Interview with Mac Swinford, July 22, 1974

Interview Summary

The Honorable Mac Swinford has been the U.S. District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. In this interview he reminisces on his early recollections of Fred Vinson including Vinson as a young attorney running for Congress to succeed W. J. Fields (1924). The Al Smith/Herbert Hoover presidential campaign of 1928 and its effect on Vinson's congressional campaign are touched on. Swinford discusses Vinson's personal qualities and characteristics. Vinson's interest in baseball is talked about. An anecdote is related of Vinson in the position of director of the Office of Economic Stabilization [food administration] and how he would not bend to pressure for favors while in office. Swinford talks about Vinson's support of him in Kentucky politics, Vinson's political integrity and honesty, and the way Vinson enjoyed politics. He observes that Vinson's background and early life in Kentucky had a definite influence on his character and probably was the background for Vinson's actions on social security and veterans' benefits legislation. In his opinion, Vinson supported Franklin D. Roosevelt and was "imbued with the Roosevelt philosophy" without being controlled by him. Swinford discusses Vinson's characteristics as a lawyer and a legislator. Vinson's dissenting opinion in "the steel case" (Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer) is discussed in light of background information related by Swinford. He talks about Vinson's relationship with Harry S Truman. He gives his opinion about how Vinson would have viewed the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision and Vinson's role as chief justice.

Interview Keyword

Fred M. Vinson Politics and government Supreme Court United States Government Childhood Families. Veterans Social Security Poverty

Interview LC Subject

Law and legislation United States. Congress. House Politics United States. Supreme Court United States. Department of the Treasury Franklin D. Roosevelt and the era of the New Deal Vinson, Fred M., 1890-1953 Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 New Deal, 1933-1939 Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 Segregation Civil rights--Law and legislation

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.