Interview with Alben W. Barkley, October 21, 1953

Interview Summary

In this interview, Barkley tells stories about both his career and his family, and provides some details about New Deal legislation. He describes a watch that the McCracken County officers gave him when he was first elected to Congress. He explains his ambition to visit every county in the state of Kentucky and his involvement in U.S. loans to Britain which prompted a comment from Lady Astor at an art exhibit. He discusses his knowledge about the Russian production of a hydrogen bomb, and he provides anecdotes about his experiences with the Secret Service.

Barkley describes his reaction to a newspaper column that stated some negative things about his receiving a gold medal from Congress. He discusses his speech nominating Roosevelt at the 1944 Democratic Convention. Barkley recalls the influence of the William Goebel assassination on his own political aspirations.

Barkley explains in detail the problems that confronted President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first administration. He provides extensive information about the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) and the role of Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace. Barkley explains his views on the importance of agriculture and the need for agricultural regulation by the government. He tells a story which compares the farmer to a man trapped under a load of hay. Barkley also talks about efforts to help the agriculture industry that pre-dated the New Deal including the McNary-Haugen Bill. He discusses the Tennessee Valley Authority and the involvement of Joe Cannon. He mentions the importance of soil conservation and a bill he introduced which aided in the construction of highways. Near the end of the interview, Barkley's daughter Laura Louise "Wahwee" joins the discussion and tells stories about campaigning with her father and remembers a reporter who got a little too friendly.

Interview Keyword

Alben Barkley Government politics Public Policy

Interview LC Subject

Barkley, Alben William, 1877-1956 Barkley, Alben William, 1877-1956--Interviews United States--Politics and government

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.