President Franklin D. Roosevelt, standing at podium, speaking after Democratic Victory Dinner, in the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC, on March 4, 1937. He castigates the Supreme Court for issuing what he describes as a "pronunciamento," the Court's decision that neither the Federal Government nor the States may legally address issues of hours and wages. Roosevelt says it defines a "No man's land of final futility." The audience applauds. He goes on to speak to various problems with the Supreme Court. He speaks of freeing progressive actions of the Democratic Party from legal doubt. He calls for courage and wisdom. He notes that "here is one third of a nation, ill nourished;ill clad;ill housed." The President mentions farmers burdened by mortgage interest, and people laboring for inadequate wages. He decries the fact that thousands of children who should be in school, are, instead, working in mines and mills. The audience responds with enthusiastic applause.
Unidentified spokesperson (possibly a senator or congressman),is seen standing outdoors, before background of the Capitol, in Washington, DC. He delivers a recorded speech in opposition to the proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to add more Justices to the Supreme Court (so-called "Court-packing"). In his speech, he extols the sanctity of the U.S. Constitution and explains the legal process for amending it. He notes that the proposal (to increase the number of Justices in the Supreme Court) comes directly from the Executive Branch (the President). He deplores the action as designed to "place on the Supreme Court six young wreckers." He stops this line of criticism and resumes again, saying that, "the purpose of the Supreme Court Bill is to change the Constitution." He characterizes the bill as unconstitutional, and continues praising the Constitution, itself, explaining, again, the proper procedures for amending it. He acknowledges that the bill's advocates are likely sincere and conscientious.But, he says, "they are raiders off the reservation, raiding the reserve domain of the people." He concludes by saying "they are not playing the American game of Constitutional Democracy."
U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman is standing by a table, surrounded by members of his staff and friends, who congratulate him on his selection as Vice Presidential candidate, by the Democratic National Convention in 1944. Among those seen are Mildred Lee Dryden,his personal Secretary, and U.S. Postmaster General Frank C. Walker. After shaking hands with all present, he sits down at the table, refers to some papers, and makes some remarks. Scene shifts to Truman seated at the table along with Postmaster Walker. Staff and friends are standing around them. They shake hands and Truman rises to start shaking hands all around. This is immediately repeated in another take, in which Postmaster Walker is laughing. After repeating the handshakes, Truman and Walker sit down again at the table.
U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman seated with his wife, Bess and daughter Margaret, opening congratulatory messages following his selection as Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic national ticket in 1944. They open and share the messages and comment about them. Senator Truman puts his arms around his wife and daughter, as they chat.
Senator Harry S Truman, his wife, Bess Wallace and daughter, Mary Margaret walk in the garden at their home in Independence, Missouri in the United States. The family talks and looks at flowers in the garden.
Church choir members in white robes line the sidewalk and enter St. Thomas' Parish Episcopal Church, located at 1772 Church Street, NW, in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, D.C. The President and First Lady are seen arriving in the President's 1937 Packard seven-passenger parade touring car, accompanied by several Secret Service agents, walking beside the car and others riding in a car behind. People gather along the sidewalks to get a glimpse of President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Policemen maintain cordons in front of the sightseers. The Presidential motorcade drives up to an awning-covered side entrance of the stone church. Views of the building in the background. Following the worship service, President Roosevelt poses alongside two clergy from the church: Rev. Howard Sargent Wilkinson (Rector at St. Thomas as of 1936) and Rev. Allen O. Miller, Assistant. to the rector. Mrs. Roosevelt is seen behind in a fur coat. The President uses a cane to steady himself. Later the presidential open car departs (bearing license plate with number 101). It is followed by another car carrying Secret Service agents, bearing license plate reading: "USSS" for U.S. Secret Service. (Note: The Sanctuary building of St. Thomas' Parish Church was destroyed by fire, believed to be result of arson, in 1970.)
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