Onnews and notes from Our the franklin d. roosevelt presidential Way library and museum with support from the Roosevelt Institute The Grace Tully Collection - Open and Online FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY he FDR Presidential Library, over enactment in February 2010 of Public Law family; and a June 1933 handwritten letter Tthe course of eight months, acquired 111-138, sponsored in the Senate by Senator from Mussolini expressing his deep gratitude a significant collection of Roosevelt-era Charles Schumer (D-NY) and in the House and admiration to the President. Il Duce also papers, opened these materials to the public by Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY). expresses his hope that he and FDR might for research and made the entire collection Sun Times is a successor to Hollinger Inter- meet one day to “discuss the outstanding available on the Library’s web site. national, whose CEO, Conrad Black, had world problems in which the United States purchased the Tully Collection and authored, and Italy are mutually interested.” The Tully Collection is an archive of original Franklin D. Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom. FDR-related papers and memorabilia that On November 15, 2010, the Grace Tully had been in the possession of the President’s Interesting documents in the collection Collection was officially opened to research- last personal secretary, Miss Grace Tully. include a 1936 FDR “chit” regarding the ers at the Roosevelt Library, and the entire This donation to the Roosevelt Library is promotion of George C. Marshall to Brigadier collection was digitized and made available the result of more than five years of negotia- General; a handwritten list by FDR indicat- online in March of 2011. The finding aid is tion between the government and the private ing his legislative priorities for the year 1935, now posted on the Roosevelt Library’s website parties involved. including Social Security and the Wagner at www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu. Labor Bill; a letter from Amb. Joseph P. The Grace Tully Collection was donated to the Kennedy to Missy LeHand describing his ONLINE RESOURCES Roosevelt Library by the Sun Times Media views on World War II, the social scene in About the Grace Tully Collection Group, now known as the Chicago News- London following the outbreak of war, and Online Finding Aid and Documents Prologue Article - Spring 2011 paper Liquidation Corporation, following the loneliness of serving abroad without his the grace tully collection - open and online archivist alycia vivona to retire IN THIS ISSUE social security exhibit - in their own words summer 2011 calendar of events remembering rivington r. winant our partner: the roosevelt institute APRIL 2011 fdr and america’s “national pastime” the new “on our way” newsletter Social Security Exhibit: In Their Own Words he Roosevelt Library and Museum’s current special exhibition, “Our Plain Duty”: FDR and TAmerica’s Social Security has been enthusiastically received by visitors. Below are a selection of remarks taken from the comment book in the exhibit. “Our Plain Duty” is open through December 31, 2011. “Social Security helped support me as a child when “Yes! my father died. It helps me It is still our now in my older years. It helps so many people. God Plain Duty.” bless all who made it possible.” “Absolutely, Social Security is still ‘our plain duty.’ Those who are elderly, infirm, alone deserve our help. WE are required by our conscience to devise a way to clothe, feed, and house every American.” “What a remarkable vision— “World’s biggest and the courage to withstand Ponzi scheme.” the political fury. Perhaps “Without freedom from want none of the today’s politicians should other three can sustain. Thank you FDR, re-read their history books Francis Perkins . I cheerfully contribute to the welfare of my fellow Americans and learn how to act in the knowing that it makes my country stronger interests of ALL people.” in every way.” Rivington R. Winant Rivington R. Winant, longtime Roosevelt Institute board member, former Treasurer of the United Nations and son of John G. Winant, the first Chairman of the Social Security Board, passed away on February 3, 2011. He was a dear friend and supporter of the Roosevelt Library. “Riv,” as he was known to us, participated in the Library’s opening celebration of the “Our Plain Duty” exhibit on August 14, 2010. He is pictured here (center) with members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Jack Miller Photography FDR and America’s “National Pastime” ranklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Baseball FEATURED DOCUMENTS has been called the national pastime F Left: The “Red Light Letter” from and rightly so because it stands for the fair Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw play, clean living and good sportsmanship Mountain Landis expressing concern about the propriety of proceeding with which are our national heritage. That is why the baseball season, January 14, 1942. it has such a warm place in our hearts.” This FDR Presidential Library statement – and FDR’s strong support for pro- Below: The “Green Light Letter,” fessional baseball in 1942 – redefined baseball’s FDR’s prompt response to Judge role in American culture and ensured it’s place Landis’ inquiry giving baseball the go as America’s national pastime. ahead to proceed and expressing the value of baseball in time of war, January 15, 1942. Carbon Copy. When the United States entered World War FDR Presidential Library II, professional baseball, like many other American institutions, was called upon to make sacrifices and serve in the war effort. Prior to the 1942 season, Baseball Commis- sioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis wrote to the President asking “whether professional baseball should continue to operate.” In response, President Roosevelt issued his famous “Green Light Letter,” stating that he pastime alive would provide felt it would be best for the country to keep needed recreational activities professional baseball going with those citizens for American citizens. This idea who did not qualify for military service. provided pivotal support for Roosevelt believed that keeping the nation’s the survival of the game during the war and afterwards. On the Home Front baseball served as a pleasant diversion for Americans. Towns organized teams as a source of local en- tertainment when gasoline and rubber rationing kept families close to home. Commissioner Landis’s original “Red Light Letter” and the official carbon copy of Baseball became a large part of the war effort President Roosevelt’s “Green Light Letter” as well. Professional baseball clubs held fund- are located in the Roosevelt Library archives. raisers to benefit the USO, American Red The original “Green Light Letter” resides Cross, and a number of other service orga- at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and nizations to support the war effort. Military Museum in Cooperstown, New York. personnel played “pick-up” ball games and FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY ONLINE RESOURCES FDR throws out the first pitch of a regular received box scores on the front lines. All in season game between the Boston Red Sox and all, baseball provided an important boost in Document Pack - Presidents and Baseball the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium, Featured Store Item - FDR Baseball T-Shirt Washington, DC. April 24, 1934. morale for American citizens on all fronts. Archivist Alycia Vivona Retires After 34 Years A farewell from Alycia . when one could find that obscure fact or cor- He entered the gate into the Study before I roborate that family story. And, just maybe, I realized he was carrying an FDR mug which, t was April when I came and it is April won’t quite give that part up. I presumed, was filled with coffee. When Iagain, thirty-four years later, and I leave he contemplated placing the mug on the the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library with many But, if I have a story to tell, and I am not a sto- desk behind him I shuddered involuntarily wonderful memories. It is a bittersweet time, ryteller by nature, it would be about President fearing I would have to say, “Please remove a time for parting but also a time for new Clinton’s first trip to Hyde Park and my part that coffee cup from the President’s desk, sir.” challenges and adventures. in preserving the integrity of the study of a Luckily, I was not called upon to make any previous inhabitant of the White House. such pronouncements. Instead, the President What will I remember most of these past placed the coffee mug, out of sight, at his feet. thirty four years? First, I will remember the My relief was short lived. The desk was a re- people: my colleagues, the devoted volun- production; FDR’s son James had inherited teers and those special people with a link to the original, his father’s George Washington the Roosevelt family, some of whom are now desk. The carpet, on the other hand, was a dear friends; the researchers, both those who priceless gift to FDR from the Shah of Iran. could follow directions and those who could not; the support staff (guards, mechanics During the interview, I listened with respect and maintenance) all of whom added to the to the newly elected President, but I kept an quality of my working life. eye on that coffee mug at his feet. As soon as the interview was over and the President I will remember the documents that President stood up, I made a beeline to the coffee cup, Roosevelt left to this nation so that people like still on the floor. It is fortunate that the Secret myself, a girl from the Bronx, could better Service knew who I was or the consequences understand the past and believe in the future might have been embarrassing.