FDR vs. Polio

DEFEATING THE INVISIBLE ENEMY

PANDEMIC CHALLENGES

COVID-19 is certainly not America’s original invisible enemy. The deadly 1918-20 Spanish Flu pandemic certainly comes to mind. The nation that defeated infantile paralysis in the 1950s (and other childhood afflictions) will conquer our current challenge. Although an American president must rely upon medical professionals to contain and overcome a pandemic, the nation’s leader must also inspire popular support to eradicate an invisible enemy. Although not directly comparable with the currently widespread virus that indiscriminately kills, such was the case with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (“FDR”) and infantile paralysis.

The FDR dime coin of the United States of America poignantly reminds us of the president’s determination to end the deadly affliction of infantile paralysis, which debilitated and killed many American children, including my paternal uncle, Donald McClure Spragg, of Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 16 in 1932.

THE MARCH OF DIMES

Afflicted with a form of infantile paralysis, FDR had a unique perspective and empathy for his fellow afflicted Americans. To help find a cure, FDR spent two-thirds of his personal wealth to purchase and improve the mineral pools, inn, cottages and acreage at Warm Springs, Georgia. His Warm Springs Foundation became America’s premier polio care and rehabilitation center. Determined to end the scourge, he also inspired the March of Dimes. Everyday Americans were inspired to contribute … even during the great economic depression. Even children innocently sent small change to the White House, trusting that their president would forward properly their donations. FDR did not see the polio cure in his lifetime, but his example and determination financed the polio vaccine famously discovered by Dr. Jonas Salk. The United States has not had a polio case for decades. FDR therefore arguably helped to save thousands of young lives.

WARM SPRINGS FOUNDATION

Firstly, on FDR’s 52nd birthday, January 30, 1934, the first of many annual “presidential birthday balls” were held. Secondly, the national radio network broadcast the well-publicized fund-raising events. The inaugural event raised over $1 million for the Warm Springs Foundation. Although the annual balls subtly promoted FDR’s contentious New Deal policies, even bitter FDR opponent Col. Robert McCormick and his Chicago Tribune urged Americans to generously support the cause. Subsequently, in 1938 the Warm Springs Foundation became the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and its fundraising effort was named the March of Dimes.

THE BIRTHDAY BALLS

The nationwide 1942 President’s Birthday Balls were the first held in wartime and it was FDR’s 60th birthday. America’s leading bandleader, Glenn Miller, was an entertainment industry committee chairman. So, he enlisted the brilliant Irving Berlin to write a new song dedicated to the cause. Berlin’s creation was At the President’s Birthday Ball. Miller and his band performed the new tune on the national radio broadcast from the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. Miller also made a record of it, with all proceeds donated to the March of Dimes, which you can hear here:

AT THE PRESIDENT’S BIRTHDAY BALL
(Irving Berlin)
Glenn Miller and his Orchestra
Vocal refrain by Marion Hutton and the Modernaires
Recorded January 5, 1942
Victor Studio #2, New York, NY
BS 068833-1/1-B (Master)
Bluebird B-11429-A
(Glenn Miller Archives Audio Restoration)

VACCINE AT LAST

Perhaps fittingly, FDR died at his beloved Warm Springs on April 12, 1945. But, a polio cure was yet to be discovered and proven. Then, on the tenth anniversary of his passing, April 12, 1955, the March of Dimes declared the vaccine developed by the dynamic Dr. Jonas Salk to be “safe, effective and potent.” By then, 160 million people had been motivated to contribute $367 million to defeat polio. Consequently, the time lag between awareness and cure might give today’s Americans pause. Unlike COVID-19, not all Americans were at personal risk for polio, yet FDR inspired them to defeat the invisible enemy. But, although the federal government supported the cause, this successful initiative was mainly a combination of individual and corporate investments, rather than a Federal Government program.

In conclusion, you can learn more about the truly exceptional President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s affliction, empathy, and determination, as well as Glenn Miller and Irving Berlin, in my books America Ascendant, The Rise of American Exceptionalism and Glenn Miller Declassified, available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and fine booksellers everywhere. Learn more: