Summaries of Telephone Conversations

Washington, D. C. CO SUMMARY September 8, 1945 10:20 AM MAC WRIGHT to HUGH COX. WRIGHT stated that he had a copy of a letter from SYMINGTON which stated in effect that, Standard General Purpose Machine Tools need not go through the formalities of Surplus Properties Act. COX told WRIGHT that this was somewhat true but that the general tools had to satisfy each claimant and that there must be enough. They discuss machine tools and priorities of tools of D.P.C. COX stated that in special cases the D.P.C. considers the case and then asks SYMINGTON for it. WRIGHT stated that he was going to Chicago to look over a plant and talk to clients about machinery and he wanted to know the situation before he went. WRIGHT said that his client only wanted to buy certain machinery that fitted in with certain processing that they were engaged in. The machinery that they owned and the D.P.C. machinery dove tailed and they needed it. COX said that they might make a special order on it. COX said that it must be initiated through R.F.C. 12:50 PM CORCORAN talked with Secretary ICKES. ICKES said that ROSS COLLINS (phonetic), former Congressman from Mississippi, was in his office, this morning, saying that he was going to run against BILBO, and "seeking sage advice." ICKES said that he told him that CORCORAN was the smartest politician he knew in Washington, and that he should "sit on CORCORAN's doorstep." ICKES said that BILBO had beaten COLLINS once before. CORCORAN said, "The more outrageous BILBO is, the more successful he is." ICKES said that he didn't know much about Mississippi. ICKES: "COLLINS says that BILBO carried two Congressional districts, one of which was his own--he doesn't think BILBO can beat him in his own district." CORCORAN said that he would send him to a fellow who can give him the real advice, DONALD RUSSELL, Assistant Secretary of State. CORCORAN said that RUSSELL is a native of Mississippi and also has the know-how that "comes from that close association." CORCORAN had described RUSSELL as "JIMMY BYRNES' Assistant Secretary of State." HI - He (apparently COLLINS) has a very low opinion of this fellow-- Oh, what's his name? -- so close to TRUMAN, now. TC - VAUGHN--Oh, VARDAMAN! HI - No, no. He likes VARDAMAN. TC - VARDAMAN's a Mississippian, you know. HI - Yeah. He's a friend of HOOP (not clear) VARDAMAN'S. TC - GEORGE ALLEN? HI - GEORGE ALLEN--very low opinion of him, and he's wondering who is advising HANNEGAN and the President. I told him I didn't know, but that I did think that GEORGE ALLEN was very close. He's from Mississippi, and I don't know what he's whispering into the Presidential ear. Well, there wasn't anything I could do, except hold his hand, and suggest he see you, and he may call you. TC - I'll see him, sir. I'll be over after lunch. 4:40 PM MR. BIDDLE for TOM CORCORAN, who is out. BIDDLE may call in half an hour.