Roosevelt Warmly Endorses Col. Lehman As Candidate for New York Governor

Following Lieutenant Governor Herbert H. Lehman’s formal announcement that he would seek the post of governor of New York yesterday, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a statement warmly lauding Colonel Lehman’s candidacy.

Governor Roosevelt hailed Colonel Lehman, as his chief assistant during four years, during which period he gave wholehearted support to important public policies.

Colonel Lehman will seek election on his record of office, the first political office he has ever held.

Governor Roosevelt’s statement declared:

“I believe that Lieutenant Governor Lehman should be the candidate of our party for Governor of New York this autumn.

“Personal experience in and complete familiarity with the affairs of the state government in Albany are not only desirable but almost essential qualifications in a candidate. Forty years ago the executive business of the state could be handled by a Governor spending one or two days a week at the capitol; today, the administrative functions are so large and so diversified that the Governorship is a fulltime job calling for knowledge of all the details as well as ability. Lieutenant Governor Lehman knows the government of this state inside and out.

“As my principal assistant during these four years he has not only cooperated but has given wholehearted support to the important public policies of these years. I cite only a few of the most important:

“Cheap electricity in the home, farm and small shops of the state by means of state development of water power.

“Thrift, economy in government and balanced budget to maintain the high credit of the state.

“Old age security against want.

“Forehanded unemployment relief.

“Reform in the administration of justice.

“Rural farm and tax relief.

“Adequate housing for the wards of the state.

“Real regulation of utility corporations to insure reasonable rates.

“Liberalization of the workmen’s compensation laws and labor laws of the state.

“Humane progressive prison parole and probation policy.

“Elimination of slum districts by limited dividends corporation.

“In these times of financial stress, and budget and tax problems, Colonel Lehman’s splendid business training and wide experience with public finance mean that as Governor he would maintain the state’s credit at its present high level—far better, as we all know, than that of the Federal government itself.

“In the handling of social problems and peaceful adjustments of industrial disputes, Lieutenant Governor Lehman has, for many years, been recognized as without equal in our state.

“Not only is his record as a public servant known in every part of the state, but he himself is personally known to the men and women, regard-