Figure 1.-- Postmaster Geeneral James Farley palayed a major role in the New Deal. He was a central figure in the Democrativ Party. Here we see him in 1937 enjoying a football game with his children. The press caption read, "Seeing Service Classic: Postmaster General james A. Farley and his children, James Jr. and Anna, as they attended the Army-Navy game at Municipal Stadium, Phila, Nov. 27."

James Aloysius Farley was born in Grassy Point, New York (1888). His grandparents were Irish Catholic immigrants. He became one of the first Irish Catholic politicians to achieve success at the national level. He rose to become chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, at the time the mot impoortant sate in the country. During the New Deal, he was chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Postmaster General. Farley became known as the Democratic political kingmaker. He was the campaign manager for New York State politician Alfred E. Smith's 1922 gubernatorial campaign and Roosevelt's 1928 and 1930 gubernatorial campaigns as well as Roosevelt's presidential campaigns of 1932 and 1936. He predicted landslides victories in both Roosevelt's first two election victories using revolutionary new polling methods. He helped create the New Deal Coalition of Catholics, labor unions, etnics including African Americans, and farmers that came to dominate American politics. Farley oversaw the administration's patronage machine owhich helped build the New Deal. Here the Post Offuce was especiuallybuseful. He handled most mid-level and lower-level appointments, woirking with state and local Democratic organizations. Farley broke with the President over the hird Term, in part because he had polyical ambitions of his own (1940). New York became a model New Deal city with a heavy emphasis on welfare and public works. He championed causes relted to immigrants and ethnic minorities. His image was that of a tough-minded reform mayor who clean out Tammeby Hall, broght in experts to addess problems, and made a sense of social responsibility a part of the City ethos. LaGuardia's sucess was in part due to his relationship with President Roosevelt who provided substantial Federal Funds to finance City's substantial welfare system. What LaGuardia like many New Dealers failed to grasp was the need to promote business and commrce to enhance the City's tax base needed to pay for the wlfre program. Business was seen as more of a resoyrc to be mined than a vital part of the City to to be promotd and nourished. With the end of the New Deal and the War, the flow of Federal funds slowed. And the City on its own did not have the financial base to support the City's large social welfare program. The City did not benefit from War projects as much as other cities. LaGuardia decided against a fourth term as his popularity declined. And the City would eventually go bankrupt unfder the burnden of the social welfare system LaGuardia had built. Even by 1944 LaGuardia was having to juggle the books to pay the city's bills. New York would eventually go bankrupt (1975).

Created: 3:35 AM 5/16/2014
Last updated: 3:35 AM 5/16/2014