The First Lady of Radio (8 page)

(APPLAUSE)

(ORCHESTRA)

ANNOUNCER: A breathless waiting, a touch of cool breeze unexpected and soothing and a bright full color of casual flowers—the music of a summer far away sings through the night suggesting a memory. Nay, more than a memory. All too lovely to be forgotten yet too delicate to last.

(ORCHESTRA: “LAMENT FOR THE LIVING”)

(MIDDLE COMMERCIAL)

ANNOUNCER: Mrs. Roosevelt promised us that she would give her opinion of the question “When will a woman become president of the United States?” Mrs. Roosevelt!

ER: I do not think that it would be impossible to find a woman who could be president, but I hope that it doesn't happen in the near future. There are exceptional women just as there are exceptional men, and it takes an exceptional man to be a successful and useful president. Though women are doing more and more, and are proving every year that they are capable of assuming responsibilities which were considered to be out of their province in the past, I do not think that we have yet reached the point where the majority of our people would feel satisfied to follow the leadership and trust the judgment of a woman as president. And no woman could, therefore, succeed as president any more than could any man who did not have the trust and confidence of the majority of the nation, for this is a democracy and governed by majority rule.

People say no woman could stand the physical strain, but that I think is nonsense and answered over and over again by women through the length and breadth of the land. No man works harder in the fields than the farmer's wife, in her home and on the farm. Women have carried the same jobs in factories, even in mines, up to a few years ago. And besides their industrial jobs [women] have almost always carried on the work of the home. Sometimes badly, to be sure, but still that work has always been before them when the other work was done. The stories of women
who clean office buildings all night and go home and get their children off to school and somehow manage to snatch some sleep during the day, and then go back to work at night and yet keep the home going would seem to indicate that while women may not have as much muscular strength as men, they have as much endurance and ability to bear strain as the male of the species.

Women have not as yet had, however, as many years of background in public life. Or as many years of experience in learning how to give and take in the world of affairs. And I personally would be sorry to see any woman take any position of responsibility which she was not well equipped to undertake and where she could not command the following which she would need for success. Someday a woman may be president, but I hope it will not be while we still speak of “a woman's vote.” I hope it will only become a reality when she is elected as an individual because of her capacity and [because of] the trust which the majority of the people have in her integrity and ability as a person.

It is not a new thing for women to wield political power. They have done it through the men in the past and women have been independent rulers in their own right. Witness Catherine of Russia and Queen Elizabeth of England. In fact, birth seems to have created more confidence in some countries of the past than does ability today! The future lies before us, however, and women have a big contribution to make. So let us hope that when a woman does assume any important office, it will be because the services she can render are apparent to all.

(APPLAUSE)

ANNOUNCER: Few of us can afford the mansions, yachts, jewels, or other expensive possessions of the millionaire. But all of us can afford the same luxury enjoyed by the richest man in the world when he sleeps. For the Beautyrest Mattress—the most comfortable money can buy—costs only two and one-fourth cents a day, just about what you pay for your daily newspaper! Right now your leading furniture and
department stores are making a very special feature of the Beautyrest Mattress, Simmons beds, and scientific springs. See them—tomorrow—and open your bedroom door to millionaire sleep! You are invited to tune in next Tuesday night on another broadcast by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Until then, the Simmons Company bids you good night.

(MUSICAL THEME: “NOCTURNE”)

ANNOUNCER: This is the National Broadcasting Company.

7.

“Shall a Woman Be Herself?”

The Simmons Program

Tuesday, September 18, 1934

ER: How disappointing it is that it seems impossible ever to start anything really new! Here we have been thinking that we had a brand-new deal with a Brain Trust all its own as a new discovery. And now comes the Commissioner of Education of Puerto Rico, Jose M. Pardine, to spoil all our pleasure by his assertion that the world's first New Dealer was Confucius, the Chinese sage who formed the first Brain Trust 2,500 years ago. Confucius advised China's rulers on new policies and trained special groups of young men to supply “Brain Trust” substitutes when he, himself, was busy with other matters. Alas, alack for what we thought was original!

From Nome, Alaska, comes the sad news that much of the city has been destroyed by fire. Only two business buildings, one hotel, a few residences in the northern section of the town, and the United States Radio Station were standing last night. Supplies of food are low and help
is being rushed to Nome at once. The residents who were homeless must have spent the night in the open with a temperature which was as low as thirty-eight degrees and which may reach freezing at any time. Getting to Alaska by water will soon be impossible, so this is a serious situation.

To those who love horses, the fate of Dark Secret, who won the Futurity at Belmont Park on Saturday, was most distressing. After winning a gallant race and sticking until the finish in spite of a broken leg, this beautiful animal had to be destroyed. The joy of the day was completely changed to sorrow for those who witnessed the race.

From Geneva, Switzerland, we learn that Russia has been voted in as a member of the League of Nations by a ballot of thirty-eight to three. There was a certain amount of opposition led by Mr. [Giuseppe] Motta of Switzerland. The countries voting against admittance, after denouncing the Soviet political system, were Portugal, Holland, and Switzerland. Those who concurred in these opinions but simply abstained from voting were Argentina, Cuba, Luxembourg, Belgium, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Those most strongly urging the admission of Russia claimed that her exclusion made war more probable and that it was therefore wise to include her as a member of the League.

From the same place comes the account of a most interesting report.
The League of Nations Statistical Year Book on Trade in Ammunitions and Armaments
lists the total of the legal traffic in arms during 1932 as 32,934,000 gold dollars. The League uses only official government reports, and these it points out list explosives as chemicals, and by other subterfuges prevents a really accurate estimate of foreign traffic, which would make it possible for us to know what actually is the truth as regards the traffic in arms between nations.

From Kansas City we have encouraging news that rain has revived the West and business reports have taken a spurt. It appears that this rain will help enormously in providing fall forage for the cattle. It is wonderful what a little green will do to revive our spirits. Having seen
the drought areas, I realize what it must mean. Therefore, I am grateful that Nature is helping to restore man's confidence.

A very interesting court has just been opened in New York City, which is known as the Poor Man's Court. It is in the Small Claims Division of the Municipal Court and was established last May to save time and cost for litigants in actions involving amounts up to $50. Its first day was a busy one—more than seventy cases having been scheduled. This ought to be a great help in relieving the other courts and be a benefit to the poor.

The textile strike still continues on its weary way. I think most of us pray daily that there will be no need in our locality to call out troops. It seems terrible that questions involving difficulties between responsible human beings cannot be settled without bloodshed. We hope for great things from the new board under Governor [John G.] Wynant.

A new discovery which may revolutionize telegraph and wireless devices now used is reported by the Research Engineers Division of the Radio Corporation of America. They call it the gateway to television and claim that whereas today it requires forty minutes to send pictures from New York to Chicago by the normal radio shortwaves, that only a fraction of a second will be necessary when tiny microwaves handle the pictures and printed matter through the services of booster stations.

From Washington comes the welcome news that the Comptroller of Currency, J.F.T. Connor, has reported to the Federal Advisory Council the approval of plans to reopen thirty-eight national banks with deposits of $52,896,000. Except for seven banks whose plans were disapproved, the report accounts for all of the fourteen hundred national banks which failed to open after the national bank holiday and seven banks subsequently added to the unlicensed list.

When I was young, long before I ever thought of doing anything in business or in the competitive world—which at that time belonged largely to men—I remember my grandmother admonishing me never
to forget that “you are a lady.” I am sure that same idea was dinned into many, many young women of my generation. And even today a woman must not be as aggressive about getting business, nor as persevering, if she does not want to have people feel that her attitude is not quite ladylike. She can never be as free and easy in her contacts unless she is an exceptional type who gradually establishes herself among the men she comes in contact with, and with whom she works as a good fellow who needs no consideration, beyond that accorded to men by each other. Some women resent this very much. But they might just as well make up their minds that they cannot have their cake and eat it too. If women are going to compete with men, they must either use their minds and insist on being equal in every way—and lose that something of glamour which surrounds women who are set apart behind certain restraints and reserves—or they must compete as women, using as part of their competitive armor that mysterious something which is so well described in [Stephen] Vincent Benét
's John Brown's Body
in speaking of the Southern lady:

       
And always, always to have the charm

       
That makes the gentlemen take your arm

       
But never the bright, unseemly spell

       
That makes strange gentlemen love too well.

I do not think that, as a matter of fact, women today in the professions and in business or in public life are trading much on this prerogative. They are trying, as far as possible, to disassociate themselves as workers from their personalities as women. On the whole I think this is a healthy attitude to take, and makes for better feeling in a competitive world. No woman can really reach a place of recognition unless she has actually earned that place. No amount of chivalry is going to place her there if she cannot “deliver the goods.” Therefore, women might just as
well make up their minds to keep their charm and their womanly personalities for their homes and to disabuse the minds of their competitors of the old idea that women are only “ladies in business.”

This is even truer where it concerns women who are going into public life either as elective or appointive officials. They have learned that they must be themselves. They cannot assume an attitude or qualities which other people may think becoming to their positions. They must stand or fall on their own ability, on their own character as persons. A good motto is “Be Yourself,” and your associates and the public in general will render the verdict as to whether that self meets with approval. Insincerity and sham, whether in men or in women, always fails in the end in public life.

8.

“A Day in the White House”

The Simmons Program

Tuesday, September 25, 1934

ER: We cannot help being deeply sorry for Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh that they have again to be harrowed by details which must be very agonizing to them. However, it is extremely valuable to have criminals realize that when the United States government undertakes to bring people to justice, they keep right on until this has been accomplished. I am told that men have been apprehended at the end of ten and twelve years. I feel this phase of this case should be stressed, for it cannot help but serve as a deterrent to other people who are tempted by greed to commit some similar atrocity.

Everyone must be happy that the textile strike has been settled and that the board appointed by the president has succeeded in gaining the confidence of both sides. The stretch-out system is one which really needs study and it is to he hoped that, since a settlement has been reached, the mill owners will take back all their employees.

The papers state that [United Textile Workers official] Mr. [Francis] Gorman has received certain protests from mill employees where mills have not as yet opened. There may of course be reasons why this is inevitable, but if that is so, the tone of Mr. Gorman's statement is so temperate and the Wynant Board seems to be working so well, I think we are justified in feeling hopeful of a better understanding and a final settlement of these difficulties between the mill owners and their employees.

The final result of the International Boat Races is still in doubt, both yachts having flown protest flags in today's race. We all of us hope that there will be general satisfaction with the decision of the committee and that the British sense of fair play will be matched by our own.