Chapter 294 Fireside Chat (1/2)

“…let us face the grim years before us, with the enthusiasm and courage that a nation has given us, with a clear sense of seeking traditional and precious moral values, with the knowledge that young and old can gain through conscientious devotion to duty. Satisfied with a clear conscience, our goal is to ensure the fulfillment of national life and long-term peace and stability.”

His eyes followed the crowded crowd back to the front of Capitol Hill, and Roosevelt's speech also came to an end.

“… They have expressed their mandate in the face of difficulty, that is, for direct and forceful action. They have asked for the discipline and direction of leadership. They have now chosen me as the instrument to realize their aspirations, and I accept this generous gift. ”

“…as we dedicate this nation, we humbly ask for God’s blessing. May God bless each and every one of us, and may God guide me in the days ahead.”

With the conclusion of the speech, the audience burst into warm applause.

Roosevelt himself came down from the podium in a wheelchair with the support of congressmen on both sides.

According to the ceremonial procedures, after the presidential oath is taken, the next step is the inaugural luncheon. This is a luncheon hosted by the President, Vice President and invited guests, hosted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee jointly composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which is responsible for preparation and processing In connection with presidential inaugurations, the lunch often features dishes from the new president and vice president's hometowns.

Next up is the Presidential Inauguration Parade, and after lunch, the presidential motorcade drives down Pennsylvania Avenue accompanied by an honor guard from the armed forces, civilian groups, military bands and various floats.

Then it was arranged for the president, vice president and guests to watch the military parade from the observation deck in front of the White House.

The parade is prepared by the U.S. Army Joint Task Force Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Finally came the inaugural ball. That night, the Presidential Inaugural Committee held a number of balls to congratulate the new president on his inauguration.

This dance tradition began in the 18th century when President Madison took office.

The entire ceremony was cumbersome and complicated, and for Roosevelt, the day of celebration was only on the day of the inauguration.

On the second day after taking office, he quickly entered the state and issued two presidential directives at the same time - requiring Congress to hold a special session on March 9 to review the "Emergency Banking Act", and the second was to declare a four-day holiday for all banks.

The special session of Congress gave the government the power to control finance and the power to issue currency based on bank assets, and also gave the government the power to impose severe penalties on the hoarding and export of gold. Bank holidays help break the panic and tension that pervades the financial world, allowing the government to curb bank runs and give the government time to print money.

At the same time, in order to appease the people and gain public support, Roosevelt announced the first press conference, which became a practice in the future.

As the largest circulation newspaper in New York today, "The Courier World" is naturally also within the invitation range of the press conference.

At the same time, because of the relationship between Colin and Roosevelt, the Courier World reporter played a good role as a questioner throughout the press conference, throwing out some prepared questions so that Roosevelt could answer them concisely and clearly. way to explain your purpose.

With the cooperation of Courier World, the first press conference at the White House was an unprecedented success. According to reporters present at the time, President Roosevelt answered reporters' questions on the financial situation and other issues in a relaxed and harmonious family atmosphere. When asked questions, reporters were intoxicated by his straightforwardness and easygoingness. As soon as the reception ended, the reporters cheered with thunderous applause.

On the second day of the press conference, Congress quickly passed the Emergency Banking Act. This was also a rare act in the history of the United States that was passed without any obstacles. This act authorized the president to conduct individual trials on banks to make them solvent Banks should be opened as soon as possible and banks that lack solvency should be restructured.

March 12, the day before banks reopened and eight days after Roosevelt became president.

"Congratulations, Mr. President..."

Colin was invited to meet Roosevelt, who was successfully inaugurated as president, in the foreign guest reception room downstairs of the Presidential Palace.

"The inaugural address was wonderful. It is said that the White House has received more than half a million letters so far."

Accepting Colin's congratulations, Roosevelt's face smiled slightly, and then turned into a deep sadness.

"These letters are also the expectations of the people, and each one is extremely heavy."

Rolling his wheelchair around the reception room, Roosevelt smoked his pipe and looked at the loudspeaker installed by the White House staff next to the fireplace.

"How is the situation at the bank currently?"

Taking a deep breath from his pipe, Roosevelt looked at Colin and asked. As president, although he could understand the domestic situation through briefings every day, if he wanted to understand the reality in more detail, he needed the assistance of professional media people like Colin.

He did not want to become a president like Hoover, who was far away from the people.

"The run is still serious. It is said that people have started to queue up in front of many banks. Everyone is carrying empty suitcases and intends to withdraw all the money from the bank."

Hearing Colin's description, Roosevelt frowned: "But haven't the banks already been on holiday?"

"Yeah, bank holiday."

In response, Colin sighed and replied.

"..."

Hearing Colin's answer, Roosevelt couldn't help but fell silent. Apparently he understood the reason.

For the panicked people, bank holidays cannot alleviate their inner uneasiness, which is why he decided to talk to the people through radio.

In the previous conversation with Colin, Roosevelt had already understood the popularity of radio, but he did not expect to use it so quickly.

In order to make his voice heard by as many people as possible, Roosevelt urgently notified the three largest radio stations in the United States, including ABC, CBS and Common Broadcasting Corporation, to conduct this conversation.

"President, they are coming."

In the reception room for foreign guests, while Roosevelt and Colin were talking, a White House official knocked on the door to remind them.

Immediately following Roosevelt's signal, the broadcasting company personnel came to the reception room.

Among these people, there was a CBS radio station representative that Colin was also familiar with, but because of the different regions, it was Harry Butcher, the CBS office manager in Washington.

"Good evening everyone, I'm sorry to disturb you all at this time."

Pushing his wheelchair, Roosevelt first expressed his apology to the heads of major radio stations who rushed over.

"No, that's what we should do, Mr. President."

Although Roosevelt's attitude was very friendly, the heads of various radio stations did not relax because of this. They shook their heads in agreement.

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Nodding and pushing the wheelchair to the fireplace where the loudspeaker was placed, Roosevelt made a request for his first broadcast: "I hope this speech will be more cordial, without the formality of officialdom, just like sitting at home, and the two parties can talk casually. ”

"In that case, let's call it 'Fireside Chat'."

Upon hearing Roosevelt's request, the people in charge who nodded at the scene looked at each other. Seeing the silence, Colin immediately spoke up and suggested.

"Fireside Chat."

After listening to Colin's suggestion, Roosevelt in the wheelchair turned his head and glanced at the fireplace beside him, and immediately nodded in agreement.

"A very appropriate name."

…

Just like that, Sunday night, March 12, 1933.

With 60 million listeners waiting eagerly in front of the radio, Roosevelt turned on the radio and began the first "fireside chat."

He sat on a sofa by the fireplace, lit his pipe, pointed at the microphone, and said in a friendly and enthusiastic tone: "Friends, I want to tell you what we have done in the past few days and why we have done this. Come on, what are you going to do next..."

Beside him, Colin was carrying the latest electronic camera to record this scene clearly.

Due to the White House's strict restrictions on inviting guests, Colin had to personally act as a cameraman this time to record this very historic scene.

Although televisions are not yet widely available, Colin is confident that in the near future, people will be able to see Roosevelt's "Fireside Chat" on television, not just through the radio.

Taking into account the uneven knowledge level of the listeners in front of the radio, Roosevelt tried his best to explain the banking crisis using words and metaphors that everyone could understand. At the same time, he constantly urged listeners to deposit their saved money back into the bank: "I want to point out one thing. The simple fact is that when you deposit your money in a bank, the bank does not lock it in a vault, but uses it to invest through various credit methods, such as buying public bonds and making mortgages. In other words, Banks put your money to work in order to make the whole institution spin...I can assure you that it is safer to keep your money in a bank that has been renovated and reopened than under the mattress."

"In the final analysis, when we adjust the financial system, there is one factor that is more important than currency and more precious than gold. This is the confidence of the people. Let us unite to eliminate fear..."

On the radio, Roosevelt's voice was kind and calm, and seemed to have some power to convey confidence to the listeners in front of the radio.

However, Colin, who was filming, knew that in fact this was also a helpless move by the other party.

The mess left behind in banking and finance was too big, and he had only been in office for eight days. Even if the Emergency Banking Act had been passed, it would take some time for it to take effect. Therefore, Roosevelt had to try his best to maintain the situation during this period. , so that the situation will not continue to worsen. If the phenomenon of bank runs continues to occur, it will cause financial bankruptcy across the country. Even if there are laws by then, it will be of no avail.

Judging from the results, Roosevelt's "Fireside Chat" was undoubtedly a success.

At least, compared to Hoover, who was spurned by the people, everyone was more willing to believe in Roosevelt.

The day after the 'Fireside Chat' ended, there were far fewer people crowding in front of the bank. Even during the Courier World's investigation, many people were carrying large boxes and small bags containing gold and currency. Long queues formed in front of banks to deposit currency, which was the case not long ago.

In just three days, 574 banks in the United States were opened. Within a few days, banks recycled 300 million yuan in gold and gold exchange certificates. Within a week, 13,500 banks resumed business, and the gongs of the exchanges sounded again. Voice.

Of course, Colin knew that all this was just an illusion, or the public's honeymoon period of trust in Roosevelt, the newly elected president.

This trust also existed when Hoover first came to power, but the other party ultimately messed up everything.

…

"Did you put the money back in the bank?"

In the Pulitzer Building, Little John hesitantly asked Jacob.

"Absolutely. After all, I have so much money hidden at home. I'm always a little worried. I heard that there have been many more break-ins and robberies during this period than in the past. Many people's property at home has been stolen."

In the comics department, Jacob replied to Little John while revising the drawing in his hand.

"I'm still a little worried, what if the bank fails again."

As John Sr. was assigned to San Francisco to take charge of the new newspaper, John Sr., who had lost his restraints, did indeed live a very comfortable life for a while.

However, a sudden financial accident made him miss the days when Old John was there.

At least, at that time, he didn't need to worry about these problems himself.

"Didn't President Roosevelt already say that it is much safer to put money in the bank than under the quilt?"

"Who knows if he is lying? Hoover said before that the Great Depression would be over soon."

Littlejohn has clearly had bad experiences with presidential pledges.

If it weren't for Mr. Colin's preservation of the Courier Newspaper at that time and the sales of the newspaper getting better and better through "Superman", perhaps the family would have lived in Hoover Village now.

However, even so, Little John still felt a little uneasy in his heart.

Although a new president has been elected, the Great Depression has not ended. On the contrary, it has become increasingly severe.

A newspaper as big as "World Journal" will close down if it says it will close down.

Little John even still remembers how the person in charge of "World Journal" was arrogantly acquiring the company at the Courier Newspaper. In the blink of an eye, "World Journal" became the acquired party.

"If you are really worried, maybe you can learn from my method."

In the studio, listening to the conversation between Little John and Jacob, Charles Adams couldn't help but interject.

"What can I do?"

Hearing this, Little John blurted out a question subconsciously, but he regretted it as soon as he said it.

Sure enough, under Little John's inquiry, Charles Adams curled his lips and revealed a gloomy smile: "Prepare a coffin, put the money in it, and of course the most important thing is the owner of the coffin. I personally recommend using a skeleton... …”