The Sidewalks of New York

[hcallega]

Chapter One​

Jim Farley stirred around the ice at the bottom of his glass. It was just barely empty, with the amber hue of the bourbon still visible. The ice had started to melt and the flavor was gone. Farley stood up and tossed out the old ice and alcohol. He walked over to the old brown dresser. Opening the cabinets he reached for his favorite old Kentucky bourbon. The glass was crystal-like, and contoured nicely to the palm of his hand. He twisted off the old top and poured himself a second glass. The liquor smoothly fell over top of the ice, just barely splashing. Farley took a sip and smiled.

Just as he was settling back into his cozy seat, a knock was heard on the hotel room door. Farley put down his drink and got up. His smile had turned back into a frown. He knew that his moment of relaxation was over. Now it was back to business. The man at the door was an old friend, Joe Kennedy. A Boston Irishman, Kennedy had done everything possible to stay rich during the Depression. For that Farley had to admire him, even though they had two very different ideas of ethics and morality. Kennedy came in with a beaming smile and hugged his old friend.

“Jim, it’s been too long.”

“It sure has Joe. But I’m glad you’re here.”

“Yeah I heard you were having some trouble closing the deal. I figured that when you called me.”

“You’re right. For all the help of Cermak, we still haven’t been able to hit two-thirds yet. The Texas son-of-a-bitch is still holding on. I think it’s ridiculous that he doesn’t just realize he’s a dead man and get on with loosing.”

“Well Jim you know damn well it’s not Jack Garner who’s running for President. It’s Hearst and McAdoo. They couldn’t get the nomination when they ran themselves, so they’re trying to get the Speaker the top spot. Quite frankly it doesn’t matter who gets the nomination; Hoover’s a goner.”

“Maybe so Joe, but Al’s the only one here who can get this country out of the mess it’s in. Garner’s too afraid to push any buttons. He’ll just raise taxes, pass a bank bill, and that’ll be it. Byrd, Murray, and Richie are all the same. Old fashioned Good Ole Boys from the South. No understanding of economics or how to pull this country out of the shitter.”

“What about Traylor or White?”

Kennedy laughed to himself as he stood up to pour himself a drink.

“May I?” he asked to his old friend. The two had met at the 1928 Convention and had stayed close ever since.

“Of course Joe. Considering that this is your stuff, you don’t even have to ask.”

Kennedy sat back down on the hotel bed, drink in hand, facing Farley.”
“Well Jim it appears as though we only have one option.”

“Yup. Al Smith’s gotta be the nominee if this party and this country ever want to see the light of day again.”

 

[RogueBeaver]

Kennedy throws in with Smith? Nice... keep it coming.

 

[hcallega]

The Sidewalks of New York

The Story of Al Smith cannot be told simply in a textbook. It must be told through the words of the people who were there. These are the stories of Jim Farley, Joe Kennedy, Jack Garner, and many others. But it is also the story of Albert Emmanuel Smith, an extraordinary man and American.

I'm glad we have Joe on board. He's a good man, even if the papers don't seem to think so. He's smart, savvy, and rich as anyone could be in this Depression. Plus he's one of the few Irish around who has the respect of the rank-and-file businessman. The Harvard types still think he's dirt, but the old WASPs are on their way out so that's practically irrelevant. Nonetheless, he's a huge boost to the campaign, and boy do we need it. The Midwest is where this convention will be one or lost. The South is for Garner or for whatever favorite son the individual states have. The Northeast is locked up for Smith; the city machines love him and a lot of the Mayors and Bosses can relate to him. But the Midwest and West Coast are a mess. Nearly every delegate has tolled me something different: "Oh we're for Smith" or "Well the boss says Garner's our man." Then the next day it's something else. Joe's money talks, and that's where he really helps.
-Jim Farley's Journal. June 30, 1932

The first time I met Jim Farley was way back in 1928. At least it seems way back considering all that's happened since. I backed Al back then, in fact I backed him in '24 when my support didn't mean a thing. But now it does, and now I'm sure that he's going to do one better and take the damn White House. It'll be a glorious day when I can tell Joe Jr. and Jack that I helped put the first Catholic in the White House. It'll sure as hell make their lives a lot easier, I can tell you that much. It's a real shame that Franklin can't be here though. The polio's tearing him apart, and I don't think he'll be able to run for reelection this year. Real shame. He's a big reason why Al's here, and the fact that he hasn't effed up New York since Al left certainly helps.
-Joe Kennedy's Journal. June 29, 1932

Today Hearst and McAdoo met with Farley. He's a real craft mick, I'll tell you that much. Gave them the business too. Told them there would be a place in the cabinet for me and their allies if they got me to back out. But Hearst didn't budget. He hates Smith and everything he stands for. It's funny really, a man who loves immigrants and the working man hates their candidate. I don't really have a problem with the man personally. He was a good governor and he can bring in the ethnic vote. I don't think he's corrupt either, no matter what Hearst and his paper says. Of course that paper also says that I should be the nominee, so you can't really trust them. Smith's close to 2/3 as it stands, and with the third ballot coming tomorrow I think he might just get it. Joe Kennedy's been working hard on the business types and is pulling in a lot of that banker Taylor's delegates. I heard that Cox is going to endorse Smith too, after a call from Roosevelt. The two are still friends after all these years. I'm a little worried about McAdoo. I don't think he has the will to stick with me. Of course losing wouldn't mean much to me anyway. If I had given a rats ass than maybe I would shed a tear or something. But I'm still the best this party's got, and I'll be sure to keep it that way as Speaker. I'll be damned if I take the Vice-Presidency. That spot is as valuable as a bucket of warm piss.
Garner Diaries. July 1, 1932

California Sends Smith Over the Top! Reed Chosen as Vice-President

"Thank goodness for Bill McAdoo. I never thought I would say those words after '24, but my gosh look where we are today! Everyone thought I was done after getting run out by Hoover. But I'm back, and I'm a nice enough guy to let the American people have a mulligan. I have to give most of the credit here to Jim and Joe. When they telephoned me I was ex-tactic, not so much surprised though. I was the only candidate who could have won it. My wife reminded my of Van Buren in 1844, but he didn't have the two Irish Saints! They tell me James Reed's a good man, opponent of corruption and the like. Should be a good running mate."
-Al Smith's Diary. July 4, 1932

 

[Whanztastic]

Gah! Papists!

 

[historybuff]

Interesting idea. No idea who James Read was though.

 

[wargamer6]

Interesting idea. No idea who James Read was though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Reed

 

[hcallega]

Reed was similar to Garner, and was very much an old school Democrat.

 

[hcallega]

You can here an Al Smith campaign stop from well over a mile away. I was sipping my coffee at the local cafe when I heard the train rumble down the tracks. It was late; I had already had three cups by the time that it made it's appearance. But considering the nature of the campaign that was no surprise. Smith drew quite a crowd wherever he appeared. The anti-Catholic bigotry that had followed him four years ago has practically faded away entirely. Now and again there was always a Klan nut or some raving preacher, but for the most part the voters want to here what he has to say. I applaud this change, even though I'm no fan of the Papacy. A candidate should be judged on his merits, and in this case Mr. Smith's are all right. In retrospect it appears as though the nation made the wrong choice in 1928, and it appears they will correct themselves this time around.
-H.L. Mencken, October 4th 1932

Ever since the Convention the energy surrounding the campaign has grown exponentially. Al himself has changed too. He's no longer so focused on hearing those apologists like Johny Daskob who keep telling him that he's still the only good man left in the Democratic Party. Now he's all smiles, no more pouting around about '28. When he comes out of the back of the train for a speech it's "The Happy Warrior" once again. The local band always drums up "The Sidewalks of New York" once the train appears in view and the whole crowd starts singing along. "Eastside, Westside, all around the town". It makes everyone on board light up, especially Al. And he's gotten a great routine down on. He comes out, waves his hat, smiles brightly and then lets the local pol do his schtict. He stays to listen to him talk, always remaining visible. Then he's introduced and the crowd goes wild. His speeches usually touch on whatever is most plaguing the locals. We've focused on rural areas this time around; the city-folk love him to death. He typically attacks Hoover for "doing nothing besides sit in the White House and watch this nation drown" while always noting that "when the President does take action, it is to move this nation closer to socialism." By the time Al comes back into the train car the crowd is in a practical frenzy, and even undecideds want to vote for him just to here him speak for another four years.
-Farley Diaries, October 15, 1932

Johnny Raskob and I are making the rounds in New York City and Chicago. We're raising money and trying to alleviate the business communities fears over an Al Smith presidency. We tell them they have no reason to be worried and to give us some money. That's as simple as it is. These folks don't have the brains to think for themselves really. They simply follow the profits like rapid dogs. Me, I'm one of the few money makers who actually has any common sense. That's what happens when you're dads a ward boss in Boston. You learn to think on you're feat. But these people; well let's just say all it takes is to show them the unemployment numbers. Johnny always has the same line: "While Herbert Hoover's been watching Rome burn, Al Smith's been building the Empire State Building." He's right. But that's not why I'm voting for Al Smith. I'm putting all this weight behind him because if he wins it means that the playing grounds even for all of us.
-Joe Kennedy Diaries, October 21, 1932

I was in California yesterday campaigning for McAdoo. Even though he bolted from me I'm know how smart a man he is. We need more people like him Washington. Al Smith will do just fine in the White House, even if he manages to piss off the whole world three times over. It takes guts to be President. But the real powers in Congress. That's where I'm staying. Everyone who walks through the Capitol's going to know who's in power. If Al Smith wants to do anything it's going to have to go through me first. This is my party, and this is my Congress.
-Garner Diaries, October 21, 1932

I'm not loosing again.
-Smith Diaries, October 1, 1932

 

[hcallega]

A Victory for Tammany Hall and Wall Street!

Yesterday Al Smith was proclaimed winner of the Presidency of the United States of America. While many in this country have called this a victory for the workingman against corporate interests, this is most definitely not the case at all. Governor Smith was supported by a cadre of some of Wall Street's most powerful tycoons, including notorious bootlegger Joseph Kennedy and former DuPont and General Motors executive Johnny Raskob. If these are "common men" then perhaps it's best if we let some hard working men take the reigns of the economy. But not only was Mr. Smith's victory one for Wall Street, but it was a great triumph for Tammany Hall. The corrupt thugs who promoted Mr. Smith for so many years in New York have now elected him President by helping to deliver the State of New York. My friends, now is no time to celebrate.
-Washington Herald (owned by William Randolph Hearst), November 10th, 1932.

I can't believe we did it. Sitting in my study, surrounded by my books, I still can't believe that we elected Al Smith President of the United States. This was a man who came from nothing, who was raised by the two working class parents and the Fulton Fish Market. And now Democracy has a fighting chance. The fears of socialism, communism, fascism, and any other sorts of isms seem less and less likely. Victory has come to America, and it is a glorious day indeed.
-Farley Diaries, November 10th, 1932

The margin was too close for my liking. How any President who drove our country into the depths of Hell and made no effort to pull us out of it could come within a few states of victory seems preposterous to me. It seems this nation hasn't quite gotten over it's fear of us. Governor Smith has never once appeared to be a servant of the Catholic Church, and yet for some reason the illiterate poor of this nation think otherwise. If it hadn't been for the economy we would have lost this election and been sent packing back to New York. No telling what would have happened to Al. But the point is we won and now it's our chance to govern. Al Smith is going to bring this country out of the Depression and thank God for it.
-Joe Kennedy Diaries, November 12th, 1932

Mr. Smith's victory hopefully symbolizes a return to power for the Democratic Party. I cannot be too sure myself. The economy is the reason why the President and the Republicans were so thoroughly wupped. If not for the Depression we would still be in the Era of Normalcy as some fools called it. More like an era of greed. Nonetheless we have a unique opportunity to govern and I for one am not going to let it pass idly by. This nation's economy is to fragile for radical actions, but I doubt that Mr. Smith will do anything too extreme. Kennedy, Raskob, and Shouse will keep him contained, even if they all have competing interests. Kennedy hates businessmen even though he so optimizes one. Raskob and Shouse will be the two most conservative members of the Cabinet, assuming they get jobs and I think that's clear now. My hope is that Smith's "Brain Trust" as Governor Roosevelt so eloquently called it is up to the task. I most certainly am.
-Garner's Diaries. December 5th, 1932

1932 Election Results
1932 Presidential Election​

Al Smith/James Reed (D) 53% of the PV 292 EVs
Herbert Hoover/Charles Curtis (R) 42% of the PV 239 EVs
Norman Thomas/James Maurer (S) 5% of the PV

1932 House of Representatives Elections​

Democratic Party: 304 (+88)
Republican Party: 126 (-92)
Farmer-Laborer Party: 5 (+4)
Speaker of the House: John Nance Garner (D-TX 15)

1932 Senate Elections​

Democratic Party: 56 (+9)
Republican Party: 41 (-9)
Farmer-Laborer Party: 1
Senate Majority Leader: Joseph Robinson (D-AR)

California Senate Election
William Gibbs McAdoo (D): 40%
Tallant Tubbs (R): 34%
Robert P. Shuler (Prohibition): 26%

Indiana Senate Election
Frederick Van Nuys (D): 53%
James E. Watson (R-Majority Leader): 45%

Utah Senate Election
Elbert D. Thomas (D): 54%
Reed Smoot (R): 45%

 

[historybuff]

Wonder who Smith's gonna choose for his cabinet.

 

[hcallega]

This weekend was a tumultuous one. On Saturday, President Hoover held a meeting with Congressional leadership. For the most part he urged us to keep President Smith "on a short leash". I'm certainly on the same page with the President on this one. We can't go about ruining this nation with every haphazard idea known to man. I've already seen my fair share of crazy ideas since the Depression broke out, and I've been able to hold them off. But now that we have a progressive in the White House it's going to be a little different. I have that Mr. Smith knows what's at stake and knows that we need sound policies to get out of the state that we're in. The rest of the leadership agrees for the most part. If they get out of line I'll be sure to make it clear that this Congress will be a united one.
-Garner's Diaries. January 4th, 1933

The first meeting of the President's Cabinet Appointees was held today. It was snowing outside and the mood of the cabinet was rather dour. No one was cheering at the sight of the ever worsening economy, and we all knew that it would be a tough first couple of years to say the least. The economic team had already met; that was me at Treasury, Raskob at Commerce (a pick I was none too happy about), Jouett Shouse at Agriculture (another tool of business), Governor Roosevelt at Labor, and Senator Hiram Johnson of California at Interior (the only Republican in the cabinet and a progressive to the left of most of us). Overall it's a pretty decent group with a very intellectual feel. The foreign policy cast is Cordell Hull at State, George Dern at War, and Claude Swanson as Secretary of the Navy. The other two positions are filled by Farley as Post Master (a nice political position) and Francis Biddle over as Attorney General. But honestly all that matters now is the economy. If we can't figure that out than we'll be in big trouble down the road.
-Joe Kennedy's Diary. January 18th, 1933

Any hope of victory, any hope of defeating this recession; it comes from Al. I hope he recognizes the huge weight on his shoulders. Any chance at a second term or a great legacy depends upon him being able to ride out the waves and kick back the Depression. I know he's up to the task, and after our meeting with Hoover I feel even better. Smith and Hoover agreed that some policies need to be continued. The two tend to agree on policy, though they have very different views about end goals. It's all about growth for Hoover; growth of industry, growth of profits, growth of the middle class. All of these are good things, that is until things like the Triangle Factory Fire happen. That's when Al comes in; good government to take care of problems. Hopefully he doesn't lose sight of that core belief over the next four years.
-Farley's Journal. January 25th, 1933

"Do you, Alfred Emmanuel Smith Jr., solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of your ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States?"
"I, Alfred Emmanuel Smith Jr., do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

"I am a man of simple means, but I know what must be done to preserve this great nation. We need action. Action based on purpose, and with the purpose to end this Great Depression."
-President Al Smith's Inaugural Address. March 8, 1933.

 

[historybuff]

Hull and Kennedy are the only 2 cabinet choices I recognize. Let's see how well sSmith does.

 

[RogueBeaver]

Raskob: was a major CEO who had headed Smith's campaign in '28 and had led his outreach to business which instinctively distrusted progressive Dems and didn't like working-class ones like Smith either.

Shouse: no idea.

FDR: no explanation required.

Johnson: TR's running mate in 1912 and one of the few remaining left-wing Republican progressives along with the LaFollettes and George Norris.

Dern/Swanson: both OTL FDR picks for those positions, the latter as a political payoff to the South whose incompetence had been well and truly established by the time he was dumped in '40 IOTL.

Farley: FDR's OTL PMG and a longtime Roosevelt crony.

Biddle: FDR's last AG and a Nuremburg judge.

 

[historybuff]

Thanks for the help Roguebeaver.

Roosevelt might have to resign at some point cuz of his health.

 

[hcallega]

Jouett Shouse was much like Raskob. He was a prominent businessman and conservative who supported Al Smith in 1932. He was one of a number of anti-New Deal Democrats.

Courtesy of Wikipedia: Regarding the controversial NRA, the Shouse was ambivalent. He commented that "the NRA has indulged in unwarranted excesses of attempted regulation"; on the other, he added that "in many regards [the NRA] has served a useful purpose."[1] Shouse said that he had "deep sympathy" with the goals of the NRA, explaining, "While I feel very strongly that the prohibition of child labor, the maintenance of a minimum wage and the limitation of the hours of work belong under our form of government in the realm of the affairs of the different states, yet I am entirely willing to agree that in the case of an overwhelming national emergency the Federal Government for a limited period should be permitted to assume jurisdiction of them."[2]

 

[hcallega]

The amount that has been done in these past 100 days is outstanding. The President first called me into his office after the inauguration and told me that it was his goal to push through the bulk of his economic legislation as soon as possible. He new that in the immediacy of the crisis he would have the capital needed to pass legislation rapidly and without too much partisan bickering. That foresight proved to be pretty damn good.
-Farley's Diaries. June 17, 1933

The first goal of this administration will be to stabilize the economy. To do so will require immediate and purposeful intervention. We will need to stabilize the banks, provide relief to the unemployed and the states, and look for greater regulation of the financial markets. When we do these things the economy will naturally begin to right, and we can once again have prosperity in America.
-Al Smith's Inaugural Address. March 8, 1933

On the tenth, President Smith invited me and other leaders of Congress over to the White House. I was worried that he would come in and demand that we see things his way and pass a bucket load of bad legislation. Lucky for us he had no such desires. Instead he was looking to work with us, and presented us with some basic ideas of what he wanted to do. He said it was up to write the legislation and pass it. I can't say I expected that, but I did appreciate the modesty. He did already have one piece of legislation that he wanted to pass however. President Hoover's boys had written the Emergency Banking and Relief Act which essentially reorganized our banking system. I was skeptical that it might lead to the shutting down of the sort of small banks that I had run in the past, but the President insisted that it was better than the alternatives. So with some reservations I submitted the bill to the House and Senator Robinson sent it to the Senate. That very same night it was passed, and the next morning President Smith signed it into law.
-Jack Garner's Diaries. March 12, 1933.

Labor Secretary Franklin Roosevelt stands over a worker​

The President's plans were all very well and good, and those of us with any sense in the cabinet were quick to support it. These first 100 days would see the bulk of serious economic legislation, even though nothing was very radical in the least bit. Raskob and Shouett made it clear that they weren't interested in passing any legislation that infringed on businesses ability to grow and prosper. However they also noted that they didn't oppose legislation that provided relief to the poor or unemployed. I always found it interesting that they made their presence so much better known in the cabinet than anybody else. Whatever the case, we were all happy to see the President sign Federal Emergency Relief Act and Agriculture Adjustment Act into law. These were only the second and third laws that he signed, and it was clear that his goal was not to encroach on capitalism but rather to help those who had been hurt by it's excesses.
-Joe Kennedy's Journal. March 31, 1933.

Legislation Passed During President Al Smith's First 100 Days​

1. Emergency Banking and Relief Act: March 12
2. Federal Emergency Relief Act: March 31
3. Agriculture Adjustment Act: March 31
4. Civilian Conservation Corps: May 12
5. Reforestation Relief Act: May 12
6. Tennessee Valley Authority: May 18
7. Banking Act of 1933: May 27
8. Home Owners Refinancing Act: June 13
9. Public Works Administration: June 16
10. Federal Securities Act: June 16

Senator Carter Glass (D-VA) and Representative Henry B. Steagall (D-AL), the authors of the Banking Act of 1933​

When it comes right down to it, the reason for the successful implementation of President Smith's First 100 Days was that the President and Speaker Garner were able to come to agreement over the vast issues the country was facing. It would have been very easy for these two very different men to each go their own way. But their unity proved to be the deciding factor in keeping the economy from falling even deeper into the pit of Depression.
-Mr. Speaker: The Life and Times of Cactus Jack Garner by Robert Caro

 

[hcallega]

So for those of you who aren't New Deal scholars, here are the difference between FDR's First 100 Days and Al Smith's. Smith does not implement the NRA, and he does not declare a Bank Holiday. Also the order of the legislation is more aimed at providing relief to the working class rather than reforming the financial industry.

 

[historybuff]

Wonder how Smith's gonna handle foreign affairs.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

Good TL! I'm subscribing. Love the "quotes" style.

 

[Art]

How will Smith handle the Bonus Army when they come to Washington again?

Because they will do so. And will they also be sent to Florida, and the Matecume (not sure I'm spelling it right) Key, and terrible hurricane? Will they get their bonus before 1936? Will this affect the G. I. Bill, if there IS a G. I. Bill?