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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1061

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano. 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945), architect of the "New Deal," central figure in world events during the mid-20th Century, Governor of NY (1929-1932), Asst. Secretary of the Navy (1913-1920). Autograph Letter Signed "Franklin D Roosevelt" in blue ink. One and a third pages typed (single side) on White House stationery, Washington, D.C., Oct. 25, 1940. Roosevelt writes the Honorable Robert F. Cole, Chairman of the National Mediation Board: "At the suggestion of the Advisory Commission to the Council of National Defense and of the War and Navy Departments, a voluntary system has recently been instituted for the assignment of preference ratings to contracts placed by the War and Navy Departments for items listed as critical in the defense program ...Instances have arisen where potential contractors have been hesitant to accept Army and Navy preference rated contracts because such contractors are already working on other Government contracts which contain liquidated damage clauses. Unless industry is assured that delays caused by the acceptance of and compliance with preference rated contracts will not result in attempts by the Government to collect penalties, the procurement of materials necessary to the defense program may be unduly retarded." Roosevelt instructs Cole to have his staff comply with this system, as have the Secretaries of War and Navy, and notes in ending that he has requested that the Attorney General and the Comptroller General "take appropriate steps to comply with this policy." Otto S. Beyer's name has been crossed out in the salutation and at the end and "Cole" and "Robt F Cole" substituted in ink. Two-fold, small staple mark at top and crease lines down right side, Fine. Accompanied by respective envelope on which Beyer's name has been crossed out and replaced with Cole's (light foxing and creasing). [2]

Sold for
$700