Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 32, Number 197, Decatur, Adams County, 18 August 1934 — Page 3

The Presidential Cruise As Told By A Sailor Boy

Kenneth Kessler Gives Close-Up Account Os Roosevelt’s Voyage

nr \(lanis County Boy, Correspondent For nited States Navy Magazine Only Person PeriHed To Interview The President On Board "i n- “A Lovable Lot, These Roosevelts”, Says u'nneth: Received Thrill Os Life In linformal With The Chief Executive.

K, storv about the Presidents IX «•»>’•!> ' VP "' I " I fr ” ni Ann ' j|d to Portland. Orcjon ■ TcX "a :t< < Eontbia. I”'' Panama Canal Zone. Iff , b „ Hawaiian Islands, a Jrn ■ HF"' ini|, ' sJ i*’ By KEN KESSLER coi-n spo.nlH.t for the I nited ■ State Navy Magazine. ■ The destroy.', Hiltner nosed its |„ ( through the haza of near circled " i,le 10 avoW 8 ■ Lerof pritat- yachts and cams ■ „-.t alongsM- the cruiser HousI . bringing with it President |too«evelt and the Presidential va IX party to embark on a breaklack vacation cruise that would lake them to the important island |-sessions in less than a month ■ The President was late for his |>te with the Houston by nearly I u hour: from six-thirty till eight ll'clock the crew watched for a |,ifht of the destroyer on which he I to arrive from Annapolis, a I cross the bay Yachts loaded to ca ' itcity with curious admirers, gath sered near and waited patiently.- At the appointed time, with no signs ol i the distinguished visitor, the ship's ■ad struck up th® familiar air "An Fetors Aweigh.' (lathering darkness Lnßenced inking out the silhou iette of the Naval Academy; even Ing colors were hauled down; boal lights twinkled over the bay anc npped the dim outline of the small [ craft. Some of the gave up and re I turned shoreward. ■ At seven-fifty the Gilmer was I first sighted; positions for rend > ering the Commander-in-chief his i due honors were taken by the i crew. Twice the exercise for “man : sing the rail" was rehearsed i Quickly and noiselessly each time i. the men scattered from closed for i matior.s to the lifeline and stood al gnu-length facing outboard, mak ■ ing a complete chain of white uni i formed figures that in the dusk for ; Bed a hazy fence around the ship Ignoring repeated warnings to I stay well clear of the starboard ' side, the small boats moved dan j gerously near, their passengers | climbing to the top of canopies and • other vantage points where besl , they could witness the proceedings ’ Twenty minutes after it was sighted the Gilmer threw her lines I to waiting seamen on the Houston •nd made fast; a brow was quickly slipped into place. The President, hat in hand, his ruddy face for the moment absent ed from its usual amiable smile walked slowly across. At the brow's end. just before stepping aboard his new temporary home, he paus ed to face aft and salute the col ors. The bugle sounded four flourishes and the hand played the Nat ional Anthem. Waiting to assure him of a wholehearted welcome stood Captain Woodson, commanding the Houston; Commander Manock and Commander Eldredge, senior officers; eight sideboys in spotless white uniforms, a full guard of Marines, impressive with their rifles held motionless at a level with their eyes, and a score or

Crowd Which Greeted Roosevelt As He Left Houston < *£ I \ x*;/ / f « * 'Sv S--' 1: <»s *■ MCf J* x aa *3Sr f >» J r / ” wj*: ■*«l 4 '^«<t' r - , s - ■ : ' * < *r i * I «sSfcs».»y. ■■.'.xywc-.- w>■■4 Y '*"< wBS*/. 3j| BWJbiJPL ■7^. Jre* gK Ik rfi 1 ?!sk i2S llEraim - ~ ¥n - jJr’l jn . \ ■ i f’wNP^ffiJs^rev^- x •MiaSridtaa k, —. i cCMEE -./j WB ' Sli gyjyiw ' x \ \ z ° With a prayer by island clergy for his safe return home. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, arrow, and wn. John. left, bade farewell to Hawaii, where they had visited on the nonth-long vacation cruise •wwd the U. S. S. Houston, which carried the chief executive to virtually every American co onlal dedn,.l. t ’ n< ' y PXC 'ept the Philippines and Alaska, and ended amidst enthusiastic welcoming ciowds lining the 8 at Portland, Oregon.

more bandsmen. On the last note of the Anthem President Roosevelt'walked hastily aboard, his face covered with a huge smile. The other members of the party were introduced: Captain Wilson Browne, USN, Naval Aide; .Mr. Rudolph Forster, Secretary to the President, the President's two sons, Franklin Jr. and John; Mr. Richard Jervis and Mr. Gus (Sennerich of the 11. S. Secret Service; and Commander Ross T. Mclntire, USN., his attending nhysician. Almost immediately the party retired to tlje Presidential suite. The Ship became a beehive of activity, preparing to get underway. In less time than it takes to say "Farm Relief" the floating Whitehouse was steaming toward the open sea. Following in her wake at a distance of a thousand yards were the escort destroyers Gilmer and Williamson, carrying press representatives and cameramen, Several weeks of carefully planned preparation were required to outfit the former Admiral's quarters to accomodate th“ President. The suite was completely renovated, commencing with a shiny new coat of paint. New furniture was added, the old redecorated. Thick soft carpets were spread on the decks; his favorite cigarettes placed in the polished humidors; a goodly selection of mystery yarns graced the bookshelf. To do all this required the services of skilled Navy yard workmen, the sleuthing out of his personal habits by Naval officers in whom was entrusted the job of making him comfortable. All hands worked with a happy anticipation of pleasing the man of whom they expect much in Naval activities. That they succeeded seems assured by the manner in which he received his new home. The President lived alone In the spacious quarters. The sons had a toom next to his. in which flagofficers formerly lived: his secretary also had one of these rooms. Captain Browne was comfortably siuated in the Chief of Staff's cabin. The first night out F. D. retired early. That last day in Washington, spent in cleaning up the remains of a recent meeting of Congress, evidently was fatiguing. All hands took every consideration to make the cruise a happy one. Even the movie man attempted subtle flattery by getting a Movietone program containing a speech made by the President in which he commented on the itinerary of ports to be visited and the plans he had made for goodwill contacts in places that never have been visited by a President of the United States. But not all was to be business. Several hours a day were given to relaxation on the open decks. Sons Franklin Jr. and John paid regular visits to the well-deck where they worked out an improvised wrestling mat and tossed the medicine ball. Then there was a fishing trip in the lee of Long Island in the Bali amah. Franklin Deljtno' <|all(ied, with the denizens of the deep quite

i successfully, returning to the ship 'with several whoppers. Each port necessitated the repetition of rendering honors, and in I each port came a different celebi l ity of State. Governors, Ambassadors, Ministers, and the Colomi blan President, who joined Roose- , velt aboard for lunch, after which i the two Presidents went ashore ' where F. I). R. delivered an addi ress on the continued good-will i between the U.‘B. and all LatinAmerican nations. Everywhere Roosevelt was received with the sincere admiration that has been his since the beginning of his administration. In San Juan where lies one of the most in-1 dustrial centers of our Island pos-' sessions, thousands stood in the' streets through a steady downpour ! to glimpse him. The most colorful of all the col- ■ orful receptions was given in Col- , on. C. Z. The Army was out In force, a thousand strong at least, ! with the Army band. Stationed at! the entrance to the first lock they | lined the brink of the canal In an i array of Khaki and shining steel that will last in the memory of every spectator. Snappy orders sounded down the line and with perfect rhythm were carried out. The Anthem was played, first by the Army band and then by the ship's, it's melody echoing and reechoing , to the peaks of the green, rolling foothills. Rain again threatened to spoil the occassion. All morning long it poured ceaselessly through a leaden sky; It is the rainy season there and the most disagreeable part of a tropical year. Civilians in the customary whiteclothing became drenched but still managed to add color to the spectacle, as they waited for the first appearance of the: President. The ship nosed slowly into the I first lock; lines were cast and everything made ready to proceed.' Suddenly hats began waving, hand | kerchiefs fluttered, boys whistled, and hands were clapping. Even the! Army mules pricked up their eass.’ President Roosevelt had made his first bow to the people of Panama. For as much as five minutes the; cheering continued then it would die down only to be picked up anew when someone, in a burst of admiration, yelled or whistled. Lined up in perfect rows that might have been chiseled by a sculptor, the Army came to "present arms" and stood motionless through the whole proceeding. Neither the bob of a hat nor the move of a hand was seen throughout the whole assembly to denote a laxity in their postures. The skies cleared magically; the clear tropical sun shone fiercely down on the unprotected spectators. A soldier, apparently overcome by heat, left the ranks and stretched out on the lawn; shortly after an ambulance came and picked him up. Civilians began wiping sweat, some hoisted umbrellas. The locks had been flooded and the ship moved slowly through. A last time the President bowed and again the din went up: it followed us, swelling and dying away till we passed out of hearing. Another greeting, similar to the first, with many of the same civilians who had been on the other side had rushed by auto across to repeat their felicitations, awaited at the Pedro Miguel lock. The Army boomed out a twenty-one gun National salute, followed by the usual honors of ruffles and the Anthem. Then everything went quiet while the crowd waited tensely for the President to acknowledge their presence. Somewhere in the rear ranks of the khaki formation a mule brayed: the mules were the only creatures able to

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT SATURDAY, AUGUST 18. 1934.

The Chief OF • xv * I • President Roosevelt was a popular gue.it with the sailors and officers on the U. S. S. Houston on the presidential cruise, covering ll.iO'l miles. "Aces we call 'em”, is the way Kenneth Kessler. Adams County sailor boy and correspondent for the United States Navy Magazine referred to the chief executive and his two sons. Franklin Jr., and John. Interviews President Roosevelt “The most impressive moment of my life came when I was presented to the President of the United States and told that I might ask him a few questions in regard to his attitude toward the U. S. Navy and the contemplated Building Program. I was fortunate in being the only accredited representative of a publication permitted to accompany the President and his party on the recent vacation cruise; I was permitted to write the story then only upon the condition that my copy be mailed and not w’ired, which would render it useless as live newspaper material. The paper for which I covered the cruise w-as given to understand that they were to handle the material] exclusively and not allow it to be republished. The President was determined to keep his modes of relaxation, his lounging garb, the names of books he read and the kind of cigarettes he smoked while hooking big fish a deep secret, at least till after his return to the States. “I knew exactly what I wanted to say in that endless moment when I first met him but somehow the words just didn't come. I fidgeted with my hat. screwed the carpet between my feet and acted in general very much like a schoolboy in the presence of a scolding old maid. I remember vaguely of mumbling something about the seas being smooth or the weather clear or maybe it was that I should have known better than start this interview. He was reading and he very patiently laid the book aside, smiled knowingly and asked me in a friendly tone from whence came a newspaperman's ability to get by two secret service men and a Marine Orderly. That set us on common ground and before 1 knew it there 1 sat talking like an old friend to the President of the United States. He gave me the interview as freely as he might plan another fishing trip with one of the boys. “One cannot quite get it straight that this big, friendly fellow with his ruddy face constantly lighted with an amiable smile is the FDR who directs the Country; and th& two boys, Franklin Jr. i and John, who accompanied their father, are chips off the old block. They visited the firerooms, sat around the decks and chatted with seamen and drank coffee from the crew's galley. “A lovable lot, these Roosevelts. They made history not only ; as the head of our government, but in the memory of five hundred officers and men in this crew as -good guys—'aces'—we call ’em.” KENNETH KESSLER

maintain a nonchalance. ■ Suddenly FDR stood up; a big' smile covered his face and he wa I ved the bat tered panama hat to ) which we have become so accust-| omed. An ordinary mortal cannot quite understand what it must | mean to a man to have crowds I cheering madly at his feet every-, where he turns; to know that he i has been intrusted by his people' to the cares of their government and after over two years they still have the same trust, the same love,' the same devotion with which he was elected. The cruiser New Orleans waited | alongside the dock in Balboa to accompany the Houston to Hawaii; As the Houston hove into sight the crowds on the dock pressed so close to the waters edge that the ’ police had to use force in driving , them back; even lines rigged to, hold them back were nearly broken down. Secretary of War Dorn, his wife and daughter, came aboard almost , immediately. Shortly later the Panamanian President called offici- j ally for a few minutes. A party at the Pala<‘e, given by , the government officials in the honor of the Presidential entourage, was the highlight of the entertainment activities. The streets j over which the official car was to j pass was crowded by people two. hours before the time set! troups of mounted policemen and motorcycle officers cleared the streets

. and successfully kept them thus. It was like some-one of Royalty on | exhibition for the people. They waved and they shouted, a steady chain of them, as the car moved slowly on its way. Even down I there, the people of the slums, the natives and the beachcombers a-' like, stood up and cheered. Two days in Panama, yet the second day they still came and stood for hours in that burning sun a< the foot of the gangway, just in case he should come on deck. He j ■ did often, to greet notables, and each time there arose that clamor. A few minutes before the time set for sailing a number of bouquets arrived; people brought flowers in little bunches and threw them toward the decks; they would get caught in the wind and blown between the ship and the dock to the water below - broken, soggy I emblems of a supreme faith. The President ordered the Hous-, ton next to the Cocos Island, the ; treasure island of the Pacific. Per-, haps it was because of this romantic legend that he went there, but mofe logically perhaps because the fishing was reported to be good. The Astors often frequent these islands (there are two of them, I one quite large and the other little rflore than a huge rock). They might even have nosed about for the hidden gold. It is tradition that there are over two million dollars in casketed booty present somewhere near; numerous sear-

ching parties have dug behind trees and under rocks and over ledges, each party having an individual map with the "right" spot crossed by the mysterious X. A ship was sunk years ago along the bank; its topmast can still be seen when the tide Is low. The islands have all that deserted. forlorn atmosphere which surrounds ull good 'treasure islands"; it is tradition they were once inhabited, until they became jinxed The native Indians deserted the place because the spooks of the old buccaneers came back to gloat over the gold. It takes little imagination to see them yet. In the evening the wind howls through the trees and between the rocks; vultures by the hundreds soar over the treetops, and when it is quiet you can hear the weird noises of the forest. The President caught some big ones. Etery member of the party brought back a catch to be proml of, including the marine with a rifle who shot u shark. Press reports started coming in about the San Francisco stevedore strike. It was rumored we would turn about and head for the States. The President soon dispelled those rumors with the statement that he hoped he would not have his vacation spoiled at such an interesting time. He scanned the charts for another island where fishing might be good. He found one, the Clipperton Island, two thousand miles from any other land. The Houston put in there on July 16. Clipperton is but a protruding mass of coral with scattered palm trees sticking out. The fishing was excellent, but it was difficult to recover them because of the sharks. Two Tarpops, which might have averaged two hundred pounds each were brought out wfih nothing but their heads left; in other cases the shark made away with line and all. Rain at regular intervals through out every day threatened to spoil the holiday spirit of the cruise during the entire trip. It seemed seldom to fail whfn the President got comfortably seated at the movies rain came inevitably. During the daytime he lounged about in an old green sweater and a pair of well-worn trousers. The two sons did the same, enjoying the opportunity to be comfortable to its fullest. The library was stocked with murder stories and "deep mysteries”; a special overstuffed davenette was placed Invitingly in the corner of the President's stateroom, shining humidors and ashtrays were placed at convenient places. When the fishing was bad the ship offered all the conveniences of a resort hotel. The longest jump between ports was the trip enroute from Clipperton to Hawaii. Water water everywhere for seven days. The weather was generally unfavorable to lounging about the decks. When it wasn’t raining the sun was too hot to be comfortable. During this time the President spent much of his leisure among the books and at his desk; he came on deck for the movies and on Sunday for Church services. He sat out on the forcastle where the breeze blew strongest and sunbathed when the weather permitted which was seldom. ■Four days out of Hawaii the air- , ship Macon brought newspapers ! from the West Coast and landed them on the Houston. She launch'ed two airplanes which dropped I the papers on the ship’s decks; rehousing her planes the Macon flew on to return to the States. HONOLULU TENDERS OVATION • San Juan received the President with respect; Panama and the Canal zone gave his reception color and zest; but it was in Honolulu that the islanders combined color and respect with enthusiasm that amounted to near idolatry. It was estimated that half the 250,000 inhabitants of the island of Oahu waited along the dock for the [Chief's arrival; while the ship ! was still more than a mile at sea the huge crowd pushed down near the edge of the dock for a first sight of their distinguished guest. Along the waterfront, on the decks i of merchant ships, on the roofs of buildings, in small yachts and native canoes, they waited to accord one of the most picturesque receptions the President has been given on this trip. The ship made fast to the dock and almost immediately FDR had boarded a motorcar for a tour of ! the island. Along the route over which the motorcade was to pass stood another inestimable number of people who heaped sparkling ' coals on the fiery enthusiasm for which Hawaii has always been known; they accepted it as a privilege to reveal a devotion unbelievably sincere in a country where the citizenry is largely a medley of Orientals from the four corners of the Orient, a people of whom the Americans might be prone to suspect of an indifference. The army upheld the traditions of their organization by staging the greatest peacetime review ever attempted; it was one of the things to which the President hur-

The Author I K Kenneth Kessler, the author of l the article describing the cruise ■ of President Roosevelt and life on ! ' the U. 8. 8. Houston, while the j j President was aboard, is a son of. 1 Harve Kessler. His mother is I dead. He made his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Belle Kessler. : north of Monroe, for a number of 1 years. He was born in Fort Wayne, July 14. 1909 and was 25 years old on his last birthday. He was graduated from the Monroe high school ami joined the Navy, January 5. 1931. His i first long voyage was to China and I points in the Orient. He is connected with the Quartermaster's Division, department of navaga'tion. Kenneth visited here several weeks ago. ried in his breathless itinerary to circle the island in such a short I time. First of all to greet him was a , mighty armada of 150 planes that maneuvered in their best novel styles and ended by making the in- 1 itials FDR so high in the air they ' were little larger than birds; even! the giant bombers, usually so clurn-, sy and singular of purpose, made i capers and gyrations dangerously fluttery but finished safely. When the ship swung around the land's end and headed for the dock a power boat equipped with a broadcasting apparatus operated by a local station joined the pro-, cession of Japanese fishing vess- , els that had taken an accompany-! ing position about ten miles at sea; , the broadcast was picked up by a high power transmitter ashore and wafted over the National Broadcasting Circuit to the United States. A great hush fell over the crowd when the ship came close enough. for the President to make his ini-1 tial appearance; the bands were ■ quiet and traffic was stopped. Then he came on deck and waved ] the familiar hat. They cheered and they whistled, horns blew and hats filled the air; overcome )yy sheer [ emotion women began to cry and broke through the restrain-1 ing lines, though guarded by military police. The “first man of th® land” really proves himself to be such on these occasions; he holds the hearts of his people in the corners of that lovable smile and within the bands of the battered straw hat. They clamor and they weep, they express a devotion that must [ be akin to that of the dynasties of. old. The first night ashore the President became a Chief of Hawaii; I amid the pomp of ancient royalty he donned the cape and received the customary rites from members ' of the Order of Daughters and | Sons of ''Hawaiian Warriors and [ the Order of Kamehameha. Later j a party was given in the palace in t honor of the President and his two sons. Governor Poindexter and his daughter was the host and hostess. The following night, July 27. 8,000 people paraded in a Lantern | Pageant that is reported to be the j longest parade ever staged in the | islands; between 50,000 and 60,000 watched the speclacle from the sidewalks. The President sat in \

How Uncle Sam Will Save Your Home If your home is mortgaged and you are in danger of losing it. you needn't. Uncle Sam can save it for you. The Home Owners' Loan Corporation exists for the purpose of saving homes of owners who are unable to secure money to pay mortgages otherwise and where the mortgage is threatened with foreclosure. Our Washington Bureau has ready for yon a complete bulletin telling what homes are eligible for loans, how tc make application, the terms of loans, when cash loans are made by the government, how to secure extern sion of time on payments on a home, and a list of State Managers’ Offices where distressed home owners may apply for help. The bulletin also tells in brief about the New National Housing Act and what it. seeks to accomplish by insuring loans made by private agencies for now home building and renovizlng of old homes. If you are a home owner, you will be interested in this bulletin, i Fill out the coupon below and send for it: CLIP COUPON HERE Dept. 298, Washington Bureau, DAILY DEMOCRAT, 1322 New York Avenue, Washington, D. C. I want a copy of the bulletin HOME MORTGAGE REFINANCING and enclose herewith five cents in coin (careufliy wrapped), or unused U. S. postage stamps, to cover return postage and handling costs: NAME STREET & No CITY , . STATE I am a reader of the Decatur Daily Democrat, Decatur, Ind.

Page Three

review and applauded frequently as the weird pattern of Oriental splendor crept by. He told friends nearby that he never saw its equal for sheer magnificence. Most na I tions of the world were represented. each distinctive and cultural. , each portraying in a blaze of color and costume the traits of their I people. Th*ir royal guest left on Saturday, July 28; the newspapers stated the time of to be at eleven thirty A. M. At seven thirty In the morning people had already commenced to gather to be sure of . a good vantage. People who hadn’t seen came to see; those who had 1 come to say goodbye and to rt gret ; his going. An Army band and bugle | corp rendered the musical honors. ! With a touch of sadness they said "Aloha” and stood with their' I heads bared while the ship slip- . ped proudly toward the open seas, her nose pointed to the homeland. " 0 _ * (URL SCOUT NEWS * Dear Friends: I am having a very nice time here at camp and I a.n .sure everyone else is. I am sure we would like all of yuu to be with us. tit lias ibeen eti rming all day but : we enjoyed ourselves (by Binging and doing tricks. lAiinong the tricks were clowns, schoolteachers and children. The first play described a scljol teacher and the children ■ with jokes and a tap dance. In the second ad °ne cf our favorite songs was described with a tap dance and s&nR. The third act described the girls here at camp. We all hope that we have u pleasant day til l.rorrow. Your friend, Peggy Gaunt. ; Hello friends: i It has been raining, here all day. I I has been hard to keep the girls i in the cottage all day | We didn’t get up at 6 o'clor k this ■ u 4 ruing because it was still raini ing and storming. We had stunt night tk night. Each 1 table uave one two numbers. We ! had tap dances, plays, songs, comic i men and even school teacher. After we had finished singing we ; were treated with candy. We go to bed at 9 o’clpek and lights are supposed to be out at j 9:30. i The girls are all wishing that tt ! wouldn’t rain tomoril w so they can I play tennis. The girls that .! n’t liplay tennis, play croquet and base.tall. l.Must ckse and go to bed. Your friend. Zula IVrter Hello Decatur: •I aim: having a grand time up here 'and wish y u were here to enjoy it j with me. This has been a terribly dreary jay, but we managed to keep cheerful by singing songs and having ! stunt night. Ea-. 11 table planned a stunt to do 'and then gave it toithe(other tables. I Those stunts were very comical and ! interesting. I must close my letter for it is ' .bed time and have to get up when the bugle blows at six o'clock. Your friend, Alta Ruth Klepper ! Howdy Folks: We are having a swell time down I here at camp. The early morning [dip at 6:30 is grand. Before we I come home we are to have another ' picnic, or we think we are. We are to have some contests also. These are some of the ones we [ are to have: swimming, rowing, I and water battles in the boats ami ! several others. We will be home [ some time Sunday. Some of the ! girls were home-sick yesterday but ! are all o. k. since it isn't raining i today. | Well, will ring off for tonight. ■ Goodnight all. Your friend, Wilma Miller. o i 'Mrs. Grover Hunsick and son Junior lot Los Angeles, California, have arrived in this efty to visit with relatives and friends.