Letter, Zebulon Vance Roberson to Franklin D. Roosevelt

Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church A C Roanoke, Birginia ZEBULON VANCE ROBERSON PASTOR October 16 1935 1Fr My dear Mr.President : I am deeply grateful to you for your letter. Here in our community we have not suffered so acutely from the economic disturbances of the past few years as has been the lot of other communities. This has been due in part to the conservative nature of our citizenship, and in part to the diversified industries from which our peo- ple secure their means of living. But, even though our con- ditions have been comparatively favorable, it would have been impossible for our community to carry the burden of those who had no means of subsistence, and those others with only meager resources, if it had not been for the assistance provided by the Federal Government through the various agencies which were established to bring the neces- sary relief. As a minister, I have been greatly interested in the efforts of your administration to provide the need- ed material help for individuals and families and at the same time conserve in and for those individuals and fami- lies the human and spiritual values. I trust that you will continue those policies by which those who have enough and more than enough may help in providing the necessities of life for those who are the victims of the malad justments of our social order. Your Social Security Legislation has already lessened the fears of millions now approaching old age; it has brought hope to millions of the helpless-and voice- less-in our land. I trust that the example of your policies, and the inspiration of your personal leadership will inspire and empower the leaders of our states and communi- ties to do their share in making the plans for Social Security effective for the aged, for the unfortunate victims of the economic forces, and for the helpless of all kinds, throughout our entire country. With every good wish for you, and for your great endeavors, to make "real better spiritual and material conditions for the American people", I have the honor to remain, Yours Faithfully, Z.U.Bobrson