McGee, Vernon 1973-09-28
Vernon McGee, Assistant for Program Development during Governor Preston Smith’s administration, reviews his own career, evaluates Smith’s performance as governor, and discusses the personnel and nature of the governor’s staff.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Vernon McGee
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: September 28, 1973
Location: Austin, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Reviews family background and early life,
Work with United Press recalled,
Entered into state government under the James Allred Administration,
Conflict of state and federal public employment offices noted,
Consolidation of state and federal public employment office,
Origin of Texas Employment Commission mentioned,
States interpretation of effective governmental economic intervention policy,
Work with the President’s Office of the Budget reviewed,
Entry into the Navy recalled,
Comments on work with Montgomery Ward Company,
Worked with Kiplinger Publications also,
Offer for job in Texas government remembered.
Tape 1, Side 2: Work with state government (continued),
Washington D.C. characterized,
Legislative Budget Director position in Texas accepted in 1950,
Stresses vulnerability of the Budget Director’s job,
Recollections of Preston Smith,
Mentions loss of Director’s job and subsequent work with Smith,
Administration,
Origin of Texas Research League,
recommendations cited,
Character of Program Development Director’s job explained,
Reasons given for resignation form the Smith Administration,
Interpretation of the Governor’s role,
Reveals personal analysis of Smith’s performance in the Governor’s role,
Methods of acquiring Smith’s staff explored.
Tape 2, Side 1: Clarification of the position of Assistant for Program Development,
Recruitment of Dan Petty recalled,
Acquisition of other staff personalities explained,
Mentions origin of Comprehensive Health Planning Program,
Staff personalities and programs reviewed,
Deviated from Research League,
recommendations on the Committee on Aging,
Recalls resignation of Director of Economic Opportunity,
Lists other staff members,
Comments on Safety Program leader,
Smith’s responsiveness to younger generation claimed,
Cites need for Information Services,
Process of choosing a director for Information Services and the nature of the job explained.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1930s-1973
Bulk Dates: 1950-1973
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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