FDR, Jr. Visits in Elkins Today
Comes in Special Plane
April 12, 1960
Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., son of the late President of the United States, came to Elkins at noon today to help boost the campaign of Sen. John F. Kennedy, Democratic hopeful for the Presidential nomination.
Roosevelt's visit came as a surprise to Democratic leaders who turned out to welcome Sen. Kennedy's brother, Bob, who was scheduled to make the Elkins trip after Roosevelt's agenda was changed late last week.
A former congressman from New York State, Roosevelt flew into Elkins-Randolph County airport at 12:03 p.m. in a private plane from Charleston.
He was accompanied by John Bailey, chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee of Connecticut. Bailey will go to Clarksburg from Elkins and Roosevelt will fly on to Washington.
Roosevelt headed a caravan of Randolph county Democrat leaders as he headed for Tygart Hotel at 12:30 p.m. where he will be greeted by Elkins citizens until 1:20 p.m.
At Wellsburg last night, Roosevelt said his presidential choice Sen. John Kennedy would "wear as a badge of honor" opposition by Teamsters President James R. Hoffa in the May 10, West Virginia Democratic primary.
He said he is sure "the Hoffa faction" is against Kennedy in West Virginia as he said it was in Wisconsin, "but I'm just as sure that it won't hurt him."
Roosevelt predicted that if Kennedy beats Sen. Hubert Humphrey in West Virginia "there is no question that he'll be nominated by the National Convention in Los Angeles."
But he said Humphrey "doesn't stand a chance of being nominated" even if he should win the over Kennedy.
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