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JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
fell
TELEPHONE CHERRY 2-8252
November 14, 1956
Mr. Robert L. King
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
As you mentioned in one of your letters in connection
with explaining your delay in responding, "We are sometimes
prone to take advantage of our friends.
"
It is not my intention to take advantage of our friend-
ship, but I would like to urge again that you lend as much
help as you possibly can in my direction in connection with
the forthcoming appointment to the National Labor Relations
Board. I feel somewhat frustrated in that, at this stage
of the game, I'm at something of a loss to know just what
should be done.
Letters of recommendation and endorsement from all the
top Republican leaders of this state have been sent to Hall,
Adams and Mitchell. Excellent letters of recommendation have
been written by former employers. Along with a good many
others, I've worked diligently to deliver the voters of this
state to the proper party, and the work was successful. I
guess I'll just have to hold still and see what happens in
the next few weeks.
Bob, I know that you have many things of much greater
importance to you on your mind, so don't bother to answer this
note, unless you have some specific suggestion as to something
that I should do. However, without visiting with you personally,
I doubt if I could adequately express the importance to me
of this appointment at this time. Both my family and I will
be forever grateful for any assistance you render.
Sincerely yours,
James T. Rasbury
JTR:1g
RN
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
file
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE 2-6610
Bu
July 26, 1956
Mr. Robert L. King
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
I have just come back from having lunch with Ken Gray,
a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Ken was
our party candidate for the office of Lt. Governor of the
State of Oklahoma in 1954 and in my opinion probably the
most influential single individual in Republican circles in
our state. He is a relatively young fellow who along with
a few friends has personally pulled our 1st Congressional
District into shape SO that it is consistently Republican.
The impact of our 1st District vote is felt throughout the
entire state and its solid strength was tremendously im-
portant in carrying the state for Eisenhower and Nixon in
1952.
Ken and I are very close friends and you may rest as-
sured that only the most outspoken opposition to Nixon by
our President, or the withdrawal by Nixon himself, will
cause the Oklahoma delegation to deviate from all out sup-
port for an Eisenhower-Nixon ticket in 1956.
Last week--just before the Stassen faux pas--Bailie
Vinson, our National Committeemen, had a number of us to
lunch for the purpose of discussing political strategy for
this fall and in particular the campaign of Douglas Mc-
Keever, our Senatorial candidate, against Mike Monroney. At
that meeting the sentiment expressed was that it is a fore-
gone conclusion that the ticket will be Eisenhower and Nixon
with harmony in all quarters.
The only party opposition I have ever heard voiced
against Nixon is his tendency to function through groups and
organizations outside the Republican Party. If this is true
it is probably due to a carry over from good California
politics where their laws permit a candidate to be nominated
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
on either or both of the major party tickets. It may be well
to keep in mind that our party has individuals that are just
as rabid in their feelings as members of the opposition party
can be; and therefore feel that nothing is any good unless it
comes out of the official Republican Party organization.
Tell your boss to stop worrying about 1956 and lets start
building and planning for an organization in 1960 that will
put him in the White House.
Sincerely,
Jon Rasbury
JTR:sc
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE 2-6610
July 9, 1956
Gill
w
Mr. Robert L. King,
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
Thanks very kindly for your letter of June 26th, at
which time you indicated that, in spite of the fact that
you had been somewhat delayed in responding to my earlier
letters, you nevertheless were doing whatever you could
to help my cause.
As of this date, I know that Mr. Charles White of the
Republic Steel Corporation and Mr. Charles Hook, Chairman
of Armco Steel Corporation, have endeavored to assist my
cause by contacting Mr. Sherman Adams at the Whitehouse.
Unfortunately, the steel strike has occurred most untimely
and has probably prevented their giving the attention to
my problem which they might otherwise have done.
I also know that our Congressman Page Belcher is very
much interested in assisting me and has discussed my
availability for an appointment as a member of the National
Labor Relations Board with our Secretary of Labor, Mr.
James Mitchell. I have also had Mr. C. H. Wright, Chairman
of the Board of the Sunray-D-X Oil Corporation, by whom I
was once employed, write a very favorable letter to
Mr. Mitchell. Mr. William Morris, President of the Sinclair
Pipe Line Company, is likewise a good friend and former
employer, who has written a very favorable letter to
Mr. Mitchell. All of the usual and required letters of
endorsement, insofar as the State Republican organization
is concerned, have been written.
At the present time, I'm more or less just waiting for
developments. If you should learn the "direction the wind is
blowing" or know of any key personnel in Washington or else-
where that might have a vital voice in making the recommendation
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Mr. Robert L. King
July 9, 1956
Page 2
to the President, I would sincerely appreciate hearing from
you so that he might likewise be contacted.
My sincerest appreciation for all your efforts and my
warm personal regards to both you and your family.
Sincerely yours,
JTR:1g
Jim Rasbury
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
RAS
COPY
June 26, 1956
Mr James T. Rasbury
Oil Capital Building
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Rasbury,
Dear Jim:
Your letters of May 1 and 28 certainly did not go unnoticed,
nor did they fail to receive the attention they deserved.
We are sometimes prone to take advantage of our friends and
Incoming
I plead guilty in this instance. The last several weeks have found me
completely occupied with the President's Conference on Fitness of
American Youth, which was held at Annapolis on Monday and Tuesday
of last week, but I do want to assure you that everything I can do has
been done in connection with the subject of your letters.
James T. June 26, M 1956
As you undoubtedly realize, the "Boss" is not in a position
to take direct action in such matters, but I have seen to it that word
about you has reached some of the right people.
Should you be coming here either on this business or any other,
RLK:bjp
I surely hope you will give me a ring to see if we can arrange to get
together. In the meantime, you might let me know just what the current
status is. If you have any other suggestions, please send them along
and I am sure you know I will do what I can.
With all best wishes,
Sincerely,
Robert L. King
Assistant to the Vice President
RLK:bjp
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE 2-6610
May 28, 1956
Mr. Robert L. King,
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
I sincerely trust that I am not unnecessarily and without
justification imposing on you in asking your assistance in my
own personal campaign. However, we are pulling out all stops
in an effort to obtain an appointment as a member of the National
Labor Relations Board, and if either you or Vice President
Nixon can and will aid me in any way, it will be sincerely
appreciated.
All of the normal and routine Party endorsements have
been placed with Mr. Leonard W. Hall, our National Chairman,
and I know that our one and only Republican Congressman from
Oklahoma is making his very best effort.
Mr. Belcher advised by letter dated May 23 that in his
opinion our Secretary of Labor, Mr. Mitchell, will probably
be the key man in recommending the individual to be named
by President Eisenhower. Anything which your office can do
by way of getting Mr. Mitchell to give my application considera-
tion will, I know, be extremely beneficial.
Sincerely yours,
James T. Rasbury
JTR:1g
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE 2-6610
May 1, 1956
Mr. Robert L. King
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter from me to Mr.
Charles White, Executive President of the U. S. Republic Steel
Corporation. Mr. White recently visited Tulsa; and, in the
course of his talk to a group of Republican leaders, he
indicated his strong feelings with regard to the influence
the labor unions are exercising in this country.
For sometime now, I have given considerable thought to
launching a serious campaign for an appointment as a member
of our National Labor Relations Board. Believing that
Mr. White can exercise considerable influence in the selection
of the appointee to be named to the Board in the near future,
I seized upon the occasion of his visit here to start my
campaign.
Bob, I am most seriously interested in obtaining this
appointment and will sincerely appreciate anything and every-
thing which you might be able to do to assist me. Wholehearted
support from Oklahoma Republican Party leaders can be easily
obtained at the desired time. My problem is one of gaining
the attention and consideration of the Party leaders at a
National level.
If you can assist me in any way or have any suggestions
as to how best to proceed in order to secure favorable consid-
eration for this forthcoming appointment to the Board, I would
sincerely appreciate hearing from you.
As ever,
James T. Rasbury
JTR:1g
Enc. 1
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
May 1, 1956
Mr. Charles White, Executive President
U. S. Republic Steel Corporation
Cleveland, Ohio
Dear Mr. White:
As you requested on the occasion of your recent visit
to Tulsa following our brief conversation, I am writing this
letter to remind you of my interest and desire to serve as a
member of the National Labor Relations Board. The term of
office of Mr. Ivar H. Peterson, currently a Board member,
will expire August 27, 1956, and undoubtedly his replacement
will be named some time this late summer.
There is attached to this letter a brief biographical
sketch that reflects my educational training and work exper-
ience, which I feel will indicate to you the adequacy of my
qualifications for such a position as I now seek. The
Republican Party appointees to this Board have made remarkable
improvements in the administration of our Federal labor laws;
however, I feel that in addition to naming someone to this
Board who has some knowledge of the technical or judicial
aspects of what is involved, that our great business men of
this country are entitled to have someone named that has had
the practical experience of dealing directly with labor unions
and their leaders. My background has provided such experience.
I shall not dwell on my work within and for the Republican
Party because this letter is to be forwarded to you by
Mr. Bailie Vinson, our National Committeeman from Oklahoma,
but let it suffice to say that I am a firm believer in our
Party and the principles for which it stands. While I firmly
believe laboring people may be regarded as the bakbone of
our country, we cannot permit labor leaders, through their
own selfish desires and promotion of self-perpetustion, to
destroy that which has made us strong--namely, private business
enterprise.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Mr. Charles White
May 1, 1956
Page 2
My sincerest appreciation for your appearance in Tulsa
to aid us in our fund-raising problems and my deepest thanks
for any assistance you may lend in aiding me to fulfill my
personal desires.
Very truly yours,
James T. Rasbury
JTR:18
Enc. 1
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Card fer
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE 2-6610
File
April 16, 1956
Mr. Robert L. King,
Assistant to the Vice President
Office of the Vice President
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
I wanted to let you know that I received your letter of
January 31st and to repeat my offer of any assistance in this
area.
I had hoped that by this date I could send you some very
encouraging news relative to an overwhelming victory for the
Republican Party in the Tulsa City Election. However, such
is not the case. I don't believe I mentioned in my former letter
that I am City Republican Chairman; and, although an extremely
vigorous campaign was conducted in Tulsa, all of our candidates
were defeated. In trying to analyze the cause, however, there
is very little feeling or belief among either Democrats or
Republicans that our City situation was indicative of a national
trend. Rather it was an anti-vote against a group of fine
candidates who refused to play politics during two years in
office. During their term, they did too many things which
stepped on the toes of numerous small minority groups who,
combined, constituted an overwhelming anti-majority. There
are also those among the local, state and national party leaders
that feel for the first time the laboring vote was strong enough
to influence the outcome. Heretofore, Tulsa has been a rather
cosmopolitan city in which the labor vote as such has not been
appealed to because it represented a rather insignificant
minority.
At the present time, I do not plan to attend the national
convention in San Francisco; although some last minute change
might occur, and conceivably we could go to San Francisco.
This past week our delegates met and endorsed Eisenhower for a
second term. No action was taken so far as Nixon is concerned,
which to me was a personal disappointment. I have talked to
some of the delegates and feel that a majority of them favor
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Mr. Robert L. King
April 16, 1956
Page 2
Nixon, but preferred to go to the convention uncommitted.
I shall continue to do local spade work on behalf of
Nixon; and, if there are any particular problems which I can
help solve, I sincerely trust you will let me hear from you
at an early date. Our national committeeman, Mr. Bailie Vinson,
is a good friend with whome I have worked closely for the last
four years and who in turn will, in my opinion, exercise consid-
erable influence over the entire delegation. Of course, many of
our national delegates are good personal friends.
Sincerely yours,
James T. Rasbury
JTR:1g
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Rasbury,
James
selk-
January 31, 1956
Dear Jim:
You might suspect that I'm trying to "pay you back"
in kind by not answering long ere now your good letter of November 18.
It almost makes me blush to look at the date, but sometime I would
like you to sit at my elbow during what might be mildly called at
times this "frantic fracas"!
Seriously though, I certainly did appreciate your good
letter and I hope you didn't believe all the propaganda that was printed
in that article in the Grapevine. I agree with you that it hardly seems
possible that twelve years have gone by since you and Black Jack"
had Thanksgiving Dinner with us.
It's been a couple of years since I was out in the City
with the Golden Gate but it still is the object of our affections and
someday we hope to get back that way.
Bob Ladd is a real fine guy but for the past several
months he has been with the Citizens Committee for the Hoover
Report. I expect to see him before too long and will certainly pass
along your best.
There isn't much I can report from the standpoint of
my own activities other than the fact that a whole year has gone by
now since I grabbed hold of this particular "brass ring". It's a mighty
interesting spot and I couldn't be working for a better guy. Nobody knows
right now what the next few weeks will bring but it may well be that I
will take advantage of your offer to be helpful and if I do, I know you'll
be there.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
II
Many thanks Jim, for your letter and the time that
has elapsed since it was received has only served to make me more
appreciative of your thoughtfulness for picking up your pen and writing.
I hope something will bring you back this way and if it should, I will
surely expect a call.
All the best,
Sincerely,
Robert L. King
Assistant to the Vice President
Mr. James T. Rasbury
Oil Capital Building
Tulsa, Oklahoma
RLK:1mk
PERSONAL
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
JAMES T. RASBURY
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OIL CAPITAL BUILDING
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
TELEPHONE CHERRY 2-8252
November 18, 1955
Mr. Robert L. King
Chief Administrative Assistant
Vice-President's Office
Capital Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Bob:
I've postponed writing this note for so long, I'm
almost ashamed to do SO at this late date. My very
warmest congratulations to you in your new administrative
spot with the Government and Dick Nixon. I wanted to
write this note immediately after reading the February issue
of the Grapevine, but intentionally waited until the first
rush of mail had subsided.
It doesn't seem possible that nearly twelve years have
gone by since Black Jack Norris and I--the bachelors of
the S. F. office--had Thanksgiving Day Dinner with you
and Gretchen, and little Bob was the newly-acquired center
of attention. The picture of Gretchen and all four
children in the Grapevine certainly was a fine picture of
a grand family. Gretchen looked pretty as a picture,
as she always did, and I'm sure your life since the
Bureau days has been a happy one.
As far as I know, Jack Norris is still working out
of the San Francisco office. One of our Tulsa ex-agents,
who worked in San Francisco until 1952, says Jack is generally
known as the Mayor of Mortinez and is still the most
independent, carefree agent in the office. He's married
now and has at least one little girl. But all this you
probably know as Jack was always a good one to write. Being
a poor correspondent myself, our mail exchange has dwindled
to Christmas cards.
At the moment, I'm involved in the general practice
of law after spending several years with oil companies in
the field of labor law and industrial relations. We have
a fine active chapter of ex-agents in Tulsa and just last
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Page 2
Mr. Robert L. King
November 18, 1955
night had dinner together and rehashed old times as two
of the group reported on the Detroit Convention.
Best wishes again, Bob, for continued success in your
Washington career. If Bob Ladd is still on Nixon's staff,
tell him "hello" for me. He was a neighbor of mine when
he lived in Tulsa.
Kindest regards to Gretchen and all the family. If
the opportunity to be helpful to you, Nixon, or the Republi-
can party should ever present itself, I hope you'll realize
you have a loyal friend and supporter in Tulsa.
Sincerely,
Jim James T. Rasbury
JTR:1g
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
Jell
be
THE
lace
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA -- JAMES T. RASBURY
surcessing
Born: Dallas, Texas, January 21, 1915
Graduated: Michigan State Normal, A.B. Degree, 1936
Taught High School in Decatur, Michigan, 1936-1938
Taught High School in Tokyo, Japan, 1938-1939
Attended Northwestern University, Summer of 1937
Attended Michigan University, Summer of 1938, doing graduate
work toward a Masters Degree in Education
Toured China, Siberia, Russia, and European Countries,
Summer of 1939
Entered University of Oklahoma Law School in Fall of 1939
After completing two years in Law School, received an
appointment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Department of Justice, and remained until June, 1944
Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June, 1944
Honorable Discharge as First Lieutenant, August, 1946
Returned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a
Special agent and worked in the Washington, D. C.
Field Office while completing Law Degree at the
George washington University
LLB Degree received February 22, 1947
Admitted to practice before the courts in the District of
Columbia
Employed as Director of Industrial Relations of the western
Petroleum Refiners Association, March, 1947, to April, 1948
Employed as Director of Industrial Relations for the Sunray
Oil Corporation, April, 1948, to March, 1949.
Employed as Director of Industrial Relations for Sinclair
Pipeline Company, March, 1949 to September, 1951.
Employed as Director of Employee Relations for Deep Rock Oil
Corporation, September, 1951 to date.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 6, 1953
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Robert D. Ladd
Office of the Vice President
Thank you for your memorandum of
June twenty-fifth with the enclosed background
data on James T. Rasbury. We are referring it
on to the proper government officials, and Mr.
Rasbury will be given every consideration, I
am sure.
Charlie
Charles F. Willis, Mr.
Special Assistant
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
COPY
June 25, 1953
Memorandum
To:
Charles Willis
From:
Robert D. Ladd
Subject: James T. Rasbury
Attached is background information on James
T. Rasbury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is qualified
for a position with the National Labor Relations
Board. He might be considered for General Counsel
of the Board or for Regional Director in the Fort
Worth area. I understand that this area is very
badly managed at this point.
I know Jim personally and in addition, he has
been recommended to the Vice President by several
persons whose judgement he values highly.
The Vice President would like to see Mr.
Rasbury's services utilized.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum