The best meaning for the phrase "the withered leaves" is the abandoned buildings.
Franklin Roosevelt spoke of how the U.S. was not doing well economically and how many economic sectors had experienced losses.
He spoke of how industries have been so hard hit that their withered leaves can be seen everywhere which is a reference to the abandoned factories that no longer produce goods.
Find out more on Franklin Roosevelt at https://brainly.com/question/11972529.
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