The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 1933. THE MAN OF THE YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 1933. THE MAN OF THE YEAR.

Pkesident Roosevelt is engaged on such a large sized job, .which is not likely to be completed in an hour or a day, that he may well be considered the man of the year. According to an American critic, when offered party support under certain conditions, President Roosevelt is supposed to have replied: “By 1934 one of two things will have happened. Either I shall have failed, so badly that no support will do any good, or, I shall have been so successful that I won’t need the backing of any group.” This story i.s widely believed in the United States, and is evidence of the confidence with which the President is working. Another critic lias written thus of Franklin Roosevelt: “He is one of the most relaxed human beings I eve r knew. No matter how hard he works nor how terrific his problem, he is never tense. That is the reason I think that guidance will come to him always. For it is only when we are relaxed that the thing way down deep in all of use—call it the subconscious mind, the spirit, what you will—lias a chance to well up and tell us how we shall go.” President Roosevelt is therefore equipped with certain qualities which make for leadership. He has courage in his convictions, or lie' might have bargained with the political group which approached him, for political safety. Instead he is prepared to work out lifs comprehensive plans, and trust to the results to support his reputation. In the study of those plans, the weighing of the problems and the prospects, lie has a state of mind which enables him to use cool judgment. In the silent watches of the night, it is true' impressions occur to the mind in regard to problems uppermost in one’s mind, which may have a determining effect on one’s action. To sleep on a proposition, is often a way to reach a. final decision. Tt is said too, with truth, that a loader must have a certain idealism, a vision of what might be. There are many such down through the pages of history, and the present President, wo should say is in the same category. Finally he lias undoubtedly a personality—that something which begets confidence, and draws men to him. The following of Roosevelt at the polls was of immense proportions, end doubtless he has drawn many to him since. Perhaps the time was duly ripe , for his leadership. The country was passing through a period of financial uncertainty, with industry stagnant,

and th@ great country very much upset. The post-war period has brought its problems to all countries. Despite its wealth and opportunities to create wealth in the war period, the United tSates was as much perturbed as any by the effect of world conditions. Old beliefs and ideals were not developing according to custom. The reality of things was very apparent, and the philosophy of life dad not seem to work out to the usual result. Some change was taking place, and to keep step with the altering times, new leadership found its opening. Tire' President’s leadership is advanced, and leads into new ways which may not have a pleasant ending. But he has a vision and a courage which are going to carry hiim far with his plans. He deserves to command a high degree of success, for much must accrue to the world at large if. the United. States planning achieves the measure of rehabilitation hoped for.