Interview with John A. Reed, May 13, 1981

Interview Summary

John Reed begins by discussing his parents' activities in Kentucky. His father, Stanley Reed, was a prominent Democrat in Mason County, and served several times as a delegate or an alternate to the Democratic National Convention. His mother was active in politics as well; in 1928, she was named the Women's Democratic Chairman for Al Smith's campaign, and became friends with Alben Barkley. She also founded Maysville's first Federation of Women's Clubs.

Reed talks about the 1923 election, when his father considered running for Congress, and he shares an anecdote from his grandfather regarding the election. Then he discusses his father's involvement with the Burley Tobacco Cooperative, the Federal Farm Board, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He describes Stanley Reed's work as Solicitor General, and notes his support of Ohio's Governor Cox for president. He also mentions the Gold Clause cases. Other topics discussed in the interview include Stanley Reed's relationships with Jim Stones, Jesse Jones, Charles Hughes, Felix Frankfurter, Hugo Black, Thomas Clark, William Rees, Fred Vinson, Dr. Taylor, and William Douglas. John Reed describes his father's role in (or opinions about) civil rights, New Deal legislation, overruling convictions, and judicial restraint. He ends the interview by talking about his father's retirement and the work he did afterwards.

Interview Keyword

Charles Hughes Harlan Stone Hugo Black James McReynolds Al Smith Alben Barkley Burley Tobacco Cooperative Chief Justice William Rees Colonel Hartfield Columbia Law School Conventions Dr. Reed Dr. Taylor Economic Liberal Fred Vinson Gold Clause Governor Cox Hawaiian Island James Kehoe Jim Elgin Jim Stone John W. Davis. Kentucky Courts of Appeals Law clerk parties Mayflower Hotel New Deal New York City Senator Charles L. McNary Taft School Tobacco Association Tom Clark Vassar College Wall Street Law Firm Walter George Yale College

Interview LC Subject

Judges--United States Reed, John A. Reed, John A.--Interviews United States--Politics and government United States. Supreme Court Reed, Stanley Forman, 1884-1980 Politics Kentucky--Politics and government Democratic Party (Ky.) Families. Politicians' spouses Democratic Party (U.S.) Washington (D.C.) Practice of law. Procedure (Law) United States. Solicitor General. New Deal, 1933-1939. Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.