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legislation that had been proposed, not on terms of growth of popular movements, feelings and episodes in different parts of the state. All of this Al Smith had at his fingertips, either from having heard about it, or knowing about it.

Also, none of these people were as close to the Democratic leaders as Al Smith was. He knew all the past leaders, as well as the present leaders of the Democratic party in every part of the state. He had a good evaluation of them. Whereas, Sam Rosenman, or Louis Howe, no matter how much they worked at it, were not able to get an estimate of these individuals that was as valid as Al Smith's.

I think Roosevelt more and more realized how competent Al Smith had been in his handling of the political situation, how he could realy upon his own knowledge, memory and understanding of the situation. I think he was always very willing to know what Al thought about things. I know I told him a number of things from time to time. I didn't wait to be asked by Roosevelt. I just told him. If I found that Al Smith thought thus and so, I told the Governor. He never rejected it, as though saying, “I don't want to hear what that fool says.” I heard nothing of that sort.

There were quite a few people in Roosevelt's administration who had been in Smith's. There was Fred Greene, Commissioner of Highways, William Gorham Rice, Chairman of State Civil Service Commission, and others. I don't remember whether