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49 Nw. U. L. Rev. 36 (1954-1955)
Fred M. Vinson in the Executive Branch

handle is hein.journals/illlr49 and id is 50 raw text is: Fred M. Vinson in the Executive Branch Wilbur R. Lester* F RED M. VINSON was in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government for three years. His first position, starting on May 29, 1943, was that of Director of Economic Stabilization. He served in that capacity for twenty-one months, and then for one month (March 1945) he was Federal Loan Administrator. In April of 1945 he became Director of War Mobilization and Reconversion, a post which he held for slightly over three months. In July 1945 he became Secretary of the Treasury. He held that position until named to the Supreme Court-a period of eleven months. An analysis of Fred M. Vinson as a public servant in the execu- tive branch of the Federal Government may not have as much significance as a study of his work in Congress or the judiciary for three reasons: First, his career in the executive branch was short; Second, during that short period he may not have readjusted completely from the conditioning effect of his experiences as a Congressman and a Judge; Third, he was in the executive branch during a war and reconversion period. General Appraisal Before discussing certain particular problems on which he worked, I shall set forth a general appraisal of Fred M. Vinson as an Executive. Vinson was above all else a practical politician. He was a politician in that he thought it important to know-and he did know-how government works. He was practical in that he had little interest in any abstract study of the art or science of government, but he had great concern as to how the government was run on behalf of the people. Nearly all of Vinson's life was spent in government, and he thoroughly believed that government was one of the important instruments to serve the people. Vinson was extremely wary of general principles. In fact on governmental matters Vinson held, I believe, only three broad over- riding principles: (1) A democratic government is the ideal govern- ment and the ultimate informed judgment of the people is correct; (2) The officials of the government must maintain a strong govern- ment so that it is not destroyed or seriously weakened by any attack upon it; (3) Under our three-branch form of government with its checks and balances, it is essential that the President exercise leadership in our day-to-day operations. *Law Clerk to Judge Vinson for two years at the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; Assistant to Mr. Vinson during his three years in the Executive Branch of Government