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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-02
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-056-005
This folder contains background material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, for the President's News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). Materials primarily consist of draft press conference announcements and briefing papers for the President on domestic and foreign affairs. Topics include the economy, tax reform, and the simultaneous increase of steel prices by the steel industry. Of note is a memorandum from Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Walter W. Heller in which he offers the President suggestions of constructive and cooperative actions and policy which the Kennedy Administration might take towards the steel industry, and which might protect against a similar situation happening in the future.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-056-004
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the President's News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). The President began the press conference by announcing that the United States had that day presented an outline of basic provisions for a treaty on general and complete nuclear disarmament at Geneva. He then said a few words in follow-up to the previous week's events concerning steel prices emphasizing the goodwill and the commonality of goals between his administration and American industry. Then he announced that he had directed the Army to cancel the trial of reservist Private Larry D. Chidester and to remit the balance of sentence of reservist Private Bernis G. Owen, both court marshaled for their complaints about being called up for active service. Finally, the President briefly announced the release of reports by the Presidential Commission on Campaign Costs, and that former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower had agreed to serve as honorary co-chairman, with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, of the National Cultural Center. Following the announcements the President answered questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation with the steel industry, nuclear disarmament and the status of a test ban treaty, and the situation in Berlin. Items consist of the official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-072a-003
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Department of Commerce. Topics include sales of the manufacturing industry, the acceleration of public works projects, and the itinerary of an official trip by Secretary of Commerce Luther H. Hodges. Also included in this folder is a transcript of a press conference held by Secretary Hodges.