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Rasbury, James T.

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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

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    "ocrText": "JAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA, OKLAHOMA\nfell\nTELEPHONE CHERRY 2-8252\nNovember 14, 1956\nMr. Robert L. King\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nAs you mentioned in one of your letters in connection\nwith explaining your delay in responding, \"We are sometimes\nprone to take advantage of our friends.\n\"\nIt is not my intention to take advantage of our friend-\nship, but I would like to urge again that you lend as much\nhelp as you possibly can in my direction in connection with\nthe forthcoming appointment to the National Labor Relations\nBoard. I feel somewhat frustrated in that, at this stage\nof the game, I'm at something of a loss to know just what\nshould be done.\nLetters of recommendation and endorsement from all the\ntop Republican leaders of this state have been sent to Hall,\nAdams and Mitchell. Excellent letters of recommendation have\nbeen written by former employers. Along with a good many\nothers, I've worked diligently to deliver the voters of this\nstate to the proper party, and the work was successful. I\nguess I'll just have to hold still and see what happens in\nthe next few weeks.\nBob, I know that you have many things of much greater\nimportance to you on your mind, so don't bother to answer this\nnote, unless you have some specific suggestion as to something\nthat I should do. However, without visiting with you personally,\nI doubt if I could adequately express the importance to me\nof this appointment at this time. Both my family and I will\nbe forever grateful for any assistance you render.\nSincerely yours,\nJames T. Rasbury\nJTR:1g\nRN\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nfile\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA, OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE 2-6610\nBu\nJuly 26, 1956\nMr. Robert L. King\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nI have just come back from having lunch with Ken Gray,\na delegate to the Republican National Convention. Ken was\nour party candidate for the office of Lt. Governor of the\nState of Oklahoma in 1954 and in my opinion probably the\nmost influential single individual in Republican circles in\nour state. He is a relatively young fellow who along with\na few friends has personally pulled our 1st Congressional\nDistrict into shape SO that it is consistently Republican.\nThe impact of our 1st District vote is felt throughout the\nentire state and its solid strength was tremendously im-\nportant in carrying the state for Eisenhower and Nixon in\n1952.\nKen and I are very close friends and you may rest as-\nsured that only the most outspoken opposition to Nixon by\nour President, or the withdrawal by Nixon himself, will\ncause the Oklahoma delegation to deviate from all out sup-\nport for an Eisenhower-Nixon ticket in 1956.\nLast week--just before the Stassen faux pas--Bailie\nVinson, our National Committeemen, had a number of us to\nlunch for the purpose of discussing political strategy for\nthis fall and in particular the campaign of Douglas Mc-\nKeever, our Senatorial candidate, against Mike Monroney. At\nthat meeting the sentiment expressed was that it is a fore-\ngone conclusion that the ticket will be Eisenhower and Nixon\nwith harmony in all quarters.\nThe only party opposition I have ever heard voiced\nagainst Nixon is his tendency to function through groups and\norganizations outside the Republican Party. If this is true\nit is probably due to a carry over from good California\npolitics where their laws permit a candidate to be nominated\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\non either or both of the major party tickets. It may be well\nto keep in mind that our party has individuals that are just\nas rabid in their feelings as members of the opposition party\ncan be; and therefore feel that nothing is any good unless it\ncomes out of the official Republican Party organization.\nTell your boss to stop worrying about 1956 and lets start\nbuilding and planning for an organization in 1960 that will\nput him in the White House.\nSincerely,\nJon Rasbury\nJTR:sc\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE 2-6610\nJuly 9, 1956\nGill\nw\nMr. Robert L. King,\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nThanks very kindly for your letter of June 26th, at\nwhich time you indicated that, in spite of the fact that\nyou had been somewhat delayed in responding to my earlier\nletters, you nevertheless were doing whatever you could\nto help my cause.\nAs of this date, I know that Mr. Charles White of the\nRepublic Steel Corporation and Mr. Charles Hook, Chairman\nof Armco Steel Corporation, have endeavored to assist my\ncause by contacting Mr. Sherman Adams at the Whitehouse.\nUnfortunately, the steel strike has occurred most untimely\nand has probably prevented their giving the attention to\nmy problem which they might otherwise have done.\nI also know that our Congressman Page Belcher is very\nmuch interested in assisting me and has discussed my\navailability for an appointment as a member of the National\nLabor Relations Board with our Secretary of Labor, Mr.\nJames Mitchell. I have also had Mr. C. H. Wright, Chairman\nof the Board of the Sunray-D-X Oil Corporation, by whom I\nwas once employed, write a very favorable letter to\nMr. Mitchell. Mr. William Morris, President of the Sinclair\nPipe Line Company, is likewise a good friend and former\nemployer, who has written a very favorable letter to\nMr. Mitchell. All of the usual and required letters of\nendorsement, insofar as the State Republican organization\nis concerned, have been written.\nAt the present time, I'm more or less just waiting for\ndevelopments. If you should learn the \"direction the wind is\nblowing\" or know of any key personnel in Washington or else-\nwhere that might have a vital voice in making the recommendation\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nMr. Robert L. King\nJuly 9, 1956\nPage 2\nto the President, I would sincerely appreciate hearing from\nyou so that he might likewise be contacted.\nMy sincerest appreciation for all your efforts and my\nwarm personal regards to both you and your family.\nSincerely yours,\nJTR:1g\nJim Rasbury\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nRAS\nCOPY\nJune 26, 1956\nMr James T. Rasbury\nOil Capital Building\nTulsa, Oklahoma\nRasbury,\nDear Jim:\nYour letters of May 1 and 28 certainly did not go unnoticed,\nnor did they fail to receive the attention they deserved.\nWe are sometimes prone to take advantage of our friends and\nIncoming\nI plead guilty in this instance. The last several weeks have found me\ncompletely occupied with the President's Conference on Fitness of\nAmerican Youth, which was held at Annapolis on Monday and Tuesday\nof last week, but I do want to assure you that everything I can do has\nbeen done in connection with the subject of your letters.\nJames T. June 26, M 1956\nAs you undoubtedly realize, the \"Boss\" is not in a position\nto take direct action in such matters, but I have seen to it that word\nabout you has reached some of the right people.\nShould you be coming here either on this business or any other,\nRLK:bjp\nI surely hope you will give me a ring to see if we can arrange to get\ntogether. In the meantime, you might let me know just what the current\nstatus is. If you have any other suggestions, please send them along\nand I am sure you know I will do what I can.\nWith all best wishes,\nSincerely,\nRobert L. King\nAssistant to the Vice President\nRLK:bjp\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA, OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE 2-6610\nMay 28, 1956\nMr. Robert L. King,\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nI sincerely trust that I am not unnecessarily and without\njustification imposing on you in asking your assistance in my\nown personal campaign. However, we are pulling out all stops\nin an effort to obtain an appointment as a member of the National\nLabor Relations Board, and if either you or Vice President\nNixon can and will aid me in any way, it will be sincerely\nappreciated.\nAll of the normal and routine Party endorsements have\nbeen placed with Mr. Leonard W. Hall, our National Chairman,\nand I know that our one and only Republican Congressman from\nOklahoma is making his very best effort.\nMr. Belcher advised by letter dated May 23 that in his\nopinion our Secretary of Labor, Mr. Mitchell, will probably\nbe the key man in recommending the individual to be named\nby President Eisenhower. Anything which your office can do\nby way of getting Mr. Mitchell to give my application considera-\ntion will, I know, be extremely beneficial.\nSincerely yours,\nJames T. Rasbury\nJTR:1g\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA, OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE 2-6610\nMay 1, 1956\nMr. Robert L. King\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nEnclosed you will find a copy of a letter from me to Mr.\nCharles White, Executive President of the U. S. Republic Steel\nCorporation. Mr. White recently visited Tulsa; and, in the\ncourse of his talk to a group of Republican leaders, he\nindicated his strong feelings with regard to the influence\nthe labor unions are exercising in this country.\nFor sometime now, I have given considerable thought to\nlaunching a serious campaign for an appointment as a member\nof our National Labor Relations Board. Believing that\nMr. White can exercise considerable influence in the selection\nof the appointee to be named to the Board in the near future,\nI seized upon the occasion of his visit here to start my\ncampaign.\nBob, I am most seriously interested in obtaining this\nappointment and will sincerely appreciate anything and every-\nthing which you might be able to do to assist me. Wholehearted\nsupport from Oklahoma Republican Party leaders can be easily\nobtained at the desired time. My problem is one of gaining\nthe attention and consideration of the Party leaders at a\nNational level.\nIf you can assist me in any way or have any suggestions\nas to how best to proceed in order to secure favorable consid-\neration for this forthcoming appointment to the Board, I would\nsincerely appreciate hearing from you.\nAs ever,\nJames T. Rasbury\nJTR:1g\nEnc. 1\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nMay 1, 1956\nMr. Charles White, Executive President\nU. S. Republic Steel Corporation\nCleveland, Ohio\nDear Mr. White:\nAs you requested on the occasion of your recent visit\nto Tulsa following our brief conversation, I am writing this\nletter to remind you of my interest and desire to serve as a\nmember of the National Labor Relations Board. The term of\noffice of Mr. Ivar H. Peterson, currently a Board member,\nwill expire August 27, 1956, and undoubtedly his replacement\nwill be named some time this late summer.\nThere is attached to this letter a brief biographical\nsketch that reflects my educational training and work exper-\nience, which I feel will indicate to you the adequacy of my\nqualifications for such a position as I now seek. The\nRepublican Party appointees to this Board have made remarkable\nimprovements in the administration of our Federal labor laws;\nhowever, I feel that in addition to naming someone to this\nBoard who has some knowledge of the technical or judicial\naspects of what is involved, that our great business men of\nthis country are entitled to have someone named that has had\nthe practical experience of dealing directly with labor unions\nand their leaders. My background has provided such experience.\nI shall not dwell on my work within and for the Republican\nParty because this letter is to be forwarded to you by\nMr. Bailie Vinson, our National Committeeman from Oklahoma,\nbut let it suffice to say that I am a firm believer in our\nParty and the principles for which it stands. While I firmly\nbelieve laboring people may be regarded as the bakbone of\nour country, we cannot permit labor leaders, through their\nown selfish desires and promotion of self-perpetustion, to\ndestroy that which has made us strong--namely, private business\nenterprise.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nMr. Charles White\nMay 1, 1956\nPage 2\nMy sincerest appreciation for your appearance in Tulsa\nto aid us in our fund-raising problems and my deepest thanks\nfor any assistance you may lend in aiding me to fulfill my\npersonal desires.\nVery truly yours,\nJames T. Rasbury\nJTR:18\nEnc. 1\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nCard fer\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE 2-6610\nFile\nApril 16, 1956\nMr. Robert L. King,\nAssistant to the Vice President\nOffice of the Vice President\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nI wanted to let you know that I received your letter of\nJanuary 31st and to repeat my offer of any assistance in this\narea.\nI had hoped that by this date I could send you some very\nencouraging news relative to an overwhelming victory for the\nRepublican Party in the Tulsa City Election. However, such\nis not the case. I don't believe I mentioned in my former letter\nthat I am City Republican Chairman; and, although an extremely\nvigorous campaign was conducted in Tulsa, all of our candidates\nwere defeated. In trying to analyze the cause, however, there\nis very little feeling or belief among either Democrats or\nRepublicans that our City situation was indicative of a national\ntrend. Rather it was an anti-vote against a group of fine\ncandidates who refused to play politics during two years in\noffice. During their term, they did too many things which\nstepped on the toes of numerous small minority groups who,\ncombined, constituted an overwhelming anti-majority. There\nare also those among the local, state and national party leaders\nthat feel for the first time the laboring vote was strong enough\nto influence the outcome. Heretofore, Tulsa has been a rather\ncosmopolitan city in which the labor vote as such has not been\nappealed to because it represented a rather insignificant\nminority.\nAt the present time, I do not plan to attend the national\nconvention in San Francisco; although some last minute change\nmight occur, and conceivably we could go to San Francisco.\nThis past week our delegates met and endorsed Eisenhower for a\nsecond term. No action was taken so far as Nixon is concerned,\nwhich to me was a personal disappointment. I have talked to\nsome of the delegates and feel that a majority of them favor\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nMr. Robert L. King\nApril 16, 1956\nPage 2\nNixon, but preferred to go to the convention uncommitted.\nI shall continue to do local spade work on behalf of\nNixon; and, if there are any particular problems which I can\nhelp solve, I sincerely trust you will let me hear from you\nat an early date. Our national committeeman, Mr. Bailie Vinson,\nis a good friend with whome I have worked closely for the last\nfour years and who in turn will, in my opinion, exercise consid-\nerable influence over the entire delegation. Of course, many of\nour national delegates are good personal friends.\nSincerely yours,\nJames T. Rasbury\nJTR:1g\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nRasbury,\nJames\nselk-\nJanuary 31, 1956\nDear Jim:\nYou might suspect that I'm trying to \"pay you back\"\nin kind by not answering long ere now your good letter of November 18.\nIt almost makes me blush to look at the date, but sometime I would\nlike you to sit at my elbow during what might be mildly called at\ntimes this \"frantic fracas\"!\nSeriously though, I certainly did appreciate your good\nletter and I hope you didn't believe all the propaganda that was printed\nin that article in the Grapevine. I agree with you that it hardly seems\npossible that twelve years have gone by since you and Black Jack\"\nhad Thanksgiving Dinner with us.\nIt's been a couple of years since I was out in the City\nwith the Golden Gate but it still is the object of our affections and\nsomeday we hope to get back that way.\nBob Ladd is a real fine guy but for the past several\nmonths he has been with the Citizens Committee for the Hoover\nReport. I expect to see him before too long and will certainly pass\nalong your best.\nThere isn't much I can report from the standpoint of\nmy own activities other than the fact that a whole year has gone by\nnow since I grabbed hold of this particular \"brass ring\". It's a mighty\ninteresting spot and I couldn't be working for a better guy. Nobody knows\nright now what the next few weeks will bring but it may well be that I\nwill take advantage of your offer to be helpful and if I do, I know you'll\nbe there.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nII\nMany thanks Jim, for your letter and the time that\nhas elapsed since it was received has only served to make me more\nappreciative of your thoughtfulness for picking up your pen and writing.\nI hope something will bring you back this way and if it should, I will\nsurely expect a call.\nAll the best,\nSincerely,\nRobert L. King\nAssistant to the Vice President\nMr. James T. Rasbury\nOil Capital Building\nTulsa, Oklahoma\nRLK:1mk\nPERSONAL\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJAMES T. RASBURY\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nOIL CAPITAL BUILDING\nTULSA, OKLAHOMA\nTELEPHONE CHERRY 2-8252\nNovember 18, 1955\nMr. Robert L. King\nChief Administrative Assistant\nVice-President's Office\nCapital Building\nWashington, D. C.\nDear Bob:\nI've postponed writing this note for so long, I'm\nalmost ashamed to do SO at this late date. My very\nwarmest congratulations to you in your new administrative\nspot with the Government and Dick Nixon. I wanted to\nwrite this note immediately after reading the February issue\nof the Grapevine, but intentionally waited until the first\nrush of mail had subsided.\nIt doesn't seem possible that nearly twelve years have\ngone by since Black Jack Norris and I--the bachelors of\nthe S. F. office--had Thanksgiving Day Dinner with you\nand Gretchen, and little Bob was the newly-acquired center\nof attention. The picture of Gretchen and all four\nchildren in the Grapevine certainly was a fine picture of\na grand family. Gretchen looked pretty as a picture,\nas she always did, and I'm sure your life since the\nBureau days has been a happy one.\nAs far as I know, Jack Norris is still working out\nof the San Francisco office. One of our Tulsa ex-agents,\nwho worked in San Francisco until 1952, says Jack is generally\nknown as the Mayor of Mortinez and is still the most\nindependent, carefree agent in the office. He's married\nnow and has at least one little girl. But all this you\nprobably know as Jack was always a good one to write. Being\na poor correspondent myself, our mail exchange has dwindled\nto Christmas cards.\nAt the moment, I'm involved in the general practice\nof law after spending several years with oil companies in\nthe field of labor law and industrial relations. We have\na fine active chapter of ex-agents in Tulsa and just last\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nPage 2\nMr. Robert L. King\nNovember 18, 1955\nnight had dinner together and rehashed old times as two\nof the group reported on the Detroit Convention.\nBest wishes again, Bob, for continued success in your\nWashington career. If Bob Ladd is still on Nixon's staff,\ntell him \"hello\" for me. He was a neighbor of mine when\nhe lived in Tulsa.\nKindest regards to Gretchen and all the family. If\nthe opportunity to be helpful to you, Nixon, or the Republi-\ncan party should ever present itself, I hope you'll realize\nyou have a loyal friend and supporter in Tulsa.\nSincerely,\nJim James T. Rasbury\nJTR:1g\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nJell\nbe\nTHE\nlace\nBIOGRAPHICAL DATA -- JAMES T. RASBURY\nsurcessing\nBorn: Dallas, Texas, January 21, 1915\nGraduated: Michigan State Normal, A.B. Degree, 1936\nTaught High School in Decatur, Michigan, 1936-1938\nTaught High School in Tokyo, Japan, 1938-1939\nAttended Northwestern University, Summer of 1937\nAttended Michigan University, Summer of 1938, doing graduate\nwork toward a Masters Degree in Education\nToured China, Siberia, Russia, and European Countries,\nSummer of 1939\nEntered University of Oklahoma Law School in Fall of 1939\nAfter completing two years in Law School, received an\nappointment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,\nDepartment of Justice, and remained until June, 1944\nEnlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June, 1944\nHonorable Discharge as First Lieutenant, August, 1946\nReturned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a\nSpecial agent and worked in the Washington, D. C.\nField Office while completing Law Degree at the\nGeorge washington University\nLLB Degree received February 22, 1947\nAdmitted to practice before the courts in the District of\nColumbia\nEmployed as Director of Industrial Relations of the western\nPetroleum Refiners Association, March, 1947, to April, 1948\nEmployed as Director of Industrial Relations for the Sunray\nOil Corporation, April, 1948, to March, 1949.\nEmployed as Director of Industrial Relations for Sinclair\nPipeline Company, March, 1949 to September, 1951.\nEmployed as Director of Employee Relations for Deep Rock Oil\nCorporation, September, 1951 to date.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJuly 6, 1953\nMEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Robert D. Ladd\nOffice of the Vice President\nThank you for your memorandum of\nJune twenty-fifth with the enclosed background\ndata on James T. Rasbury. We are referring it\non to the proper government officials, and Mr.\nRasbury will be given every consideration, I\nam sure.\nCharlie\nCharles F. Willis, Mr.\nSpecial Assistant\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum\nCOPY\nJune 25, 1953\nMemorandum\nTo:\nCharles Willis\nFrom:\nRobert D. Ladd\nSubject: James T. Rasbury\nAttached is background information on James\nT. Rasbury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is qualified\nfor a position with the National Labor Relations\nBoard. He might be considered for General Counsel\nof the Board or for Regional Director in the Fort\nWorth area. I understand that this area is very\nbadly managed at this point.\nI know Jim personally and in addition, he has\nbeen recommended to the Vice President by several\npersons whose judgement he values highly.\nThe Vice President would like to see Mr.\nRasbury's services utilized.\nReproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum"
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