Interview with Paul A. Porter, March 19, 1975

Interview Summary

Paul Porter first met Fred Vinson while managing Al Smith's presidential campaign in Clark County, Kentucky. When talking about the spillover defeat of Vinson, he recalls Vinson's view on party loyalty. He mentions Vinson's knowledge of tax law while in Congress. He relates how and when Vinson became director of the Office of Economic Stabilization (OES) and that Vinson wanted Porter to be part of his staff. Porter remembers the dispute over the control of petroleum prices while Vinson headed the OES. Vinson's relationship with Sam Rayburn is discussed in this context. Porter talks about the office monitoring labor's demands for wage increases during this time. He then relates a story told by Senator Alben Barkley at a Vinson dinner in regards to the number of federal jobs Vinson had held. Porter talks about his position in the Agriculture Adjustment Administration and how he worked with Vinson during that time. This discussion leads to Vinson's support of the Burley Tobacco Allotment Program and New Deal legislation in general. Porter discusses Vinson's political philosophy and how he considered Vinson pragmatic. He mentions Vinson's "remarkable" memory and interest in baseball. Vinson's opinion of A. B. "Happy" Chandler is briefly mentioned as is Senator Marvel Logan's interests in Washington. His relationship with James Byrnes is also touched on. Porter talks about the qualities Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted for control and stabilization job appointees, which leads into discussions of Vinson's relationships with Roosevelt and Harry Truman, respectively. Porter goes on to relate how Vinson managed the OES. Porter talks about the process of decontrol after the war and what he feels Vinson's role in the rebuilding of Europe was. He gives his impression of Vinson's appointment to the Supreme Court and Truman's possible influence on Vinson's decisions there. Vinson's view of the role of the Court in society is briefly discussed. This leads into a final discussion on what Porter feels was Vinson's view of civil liberty cases and civil rights cases (McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents).

Interview Keyword

Fred M. Vinson Politics and government United States Government Office of Economic Stabilization Kentucky politicians Supreme Court Chief Justice Harry Truman Franklin D. Roosevelt World War II

Interview LC Subject

Law and legislation World War, 1939-1945 Politicians

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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