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Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JTC-03
In this interview Conway discusses getting Martin Luther King out of jail in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963; Robert F. Kennedy’s [RFK] view of King and his actions; the March on Washington; working with RFK and the Justice Department on civil rights legislation; Walter Reuther; Conway’s decision to leave John F. Kennedy’s Administration and working on legislation from the outside; the Community Action Program; working with Senator RFK during the Johnson Administration; Senator RFK’s involvement in the labor movement; Jesse M. Unruh, RFK, and the 1968 California presidential primary; Department of Urban Affairs legislation; getting accelerated public works legislation through Congress; Housing and Home Finance Agency staff members; and the attempt to pick up congressional seats in 1962 and 1964, among other issues.
Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JTC-01
In this interview Conway discusses the 1956 Democratic National Convention; early interactions with John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Robert F. Kennedy [RFK]; the McClellan Committee and various hearings; Walter Reuther; RFK’s relationship with Senator John L. McClellan; major events for the United Automobile Workers [UAW] and political factors and decisions; the 1960 Democratic National Convention; the issue of UAW endorsement of a single Democratic presidential candidate in 1960; Lyndon B. Johnson and the UAW; the 1960 presidential primaries and general election; and the attempt to influence JFK’s choice for a running mate in 1960, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26B
Dictation Belt 26B contains seven sound recordings. Item 26B.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy, Herbert S. Walters, Governor Frank G. Clement of Tennessee, and Walter Clement. They discuss the appointment of Herbert S. Walters to succeed the late Estes Kefauver as United States Senator from Tennessee. President Kennedy speaks briefly to Governor Clement’s father Walter. Item 26B.2 is a telephone conversation held in August 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John W. McCormack of Massachusetts. They discuss their legislative strategy on a tax bill, including how to deal with Representative Wilbur Mills of Arkansas. For most of the recording there is a strong echo. Item 26B.2A is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Tazewell Shepard, Naval Aide to the President. Shepard asks what time President Kennedy will be available for a discussion. Item 26B.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 22, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Solicitor General Archibald Cox. They discuss a tidelands issue concerning Louisiana. Item 26B.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. They chat while Justice Goldberg holds for President Kennedy. Item 26B.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. Justice Goldberg advises President Kennedy on negotiations concerning a railroad work rules dispute. Item 26B.5 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator J. William Fulbright. They discuss hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 26C.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26D
Dictation Belt 26D contains eight sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 26D.1 begins on Dictation Belt 26C.3. Item 26D.1 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Louis Harris. They continue to discuss polling on various issues, including tax cuts, Congress, and regional attitudes. Item 26D.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick G. Dutton. They discuss congressional hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). Item 26D.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President Lawrence F. O’Brien. They discuss a bill on foreign aid and a bill on railroad work rules arbitration. Item 26D.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and a White House Operator. President Kennedy asks to speak to Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.3B is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between a White House Operator and an unidentified man. They say hello. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. They discuss arbitration legislation concerning a dispute over railroad work rules. There is an echo throughout the recording. Item 26D.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They talk about a memorandum and arrange a meeting. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 26D.6 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They discuss unidentified legislation. A delay precedes the conversation. The recording ends abruptly and much of it is badly garbled. Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26C
Dictation Belt 26C contains five sound recordings from August 23, 1963. The recording of the conversation in item 26C.1 begins on Dictation Belt 26B.5. Item 26C.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Senator J. William Fulbright. They continue to discuss hearings and legislative strategy on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). Item 26C.2 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Torbert H. Macdonald of Massachusetts. They discuss unidentified legislation and railroad work rules legislation. [White House Operator?] announces the call. Item 26C.2A is a brief telephone exchange between President John F. Kennedy and a White House Operator. President Kennedy asks the operator to place calls to Special Assistant to the President Frederick G. Dutton and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26C.2B is an unintelligible recording of something said by President John F. Kennedy. This is not a telephone exchange, but rather something said while the telephone was off the hook prior to the telephone conversation in item 26C.3. Item 26C.3 is part of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Louis Harris. They discuss polling on potential Republican Presidential candidates in 1964, tax cuts, and other issues. The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 26D.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.