OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 13

OBITUARY

MR. LOUIS McHENRY HOWE SECRETARY TO MR. ROOSEVELT "WASHINGTON. April 20 The death has occured of Mr. Louis McHenry Howe, chief secretary to the President, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt. The late Mr. Louis McHenry Howe, mystery man of American politics and President Roosevelt's most intimate adviser, always refused to put on public record any of the usital particulars about his early career. It was known, however, that he came of a New England family and was born in Massachusetts in, it is believed, 1883. He became a journalist, and in the course of his duties attended the meetings of the Senate of New York State at Albany. There, just after Mr. Franklin Roosevelt had been elected a senator, he met Howe, and a lifelong friendship began. Howe, a small timid-looking man who has been described as "all brain and no body," had keen sympathy with Mr. Roosevelt's political and social views and aspirations, and made it his aim to help him in every possible way. He even shared Mr. Roosevelt's hobbies, collecting botanical specimens, stamps, first editions and racing model yachts with him. When Mr. Roosevelt became Governor of New York State, much of the credit for his success in the election was due to the quiet but enthusiastic work of Mr. Howe. During the election of 1932, for the Presidency, Mr. Howe was again at the back of every move to assist Mr. Roosevelt's candidature. Yet until the new President was installed at the White House very little was heard of his adviser. During the election campaign ho was merely known as a friend of Mr. Roosevelt, and was only distinguished in the public eye bv a habit of wearing shabby clothes, a weakness which caused him to be a laughingstock ampng people who had rfo idea of the power he exerted behind the throne." Although the President surrounded himself with a kitchen Cabinet" or "Brain Trust" of private advisers, it was well understood that Mr. Howe was the most intimate of them, and when an important announcement of policy was to be broadcast, it was made bv Mr. Howe, and the American nation 'accepted his voice as an echo of the President.