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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1062

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). Excellent content Autograph Letter Signed "Franklin D Roosevelt" in black ink. One page typed on White House stationery, Washington, D.C., July 15, 1942 [typo for '1943']. Stamped in purple ink above: "RECEIVED National Railway Labor Panel JUL 17 1943". FDR stridently admonishes the recipient (the "Honorable William M. Leiserson" [at bottom] who he addresses only as "Dear Sir" in the salutation) for failing to heed his letter of the year before instructing department and agency heads to not publicly air disagreements. "I realize the nervous strain under which government officials are working in war time but I cannot overlook any further violations of my instructions. By this letter I do not place any restriction upon your furnishing statements in response to Congressional inquiries. But if when you have a disagreement with another agency as to fact or policy, instead of submitting it to me or submitting it to the Director of War Mobilization for settlement under the terms of the Order creating that office, you feel you should submit it to the Press, I ask that when you release the statement for publication, you send to me a letter of resignation. If any subordinate of yours violates my instructions in this regard, I shall expect you to ask for his immediate resignation." Signed off in pencil at top right by board members Cook, Schwartz, and Bickers. Light rust stain from paper clip by staple mark and a few other stain spots, two-fold, About Fine. The National Railway Labor Panel was created in 1942 as a source from which railway mediation boards would be empowered. Roosevelt sent this stern and reproachful letter during a Congressional proceedings held for a railway wage increase case.

Sold for
$800