Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House” Oakland, 2009 Volume 6 Number 1 Elections 2008… A Magic Night on the Presidential Yacht POTOMAC! By Marti Burchell Regardless of your ; Libertarian, Republican, Democrat, Nearly 100 invited guests joined “The President” on the Presi- Green, or Independent, Election Night on the Presidential Yacht dential Yacht for the cruise. Mr. President welcomed all our Potomac was a truly historic and magical evening. To hold an guests as we boarded in Oakland, and again after a short cruise event for this particular election, on this particular ship, the to Pier 40 to pick up the contingent. The ship Presidential Yacht Potomac, used by this particular President then set sail for the Golden Gate Bridge on a beautiful, clear, was a synergy of cosmic proportion. and cold evening of cruising. The energy on board was high, hopeful, and cordial as we all watched the results of this historic The Election Night election unfold. Cruise was the brain- child of professional On our way back promoter David Perry to Pier 40, and and Associates. David after two hours and his team provided of cruising, sip- not only the concept, ping fine wine, but also the invitations and feasting on and the access to me- a sumptuous din- dia for the event, both ner, we saw the of which were fabu- news that the lous. The objective of election had been the Election Night Cruise was to raise funds for two historic decided. When ships, the Presidential Yacht Potomac and the Liberty Ship, Jer- the announcement was made, it became obvious which can- emiah O’Brien – and we did. didate was the strongly suported. The atmosphere on the ship was that electric, and one might say that the venerable Potomac It was an evening of took a few skips across the bay. As we pulled into Pier 40, the numerous firsts, not speeches began and we decided to stay docked until the conclu- the least of which sion of President Elect Obama’s acceptance speech. Response was having two big to the speeches of both candidates from the Potomac crowd was screen televisions loud and joyous. on board to watch the election returns. While we were docked, a large party boat pulled in just behind Westat Communi- the Potomac and began unloading passengers. It was quite clear cations was very that the folks from that ship had not voted for the newly elected generous in offering president, but rather his honorable opponent. If looks could kill, the entire set up at a the Potomac might have sunk a second time!! Later we learned reduced price for the evening. The crystal clear reception and that a well-known celebrity talk show host, of a contrary persua- sound they provided was amazing, especially considering we sion, had chartered the party boat. were on all evening. The evening was awe- Kincaid’s Bayhouse and Palomino Restaurants donated a splen- some on so many lev- did dinner for our guests. The food was superb, and extremely els - I could not have generous, the servers and chefs were all totally professional and felt more honored to be added greatly to the ambiance of the evening. Foggy Bridge sharing in this unique Winery donated a selection of premium wines, much to the en- and historic event that joyment of all. Also available for sampling were vodka and seemed to bring the past several whiskeys offered by Brown – Forman. and present together as we look to the future. Page 2

Marti’s Musings……………. Is it really HIM ?

That’s a somewhat foolish question considering the age of the individual referred to would be 128, but none the less, a question I have heard more than once. Our Mr. President, Kurt Lauridsen, PhD, is much, much more than an FDR Impersonator. His breadth of knowledge about Franklin Roosevelt, the era, and the key events of the time is encyclopedic. Kurt’s persona, while wearing the Brooks Brothers Cape, is in fact that of our late, great President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Kurt is our ambassador to the past, and the rich history of FDR, Win- ston Churchill, the War Years and of course the Potomac’s place in all of that. The smiles I see when “Mr. President” greets our guests at the dock, or holds court on the fantail, reinforce what a treasure he is to our association.

Kurt is and has been a history docent and Friend of the Potomac almost from the beginning of our operation in . He was a History docent first, and happenstance promoted him to “Mr. President” in 2000; we are very grateful it did. Kurt’s support of the Association in both time and donations are substantial.

One of the most delightful aspects of watching Kurt work a crowd is to follow the faces of the passengers, ages are 70 and over. They remember the man who was like a father to many in America during an extraordinarily desperate time. He brought their families out of The , he provided jobs, and he reassured them when our country was under attack. He was the head of the household who figuratively held the family in his arms and told them that everything would be all right. With this in mind, one begins to understand why the question “Is it really him?”

So Kurt, for all you do - thank you, “Mr. President.”

TRUTHS AND MYTHS ABOUT FDR’S FIRST HUNDRED DAYS By Edward I. Bloom

In this period of economic recession and uncertainty, and with a new presidential administration about to assume the powers of gov- ernment, there is much talk about comparisons between today’s problems and those that faced Franklin Roosevelt as he took the oath of office on March 4, 1933. Attention has been focused on the so-called First Hundred Days (actually 103 days). Many things were accomplished in that period, but some important matters did not come into being until years later.

The most notable legislative accomplishments of the First Hundred Days included:

1. – March 9, 1933 a. Expanded the president’s powers over gold and foreign exchange transactions b. Authorized the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to purchase the preferred shares of bank stocks c. Authorized the Federal Reserve Board to issue currency d. Authorized the reopening of banks (following FDR’s bank holiday) under strict governmental supervision

2. Economy Act – March 20, 1933 a. Cut $500 million from the existing federal budget b. Eliminated some federal agencies c. Reduced the pay of military and civilian government employees d. Reduced payments to veterans by 50%

3. Beer – Wine Act – March 22, 1933 a. Anticipated repeal of prohibition b. Provided for new taxes on beer and wine continued on page 3 Page 3 4. Civilian Conservation Corp Act – March 31, 1933 Federal employment of a quarter million young men on forestry, flood control and beautification projects

5. Agricultural Adjustment Act – May 12, 1933 a. Induced inflation by reducing the gold content of the currency, coining silver or issuing $3 billion in “greenbacks” b. Authorized direct government payment to farmers to not grow selected crops

6. Federal Emergency Relief Administration Act – June 16, 1933. Direct federal unemployment aid to the states.

7. Public Works Administration Act – June 16, 1933 a. Authorized federal employment for selected public works b. $3.3 billion initial appropriation

8. Tennessee Valley Authority Act – June 16, 1933 a. Generated and distributed electric power to rural areas from Muscle Shoals Dam b. Built additional dams for flood control c. Built a 650-mile navigable waterway from Knoxville, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky d. Upgraded health and educational services in depressed areas of the Tennessee Valley e. Developed recreational facilities in the Tennessee Valley f. Attracted new industries to the area

9. National Industrial Recovery Act – June 16, 1933 a. Established board to regulate maximum work hours and minimum wages in selected industries (later declared unconstitutional) b. Established right of industrial workers (not farm laborers or domestic staff) to organize unions c. Established the National Recovery Administration (NRA), to form approved cartels in selected industries, to control prices and wages in selected industries, with suspension of anti-trust laws in those industries

10. Glass-Steagall Banking Act – June 16, 1933 a. Divorced commercial from investment banking (later repealed in the 1980’s) b. Instituted federal insurance for bank deposits (FDIC), over Roosevelt’s objections

The major problems of The Great Depression remained, with high unemployment of 25%, tight credit restricting business growth and activity, mortgage foreclosures still rising, and the problems for small-farm agriculture remaining chronic. The First Hundred Days created a national sense that the government was actually doing something about these problems, and hope was restored. It did not, of itself, end The Great Depression.

Among the major pieces of legislation that most people today associate with FDR’s were Social Security (1935), and the Works Progress Administration (1939), both of which were not enacted until years after the First Hundred Days.

Sources: FDR The New Deal Years 1933-1937 - Kenneth Davis Freedom From Fear - David M. Kennedy The Defining Moment - Jonathan Alter From the Radio Room of the Presidential Yacht…President Roosevelt

In May of 1941; on board the Presidential Yacht Potomac, President Roosevelt gave his annual Jackson Day speech to the American people. Thanks to Docent Olaf Elander, we now have a recording of the President’s speech set up in the radio room in such a way that with the push of a button, you can hear FDR’s Jackson Day chat. This idea was Olaf’s brain-child; he tracked down a copy of the speech, re-mastered the recording so that it can be clearly heard, and set up a system that easy for our History Docents to play for our visitors. These are a few quotes you will hear: “….in the comparative quiet of this week, I have become more than ever clear that the time calls for courage and more courage – action and more action.” When Abraham Lincoln became President, he had to face the awful reality of War between the states. On July 4, 1861, in his first mes- sage to the Congress, he presented this vital question. “Must a government, of necessity, be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence?” Lincoln answered that questions as Jackson had answered it – not by words, but by deeds. And America still marches on. “We of today have been presented with that same question. We too are answering it by deeds. Our well-considered philosophy for the attainment of peace comes not from weakness but – everlastingly – from the courage of America.” Page 4 JOIN US ABOARD THE POTOMAC

2009 SPECIAL EVENTS • Angel Island Cruise / Tours May 27 • June 24 • July 22 • August 26 • September 23 • October 28 • Opening Day April 26 • Mother’s Day May 10 • Father’s Day June 21 • Fourth of July July 4 • Fleet Week October 10 and 11 • Veteran’s Day (2 Cruises) November 11 Call or check our web site: www.usspotomac.org for Special Event Cruises added throughout the year.

DOCKSIDE TOURS

Join us aboard the Potomac for docent-led dockside tours. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and include a 15-minute video shown in the Potomac’s Visitor Center which provides a glimpse of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s use of the Potomac. Wednesday and Friday: 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Sunday:12 Noon to 3:30 PM Dockside Ticket Pricing: $10/Adult ~ $8/Seniors ~ 12 and under/Free

2009 HISTORY CRUISES (Schedule available in Visitors Center)

Enjoy a two-hour narrated History Cruise around San Francisco Bay aboard the Potomac with our knowledgeable docents and crew. Hear of the impact FDR’s administration had upon the Bay Area and surrounding landmarks. Complimentary coffee, tea and water are available. While aboard, guests are invited to take a docent led tour or self-guided tour. Purchase tickets by contacting TicketWeb at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866-468-3399. You may also call the Potomac Association at 510-627-1215. Reservations are highly recommended. Groups of 20 or more must call the Potomac Association for reservations. History Cruises Depart Jack London Square at 10:30 AM History Cruise Ticket Pricing: $45/Adults ~ $40/Seniors (over 60) ~ $25/Youth 6-12 ~ Under 6 Free Groups of 20 or more $30

UNIQUE CRUISE EVENTS And don’t miss the first run of Characters All six of these cruises are “don’t miss” op- FOR THE 2009 SEASON of the Bay (11/5). On this three-hour cruise portunities, so check your calendars, and you will be in the company of Emperor book early. We look forward to welcoming You will find six exceptional cruises on the Norton, Lillie Coit, Horace Carpentier, you aboard. 2009 schedule that offer the opportunity to and, of course, FDR will be joining us! see San Francisco Bay from a different per- spective. Four had their “maiden voyages” The Potomac Association Board of Governors and Staff last year, and were so well received that 540 Water Street Michael Roosevelt, Chairman they are being offered twice on this year’s P.O. Box 2064 Oakland, CA 94604 Carla Betts, President calendar. So take a closer look at Alam- Telephone: 510-627-1215 Tom Morehouse, 1st Vice President www.usspotomac.org eda, the Estuary and Treasure Island (6/13 Curtis Davies, 2nd Vice President The Potomac Currents is published Art Haskell, CFO and 9/17); The Bridges of the Bay (6/11 by the Association for the Preservation Jean Gaskill, Secretary and 8/20); Shipyards and Islands (7/18 and of the Presidential Yacht, Potomac, Inc. Rick Anderson, Mary Bergan, 8/8); and, Historic Ships of the Bay (6/18 Editor: Virginia Rapp Joe Brennan, David Connolly, and 9/12). New this year, the Potomac will Layout and Design: David McGraw Virginia Furth, Judy Goff, Al Groh launch the Bay Model and Sausalito Cruise Editorial Board: Marti Burchell, Ed Bloom, Doug Higgins, Hal Marsh, James McCloud (10/15), a five-hour cruise that includes a Les Marks and David McGraw. Denny McLeod, Ron Paredes, visit to the US Army Corps of Engineers Kirk Rowlands, Richard Zampa scale model of the San Francisco Bay, a No part of this publication may be picnic lunch, and a return to Jack London reproduced without the written permission Marti Burchell, Executive Director Square via San Francisco Water Front. of the publisher. Craig Newton, Shipkeeper Page 5

The USS Potomac AssociationFriends acknowledges theof following the individualsPotomac and organizations for their generous donations between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008

SUSTAINING PATRON CORPORATE/PATRON Ken and Carla Betts Waterfront Plaza Hotel Matson Navagation COMMANDER IN CHIEF Rick Anderson Willis Deming Dale Hansen Kurt Lauridsen CA Field Iron Workers Admin Virginia Furth Arthur Haskell James McCloud Trust Jean & Barbara Gaskill Floyd James Denny & Ruth McLeod Dr Jacob Deegan Dan Strohl ADMIRAL James McCloud Kirk Rowlands Judy Goff Roveda Richard Zampa – District Tom & Carol Morehouse Council of Ironworkers ELEANOR Mary Bergan Karen Keys John & Clem Underhill David Lee Woods & James & Rebecca Eisen Judd Williams Family Phyllis D Chambers CAPTAIN Johnson Bogart Les & Elaine Dropkin Vickie Gregg Richard Lonorgan James Bolen Olaf Elander Albert Groh David & Myrna McGraw Ronald & Lillian Cape Norman & Edna Eltringham Nancy Kickertz Angeline Papastefan Pat & Barbi Carson – in memory of Bob McMillan Bill & Mollie Kinney Stuart & Vallyn Proffitt Ronald Casassa George Fraser Rich Knowles & Merlyn Gordon Seligson Don & Cathy DeCoss Uhlenberg Beverly Voelker FIRST MATE Bruce & Gail Adair Al Dessayer Capt Walter Jaffee Jim O’Connor Ruth Adar Lee Ditlefsen Marvin Jensen Art & Carrell Rankin Bay Ship & Yacht Art & Ardeth Dreshfeld Carol Johnston Mitch Salzman Bruce Baur Robert Eakin & Avis Hendley Lawrence Kellog Jr. Jon & Fran Siler Gene Bell Joseph Echelberry Kenneth & Margo Kingsbury Jerry & Lovene Silsdorf Miriam & Leon Bloomberg Bill & Marie Ewing John Klip Elaine Stanley John Bradley Dorothy & Julie Filice Neal & Nancy Lambly Ruby Tilley Roland Brandel Pete Geffen Daniel Lamey John & Darleen Upmeier Marti Burchell Bonnie & Earl Hamlin John & Iris Lopez Lee Velde Windy & Jerry Butler Mavourneen Harshman Sandra Lundgren Wanda Viviano Alice & Vern Carrier Pieter Hazewindus Robert Matz Cynthia Weiss Fred Cunningham Heinold’s First and Last Patricia MacLean – in memory Patrick Welch Charles & Jacqueline Chance Saloon of Mel Wax John & Marilyn Welland Del Monte Bill Hodges & Ken Horton Thomas Murray Mary Whitehead Ruth Ann Yager Maxine Adams Angelique & Yann Jack Lapidos Herbert Ploch Richard Black Cucaro-Renault Lucy & Lawrence John Brenda Price Donald Bonney Gus Dorough Ronald Louis Virginia Rapp David Brossard & Sally Beck Georgia Edlund Dawn Muller Maurice Robichaud Ted Brown Elizabeth Hannon Cathy O’Brien Mary Rudser Rachel Buckley Leroy & Marlene Hintzman Ann Papastefan Bill & Carol Seawell Margot & Valentine Chmel Esther Jennings John Papastefan & Family Kathy Szumiloski Steven Colman Colleen Kelly-Prola William Peeters Mary Lou Williams Robert Woodruff STUDENT/TEACHER Tom Bernitt Carol Campbell ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS Educational Fund City National Bank William & Marsha Dillon Mt. Diablo Detachment 942 – Neel Foundation Jackson & Rochelle Bays Marine Corps League The Sabarese Trust

Note: Questions or comments about the above listing may be referred to Gordon Seligson, email: [email protected] or write to Friends of the Potomac, P.O. Box 2064, Oakland, CA 94604.