and the other participants. I didn’t memorize the few lines that were given me very well, but it was fun to do.

Friday evening, we went to see Out West It’s Different. Some of the scenes are extremely amusing and some of the acting is excellent, but it does not seem to me to be a finished play as yet. By the time it reaches Broadway, however, that will probably be accomplished.

My guests must have felt that their hostess was extremely peripatetic last night. I seated them all at the dinner table and then dashed to the radio station to do a two-minute speech on the Alec Templeton hour for the benefit of the sales of work done by the blind. At the end of the second act of the play, I had to run out again and give the speech over again for a Western radio audience. I returned in time to see a good part of the third and last act from a back seat.

Yesterday I went to visit one of the new alley Dwellings, where Friendship House has furnished one in order to demonstrate how inexpensively it can be done and still be attractive. I was very much impressed and encouraged to see that one can accomplish so much in making a home comfortable on so little money.

I enjoyed my own party last night, as I always do. Our own curtain-raising skit was very light and unimportant, but the newspaper women, who carried the brunt of the entertainment, were as usual entertaining and witty. In any case, I think we always enjoy seeing each other and having an opportunity to chat without any divisions created by politics or professional attitudes.

We had one professional bit of entertaining last night. Miss Vandy Cape did some of her singing satires. I thought it was particularly appropriate of her to be with us, for this party is supposed to make kindly fun of the hostess, and Miss Cape has one number which does that extremely well.

This afternoon I attended Lord Lothian’s funeral, and Mr. Stephen Early went to represent the President. At 4:00, Mr. David Lilienthal of the Tennessee Valley Authority was kind enough to come to the White House to show us some pictures depicting conditions before the work was started and conditions today. He told us some interesting stories and I found it as enlightening a demonstration of the value of that whole development as one could have.

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December 17, 1940

Washington, Monday –
Late yesterday afternoon, we attended the party given by Mr. Mark Foote, the President of the Gridiron Club, and Mrs. Foote, at which some of the stunts and songs of the previous night’s dinner were repeated for the benefit of the ladies. It was really a delightful performance and this year they made fun of themselves as well as of their distinguished guests.

I always enjoy these entertainments. Even when it seems that they are bit cruel to some of the people, I feel it is probably good for us to see ourselves as others see us, even though the way they see us is not always strictly truthful according to our own ideas.

However, I am a little doubtful sometimes whether any of us, in our efforts to be amusing, should ever lampoon anything which is attached to an ideal which must be preserved and, therefore, we cannot risk destroying even by gentle humor. I may, of course, be wrong about this. Any ideal which cannot survive lampooning and satirizing may not be worth consideration as an ideal, but the fact that it is an ideal is something that should be kept in mind by all of us who have a funny-bone and a tendency to little reverence.

I received a communication from the United Mine Workers the other day, which I think we should consider very carefully. Many of you have probably read with horror, as I have, of accidents in various mines. The total of human lives lost may seem small when we consider the war in Europe, but it is important to a nation at peace. There is a bill which was introduced in Congress, known as the Neely-Keller Mine Inspection Bill. Since its introduction, 1,598 workers have died in accidents, some of which are believed to be due to faulty inspection.

I know only too well that no legislation can completely correct any situation, but it seems to me that the people of this country would not want to neglect any steps which might make a little safer the lives of the men in this industry, which is basic in our economy. Perhaps you will get this bill and read it and talk to your representatives about the whole situation of safeguarding our workers in this industry, as well as in many other hazardous industries.

I spoke on a panel last night for a meeting of the Washington League of Women shoppers, but I confess the experts with whom I sat were much better fitted to cope with the problems than I was. A press conference this morning, one appointment and a few minutes snatched here and there to do up packages in my Christmas closet, are about all I can report so far today. We are about to go down to lunch and our guest will be Mrs. de Gripenberg, and Englishwoman who is over here speaking for the Red Cross.

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December 18, 1940

Washington, Tuesday –
Mrs. Thomas testified before the Tolan Committee that, in order to join the electrical union here to get a job, her husband would have to pay three hundred dollars. This seems to indicate that this particular local is a rather high priced club. All clubs offer benefits, and this particular testimony has brought me quite an avalanche of letters giving me information of various kinds.

As a justification, the people who approve of this fee, state that their members receive many benefits and, in addition, that this rule keeps the standard of work high. If that standard should be let down, the danger of fire in all buildings would be greater.

On the other hand, one CIO union member, from somewhere in the great wide open spaces, notifies me that in his union the charge is $1.50, which would seem to make his club a little less exclusive. If a man has been out of work for some time, my informant adds, he can pay it in installments out of his first earnings. I suppose a man can pay the $300 in installments too, but it might take a bit longer.

Judging from the letters I have received, there seems to be considerable interest in this subject and all of us might profit from a real out in the open discussion of the whole situation.

I received a most interesting communication the other day from the Savings Bank Life Insurance Council, in which my correspondent discussed the savings bank life insurance method out in Massachusetts 30 years ago through Judge Brandeis’ efforts. Under this plan, life insurance issued by mutual savings banks “over the counter” seems to meet the needs of the average wage earner rather satisfactorily.

Governor Lehman of New York succeeded in having this form of life insurance adopted in New York State in 1939. Those who have studied the problem of helping the small wage earner, many of whom go without food to pay insurance premiums, seem to think that this type of insurance meets the needs of this group of people better than any other.

It certainly would not fit the needs of some of the well-to-do, nor of people who need certain specialized types of insurance, but with the experience in Massachusetts, and with the backing of Justice Brandeis and Governor Lehman, it would seem that wage earners might do well to look up their mutual savings banks and find out about this service. Under the law, no solicitors can be sent out, so this is one thing in which the wage earner will take the initiative and do his own investigating.

I had a number of appointments yesterday afternoon. I think my most pleasant one brought me into contact with some members of my Georgia Bulloch family. The young man is a sailor on a U.S. Navy ship in San Diego, but on his leave he has driven across the country with his mother. They had tea with me and started back this morning.

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December 19, 1940

Washington, Wednesday –
Our first reception of the year, the reception to the judiciary, took place last night. It brought us a comparatively small number of guests, so that our initiation was easy. Often the first reception is rather an effort, because I am not accustomed to standing and shaking hands. That was not the case last night and I noted with pleasure how much good the President has derived from his trip, for he greeted everyone in a way that showed he was really glad to see them.

Yesterday, Mrs. Anne Holliday Webb from Boston, came to lunch with me to tell me a little about the method they have been developing in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, through their Division of Museum Extension services, to increase the real understanding and appreciation of history. They use great works of art and a running commentary on the period under discussion.

Their plates on the periods which they have published so far, are very beautiful. It seems to me that this will be an extremely valuable addition to the understanding and teaching of history. Their desire is to make this material available for use in CCC camps, NYA resident projects and Army camps by putting it into movie form. Whether this can be done or not remains to be seen, but certainly it is a most stimulating idea.

Miss Edna Ferber, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Ernst, and Miss Constance Ernst, their daughter, spent the night with us. After the reception was over, Mr. Alexander Woollcott, who is also staying with us, gathered us all together in my sitting room to listen to the broadcast between Mr. Williams in England, author of The Corn is Green and his wife and members of the cast now acting in the play in New York City.

Miss Ethel Barrymore and various members of the cast went through some of the scenes for him. Knowing the English people, there was a lump in my throat when I heard Mr. Williams say to his wife:

Good night my love, God bless you.

Times are changed and we must not waste any opportunity to show the love we have in our hearts, otherwise no Englishman would have been so demonstrative several thousand miles away.

The beauty of Miss Barrymore’s voice impressed me more than ever. I could not help thinking how wonderful it is that we have an invention today which will carry to a writer at such a distance, the actual voice which is repeating his lines and interpreting them to thousands of people in a country so many miles away.

We are losing our friend, Mr. Woollcott this afternoon. Unlike the man portrayed in the play The Man Who Came To Dinner, we can’t induce him to stay any longer. Though I know he fancies himself in that particular role, as his hostess, I will have to say that in real life he is far from carrying out the character which was depicted on the stage. We have enjoyed every minute of his visit and the latchstring hangs out for the future.

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December 20, 1940

Washington, Thursday –
Every day I receive new ideas for ways in which we can help the British people. One is novel and interesting, and should be an outlet for some of our young people. The All American Football Team has been asked to be chairman of the Football Blankets and Hoods Committee of Bundles For Britain.

The Bundles For Britain organization and the English Speaking Union will be glad to receive contributions of discarded hoods and blankets at the Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Virginia. They will be sent to London for use by the people in the bomb cellars. They ask you to leave on your school or college colors, because they may add a bit of cheer to times and conditions which must be a drab and uncomfortable part of existence.

Just before lunch yesterday, Her Royal Highness, the Princess Juliana, with Admiral Baron and Baroness De Vos Van Steenwyk, her Gentleman and Lady-In-Waiting, arrived. They are delightful guests and I only hope they are not being worn out by our usual effort to show them more than they probably desire to see.

Princess Juliana is deeply interested in the Red Cross, and this morning she has gone to our Red Cross Building. Yesterday afternoon we drove to Mount Vernon and she seemed to enjoy the country and the novel experience of trying to understand what an old-time American plantation was like in the 1700s. The scent of the box in the garden was noticed at once and enjoyed, when we walked through on our way back to the cars.

The Princess Juliana joined me in receiving the foreign students in the afternoon. The two Dutch students, who had last been presented to her in Holland two years ago, were, of course, greatly pleased to see her here. She remarked afterward on the interesting faces of the young people as they went by, and was much impressed by the four who were interviewed on the radio. It was rather thrilling to see the first girl graduate as a doctor in Haiti. She is here studying gynecology and will then return to serve the women of her own island.

In the evening, we attended the concert given by the National Symphony Orchestra, with Dr. Hans Kindler conducting. As a special attention to the Princess, this orchestra played a well-known Dutch song. Mr. Joseph Szigeti, who appeared as the guest artist, is, of course, a great violinist and we all enjoyed the concert very much.

At about 12:30 this morning, I took our guests to see the President in his office and then we had an informal luncheon. Later in the afternoon the Princess will go to her own legation to attend a reception.

I am so thankful that the weather is at its very best. While, for us it is fairly cool, our guests, who already have snow several feet deep all around them in Canada, exclaim about how pleasant it is to be in such a warm climate.

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December 21, 1940

Washington, Friday –
A short time ago, I talked to a French woman and an American woman who have lately been in Lisbon. They led me to think along the following lines.

There was a time when this country of ours felt strong enough in its devotion to democracy to accept political refugees, just as they accepted the immigration of large groups of people for the economic development of the country. Gradually, as the need for labor has decreased, we have looked over more carefully the people whom we wished to accept, for one reason or another, as future citizens and workers in our nation.

We have not shut ourselves off from accepting all new blood. We know there are people it is worth our while to acquire as citizens of the future, because of their value from the economic standpoint as well as the racial. In the case of people who come to our shoros, not for economic reasons but because their ideas, intellectual or political, have clashed with those of the rulers of the country in which they lived, it has also become more complicated.

For one reason, democracy has become more complicated, fewer people understand it. Fewer people really know what they want democracy to mean in their nation. Until we clarify our own minds again, so that there is no question of what the majority of our people want, it is well not to complicate matters by bringing in too many conflicting elements.

However, just as new blood is important from the racial and economic standpoint, new blood is important from the intellectual and political standpoint. We have today a very great opportunity. People who have been known and recognized in the world as great scientists, educators, writers and sociologists are all sooking new homes. It will be short-sighted indeed on our part, if we do not continue the policy which has worked so well in the past – to enrich our own land by inviting into our midst these people who have a contribution to make to civilization.

We gave a dinner last night in honor of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Juliana. It was the first big dinner of the winter and gave us an opportunity to greet a great many friends. This morning we bade our Dutch guests goodbye with real regret.

I forgot to tell you the other day about a group of people who came to see me in the interests of encouraging the establishment of American fashion trends. Mrs. Chase, Miss Shaver, Mrs. Snow and Miss Ellis all belong to the Fashion Group Inc. in New York City. There are planning to present there New York City’s fashion futures.

The group has over a thousand members with branches in eight cities and I think this event will be interesting and helpful to many industries. I have always believed that American designers could in some cases create the clothes and accessories needed for the life of the American woman more successfully than the French or Austrians and this is the opportunity to prove it.

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December 23, 1940

New York, Sunday –
If only for a very short while, it is grand to be in the country. I arrived in New York City on Friday afternoon, in ample time to attend the annual Christmas party which we give at the Women’s Trade Union League Clubhouse. It seemed particularly pleasant to have one of the “little boys,” who started to give this party so many years ago, come back again to take over the work of running it this year.

Franklin Jr. and Johnny began to give these parties soon after we moved back to New York City from Washington in 1920, but when they went off to boarding school, I had to carry them on alone. Now Franklin Jr. and his wife are back in New York City and he took over this particular responsibility, so I am sure the children had a much better time in the evening.

One of my friends, with whom I always make it a point to have a reunion before Christmas, came to dinner and we spent a happy evening together. On Saturday morning I motored up to my cottage at Hyde Park. There I gathered up all the things which had been sent from Washington and drove around this morning and delivered them to all our friends up here.

A kind friend gave me a great many toys this year. He took so much trouble in picking them out, that I have had difficulty in tearing myself away from them. I even found one among them which I am going to give to the President of the United States. I am sure that this year, all the children who come to our various Christmas parties, are going to have a particularly happy time and I am very grateful to this friend who took so much personal trouble, in addition to being so very generous.

Last night, Mr. and Mrs. James Bourne of Rhinebeck, NY, and a number of people associated with the social agencies of Dutchess County, joined some of the young people who met with me last summer on two occasions. We sat around my living room fire and discussed what they, through their meetings and various activities, have found to be the needs of the young people in our county.

I hope that someday, out of these meetings, the young people of Dutchess County will participate actively in various county activities. Programs are carried out for both young and old which are intended to improve the social life, as well as the economic conditions of our various towns and villages, and young people should participate in the planning of these programs. I came down to New York City this afternoon and will return to Washington early tomorrow morning.

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December 24, 1940

Washington, Monday –
I left New York City this morning and took the 9:50 plane to Washington. The sky was blue and the air was crisp, and gave one a real feeling that winter was with us and we might hope either for snow or skating by Christmas day.

Here I found Christmas packages everywhere and an air of great preparation. The house has been decorated and the lights are in the little trees on the portico, so we look gay at night. Even the President changed his schedule and had not yet left the White House so I had a glimpse of him before he went over to the executive office. His shadow, the little black Scottie, came into my sitting room with him.

I was glad to see the dog back, for he had spent two days before I left at the vets with the usual puppy difficulties. He has returned with a diet. The President, who would hardly be aware of the fact that anybody else in the household was on a diet, spoke to me at once, so that there would be no mistake about “Fala’s” food.

I saw the housekeeper and all the rooms are assigned for Christmas and all the meals are planned. Mrs. Helm and I had a last going over of the social functions, because tomorrow I shall be too busy to look at lists of any kind, and she will not have an opportunity until after Christmas. Then I started on my mail, which I don’t think I shall finish for a long, long time.

After lunch, I am going to the Dutch shop and to the shop on Connecticut Avenue, where they sell Christmas cards for the British charities. At 4:00, members of the executive office force who are off duty tomorrow, will come to the President’s office, so that we may have an opportunity of wishing them all a Merry Christmas. After that, several people are coming to tea.

I expect by that time that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law will arrive. It is a long time since I have seen them both, so there will be a real sense of excitement about our reunion. A little bit later, Ethel and little Franklin III will arrive and some time this afternoon, I hope Mr. Harry Hopkins and Diana will appear.

I have already received so many Christmas cards that I want to say a word of thanks today. It is very warming to the heart to find that people think of you at Christmas time, and that they so often think of you as a friend. Some of our neighbors near our little apartment house in New York City sent me cards as a neighborly gesture.

From all around us at Hyde Park, cards have come pouring in, as well as from every nook and corner in the United States and from Europe and the Far East. Perhaps the most touching cards have been those with messages written on them in which people say that though in their particular homes, life seems dark and uncertain, the fact that the President is in the White House gives them hope for their future.