THE PRESIDENT-ELECT.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 3

THE PRESIDENT-ELECT.

SEQUEL TO A SWIIWI. GALLANT FIGHT FOR HEALTH. MAGNETIC PERSONALITY. Mr Claud© Moore Fuess contributes an interesting character sketch of Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Presidentelect, in “Current History” of New York, one of the finest and best-in-formed monthlies in the United States. He tells the story of his gallant fight after his swim in the sea 11 Augusts ago. Mr Fuess says of Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt — “In 1921, when he was 39 years old and in perfect health, a great catastrophe descended upon him. Fatigued after a busy winter, Roosevelt sought a brief vacation at -his cottage on Campobello Island in the Bay of Fundy. On a seething August atfernoon he plunged Into the icy water for a swim. “A ohill followed. On the next morning he was ill, and a day later he could not move his legs. Specialists made a diagnosis of poliomyelitis, or Infantile paralysis, and he was carried back to New York on a stretoher, seriously ill and apparently condemned to inactivity for the remainder of his days. „ * '*■* - A Fine Perseverance. “But when the attack had passed he made up his mind not to give in. Unable to regain muscular control of his legs, he soon acoustomed himself to Crutohes and went about his dally duties as usual. Meanwhile he consulted every available authority on the disease; Although persistent exercise brought only slight improvement, be never lost patience. “Even when his physical condition was at its worst Roosevelt did not seek sympathy or pity. In the autumn of 1924 he was told of an almost abandoned summer resort at Warm Springs, Ga., where the water had an average temperature of 88 degrees. “There, with a life preserver around his waist, he remained in the pool for several hours a day, moving -his legs slowly up and down. Gradually his muscles strengthened, and after some months of this treatment he laid aside his crutohes. Within a year he could ride norscback and drive own car. and he now walks with the aid of braces and a cane. “Of his endurance there can be no doubt whatever. During his campaigns for Governor in 1928 and 1930 it was frequently asserted that he would break down, but he made hundreds of speeches without fatigue.

“Aside from the weakness of his leg muscles he has a superb vitality, which he preserves by several weeks spent each winter in the peace of Warm Springs. The delegates at the recent Chicago Convention saw no visible physical weakness in the man who flew from Albany to Chicago and there addressed them from the 'platform.

“Air Roosevelt is in his fifty-first year, in the prime of life, about 6ft 2in tall, with a powerful neck and chest. He has clear blue eyes, brown hair, and a fascinating smile, with features which arc difficult to caricaturo because they reveal nothing out of the ordinary, like Theodore Roosevelt’s teeth, McAdoo’s nose, or Hoover’s pudgy cheeks. “A physical examination for a lifeinsurance policy in October, 1930, showed that he weighed :1821b and had a 37in waist, and was free from any organic weakness except that due to infantile paralysis. He has an excellent radio voice, and is a persuasive public speaker.

“His personality is not inaccurately described as magnetic. He is goodnatured, perhaps too amiable, and it takes much provocation to irritate him. He has a gift for gelling along with people of all ranks and classes. He has a well-developed sense of humour which comes lo his rescue in emergencies.

“Those who meet him are impressed : by his fundamental sanity. He is not j ostentatious, but prefers a quiet home i life and dislikes pretence and sham. He enjoys such diversions as toy yachting, horseback riding, and motor- ! ing. For hobbles he collects postage i . stamps and owns a large number of ship models, several of which lie built ' himself. He is a good farmer and j forester, fond of conducting experi- ! meats on his land.

“He has been connected with countless philanthropic organisations and witii the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, lie has boon an Overseer of llarvar! College, and is a trustee of Vassal' and Cornell.”