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Chapter 22: The Hannah Presidency, 1913-1919
--- The Hannah Presidency (1913-1919) ---
When Patrick Hannah stood on the steps of the Congress Hall in Franklin to take the presidential oath of office on the crisp, clear morning of January 14th, 1913, it seemed as though the endless promise and optimism of the latter half of the Roosevelt Administration would continue on for six more years. Years filled with progress and growth for all Americans. When the newly sworn in leader of over 123 million Americans took to the lectern and delivered his inaugural address, the first ever broadcast by radio (it is estimated that nearly 15 million people were able to listen to the speech live, and it was then recorded and rebroadcast around the nation all throughout the rest of January), he told the American people, “Our great republic has been through the test of fire more than once. Those who came before us paid great sacrifices, but today we, like the people of Israel in ancient times, shall enter a new promised land of prosperity for all.” No one, from the new president on down, could predict that by the time Hannah’s successor stood on the same spot in 1919, that Hannah and his fellow Liberals would be sent packing from Franklin in one of the worst electoral defeats of that generation.
Blake, Dr. Peter. The Global Depression, 1915-1935. Franklin, DW: UUS Press House, 2015.
---- FSS REPORTS RESISTANCE TO GUN REGISTRATION
FRANKLIN - Director of the Federal Security Service, Donald Edwards, told members of Cabinet today that resistance to the Gun Registry Law has continued in higher than expected numbers. As of the deadline on January 1, 1913 to have all private firearms registered and licensed with the FSS, an estimated 30% of private guns remain unregistered. Directory Edwards has taken unilateral action to extend the deadline six months, to now expire on June 1st. “We cannot in good conscience try to confiscate so many private weapons. We implore private citizens who have yet to head the new law: comply immediately. We will uphold the law, but we wish to do so as fairly as possible.” Protests has been reported in state capitals across the nation, especially in western states.
“FSS Reports Resistance to Gun Registration,” Franklin Observer, January 17, 1913.
---- CONGRESS DISCUSSES COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
FRANKLIN - Initially proposed by President Roosevelt in 1911, President Hannah’s administration has now taken up the torch of establishing a federal office to regulate the communication industry. This initial proposal includes the telegraph industry as well as the emerging telephone and radio industries. Some have even suggested that this new organization also oversee the infant film industry that is slowly growing down in in Florida and elsewhere. Predictably, Liberal members of Congress support the proposal, Federalists are more divided, and the Nationalists are opposed to what the call “yet another Federal Office for the Interior Department.” The House of Representatives, still under the leadership of First Secretary Raymond Craft of the Liberal Party, will likely pass the proposal once a finalized forme comes out of committee. In the Senate, the Liberals firmly control that house, so whatever proposal comes out of the House will likely pass the Senate. If everything goes according to plan, there could be some sort of federal communications office in place by the end of the summer.
“Congress Discusses Communications Office,” Brooklyn Standard, February 19, 1913.
----
While the elder Roosevelt brothers had firmly entrenched themselves in service to their country by the time of James P. Roosevelt’s death in 1906, the youngest of the three brothers, Patrick, had taken an early interest in the family affairs, and when their father died while his middle son ran for President, Patrick was in firm control of the family business. This did not bother then-President Cornelius Roosevelt, as he was totally convinced the form of capitalism that allowed his father to acquire so much wealth was not sustainable in the long run. The oldest son, General James P. Roosevelt, Jr., was more annoyed. He had hoped that, despite his military career, he would have some say in the running of the family affairs. Associates of the family say that after 1906, a rift developed between Patrick and James Jr. that would never really heal.
Patrick Roosevelt, when he was not at the family estate in Manhattan, was often found entertaining guests at the Washington Hotel, in the city of Georgetown, Maryland. Thanks to the efforts of Patrick’s father and others, Georgetown had become one of the getaway spots for the elites of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Boston during the early part of the 20th century, and the Washington Hotel remained at the center of that action up until the Crash of 1915.
Grant, Dr. Petter. The Roosevelts: An American Story. Manhattan: Potter Press, 2001.
--- WOC SELECTS BOSTON FOR 1918 GAMES!
AMSTERDAM - The World Olympic Committee announced today that Boston has been selected as the host of the 1918 World Olympic Games, which will be held in August of that year. Mayor John Pollock, who helped head the committee that put the Olympic proposal together for Boston, stated, “today is a triumph for the city of Boston and for the people of this country. We will invite the world here to our shores in a way that has never been seen before. And we will put on quite a welcome. London may have been the host of the first games, but it will be Boston that people will remember 100 years from now.” The mayor is of course referencing the audatious plans to build the world’s largest stadium, more than double the size of the stadium at Wembley where the London games were centered around, in addition to several public works projects that could revolutionize the city (including an underground metro train similar to what already exists in Manhattan and in London).
President Hannah, upon hearing of the news, told reporters that he could not be prouder of his home city, but also proud as an American to be able to welcome the world here to see our prosperity for themselves.
“WOC Selects Boston for 1918 Games!” Boston Eagle, April 15, 1913.
---- QUEEN VICTORIA II MOVES TO NEW PALACE
LONDON - The British Royal Family officially took up residence today in newly built Whitehall Palace (dubbed by most in London as “New Whitehall”), after over a decade of construction to build a new home for the monarchy following the destruction of Buckingham Palace in 1900 during the Bradley-Edwards Revolt. The British press are hailing the new building as “a proper symbol for the might and majesty of the world’s largest Empire.” Queen Victoria II, now 71 and beginning to show her age, had more humble remarks, saying, “Today we open the palace built by the people of Britain to house not only their sovereign, but also to symbolize their future. Modernity, grace, and care for the common man. We of the House Sax-Coburgh and Gotha, will not sit behind these walls locked away from the people. But we will continue in the footsteps of my mother, Victoria the Great, and be out among our people, to help take care of them in good times and bad. This is not just the Royal House we open today. It is the People’s House.”
Despite reportedly declining health, the Queen has remained as active as possible in charities to the poor, and has also retained an active role in government, to the chagrin of some in Parliament who feel that their monarchs are better seen, not heard. She is expected to oversee the opening of Victoria Tower, the giant memorial structure built on the location of old Buckingham Palace, next year. That project is years behind schedule, due to debates about what exactly to do with the site of the old palace, along with conflicts in final memorial designs. Victoria Tower, when completed, will become the largest man-made structure in the world, beating out the current record holder, Bourbon Tower in Paris, by over 200 feet.
“Queen Victoria II Moves to New Palace.” Franklin Observer, May 1, 1913.
---- ZEPPELIN ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PASSENGER SERVICE
BENTONVILLE, TXF - The Zeppelin Airship Works announced today the formation of the Texas Zeppelin Service, which will operate regular flights for passengers in the Texas Federation, and eventually beyond. The already wildely successful Texan Rose will be joined this year by a sister ship, the Texan Sky, to be followed later this decade by two more ships that will be larger and capable of carrying more people or cargo. The Rose has been in service carrying passengers on irregular flights since 1911. The plan is for is and the Sky to offer regular flights between Bentonville, Texopolis, Nagadoches, Neu Mainz, and Santa Fe. TZS officials have stated that they hope to offer regular flights to the US by 1915.
“Zeppelin Announces Official Passenger Service,” St. Louis Courier, June 8, 1913.
---- CONGRESS PASSES COMMUNICATIONS BILL
FRANKLIN - Late yesterday afternoon, the Senate passed Federal Communications Regulation Act, already passed by the House three days ago, and which will now go on to President Hannah who has already promised to sign the legislation into law. The act establishes the Federal Bureau of Communications, which has been given power to regulate and oversee the telegraph, telephone, and wireless broadcasting industries. It also gives the President the power to appoint a director of the new bureau, and places the new agency under the control of the Secretary of the Interior, currently Benjamin Perry of Ohio. The new law also provides for funds to help spur on the establishment of new radio stations across the country, in addition to furthering the extension of telegraph and telephone lines.
There was some debate as to whether or not this should extend to the newly developing cinematic industry that is emerging, but most members of Congress felt that the cinema is just art, at its best, and not a means of communication. As to who will lead the new FBC, sources at Washington House say the president has people in mind, but that no names have yet been released.
“Congress Passes Communications Bill,” Manhattan Gazette, September 2, 1913.
---- PRESTON HAYWORTH NAMED FBC DIRECTOR
FRANKLIN - President Hannah has appointed Preston Hayworth, the brother of radio developer Jackson Hayworth, as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Communication. In a statement issued by Washington House, the president stated, “The Hayworth family have shown their commitment to developing communication in this country, and it strikes me as most fitting that Preston Hayworth shall now help coordinate our national communications systems.” Director Hayworth will officially take office on October 1st. The FBC will temporarily be housed at the Department of the Interior building until a permanent office can be found for the new agency.
“Preston Hayworth Named FBC Director,” Chicago Herald, September 15, 1913.
---- AMERICAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY OPENS
FRANKLIN - The National Historical Institute moves into its new home this week, with the opening of the American Museum of History, the newest addition to Capital Architect Horace Rogers’ so-called “Federal Cultural District,” more commonly known as Theater Circle, named after the American National Theater and Opera House which opened in 1908. The grand new edifice has been under construction since 1905, and is said to rival the grandest museums of Europe. It is three stories, has a central atrium adorned with a glass ceiling, bosts numerous exhibit halls along with two large auditoriums for lectures. It is expected that some special classes from the University of the United States, located just down the street, will take advantage of those chambers. The third floor of the museum also will house the offices of the National Historical Institute.
The AMH had been the longtime dream of Hunter Mansfield, the NHI’s late director who passed away last year. Mansfield had two goals when he helped found the institute for history in 1895: the creation of a history museum in the nation’s capital, and the protection of historic sites across the nation. Both are now well underway. Tomorrow’s opening of the museum by the new director, James Dawn, marks the achievement of the first of Mansfield’s goals. The second faces a vote before Congress in January of next year. This will be the establishment of Federal Registry of Protected Monuments and Landmarks, which if passed would allow the government to designate certain buildings and pieces of property as “protected,” preventing their demolition or altering without supervision from trained historians. “The purpose of the Registry,” Mansfield told reports last year prior to his death, “is to ensure that the famous sites that help tell our national story shall exist for our descendants. This is not Europe, we do not have centuries and centuries of history just lying about. What we have we must protect.” The Registry has met resistance from multiple fronts, some complaining an invasion of individual rights, still others complaining of the growth of the power of the federal government. Despite opposition, NHI Director Dawn believes it will still pass.
“American Museum of History Opens,” Brooklyn Standard, November 1, 1913.
---- US ARMY CREATES AIRSHIP CORPS
NEW ORLEANS - Vice President Woodlark was on hand as US Secretary of War Jacob Holland and Secretary of the Army Harrison Snow announced the creation of the United States Army Airship Corps. The Army has been experimenting with airships for over a decade, and now feels that they will play an important role in the defense of the country. Airships are primarily used to scout for enemies at greater distances than can be seen from the ground, and are also used as couriers to take sensitive information from one place to another faster than most ground transportation is currently capable of travelling. The new Airship Corps fleet currently consists of four airships, all built by the Zeppelin company of Texas. Secretary Snow has expressed his hope that soon American-built airships will fill out the majority of America’s air fleet. The recently established Gates Airship Company of Ohio is set to test their first craft next month, and the company has received funding from the Army for this development. There are two other firms, Gulf Aviation out of Mobile, Alabama, and New England Airship Works, out of Boston, that are also competing to build airships for the military, but their ships aren’t due in the air until at least 1915.
“US Army Creates Airship Corps,” St. Louis Courier, February 1, 1914.
---- PRESIDENT SIGNS MONUMENT REGISTRY LAW
FRANKLIN - President Hannah today signed into law the Federal Registry of Historic Places Act, which sets up the Federal Registry of Historic Monuments and Landmarks as part of the National History Institute. The new law gives the NHI the power to designate any property in the nation as a historic monument or landmark, and buildings under such designation cannot be torn down, and can only be altered after approval from the NHI. The law also states that buildings under this designation will receive federal funding for upkeep. NHI Director James Dawn stated that his institute would release a list of properties to receive this designation by May of this year.
“President Signs Monument Registry Law,” Franklin Observer, February 19, 1914.
---- FORMER LEADER OF UER DEAD AT 69
PARIS - The Former First Chairman of the Union of European Republics, Jean Marchand, passed away at his home in Paris, after suffering from a long bout of pneumonia. Marchand stepped down as First Chairman at the start of the 1912 Party Congress, allowing for his protege, Francois Juarez, to step into the prime leadership role in the UER. However, there are competing factions within the Communalist Party of Europe (CPE). The so-called “pacifist” faction, of which Marchand and Juarez are the champions of, has advocated since 1905 for the peaceful and gradual transition into communalism within the UER, and peaceful spread of communalism abroad. The other faction, so-called “radicals,” wish to force rapid conversion of their entire country to strict communalist teachings, and wants to export “revolutionary communalism” to other nations. This radical group is led by Mathias Holtz, who helped lead the revolutionaries in Bavaria during the Great European War. Holtz oversaw the execution of Bavaria’s last king, and is said to be among the most radical communalists world-wide. There is concern in some circles that with Marchand dead, Holtz will maneuver himself to take over the party and the UER.
“Former Leader of UER Dead at 69,” Boston Eagle, March 15, 1914.
---- TEXAN ZEPS TO MAKE TEST FLIGHTS TO FRANKLIN, EAST COAST
BENTONVILLE, TXF - The Texas Zeppelin Company announced today that they will begin test flights from Bentonville to various cities within the United States as part of a plan to expand their passenger and mail service internationally. Currently, flights are being planned to Franklin, Philadelphia, Manhattan/Brooklyn, and possibly to Boston. TZC officials are hoping to test how well their craft operate on long-distance flights across the continent, which have yet to be fully tested. The first flight is expected to take place in April, and go throughout the spring and summer. TZC says that if the flights are successful, that Americans can expect to see regularly scheduled flights to these and other major cities by 1916 at the latest.
Currently, the longest distance flown by the Texas Zeppelins has been from Bentonville to Neu Mainz, on the US/Texas border, a distance of over 750 miles. Such a journey takes just over 15 hours by airship, an unheard of feat by land travel. Usually the airships make one or two stops along the way, but the route has been tested non-stop successfully several times. With these trial flights, the closest location is Franklin, at just under 900 miles away. Philadelphia is 1300 miles from Bentonville, and Boston almost 1600 miles. It will be a great feat of technical engineering if these flights are a success. Ferdinand Zeppelin, the founder of the Zeppelin Airship Works, believes that his company’s ships will be able to make the journey without issue, and is scheduled to be on the first flight to Franklin.
“Texan Zeps to Make Test Flights to Franklin, East Coast,” Franklin Observer, March 22, 1914.
---- FORMER GENERAL ROOSEVELT WILL RUN FOR SENATE
BROOKLYN - Former General James P. Roosevelt, Jr., has announced that he will run for the United States Senate from New York. Mr. Roosevelt is the older brother of former President Cornelius Roosevelt, and ran on the Nationalist ticket in 1912 with Jacob Murphey. It will likely be a close race against Liberal candidate Samuel Ray, but Mr. Roosevelt told reporters he feels confident that he could pull off a win, saying, “ the American people are tiring of the ever-expanding government that has been created by the Liberal Party. There is a growing call for responsible, rational, trimmed-down government, and I can represent that.”
“Former General Roosevelt Will Run for Senate,” Manhattan Gazette, April 15, 1914.
----
It took a little more than one month after the death of Jean Marchand for the Radical Faction of the CPE to make its move for power. Mathias Holtz, who had been removed from official government office in 1910 after a very public dispute with Marchand, still had many allies in government. The most powerful of which was Colin Beaumont, Director of the Office of Security (OES). On April 17, 1914, Beaumont announced that the new First Chariman, Francois Juarez, had been selling state secrets to the Prussians since 1908, and that he had supported Marchand’s “peaceful march towards communalism,” so that he could try and prolong capitalist exploitation of the workers of Europe. We know now that these charges were bogus. But Holtz and Beaumont used their influence and power to influence other members of the party, and the still semi-free press. On May 1st, 1914, the European People’s Assembly called for a vote of no confidence in First Chairman Juarez, who at this point attempted to flee the country into exile but was arrested in Dunkerque by OES agents. Holtz was elected as First Chariman on May 3rd, and on May 5th Juarez was found guilty of treason and executed two days later. He would be the first victim of the Bloody Purge.
Franco, Dr. Pedro. Holtzian Terror: The Bloody Purge and the Years of Radical Communalism, 1914-1925. Marseilles: Universitato de Mediteranea Gazetaro (University of the Mediterranean Press), 2009.
---- 2ND WORLD OLYMPICS OPEN IN AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM - With all the world watching, King William V of the Netherlands greeted a crowd of nearly 70,000 people in the recently renovated and renamed Stadion van de Landen (Stadium of the Nations). Athletes from 39 nations are in attendance, and will compete in events beginning tomorrow and running until the 15th of August. There had been discussion at the WOC Headquarters about extending the games to more than a month, but most of the WOC members ended up feeling that this was a sufficient amount of time. Everyone will be watching to see if the Prussian team can pull off another overall victory as they did in 1910, or if Britain or America or even the UER can pull off an upset.
There had been some speculation in the lead-up to the games if the UER would even participate. The new leader, Mathias Holtz, has been very vocal about his disdain for working with non-communalist governments, wanting to “purify” his nation from capitalist ideas. Travel into and out of the UER has been severely curtailed, especially for UER citizens wanting to travel abroad. However, Holtz stated that he saw the Olympics as a way to show the world the benefits of communalism and that UER athletes would indeed attend.
“2nd World Olympics Open in Amsterdam,” Chicago Herald, July 15th, 1914.
---- HANNAH, BRITISH & BOREALIAN PRIME MINISTERS ATTEND CEREMONY
GEORGETOWN, MD - President Hannah hosted British Prime Minister Anthony Lloyd and Borealian Prime Minister Benjamin Baker at a ceremony at First Capital Park in Georgetown, Maryland to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Battle of Washington that occured in August of 1814, near the end of the War of 1812, the last time America and Great Britain fought each other. In addition to marking the anniversary, the ceremony was also held to commemorate the Capitol Ruins being added to the new Federal Registry of Historic Monuments and Landmarks. The park will now be receiving federal funds to help with upkeep, in addition to state funds already provided by the people of Maryland. At the ceremony, President Hannah stated, “I stand here today, in the place where architect William Thorton once envisioned a grand rotunda as an entry hall into the houses of Congress, we remember the destructive power of war and how it can change a nation. But today we stand together with friends that were once enemies to say that our past, while it guides us, does not bind us to a certain fate. I think it is fitting that just 9 days after the American and British Olympic teams tied for first place at the Amsterdam Games that I stand here now with Prime Minister Lloyd and Prime Minister Baker, at a site where our peoples fought and saw great destruction, but now stand here in peace, enjoying the beautiful August sunshine in this beautiful, peaceful park.”
President Hannah and the Prime Ministers will travel on to Franklin for a State reception at Washington House and an informal peace conference. There is some concern over events in the UER that the three leaders plan on discussing. Originally, a reception had been planned at the famous Washington Hotel, but the Roosevelts, who own the building,are in an ongoing legal battle with the Department of the Interior over the plan to place the Hotel, built in the ruins of the old President’s House, on the new historical Registry. It was decided that there was too much of a conflict of interest so the event was cancelled.
“Hannah, British and Borealian Prime Ministers Attend Ceremony,” Franklin Observer, August 25, 1914.
----
The October 7th Decrees thundered out of Strassburg like an unforseen bolt of lightning. On that day in 1914, when the UER was celebrating the 11th anniversary of the October Risings in France and Bavaria that overthrew the governments in both nations, First Chairman Mathais Holtz announced to cheering crowds the end of “bourgeisous communalism” that he claimed had permeated the last 11 years of the New Europe. “We can no longer sit idle while the forces of reaction and capitalism seek to destroy our revolutionary movement from within.” Overnight, with these new laws, private property was essentially abolished. Komunalingua, the new constructed language developed by the UER’s International Language Institute, would become the official state language in 5 years. State recognition of religion would end (with an official focus on “phasing out” religion within two generations). Individual nationalities were no longer to be recognized (in his address, and in endless propaganda statement afterwards, the phrase “we are no longer French or German. We are all Europeans together,” summed up this new policy perfectly). These decrees on Revolution Day 1914 started the decade-long European Cultural Revolution.
Franco, Dr. Pedro. Holtzian Terror: The Bloody Purge and the Years of Radical Communalism, 1914-1925. Marseilles: Universitato de Mediteranea Gazetaro (University of the Mediterranean Press), 2009.
---- GEN. ROOSEVELT WINS NEW YORK SENATE SEAT
BROOKLYN - Former General James P. Roosevelt, Jr., has won his Senate race by a narrow margin. There is some speculation that now Senator-elect Roosevelt may have larger political aspirations in mind, such as the race for Washington House in 1918. Overall, the nationalists only gained a few seats in the Senate, bringing their number up to 24, from 17 in 1912. In the House, the Liberals will likely keep control as well, but First Secretary Craft will only keep his position thanks to Communalist support, now that the Liberals, while still the largest party, no longer make an absolute majority.
“Gen. Roosevelt Wins New York Senate Seat,” Boston Eagle, November 4th, 1914.
---- SOME ECONOMISTS WORRY ABOUT EUROPEAN MARKETS
PHILADELPHIA - Some economists at the annual American Council for Economic Affairs have spoken out about what they call the “precarious situation” in the European stock markets. Leon Gains, an official from the Bank of the United States, said that “recent decisions by the Union of European Republics to refuse payment on debts owed by their predecessor states could cause a chain reaction of defaulting debts that could have world-wide repercussions.” Not everyone in the financial world agrees, however. Former Treasury Secretary Caleb Rogers stated that, “Europe’s problems will remain across the Atlantic. We may have a downturn in trade, but it won’t be anything we can't handle. Mr. Gains and these other naysayers are just being over the top in their predictions.”
“Some Economists Worry About European Markets,” Philadelphia Financial Examiner, December 3, 1914.
---- TZP TO OFFER REGULAR US FLIGHTS, ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH GATES
BENTONVILLE, TXF - The Texas Zeppelin Service has announced today that starting this spring, their newest airship, the Gulf Wind, will offer two flights a week to Franklin, with future flights farther east to be offered “hopefully sometime in 1916 or 1917.” The Gulf Wind can carry 40 passengers, and will take approximately 15 hours to fly from Bentonville to Franklin.
The officers of TZS also stated that they are starting a partnership with Gates Airship Company in Ohio to start building American airships to work in tandem with TZS’s current fleet and offer air service to more cities in the United States. “By 1920,” said TZS Chairman Isaac Mendoza, “you will see TZS flights offered all across North America. And with the way Mr. Zeppelin and his engineers are hard at work, we may even have the ability to offer flights to Europe within the next decade.”
“TZP to Offer Regular US Flights, Announces Partnership with Gates,” New Orleans Star, February 9, 1915.
---- FINANCIAL PANIC ROCKS BRITAIN
LONDON - A potentially catastrophic panic has gripped London’s financial district after several key trading firms have announced bankruptcy, and investors scramble to sell off stock. In addition, several British banks have announced their closure, due to war-related loans that have defaulted over the past 6 months. Financial observers in Britain are blaming some of these failures on the decisions in the Union of European Republics last year to both refuse to pay back any remaining debts from old France, and furthermore to restrict international trade. With the bank and company failures, some are fearing a run on remaining healthy banks, and a possible climb in unemployment in the United Kingdom that has not been seen in decades.
“Financial Panic Rocks Britain,” Franklin Observer, March 8, 1915.
---- GULF WIND ARRIVES IN CAPITAL FOR FIRST FLIGHT OF SEASON
FRANKLIN - The TZS Gulf Wind arrived yesterday with 39 passengers, ending it’s first official paying flight to the United States. It will return to Texas today with a similar load, and return Thursday for its second flight of the week. The plan is for the ship to fly every Monday and Thursday from Bentonville to Franklin, and return to Bentonville every Tuesday and Friday, throughout the Spring and Summer. Zeppelin engineers are still uneasy about flying passengers in the Fall and Winter. According to lead designer at the Zeppelin Airship Works, Johann Baumann, “in the Autumn and Winter months, the weather becomes more volatile in much of North America, and the danger to the ships increases dramatically. While the Texas Air Corps sometimes runs flights in these seasons, they have suffered more accidents, and it would be unwise to allow ships carrying paying passengers to fly during this part of the year.” He also expressed hope that in time, designs will be perfected to allow for year-round flights, but as of yet no such luck. TZS still hopes to have regular flights offered to other cities in the US next year, and rumor is that ZAW will have a craft reliable enough to test a flight across the Atlantic by 1918.
“Gulf Wind Arrives in Capital for First Flight of Season,” Manhattan Gazette, March 9, 1915.
---- BANKING EMERGENCY DECLARED IN THE UK
LONDON - After 7 major banks failed in the past month, the government of Prime Minister Anthony Lloyd has declared a state of emergency, and all banks in the country have been ordered to be closed for the next week, as parliament and the cabinet work to stem the banking panic that has swept the country. Several banks in Prussia have also failed since the initial panic started in Britain. U.S. Treasury Secretary Gary Charles has stated that his department and officials at the Bank of the United States are monitoring the situation across the Atlantic, but at this time he and his staff remains optimistic that the American economy will only be slightly affected by the current crisis in Europe. “American Banks remain strong and safe. The storm raging across Europe will be nothing more than, at most, s strong breeze.”
“Banking Emergency Declared in the UK,” Boston Eagle, March 20, 1915.
---- PANIC ON WALNUT STREET
PHILADELPHIA - It seems that the European Financial Crisis has swept across the Atlantic, and unlike the mild breeze predicted by Treasury Secretary Charles, it has instead crashed upon our shores like a hurricane. When news reached the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the nation’s largest, that three major players in the exchange, Pennsylvania Trust, New England Stock and Title, and Transatlantic Mercantile, were all declaring bankruptcy after payments due from Europe were delinquent and those companies could no longer pay their shareholders or creditors, a wave of panic hit the Philadelphia exchange, with thousands of shares being dropped and prices plummeting. There is a real fear that some banks may not weather this tempest, and there have already been reports of people queing up to take their money out of banks to prevent the loss of savings.
“Panic on Walnut Street,” Brooklyn Standard, May 3, 1915.
----
For about two weeks after the Philadelphia Panic, things seemed to stabilize in the U.S. economy. But then a similar cascade of failures hit the Manhattan and Boston Stock exchanges at the end of May, and by June things looked dire. Then on June 24th, 1915, President Hannah was informed by the treasury secretary that the Bank of the United States was just days away from failure at the current rate of withdrawal by panicked citizens. The president called for an emergency joint session of Congress for him to address the crisis. The address went out live over the radio in the central part of the country, and was recorded and replayed nationwide. Hannah stepped up to the podium in the chamber of the House of Representatives at 12 noon on Friday, June 25th and announced that he was declaring a state of emergency in the American financial markets, and ordered all banks to be closed for 1 business week, to reopen on Monday July 5th. In the meantime, he charged Congress to find an immediate, temporary solution to stop the financial bleeding, in addition to challenging them to find more long-term fixes as well. By July 1st, the Federal Emergency Banking Act of 1915 arrived at Washington House to receive Hannah’s signature. The new law prohibited the withdrawal of money from savings accounts in excess of 20% of the amount in a given account per month. All new private bank charters were to be denied for up to one year, until July of 1916. The law also established the initially temporary National Deposit Insurance Agency, which would guarantee deposits in all certified banks up to $1,000. With the new law in place, banks nationwide reopened on July 5th. It is estimated that nearly half of all cash that had been withdrawn prior to the “holiday” was redopsited by the end of July. Bank failures dropped to near zero, and the immediate crisis was averted.
However, the damage to the American economy was already done. By the end of the year, unemployment shot up to nearly 20%, with factories and businesses shuttering all across the country. Lending dried up not only nationally, but globally, as faith in banking and trade plummeted. Very quickly, Nationalists and Federalists began to blame some of the problems, especially the near insolvency of the Bank of the United States, on the Liberal Party’s expansion of the budget, which had led to a growing debt that just continued to grow.
Hayworth, Dr. Cleo. The Crash of 1915 in America and Britain. UUS Press: Franklin, 2015.
---- PNEUMONIA CLAIMS VICTORIA II, BRITAIN MOURNS
LONDON - Flags all over the British capital have been lowered to half mast in mourning, as word spreads that Queen Victoria II, who has been on the throne for 16 years, since her mother’s untimely demise in 1899, has passed away. The Queen, who celebrated her 71st birthday in September, had been battling pneumonia since late October, and she finally succumbed to her illness in the early hours of the mourning. Her daughter, the 44 year-old Princess Alexandria Vanessa, will now ascend to the throne. The Crown Princess is currently in India on a state visit, and will likely now be returning within days, instead of in January as had originally been planned.
“Pneumonia Claims Victoria II, Britain Mourns,” Franklin Observer, December 1st, 1915.
---- SENATOR ROOSEVELT CALLS FOR AUSTERITY
BROOKLYN - At a speech given at a political fundraiser last night, Senator Roosevelt called for austerity in the national budget, saying, “Gone are the days when the American government can afford to fund every little feel-good idea that the Liberal Party has proposed the last 8 years, and farther back to earlier administrations under Liberal control. What we need now in this time of economic downturn is to tighten the belt, spend less, invest more carefully, and wait for better days to return.” He echos many other Nationalists, and some Federalists, who are calling on dismantling several more expensive pieces of Federal bureaucracy as a way to help stabilize the economy and the Federal budget. It is likely to be a tough election years for the Liberals, and many political watchers are already predicting the Liberals to lose control of Congress, making for an even harder final two years in President Hannah’s term of office.
“Senator Roosevelt Calls for Austerity,” Manhattan Gazette, February 19, 1916.
---- TEXAS ZEPPELIN SERVICE POSTPONES PLANS FOR FLIGHTS TO EAST COAST
BENTONVILLE, TXF - In light of the economic downturn, TZS has announced that they will not be offering flights to Boston, Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Philadelphia this year. The company already dropped the number of flights offered to Franklin from two flights a week to just one, due to a drop in demand. The Texas Federation as a whole is weathering the current economic situation rather well, but it has still felt the pinch since the United States remains one of its biggest trading partners. There is rumor, however, that despite the drop in flights to Franklin, there may be flights starting soon to New Orleans, which had already requested that the company open up operations there.
“Texas Zeppelin Service Postpones Plans for Flights to East Coast,” St. Louis Courier, March 1, 1916.
---- PROTESTS TURN TO RIOTS IN CAPITAL
FRANKLIN - A planned protest march of newly unemployed factory workers from across Ohio and neighboring states devolved into a destructive riot today, as both federal and local officials tried to stem the violence. The protesters had gathered at the Congress Hall and had planned to march down Union Avenue, across the George Washington Bridge, and end in President’s Square in front of Washington House, where several speakers planned to address the crowds. Original permits were for five thousand people, but more and fifteen thousand gathered in front of Congress, and as the marchers began to move, city officials became concerned that the larger crowd size was too much for local police to handle, so they ordered the protesters to disperse. Things collapsed quickly from there, and it is unclear just who threw the first punch. What is known is that several Franklin police officers fired their guns into the crowd, and at least 10 people are thought to be dead at this time, possibly more. Franklin Mayor Thomas Rogers has declared a sundown to sunup curfew, and the police are now out in force, and there seems to have been activity out at nearby Fort Washington, and some think that the Presidential Guard troops may be deployed in the city if things continue.
The core of the riot lasted for about four hours, and damage was done to buildings along Union Avenue near the Congress Hall, and there is no estimate yet as to just how much damage was done.
“Protests Turn to Riots in Capital,” Brooklyn Standard, April 14, 1916.
---- ALLIANCE PROPOSED BETWEEN NATIONALISTS AND FEDS
PHILADELPHIA - After a two day meeting between key Nationalist and Federalist party leaders, it would appear that the two parties are entering into an alliance for the upcoming congressional elections this fall. Federalist Senator Alias Fisher of Maryland told reporters that, “while both parties still intend to compete in all races nationwide, it has been agreed that the two parties will enter into coalition after the election, and the party with the larger presence will put their leader into the position of the First Secretary.” When asked why the two parties hadn’t already called for a vote of no confidence in First Secretary Craft, the Senator said, “We considered that route, but the Communalists are sticking with their support of Craft, so we don’t have the votes yet. After the election, we feel strongly that our left-leaning, spendthrift colleagues across the aisle will be smaller in number and we will place our own candidate in the Speaker’s chair.”
“Alliance Proposed Between Nationalists and Feds,” Chicago Herald, July 9, 1916.
---- ZEPPELIN TRAGEDY!
CHATTANOOGA, TN - A test flight from Bentonville to Boston ended in tragedy, when the newly built Eastern Dream encountered a storm over southeastern Tennessee and went down near Chattanooga. In addition to 28 crewmen, there were 48 passengers aboard, all company employees or officials from Texas and the United States. Of particular concern are the fates of Zeppelin founder Ferdinand Zeppelin, and Texan Ambassador to the United States, Gustav Mendez. There are conflicting reports about the number of survivors and the state of crashed airship. Weather in the area is continuing to hamper rescue efforts, and survivors have been scattered around several area hospitals.
“Zeppelin Tragedy!” Franklin Observer, August 8, 1916.
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Ferdinand Zeppelin’s death in the Eastern Dream crash on August 8th, 1916, was a major blow to the morale of the Zeppelin companies. Of the 76 people on board that flight, thankfully 61 of them survived, including the Texan Ambassador, Zeppelin’s wife and middle son, Kurt, among others. It was ultimately determined that the thunderstorm that had formed near Chattanooga was to blame for the crash. The volatile air caused the ship to start to break apart, leaking precious helium into the air and losing altitude. Unfortunately the structural failures cascaded quickly, leading to a violent crash landing.
After the funeral of Ferdinand in Neu Frankfurt, there was an open question about the future of the entire enterprise. Granted, by this point Zeppelin had not been the primary designer. Younger men had taken over that role. But faith in the passenger service was severely shaken. There had been accidents before by military vessels, some resulting in fatalities, but never civilian deaths. None of the TZS ships had ever crashed. There had been some minor incidents, but nothing like what happened to the Eastern Dream. What compounded problems was that the continent was in such a deep economic slump. By the end of the year, several TZS routes were cancelled, and the plans to make regular flights to the eastern seaboard of the United States was postponed indefinitely.
Many think that if it hadn’t been for the tireless work of Kurt Zeppelin, Ferdinand’s son and designated heir to the airship operation, the company might not have survived the 1920s. But survive it did. The younger Zeppelin worked to improve the image of flight safety, convincing prominent people to fly on them as much as possible. He also continued to press the cooperation with the Texan and American militaries, both of which continued to operate their fleets despite the Eastern Dream disaster. By 1919, passenger numbers finally surpassed the numbers before August of 1916. By 1922, the company would be ready to test a vessel designed to fly across the Atlantic. It would be the first time anyone had attempted to fly from North America to Europe. If the experiment was a success, it would mean the Zeppelin airships would be here to stay. If it failed, they would pass into the history books.
Anderson, Dr. Jacob. The Zeppelin Story. Nacogdoches: TU Press, 1999.
FRANKLIN - President Hannah’s Liberal Party took a massive hit at the polls, no doubt in a nation-wide reaction to the economic crash last year and his administration’s handling of the aftermath. In the House, Liberals dropped an astounding 89 seats, now having only 145 delegates (interestingly, their junior coalition partner, the CPUS, went up four seats). The combined Nationalist-Federalist Coalition makes up 309 seats, 57 more than they needed for control. The Nationalists are now the largest party, and as per the aggreement they made last summer in Philadelphia with the Federalists, they will select one of their own members as First Secretary.
The Liberals faced a less drastic unseating in the Senate, where they dropped from 38 seats (the exact number needed to control that chamber) to 30, with the Federalists gaining one seat that now brings them to 11, and the Nationalists going from 24 to 31 seats. CPUS remains unchanged, at 4 seats. Vice President Woodlark will now be presiding over a chamber in opposition to his political leanings, and President Hannah will now find his cabinet headed by a leader of the opposition, most likely former presidential candidate Jacob Murphey of Missouri, who was elected to the House in 1914.
“Nationalist-Federalist Coalition Sweeps Congress!” Brooklyn Standard, November 8, 1916.
---- MURPHEY SWORN IN AS FIRST SECRETARY
FRANKLIN - In an almost raucous scene, Representative Jacob Murphey of Missouri was sorn in as the 24th First Secretary of the United States, and the first from his state. The Hall of Representatives was filled with cheers from the Nationalists, adequate applause from their partners, the Federalists, and from seated silence from the 145 Liberals and 48 Communalists. After being sworn in by Justice Julius Frey, Murphey took to the Speaker’s stand before addressing the assembled delegates.
“America has spoken with a loud and booming voice. Liberalism and its spendthrift ways are over. The American people have chosen that the Nationalist and Federalist models of smaller, fiscally responsible government be enacted. We WILL bring austerity and responsibility back to government here in Franklin.” The new Speaker’s speech gained thunderous applause from the supporting half of the House, met with stone-silence from the opposition members. Murphey will go to Washington House tomorrow to formally join the President’s Cabinet, a meeting that is expected to be tense.
“Murphey Sworn in as First Secretary,” Boston Eagle, January 8, 1917.
---- MURPHEY LEVELS ULTIMATUM AT PRESIDENT HANNAH
FRANKLIN - The first meeting between newly elected First Secretary Jacob Murphey and President Patrick Hannah was far more tense than anyone expected. Mr. Murphey presented the President with an unprecedented ultimatum: half of Hannah’s cabinet, including Secretary of State Christopher Winslet, Secretary of the Interior Perry Douglas, and Secretary of the Treasury Gary Charles, resign, and be replaced with members of the Federalist and Nationalist Party, to “reflect the will of the people.” The First Secretary went on to say that, “if these men did not resign their posts, then Senate Majority Leader Alden Gunther has given assurances that the Senate will use it’s unused but understood right to withdraw the Senate’s consent to the current cabinet appointments.”
According to sources at Washington House, the cabinet room erupted in outrage and condemnation from the cabinet secretaries and from the President himself. Murphey left the room immediately after this, reportedly looking smug as he was followed by aides out of the building. What Murphey is proposing is unprecedented, and no one here at the Observer is sure of its constitutionality. The Senate does have the power to reject a cabinet appointee, but it has never in the history of the presidency attempted to remove sitting cabinet members.
“Murphey Levels Ultimatum at President Hannah,” Franklin Observer, January 10, 1917.
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The so-called Murphey-Gunther Coup was a truly watershed moment in the history of the US Federal Government. It is true that the First Secretaryship, as originally conceived, had been a way to intertwine the Executive and Legislative Branches of government, but in the years after its establishment it had become a largely symbolic post. That is, up until the Spring of 1917. When Nationalist Jacob Murphey, newly elected to his position of First Secretary after his party and the Federalists, marched into the Cabinet Room at Washington House on January 9, 1917, and demanded that half the cabinet resign, the nation was shocked. Murphey told reporters that afternoon that, “In the election of 1916, the people of America judged the Hannah Administration and found them it wanting. They demand new governance, and I and my fellow members of Congress will bring it to them.”
Washington House immediately stated that there would be no resignations, and that Murphey had overstepped his position by “leaps and bounds,” and President Hannah left instructions to his staff that “under no circumstances is Murphey to be allowed in to Washington House, even if he brings the Good Lord himself with him.” On Monday, January 15th, Senate Majority Leader Alden Gunther began debate on a “motion of no confidence in the cabinet of President Hannah.” And there was much to debate. Many, even some Nationalist Senators expressed concern over the legality of such proceedings, and at least acknowledged that there was no precedent for such action. Even then-Senator James P. Roosevelt, Jr. had his concerns, saying, “While this action is needed, we are now treading in unknown waters. What is worse, I fear, is that this may be a pandora’s box. How far will this action go to undermine the Presidency?” Ultimately, the Nationalists and Federalists backed the motion, and on January 24th the Senate voted 42 to 34 to “remove the consent the Senate had previously given for all of President Hannah’s cabinet appointees.” Orders were then sent out that those men were to be barred from entering their offices, and that the President should send a list of new appointees for the Senate to consider. Murphey delivered these notices to Washington House personally, bullying his way past the front entrance and marching into the Presidential Study and placed the documents in Hannah’s own hands. The nation waited with bated breath, unsure of what would happen next.
Olsen, Dr. Leon. The Murphey-Gunther Coup and the Birth of the Modern First Secretaryship. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2017.
---- HANNAH MOVES TO BLOCK MURPHEY’S COUP IN COURT
FRANKLIN - President Hannah’s administration filed motions in Federal District Court today to block First Secretary Murphey’s attempt to remove Hannah’s cabinet from office. Ever since the Senate voted along party lines two days ago to remove the entire cabinet from office, things in the capital has been tense. The President deployed the Presidential Guard to “protect the cabinet secretaries and ensure that they are unimpeded in their attempts to go to their offices to work on behalf of the American people.” The Federal Security Service appears to be backing the Senatorial orders, and initially closed down several of the department offices, until they stood down when the Guard showed up.
It is expected that this issue will quickly end up in front of the Supreme Court, and it is anybody’s guess how the 7 justices will rule. Of the 7, three were appointed by Liberals (two by President Beck in 1897 and 1900 and the third by President Roosevelt in 1910), Three were appointed by Federalists (one by President Rowling in 1894, one by President Fleak in 1902, and one by President Landon in 1906). The remaining justice was appointed by Democratic President Theodore Drake way back in 1888. With a politically diverse membership, the nation’s highest court could rule either way.
“Hannah Moves to Block Murphey’s Coup in Court,” Manhattan Gazette, January 28, 1917.
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While the case of Hannah v. United States Senate worked its way through the federal district courts in early February of 1917, Murphey and the House “Coalitionists,” as they were often called, went on with the business of legislating. On February 3, the House voted dissolve the United States Railway Company and sell of it’s assets. President Hannah vetoed the action, and the House, much to the chagrin of the Coalitionists, was unable to override the veto. Murphey vowed that this would not be the only time this issue saw the light of the day in the Hall of Representatives, but moved on.
Finally, the Supreme Court took up the Hannah v. US Senate case on February 19, 1917. Ruling would be announced on March 2, and the nation was shocked. In a 4-3 decision, the Court upheld the Senate’s action. Hannah’s cabinet was hereby removed from office. It is reported that Hannah went into a fit of rage that night, and drank himself to sleep. However, on March 4th, he made an address, carried out across the nation via radio, from the Presidential Study. “My Fellow Americans, I come before you today, leader of a changed nation. The court has upheld the actions of the Senate to remove from office my entire cabinet. These are men who, the past four years, have faithfully helped me govern our grand republic, through thick and thin. I am in shock at the turn of events of the past few days. But it seems that this is the will of the people, and I cannot stand in the way of that. However, since it would appear that the people, and their representatives in our nation’s capital, have lost their faith in my Administration’s ability to lead, I have but one choice. Therefore, I announce that I am resigning the Presidency of the United States of America, to go into effect one week from today. At noon on Sunday, March 11th, Mr. Benjamin Woodlark of Gigadohi will take office as the 25th President of the United States.”
The nation was stunned. This included Jacob Murphey and Alden Gunther, neither of whom had even considered trying to remove Hannah from office. In fact, Gunther told a close confidant that, “I prefer balanced government, where different parties control different branches. We just wanted the cabinet to reflect the new balance of power. And more to the point we wanted that fool Charles out of the Treasury.” This also included Vice President Woodlark, who was had not been informed of the President’ decision prior to the broadcast.
Woodlark would take the oath of office at noon on the 11th, becoming the nation’s first Native American President. Three days later, President Woodlark submitted his cabinet nominees to the Senate, along with his Vice President, Timothy Price of Vermont. Of the appointed, 3 were Liberals (including the first woman cabinet appointee, Sarah Robinson, for the secretary of education), 3 were Nationalists (including Senate Majority leader Alden Gunther for Secretary of tState), and 2 were Federalists. All passed Congressional approval by the end of March, and by April 1st 1917, everything seemed back to business as usual in Franklin. But this was only on the surface. In reality, power in the capital had shifted, leaving Washington House and coalescing around the Congress Hall, and it would stay that way for years. Woodlark put up no resistance to Murphey’s Coalitionist agenda. A new budget was approved in September 1917 that largely defunded the Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Improvements, part of the Coalition's austerity package. Woolark signed the budget bill without comment. Nationally, Liberals were outraged, but they had no way of stopping the events transpiring in Franklin.
It came to no surprise for anyone when President Woodlark announced he would not seek reelection in the 1918 race for Washington House. The same was true of Vice President Timothy Price. The Liberals would ultimately nominate Clarence McGovern of Pennsylvania to run, with Lucas Grant of Mississippi as his running mate. The Nationalists nominated James P. Roosevelt, Jr, with Alden Gunther as his running mate. The Federalists backed Horace Camden of New York as their candidate, who had Elenore Clampton of Oregon as his running mate. Clampton was the first woman to run for the Vice Presidency. This was also the first year the Communalists did not back the Liberal candidate, backing instead Ernst Owen, Jr. of Indiana and Ephraim Abrams of Illinois (the first Jewish candidate for high office).
Olsen, Dr. Leon. The Murphey-Gunther Coup and the Birth of the Modern First Secretaryship. Franklin: UUS Press House, 2017.
---- BOSTON GAMES OPEN!
BOSTON - President Woodlark, before a crowd of 90,000 spectators, officially opened the 3rd World Olympic Games in the newly completed Boston Coliseum, where athletes from 44 nations marched in carrying their nation’s banner, and a newly designed World Olympic Flag was unfurled for the first time. The new flag, a golden torch surrounded by a green laurel wreath on a white background, now flutters above all the national flags atop the central stadium in the Boston Olympic complex, which also consists of an indoor swimming pool and two smaller stadiums for other competitions. There had been plans for a so-called “athletes village,” and a press center, but the constraints of the Worldwide Economic Depression kept those plans from leaving the drawing board. The games will last from now until September 2nd.
“Boston Games Open,” Boston Eagle, August 5, 1918.
---- ROOSEVELT WINS IN NEAR LANDSLIDE!
BROOKLYN, NY - Senator James P. Roosevlet, Jr., the former General who rose to national prominence during and after the Dixiana Rebellion, and who’s brother Cornelius served as President from 1907-1913, has won what many would describe as a landslide victory, beating out three other candidates for 247 electoral votes, just 42 shy of the total needed for absolute victory. It is expected that Federalist candidate Horace Camden will back Roosevelt, giving him his 166 electoral votes, securing the Presidency the Nationalists for the first time. Liberal Candidate Clarence McGovern and his running mate, Lucas Grant, finished third with just 111 votes, a drop of 172 votes from 1912, when Liberal Patrick Hannah won. Communalist candidate Ersnt Owen, Jr., recieved a modest 53 electoral votes, gaining delegates from 9 states and having carried two of them. This was the first election that the CPUS ran an independent candidate instead of supporting the Liberal candidate.
“Roosevelt Wins in Near Landslide!” St. Louis Courier, November 5th, 1918.
Hope you enjoy! Had hoped to have this out sooner, but I started back to work after the holidays and that kept me busier than I'd planned.
In addition to these continued TL updates, I have started to work on some stories set a little later in the TL. I have a bare-bones outline for the next...40 or so years of the TL worked out, at least the dates of some major events (Italian Civil War, the Great War, foundation of the Global Peace Congress, the election of America's first female President, etc.) and likely what party (if not what person) is in charge in Franklin. Also have most of the royalty figured out up that far as well (Britain's Queen Victoria III will NOT be succeeded by another queen, for example. God Save the King returns in 1944).
Of the stories I'm working on, two are regular stories set ITTL, the third is more of a science fiction story that will feature this TL prominently, but also have a crossover/connection to OTL.
As always, look forward to comments, input, critiques, and suggestions on this piece and moving forward into the J. Roosevelt Presidency from 1919-1925