Description:

Roosevelt Franklin

New York Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt DS relating to Department of Public Works

 

1p DS on fancy letterhead signed by Governor of New York Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) as "FDR" at center. The gilt and embossed state seal appears at top labeled "State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany," and "Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor" is printed at left. Clerk's stamp located at bottom right. The thick cream paper is in very good to near fine condition. With expected light paper folds and staple holes in the upper left corner. Page measures 8" x 10.5".

 

44th Governor of New York Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed this internal memo to Colonel Frederick Stuart Greene (1870-1939), the New York Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, on February 17, 1931.

 

"Will you and Captain Brandt speak to me about the whole subject of highway equipment for counties and towns.

 

FDR."

 

Was Governor Roosevelt requesting more information out of budget concerns, or was he already envisioning Works Progress Administration type get-back-to-work programs for unemployed New Yorkers on the state's highways? Work relief was definitely on his mind. In October 1931, the New York State Legislature granted Governor Roosevelt authority to create a program called TERA (Temperorary Emergency Relief Administration). This new program would fund work relief efforts in New York State.

 

In the early 1930s, New York was consolidating and standardizing its roadways. Highways were still being built, maintained, widened, and realigned despite huge Great Depression cuts to the budget of the Department of Public Works. In 1931, New York's DPW budget was $131 million dollars; it was slashed to $85 million the following year. Governor Roosevelt depended on federal monies to keep New York's transportational infrastructure in operation.

 

Colonel Greene had served as New York Commissioner of Highways between 1919-1923 before his promotion to Superintendent of the Department of Public Works. In his capacity as Superintendent, Greene oversaw the management of New York's canals, highways, and public buildings until 1939. (The Department of Public Works became the New York State Department of Transportation in the late 1960s.)

 

Captain Arthur W. Brandt served under Colonel Greene as New York Commissioner of Highways. Brandt was also Greene's successor as Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, serving between 1939-1943.

 

Roosevelt's gubernatorial experience in New York prepared him well for the presidency; he would win the Democratic Party presidential nomination in July 1932. His unprecedented twelve-year-long presidential term began a year later, in March 1933.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!
Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000