FDR would apply this principle in real life by appointing two rivals that hated each other as cabinet secretary and the undersecretary. This arrangement let FDR arbitrate every important decision because number one and number two at some alphabet agency couldn’t agree on a major issue, enhancing FDR’s control of the federal government. FDR probably learned this while following the path of cousin Teddy and serving as the chronically insubordinate Assistant Secretary of the Navy under Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels in the Wilson Administration.

FDR’s appointment of Wild Bill followed a habit FDR sometimes indulged in of bringing the gentlemen amateurs of his social class into underhanded skullduggery. His curious plan involving one of the Astors, a yacht, and the Japanese fleet is a good example.