JAMES A. FARLEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/15/1958 - HFSID 321023

JAMES A. FARLEY
Before his career as Postmaster General, Farley sends a letter to Basil O'Connor, congratulating him on his recent honorary degree from The University of Ireland
Typed Letter signed: "Jim" 1 page, 7¼x10½. New York City, July 15, 1958. On personal letterhead. To "Dear Doc", Basil O'Connor, In full: "It made me very happy to see the announcement from Dublin of the honorary degree conferred upon you by Prime Minister deValera as Chacellor of the University of Ireland. You must have a large number of honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws--and truly, Doc, all certainly well deserved. I trust all goes well and that you and Hazel have had a fine trip. With affectionate regards to you both, Sincerely yours,". New York Democratic politician James A. Farley (1888-1976) ran the successful gubernatorial campaigns of Al Smith and Franklin Roosevelt, and FDR's first two Presidential campaign. Among the first to make systematic use of modern polling techniques, Farley was a major architect of Roosevelt's New Deal coalition which turned the Democratic Party into the majority party. Hewas appointed Chairman of the Democratic National Committee(1932) and Postmaster-General (1933), holding both posts until disagreeing with FDR about running for a third term in 1940. (He later served on the Hoover Commission, whose suggestions included the two-term limit on Presidents which became the XXII Amendment.Farley served as for 30 years as President of Coca-Cola Export Corporation, doing much to make Coke an internationally popular drink. He even got Coca-Cola defined as a "war priority item" during World War II, on the grounds the beverage boosted morale. Basil O'Connor (1892-1972), President Franklin Roosevelt's former law partner, declined a post in the administration but was inspired by FDR's polio to become a founder of what is now called the March of Dimes, and to head the American Red Cross (1944-1950). Normal mailing folds. Pencil notes in left margin. Secretarial stamps on verso. Fine condition.