If You Ask Me
by Eleanor Roosevelt

No, I think both of them will manage quite well.

I give fairly large amounts to the organizations I work with and small amounts to groups with which I have been associated or which appeal to me as having special interest.

I had a secretary for the social entertaining at the White House and one for personal work. Both came to press conferences and answered questions in their particular field. My regular secretary took down all the questions and answers at the press conferences. I did not have a press secretary in the sense that a President has, and it may well be that Mrs. Kennedy will not hold press conferences. Each individual has the right to arrange life in the White House as seems best.

I should think that, with the number of dependents you have, you could write off a considerable amount on your taxes. So you should still be able to earn a little more and, through insurance, put a little aside. I believe in Social Security, of course, and in whatever savings and investments are possible for one's own future. I think there is no reason one should not try to earn more, even if one keeps only a part of it and pays more to the government.

I have always felt that it was a good tradition for Presidents to serve only two terms, but I consider it unwise to have this written into law. The people should have the right to decide if circumstances arise where they feel it essential to re-elect a President more than once.

Of course, in that case, there is no alternative. The children must go to public schools, and I would advise that, as residents of the area, you join with others in working and agitating for better schools. I have always felt it was a pity that so many people sent their children to private schools, because they are then less likely to work for improved public schools. My children went to private schools because of tradition. I fought it for a time, but my mother-in-law and husband made the final decision. I think private schools have an advantage in being able to do a certain amount of experimentation that public schools have come to more slowly. But I believe that, for the good of the community, more of us should have children in public schools, so we can fight together for better schools.

Governor Lehman, Mr. Finletter, and I were specially asked to go to that meeting, since our Democratic candidate for the Presidency would appear at it. We agreed to do so because we felt it was well understood that we had worked through the campaign separately, but all for the Democratic ticket. I am not opposed to Mr. De Sapio as a person: I am opposed to the kind of boss rule he represents. That fight must go on, but if I were asked again to appear at a meeting at the end of a campaign, I would certainly do it if my co-workers felt it was wise.

I have to file with greater care than most people, because the Internal Revenue Department scans my income tax report with more watchful eyes. My bank makes out my return, based on information my secretary provides. I don't think there have been any mistakes in the past, and I hope very much there will be none in the future. As far as I know, there is no dispensation for any former President or his wife.

Of course. I used to write my own mother-in-law far more often than my husband did. While I can't say that all my daughters-in-law are frequent correspondents, I must say they are more attentive to letter writing than my sons are!

Yes, I am familiar with the movement. It has a hold in many countries, and I don't question its value for some people. It happens to have little appeal to me because of a certain emotional side I think that a mistake. I don't believe it has the great impact to bring about world peace that it claims to have.