THE PRESIDENCY: Doctor of Laws

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Doctor of Laws One hot noon last week President Roosevelt sat in the back of his open touring car, a roll and a hot dog in one hand, a glass of beer in the other. Once more he was in his native Dutchess County and once more he was completing a whirlwind circuit of fun and play.

Four nights before he had cleared his White House desk, reeled off a Cabinet meeting, bantered his way through with a press conference, signed a batch of bills left by Congress and said good-by to his private secretary, Marguerite Le Hand, off for a holiday in Europe (see p. 30). Shortly before midnight the Presidential special pulled out of Washington. Next morning it halted in Manhattan, just long enough to pick up Mrs. Roosevelt, Son James & wife. Two hours later President & party reached New Haven.

There Governor Cross of Connecticut came forward with outstretched hand to greet Harvard Alumnus Roosevelt. Through crowded streets the visitors drove to Yale's auditorium, Woolsey Hall, to attend the University's 233rd Commencement. While an orchestra played the overture to Die Meister singer, the President, leaning on his son's arm, marched upon the platform in black gown and took his seat among notables. One by one Yale's graduate students were given their degrees. William Lyon ("Billy") Phelps, himself unexpectedly presented with a doctorate of laws by President Angell, turned to citing the University's guests for honorary degrees. Last of all he came to Franklin Roosevelt.

Said Professor Phelps: "The President has done more to make the first page of the newspapers interesting than any other President in time of peace. We do not know what will happen in the next two years, but we know" it will be interesting. ... As a leader of the people, President Roosevelt might be described as exactly the opposite of Fabius the Cunctator. Former Presidents have had Congress on their hands; Franklin Roosevelt has Congress in his hands. . . ."

Yale's President Angell: "Brave leader of your people in a time of peril, with indomitable courage and good cheer . . . you have brought high intelligence and complete devotion to the service of the nation."

Then they slipped a purple hood over the President's head. A few minutes later he lunched with other Yale men in Memorial Hall. Doctor of Laws Roosevelt extemporized: