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February 10, 1941 My dear Mr, President? Prior to receiving your memorandum of February 4, Harry Woodring telephoned to me and asked me to support him for President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City* I told his frankly that the choice of a successor to George Hamilton, who has reached retirement age, is up to the board of directors of that bank, and that our Board had nothing at all to do with it until a name was submitted to us for approval. G. A. Worthington, First Vice President of the bank, a career man, is the next in line. In nsy judgment he is w e n qualified by training, experience and general capacity to succeed Hamilton. It would be a striking departure that would be likely to cause such unfavorable public reaction if Worthington were passed over for a man who, however competent he may be in other fields, is not qualified by training and experience for an important administrative banking position of this character. I could not with propriety attempt to influence the board of directors of the bank even if I felt that Woodring!s appointment would be an appropriate one. He has undoubtedly pressed his claims upon that board. Washington has not interfered in any way whatsoever. The aatter is entirely up to the Kansas City board in the first instance. Should they decide to change their minds and pass over Worthington for Woodring his name would then be presented to the Board here for approval. I do not see that there is anything that I can properly do until and unless the bank board proposes his name for approval, and that I think would be very unlikely to happen. I appreciate your interest and felt you would wish to know exactly what the situation Is. Respectfully yours, The Honorable The President of the United States The Unite House http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ ET/frl Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis M. S. Eccles Chairman THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON February A> 1941 • MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN ECCLES Harry Woodring is very anxious to be the Tenth Federal Reserve District Chairman at Kansas City. I understand Hamilton is about to go out. I understand that Worthington is his Assistant and that Worthington Is a good No* 2 man but not up to the No. 1 job. I understand Woodring would be elected if Washington did not interfere. Can you do this, for Woodring? F. D. R.