A Chicken in Every Pot
Montgomery County, MD

Commentary by Mary Sheppard Burton

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Charles Henning Burton, your Daddy, was always curious. He had to know everything that was happening. One day he had finished selling all his "Saturday Evening Posts", his "Country Gentlemen," and his "Ladies Home Journals," and was on his way to Friendship House in Washington, DC. As he came closer to the Capitol Building, he wondered why there was such a great crowd of people. Onlookers were lined up like a thick wall. There was no way a little boy of twelve years could see over the top of so many heads. What were people watching? Since Charles HAD to know, he climbed way up into the top of a very tall tree. He could see over the heads of all the people.
 
Beautiful cars were lined up on every road around the Capitol. People stood quietly watching a small group of men dressed in pin-striped trousers, morning coats, and top hats. Two other men seemed to be the object of everyone's attention. One, a gentleman in a long black robe, was holding a book. The other held his hand on the book. His right hand was held upright. He was taking an oath of office. Your Daddy had the best seat in the whole Capitol grounds as he watched Herbert Hoover become the 31st President of the United States of America.

People were worried 'bout the well-being of the country. The stock market was shaky at best. When Hoover campaigned he promised everyone he would get our country's finances on solid ground. His most famous promises were, "Prosperity is just around the corner" and "There'll be a chicken in every pot."

"Footsteps on History: Tell Me 'Bout Series"
Family Portraits by Mary Sheppard Burton. Undated

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