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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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just the same thing? He felt that surely when men got hurt in the course of their employment, you took care of them. They couldn't help getting out of work if the industry collapses. So you just help them out with some kind of a previously arranged system.

Jim saw all that, and he believed in it. There was nothing hypocritical about it. I'm sure he believed in it and thought it was a right and good thing. About that he was perfectly sure. The hifalutin' stuff of the finance, the devaluation of gold, the agricultural loans, and so forth was different. He would have no opinion on them. He was prepared to support them loyally if the boss felt they were right and if those who advised the boss in those particulars approved of them. But with regard to these matters of social legislation Jim was thoroughly convinced and thoroughly enthusiastic. He thought they were right and wanted them. He was pleased and proud to see Roosevelt go ahead with them.

There were times when Roosevelt didn't want to go through with something of this kind, but Jim, in my presence, urged the President on the public works more than once. The President, as I've said, hedged going ahead on the public works program under Lew Douglas's prodding. Jim and George Dern were among the two





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