Roosevelt's Reward

Among the darkest hours in Jack Kennedy's drive for the presidency were those of late April 1960, just before the Democratic primary in West Virginia. In the economically depressed state, the poorboy liberalism of Rival Candidate Hubert Humphrey seemed to be stirring the voters. Kennedy, fearful that Humphrey would beat him, called up a reserve weapon: Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.. whose father was still idolized in West Virginia.

Flashing a familiar grin. Junior addressed audiences as "my friends," made a reminiscent pitch for Jack: ''He hates wah." Roosevelt also insinuated that Humphrey had dodged the draft in World War II (actually, Humphrey was involuntarily classified 4-F because of physical disabilities). Kennedy won the primary--and then Roosevelt publicly apologized to Humphrey.

For such service at a time of need, Roosevelt last week finally got his reward: Kennedy nominated him to become Under Secretary of Commerce. After confirmation by the Senate (where an un-vengeful Humphrey is now Democratic whip), Roosevelt, 48, a former Congressman from New York (1949-54) who is presently a Fiat and Jaguar dealer in Washington, will take the $21,000-a-year post being vacated by Edward Gudeman, who is returning to private business.

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