During the 1932 Democratic Convention in Chicago , Illinois , the party had decided on two front runners : California Congressman Joe Steele , and ; incumbent Governor of New York Franklin D. Roosevelt . However , after two days of votes , neither candidate has the needed two-thirds majority , although Roosevelt had a slight edge . Realizing he might lose after another day of voting , Steele directed one of his aides Vince " The Hammer " Scriabin to have Roosevelt burned alive at the New York State Executive Mansion in Albany . Steele 's other assistants Lazar Kagan and Stas Mikoian were not privy to the initial planning . However , Charlie Sullivan , by happenstance , overheard Scriabin on the phone giving the order for the arson . Steele never knew this . However , in light of Sullivan 's " fairness " in his reporting , Steele personally met with Sullivan and promised that Sullivan would always have access to Steele 's camp
1932 Democratic Convention
1932 Democratic National Convention
Joe Steele (novel)