THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025 23 1925: CALVIN COOLIDGE TO CALVIN COOLIDGE “The Presidential Election” by Gerhard Gade December 1924, Lead Story 1933: HERBERT HOOVER TO FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT “The Election” December 1932, Lead Story number of causes. The organized appeal, made by both Coolidge and Davis as well as by the American Legion to go to the polls as a patriotic duty regardless of partisanship, must have considerably increased the vote. A large number of women who did not avail themselves of the franchise in 1920 doubtless discharged their duty on Nov. 4 after four more years of political education. The radio for the first time in history had a tremendous effect on the size of the votes by broadcasting political speeches to millions of homes and thus creating a more personal interest in the speakers and the issues of the campaign than was formerly possible through the newspapers alone. unauthorized and unfounded suggestions may appear in print and otherwise. To avoid any misunderstanding, I desire to make it clear that no decision has been reached, and no decision will be reached in regard to any appointments for at least two months.” … Franklin D. Roosevelt has spent much time traveling in Europe, and speaks French and German fairly fluently. It is therefore said that he possesses an unusually extensive firsthand foreign background. On Nov. 4 the people of the United States elected Calvin Coolidge President by a popular vote estimated at about 18,000,000—2,000,000 more votes than President Harding received in 1920. … The increase in the vote of 1920 over 1916 was due to the passage of the Woman Suffrage Amendment. The Republican Party obtained working majorities in both branches of the Sixty-ninth Congress. … The electorate cast the largest vote in American history— between 30,000,000 and 32,000,000 as compared with 26,675,000 votes in 1920. This record-breaking ballot may be attributed to a At half-past twelve of the morning of November 9, Governor Roosevelt received the following telegram from President Hoover: “Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Biltmore Hotel, New York City. “I congratulate you on the opportunity that has come to you to be of service to the country, and I wish for you a most successful administration. In the common purpose of all of us, I shall dedicate myself to every possible helpful effort.” … The situation in Congress after March 4 will be the most advantageous any President has found in recent years. … Franklin Delano Roosevelt was 50 years old last January 14. … Since he entered public life 21 years ago, Governor Roosevelt advanced steadily. … Despite the physical handicap, confined to his leg muscles, Mr. Roosevelt has been regarded as one of the hardest working Governors in New York’s history. It is interesting to note that Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, like the late President Theodore Roosevelt [his distant cousin], reached the road to the White House by way of the governorship of New York and the position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy. … Speculation has been rife as to who will be chosen by Mr. Roosevelt for his Cabinet, but the following recent letter from the President-elect somewhat puts that matter aside for the time being: “In the weeks and months immediately ahead, further
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