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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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very touchy too.” I was going over to the White House that day or the next and I said, “By the way, have you heard about the testimonial dinner to Jim Farley?”

He said, “Yes.”

“I've been invited to go,” I said, “and make a speech.”

He said, “Frances, I wish you'd go.”

I said, “That's all I wanted to know. I thought I'd go, but I wanted to speak to you first.”

“Go ahead. Make a speech. Make a good speech. Jim's a good fellow. He's been a good fellow to us.”

I said, “He's certainly been good to me.”

“Go ahead and make a good speech. Take my regards.”

When I got to the dinner, it was obvious that by this time Jim was grinding Franklin Roosevelt between his teeth. Mrs. Farley was ready to scream. They were both very glad that I came. They couldn't have been more cordial. Mrs. Farley was very cordial, and always has been. We always show affection for each other when we meet. I think she likes me. Nobody else in the Cabinet went to that meeting. I always thought it was kind of mean. Mrs. Farley remembers that I came. That struck her as something important.





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