National Affairs: State of the Union

Six hundred listeners below him on the floor, 600 listeners above him in the galleries, cheered and applauded as Franklin Roosevelt mounted to the desk of the Clerk in the House of Representatives one evening last week. The President unstrapped his gold wrist watch, laid it on the desk before him; removed his pince nez and laid them beside his manuscript. Then spreading his feet wide, he took a firm grip on the sides of the desk. "Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. . . ." Solemnly...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!