Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years

Franklin D. Roosevelt: It's not unusual for a father to want to take his eldest son into the family business.

Eleanor Roosevelt: But you're not in business. A President who hires his own son is open to every sort of charge of playing favourites. And they'll make the son's life a hell. He'll be accused of the same thing - of giving favours - and worse, of selling them. Opportunists will woe him and use him and then make a joke of him behind his back.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: I don't see why I should be deprived of the boy's help or the pleasure of having him with me, just because I'm the President.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Is that the only consideration, your pleasure? How very selfish. Have you given any thought of what this would do to Jimmy? All the criticism, the gossip and malice and spite?