Oh, Franklin Roosevelt. What potential he had: No FDR in politics

[Peter the Lefty]

1936 version...
Though I'd recommend giving Oregon and Maine to McNary, Ohio to Garner (unless the Mid-West as a whole is revolting), and MA to either McNary or Garner.

I figured that being a swing state, Ohio would go for the moderate candidate.  And MA had a large working-class population even then, didn't it?

OH is a big state though, so unless you're a big national presence, (which this timeline's Republicans aren't), it'd be hard to take. It'd be really close to say the least. And MA was only beginning to start voting Democratic (after decades of voting for Republicans since 1856, interrupted only by the 1912 election), and from what I've understood, that was thanks mostly to the Catholic working class and the progressive/activist/intellectual types consolidating under one party (and even then, Republicans could still take MA, see Ike's victories). It'd be split in this election, me thinks. Overall, I see Republicans taking New England and maybe a few Mid-Western states and maybe Oregon. Wallace might take large swaths of the West. I'm thinking that MT, WY, ID, states that today vote heavily Republican, back then might cast their votes for Wallace. But hey, it's your timeline.

I know, but you do seem to know more than me about the demographics of that time.  The Catholic working class is why I think MA would go that way.  And I'm figuring that Oregon would've been very progressive at the time anyway, but I could be wrong.  If NYC were a state, Wallace would win it big time, but I'm guessing the upstate part of it would've balanced it out enough that Garner still would've won. 

[Peter the Lefty]

1937: With unemployment rising and more and more deaths occurring as a result of starvation, the Socialists appear to have bright prospects in the midterm elections.  Fiorello La Guardia, a former Republican and member of the "Progressive" faction of the party, is elected mayor of New York City on the Socialist ticket.  Garner suddenly begins to turn left, partially reversing his corporate and top-rate income tax cuts.  He also abruptly announces a number of new public works projects.  It is widely seen as a bad attempt at gaining political points.  
1938: In the midterm elections, the SPA scores a fantastic victory across the board.  They are especially strong in the Northeastern cities (with the exceptions of the ones in Vermont and New Hampshire), the rural Progressive midwestern states, the Northwest and in the major cities of California.  They become the largest faction in the House of Representatives, earning a total of 192 seats, compared to 165 for the Democrats, and 78 for the Republicans.  They also become a significant senate faction in the Senate with 21 seats.  Socialist candidate Upton Sinclair is elected Governor of California in his third bid for the office.  In addition, the Socialist Charles Solomon is narrowly elected Governor of New York against Republican incumbent (and former Democrat) Herbert Lehman, who refused to join the Progressives and then the Socialists due to their mistrust of big banks, such as his own.  Philip La Follette, who has joined the Socialists, is re-elected as Governor of Wisconsin.  Norman Thomas is elected as a Senator for New York as well.  In the new Congress, the Socialists manage to work with a number of left-leaning Republicans to pass labor legislation, civil rights bills, and agriculture programs (having to compromise in many areas), but some of this is vetoed by Garner.  However, he does sign a bill that creates a small agriculture subsidy program and some big business regulations.  His slight left turn continues to be seen by many as an attempt to make it possible for Smith to be elected in 1940, though it appears to be to no avail.  

[Peter the Lefty]

      September-October 1939: Former Iowa Governor and 1936 nominee Henry A. Wallace and New York Senator Norman Thomas both announce their candidacies for the Socialist nomination for President.  Surprising many, Vice-President Smith announces that he will not contest the presidency in 1940.  
      "To be frank, I've had enough of politics in my life.  It's been a pleasure to serve as Vice-President, but it's the last office I'll ever hold.  I know that we Democrats have a strong field of potential candidates for President next year, and I am sure that we will pick the right one, and that whoever he is, he'll be in the White House in a little over a year from now."
      North Dakota Senator Gerald Nye announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination, as does Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey.  Wall Street industrialist Wendell Wilkie, a former Democrat, also announces his candidacy.  All three campaign as "non-radical progressives."
      Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenburg is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy, while conservative Senate icon Robert Taft remains silent, privately believing it to be unwise to run in an election which seems unwinnable for a Democrat.  Senator Richard Russel also announces his candidacy.  Virginia Senator Robert Byrd also declares his candidacy, appearing to be the most moderate of the four candidates, he openly criticizes some of Garner's measures, though he praises his recent turnarounds.  Many Democrats perceive Bird as the only one with even a snowball's chance in hell.  

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

How did Vandenberg and Taft become Democrats? Even if Republicans were heading off in a progressive direction, they still wouldn't up and switch parties.

[Peter the Lefty]

November 1939: As the Socialist primary heats up, Wallace and Thomas make their positions known yet again.  Wallace favors the state setting up co-operatives (and nationalization of large utilities) which will employ workers until they abandon big businesses, while Thomas favors nationalization of all industries.  Wallace also wants to prepare the US for war should it come to that, while the pacifist Thomas opposes any involvement in the newly-begun war in Europe (or Asia).  Due to the urgency of the Depression, the general belief of the American public is on the side of Thomas, and that achieving social and economic justice at home is more important than a war in Europe.  While few in the Socialist rank-and-file are bothered by it themselves, many fear that recent revelations about Wallace's New Age spiritual beliefs may Play into the hands of the Democratic and Republican candidates.  In addition, some now feel that the nation has now been radicalized enough that either Wallace or Thomas could win, and that therefore it'd be safe to opt for Thomas.  While many believe that California governor Upton Sinclair, Wisconsin Governor Phillip La Follette, or New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia, but none jump in.  
December 4th, 1939: A key figure from the right-wing "Old Guard" of the pre-1936 Socialist Party, Louis Waldman, endorses Wallace, saying he wants a "socialism that can win." However, many perceive the move as an attempt at revenge against Thomas, who, by allying with the "Militants" at the 1934 SPA convention in Detroit, ended the Old Guard's long-standing dominance of the party, and the endorsement has a neutral-to-negative effect on Wallace's chances.  

[Peter the Lefty]

How did Vandenberg and Taft become Democrats? Even if Republicans were heading off in a progressive direction, they still wouldn't up and switch parties.

Well, given that Wallace switched parties in OTL, I think that they would have switched because of the rapidly changing nature of the two main parties. 

[Peter the Lefty]

Early 1940: Thomas manages to unite with anti-war Socialists in the "Progressive" faction that joined the party in 1936, now commonly referred to as the "36ers." Wisconsin Governor Phillip La Follette, for example, endorses him resoundingly in spite of preferring Wallace in 1936.  This proves to be decisive, giving Thomas's campaign not only a key 36er component, but also a key mid-Western component, which he desperately needs when facing an Iowan.  And it is perceived as heartfelt and sincere, whereas Waldman's endorsement of Wallace is perceived as having been made out of bitterness and a desire for factional revenge.  Thomas wins nearly every major primary and caucus (except for Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, California, Vermont, and New Hampshire), even though many are by narrow margins.  He clinches the nomination soon afterward.  La Follette appears to be the likely running-mate, and it is well known that Thomas wants to give him the spot.  However, it is clear that such a move would alienate the pro-war factions of the party.  Some suggest La Guardia, but having only been mayor of New York City for less than three years, he would need more experience.  It soon becomes clear that there is only one "pro-war" 36er with the name recognition, the charisma, and popular appeal to be Thomas's running mate: Henry A. Wallace.  While it appears bizarre to name a former nominee as a running mate, it also appears to be the only option to keep the SPA's fragile coalition together.  So Thomas is named the Socialist nominee for President, and Wallace is named the nominee for Vice-President.  At the convention, Milwaukee mayor  Daniel Hoan makes a passionate plea for pan-factional unity and comradery among the party's members. 
"We are so close.  We have waited so long for the moment at which we can achieve a revolution at the ballot box and make Socialism a reality in this country.  Through the blood, sweat, and tears of Eugene V. Debs, Morris Hilquit, Samuel Gompers, and our allies, Robert La Follette, Floyd B. Olson, and Hiram Johnson, and so many others, and so much of our own, we have managed to get to a point where we have a Socialist administration can become a reality in the United States!  WE MUST NOT allow it all to go to waste because of petty factional wars! WE MUST NOT throw all of their hard work to waste!"
The convention unites and Thomas and Wallace are both applauded after their speeches.  The convention ends very united. 

[Peter the Lefty]

Now for the Democrats:
Byrd wins massive victories in almost every state, due to massive anger at President Garner's administration.  Taft and Russell win only in their home states.  By early April, it is clear that Byrd will be the Democratic nominee.  At the convention, he is chosen overwhelmingly, and he chooses the even-more-left-leaning businessman-turned-diplomat William Averell Harriman as his running mate.  

Republicans:
Nye's anti-big business tirades make him popular among the Republican grassroots, but cause many in the middle-class to consider him too left-wing and socialistic.  He wins in the Midwestern primaries/caucuses, but Dewey gains the upper hand virtually everywhere else.  Wilkie's Wall Street background fatally handicaps his campaign throughout.  Dewey takes the nomination, promising the "sanity, competence, and level-headed-ness that has made this party great in the past and will again this year." He chooses Washington Governor Clarence D. Martin as his running-mate.  

[RogueBeaver]

Great TL, keep it coming Peter!

[Peter the Lefty]

Great TL, keep it coming Peter!

Thanks! 

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Good tl, but awful matchup. Socialist, Liberal, and Dixiecrat. Willkie or Taft were probably the only reasonable choices.

[Peter the Lefty]

      November 5, 1940: New York Senator Norman Thomas is elected the first Socialist President of the United States, with 45% of the vote.  Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, the Democratic nominee, comes in a very distant second place with only 27%, just a sliver ahead of the Republican nominee, Manhattan district attorney Thomas E. Dewey's 25%.  In the electoral college, Thomas wins 307 votes.  Byrd takes 180, while Dewey takes 44 (all thanks largely to strong regional variation between the candidates).  

Snippet from Thomas's speech:
"Ladies and gentlemen, comrades, and fellow citizens,
      Today, we have made history!  The American people have chosen to take the path which we so desperately must take, and I will be honored to be carrying out the tasks of this journey for our nation as the first Socialist to achieve the office of President of the United States!
      Before anything else, it is incumbent upon me to thank my wonderful wife Violet for her support.  She is the source of so much of my energy, and so much of my resolve, and I cannot thank her sufficiently.  I must also thank all six of my children for their incredible support.  I am so proud of each of them, and it is also my hope for them that has motivated me throughout the years!
      Of course, I am also obliged by morality to thank all those, dead and alive, on whose shoulders the Socialist Party and I now stand.  Mr. Eugene V. Debs is no longer with us.  But I know that somewhere, he is watching, and without his work, the Socialist Party would be nothing, so I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his blood, sweat, and tears, and his hand in making this historic day a reality.  Morris Hillquit, whose leadership kept the party from destruction after Debs left us, is also no longer with us, but he also deserves our heartfelt thanks.  To those who weren't members of the Socialist Party in the days of Hillquit and Debs, but have fought for the same principles throughout the years and their forerunners, Robert La Follette, Burton Wheeler, and so many others, I thank them wholeheartedly, as all as everyone who brought their movement into our party and gave us the lifeblood to make this day possible!  And my running mate, my partner in the mission of our shared vision, Governor Wallace, has fought with every ounce of his energy to bring a socialist revolution at the ballot box a reality, and has worked every step of the way since the convention to help me, and I thank him sincerely for that!  And I know that I will be able to rely on him at every moment as my Vice-President!
      We have fought long and hard for this day.  So many have had to give up so much of what little they had to bring democratic socialism to this country.  So many have died, given dinner table money, and worked tirelessly, to bring us to this point.  I want to tell them now that I do not take their trust lightly, and I vow to them that their sacrifices have not been in vein.  I know that salvation will not come easily, but I promise, to the worker, struggling to earn a living for his family, the farmer, struggling to sell enough food to survive, the child, with so much potential so easily lost through the lack of an education, the person of color, subjected to discrimination and humiliation daily because of his the color of his skin, and the woman, who in spite of having the vote, still struggles to be heard, and to have the opportunities of a man, that their hopes for a better future, for equality, for better democracy, for peace, for social and economic justice, and a fair future for all, will come true!  
Thank you, may God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America!"

The Socialists also make massive gains in Congress, taking 202 seats in the House (compared to 149 for the Democrats and 84 for the Republicans,) and 41 seats in the Senate (compared to 32 for the Democrats and 27 for the Republicans.)  

[Peter the Lefty]

Oh and yeah, the Democrats have changed their color to yellow by this point. 

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Ah, nevermind my complaint. I'd assumed the GOP nominated Nye. Eh, my new complaint about the GOP nominee would be that he's too inexperienced. But interesting. Wonder how this affects WWII. Was Thomas isolationist?

[Peter the Lefty]

Ah, nevermind my complaint. I'd assumed the GOP nominated Nye. Eh, my new complaint about the GOP nominee would be that he's too inexperienced. But interesting. Wonder how this affects WWII. Was Thomas isolationist?

He was at first, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor he supported the war.  He did oppose the use of the atomic bombs, though. 

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Ah, nevermind my complaint. I'd assumed the GOP nominated Nye. Eh, my new complaint about the GOP nominee would be that he's too inexperienced. But interesting. Wonder how this affects WWII. Was Thomas isolationist?

He was at first, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor he supported the war.  He did oppose the use of the atomic bombs, though.  

So I'm guessing no Lend-Lease or Arsenal of Democracy type programs? (I think Cactus Jack was also an isolationist) Assuming that Thomas doesn't refuse to sell certain metals to the Japanese, there may be no U.S. entry into WWII at all!

EDIT: Or at least until after Hitler crushes Europe.

[Peter the Lefty]

Ah, nevermind my complaint. I'd assumed the GOP nominated Nye. Eh, my new complaint about the GOP nominee would be that he's too inexperienced. But interesting. Wonder how this affects WWII. Was Thomas isolationist?

He was at first, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor he supported the war.  He did oppose the use of the atomic bombs, though.  

So I'm guessing no Lend-Lease or Arsenal of Democracy type programs? (I think Cactus Jack was also an isolationist) Assuming that Thomas doesn't refuse to sell certain metals to the Japanese, there may be no U.S. entry into WWII at all!

EDIT: Or at least until after Hitler crushes Europe.

There will be.  Thomas wanted no connection economically with any of the big powers of the war, seeing them as threatening to drag us in. 

[Peter the Lefty]

Immediately, members of the so-called "Militant" faction of the SPA begin to propose radical economist Scott Nearing for the position of Treasury Secretary.  Every other section of the party opposes the idea of him in that position, quite vocally.  It also becomes clear that the Senate, in which the Socialists hold 41 seats, will not approve him (many Socialist Senators even threaten not to vote for him.  His advocacy of simple living causes him to be ridiculed as eccentric.  A newspaper cartoon shows Wallace laughing with Thomas, saying, "And people thought I'dbe the oddest person in your administration!" The militants, however, do not let up or halt their aggressive pro-Nearing campaign.  Thomas is forced to disavow his former allies against the Old Guard faction and instead nominates the young but rising socialist economist Abba P. Lerner.  Being both Keynesian and genuinely Socialist, he is liked by the main factions of his party, but at first still appears likely to be rejected by the Senate.  Thomas then reveals to the press that his second choice is Maynard C. Krueger, a radical economics professor who has advocated arming the working class.  It is seen as a threat to the Senate that blocking Lerner will lead to gridlock.  Some Republican Senators then agree to abstain, and 11 agree to vote for him.  

[Peter the Lefty]

California Senator (and former Governor) Hiram Johnson is nominated for Secretary of State.  His confirmation appears to be a given, due to his appeal among left-leaning Republicans.  
      Wisconsin Senator Phillip La Follette is nominated for Secretary of War.  His nomination appears to be less certain, but after Johnson half-jokingly proposes after Jesse Wallace Hughan as an alternative in a newspaper interview, many of the more liberal Republicans agree to back La Follette.  
      New York Attorney General Jacob Panken is nominated for federal Attorney General.  Many Liberal Republican Senators are well aware that while they would have chosen someone else, opposing him would be pointless.  
      Louis Waldman is nominated for Postmaster General.  The move is widely seen as an olive branch extended by Thomas.  Knowing his pragmatic social democratic roots Democrats and Republicans realize he is their best offer, and he appears likely to be confirmed.  
      Recommended to Thomas by Johnson, the little-known Chicago politician (and 36er) Harold Ickes is nominated for Secretary of the Interior.  As fellow former Republican, his path through confirmation appears to be as smooth as Johnson's.
      Farm leader and activist George A. Nelson is nominated to be Secretary of Agriculture.  His nomination appears uncertain, but by this point, most Republicans appear to believe that obstruction of the process will only lead to gridlock.  
      Harry Hopkins is nominated for Secretary of Commerce.  Being a 36er and very moderate, he appears to be among the likeliest to be confirmed.  
      Initially, the position of Secretary of Labor appears to be likely to go to Arturo Giovanitti, Max Hayes, or Walter Reuther, Thomas nominates the 36er Frances Perkins, believing that it is time for a female cabinet member.  Knowing that Thomas may propose Charles Zimmerman in the event of her rejection, the majority of Republicans agree to vote for her.  

      January 17, 1921: President Garner gives his farewell address, which soon becomes infamous.  
"My fellow Americans,
       8 years and 40 days ago today, you elected me as your President.  I was the first man from Texas to be elected to the highest office.  I promised you, when I took office, that I would alleviate the pain of this crisis.  I was clear about my belief that my methods would take a considerable amount of time to bear fruit.  But I was also clear that I believed that they would deliver prosperity, that they would create a better quality of life, and give this country an economy as great as its people.  And I promised you that I would not fail you.  
      I was blinded by ideology, by conviction, and indifferent to practicality and evidence of failure of my methods when put into practice.  I was convinced that the continued downturns of our economy were merely a case of things getting worse before they got better.  That the pain would give way to prosperity within a short time.  
      Nothing that I said would become reality.  I have not successfully made good on any of the promises I made to you 8 years ago, or four years ago.  I have not alleviated the pain of this crisis.  My methods have not delivered prosperity, nor have they created a better quality of life.  And this country does not have an economy that is worthy of any comparison to the greatness of our people.  
      And most tragically of all, I have failed you.  I have failed to deliver prosperity.  I have failed because for too long, I was too concerned with lending a hand to those who I believed had the most wealth to offer everyone else.  To those who I believed could deliver jobs to the jobless, food to the starved, and houses to the homeless.  I failed to realize that it was the people who had no wealth to offer who needed it most.  And by the time I did, my measures were not strong enough.  
      I have failed you.  It need not be put in less simple terms than that.  I have failed you.  I ask not for forgiveness.  But I do apologize with all of my heart for every person that died or suffered because of my inability to see the failure of my ideology when put into practice.  
      I wish my successor, the President-elect, all the best of luck in accomplishing the feats at which I so marvelously failed.  And I ask him not to make the same fatal mistake which I did.  That mistake which I ask him to avoid is not, to give the relief to those who need it least, which I know he will not do, but to ignore the failure of the ideology to which he is committed when put into practice, should it fail.  Once again, I wish him the best of luck, and I pray for the betterment of the collective quality of the lives of this nation's great people.  We are a young country which has accomplished much in our short life so far, and I know that we can accomplish far more through unity, through hard work, and strong moral values.  
      Thank you,
      May God bless you,
      And may God bless the United States of America."

[Peter the Lefty]

      Surprisingly, Garner goes down in history in a manor not unlike Carter did in RL: as a far better human being than he was a President.  The nation begins to feel an odd sorrow for him after his farewell address, and Thomas removes many of the repudiations of Garner that had been in his inaugural speech before he gives it.  
      January 20, 1941: President Thomas takes office, as does Vice-President Wallace.  
A small excerpt from Thomas's inaugural speech:
      "Friends, we have no reason to say that this crisis cannot be ended.  We have no reason to say that we cannot overcome the crisis which is the trademark of capitalism.  We can stand in solidarity, in unity, to create a democratic and socialist paradise in which every man and woman can live up to their God-given potential, regardless of class-background, gender, or color.  We cancreate a society in which we can all prosper as people.  In which the people control the economy, rather than a select few.  We can build a more democratic political system.  We can rebuild this country on the same values upon which it was founded, so that everyone can have life, without fear of starving to death; where everyone can have liberty, and not be bound to the will of a select fortunate few; in which everyone can pursue happiness without being hampered by poverty."

Initial cabinet of President Thomas:
Secretary of State: Hiram Johnson
Secretary of the Treasury: Abba P. Lerner
Secretary of War: Phillip La Follette.  
Attorney General: Jacob Panken
Postmaster General: Louis Waldman
Secretary of the Navy: Matthew M. Neely
Secretary of the Interior: Harold Ickes
Secretary of Agriculture: George A. Nelson
Secretary of Commerce: Harry Hopkins
Secretary of Labor: Frances Perkins
Secretary to the President: Harry Laidler

[Peter the Lefty]

      January 21: President Thomas enacts an executive order that reduces the annual Presidential salary from $75,000 to just $9,500.  The salaries of the Vice-President and the cabinet are also reduced to $9,500 per year.  He also enacts an executive order ending all government sales of airplanes, parts, machine tools, and aviation gasoline to Japan on humanitarian and isolationist grounds.  He had privately hoped to end all oil exports to Japan as well, but it was revealed that he was talked out of it at the last minute by La Follette, who convinced him that such a move would be equivalent to a declaration of war in the eyes of the Japanese.  
      January 28th: Representative Charles Zimmerman's Public Banking Act, which would have brought the Federal Reserve and all Wall Street banks under federal control is defeated narrowly in the House.  However, Congress does pass the Congressional Salaries Reductions Act, proposed by President Thomas, which reduces Congressional salaries to $9,500 per year. 

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I can't believe I have missed this so far! This is good, and it is really interesting (and somewhat scary) to see a true Socialist in the Oval Office.

[Peter the Lefty]

I can't believe I have missed this so far! This is good, and it is really interesting (and somewhat scary) to see a true Socialist in the Oval Office.

Thank you!  I'm scared of the idea of Thomas in the White House too, not because he was a socialist, but because of his outright pacifism and his inability to stand up to the communists in the SPA.  I'd actually have preferred to see Wallace as President, but I have a feeling that it would've worked out this way.  The reason why Thomas ends up being a failure is because of his inability to take drastic measures to end the war with Japan. 

[Peter the Lefty]

      The rest of Thomas's First Hundred Days: Thomas passes a modified version of the Glass-Steagal Act of 1933, which had been vetoed by Garner.  He also passes another bill which holds all banks on Wall Street accountable to other regulations, including limitations on interest rates of loans.  A bill which he proposes to Congress which would nationalize US Steel is defeated in the House.  Thomas then realizes that he cannot push what he sees as socialism (public control of the means of production).  So, he decides to focus on temporary relief measures to alleviate the situation for the time being, with his eyes mainly on winning majorities in both houses of Congress in the 1942 midterms.  A list of the things done by the bills that he signs in the remainder of his first hundred days:

*The creation of the Social Security system, far more extensive than in OTL.  
*The imposition of a minimum wage of $0.60 per hour (having compromised with Republicans after he failed to get them on board with $.80 per hour)
*The creation of a Public Electricity Corporation, which provides power to the whole country.  
*The creation of the Conservation of Lands Program, known as COLP, which employs people on conservation projects, primarily in the West.  
*The creation of a Public Health Corporation, which provides a free health service to all in need of it.  It is a single-taxpayer system.  
*The reorganization of the cabinet, so that the Department of War is renamed the "Department of Self-Defense," and so that the Department of the Navy is merged into the Department of Self-Defense.  
*The creation of the Department of Health Services
*The creation of the Department of Social Welfare
*The creation of the Department of Education
*The creation of the Department of Transportation
*The creation of the Public Works Administration
*The creation of the Construction Works Administration (overseeing larger projects)
*New labor protections
*The creation of the American Housing Authority
*The establishment of rent controls
*The creation of the Co-operative Assistance Program, which gives financial assistance to newly-founded co-operatives
Thomas also proposes a ban on all segregation, and the bill passes the House, but is narrowly voted down in the Senate.  

[Peter the Lefty]

For the new cabinet positions:

John Dewey is the first one to be offered the post of Secretary of Education, but being 81, he declines.  The Educational director at the Rand School of Science, Algernon Lee, is then offered the post.  He is confirmed by the Senate.  

Due to his health care activism, Harry Hopkins is offered the position of Secretary of Health.  He resigns as Secretary of Commerce to accept the position.  He is confirmed by the Senate without any trouble.  Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney of Wyoming is then nominated and confirmed as the new Secretary of Commerce.  

Economist and welfare advocate Edwin E. Witte is nominated for Secretary of Social Welfare, and is confirmed by the Senate.  

Milwaukee mayor Daniel Hoan is nominated for Secretary of Transportation, thanks to his extensive work on the issue in his city.  The Senate also confirms him.  

The new cabinet:
Secretary of State: Hiram Johnson
Secretary of the Treasury: Abba P. Lerner
Secretary of Self-Defense: Phillip La Follette
Attorney General: Jacob Panken
Postmaster General: Louis Waldman
Secretary of Health Services: Harry Hopkins
Secretary of Education: Algernon Lee
Secretary of the Interior: Harold Ickes
Secretary of Agriculture: George A. Nelson
Secretary of Social Welfare: Edwin E. Witte
Secretary of Commerce: Joseph C. O'Mahoney
Secretary of Labor: Frances Perkins
Secretary of Transportation: Daniel Hoan
Secretary to the President: Harry W. Laidler