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March 9, 1936, TO - Mr. Mclntyre FEOii - Chairman Eccles Attached is Senator Benson*s letter which you asked me to return for your files* I received a closely identical letter and looked up Frank W# Murphy and Oscar Jesness whom he recoiaaends. Governor Myers, of the Fara Credit Administration, and Leo Crowley tell me that Murphy would be very bad indeed$ Crowley said Murphy would be "impossible*, that he is hard to get along with, that he is arbitrary, inconsistent, knows nothing of money and economics, and is a political opportunist. Hiyers told me that Murphy wag recommended for the F»C*A»» that hie record was looked up and that it was •'lousy*, and that Secretary Morgentlmu, despite political pressures, said he would not have him under any circumstances, Herbert Gaston confirms this. As for Jesness, Myers says that he is a pretty good man "for a professor*, but that he is not outstanding and if the faculty at the University of Minnesota were to choose between hia and Frank Peck, they would probably be unanimous in putting Peck well ahead of Jesness* layers added that to pass up Peck for Jesness, assuming Peck to be available, would look "cockeyed". I am giving you literally, as you will note, the comments from those whose judgment I consider absolutely trustworthy in reference to this important question of a representative of agriculture on this Board, - 2 - You will note that Senator Benson says that the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation wired hia urging the appointment not of Peek, but of J. £>• Jones, who is secretary of the Minnesota Bureau. However, Jones had already wired »e supporting Peck, who, as you probably know, has the endoraeisent of a long string of agricultural organizations and leaders, including £• J. Taber head of the Nations! Grange. Attachment • THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON March 4, 1936 PERSONAL MEMORANDUM FOR GOT7ERNOR ECCLES: The attached letter from Senator Benson to the President is self explanatory, as is the President's memorandum to me. Would you be good enough to return this for our files when it has served your purpose. Thank you. JlNTTHE Assistant Secretary to the President March 4, 1936 isar Senator: The President hss a she •1 ma to thank you for writing M m as you did on February twenty-*mirth, concerning your views as to the importance of the appointment of an agricultural representative on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He greatly appreciates baring your auggeetions, and hna asked me to assure you that your statements regarding Mr, Frank W. Marphy and Dr. Oscar B« Jesnos© will hav© earnest consideration. Sincerely youret Assistant secretary to the Freeident Honorable Miaer A* Benson, United States Senate, D* C.
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