Title: Oral History Interview with Frank W. Kuehl
Inclusive Dates: 1980

Creator:

• Kuehl, Frank W., 1894-

Call Number: Tape 822A

Quantity: 2 tape recordings

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Interview, May 1, 1980, by Dale Treleven of the Historical Society staff with Frank W. Kuehl, concerning his youth in Fountain City, Wis.; political work with John Blaine, Ralph Immell, and Bob La Follette, Sr.; and experiences with Wisconsin's bank stabilization program and with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-tape00822a

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Frank W. Kuehl, born on September 14, 1894, visited his daughter at Shorewood Hills, a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin during the week of May 1, 1980. His son-in-law, William H. Applegate, assistant director of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, indicated Mr. Kuehl would be amenable to a tape-recorded discussion before he returned to his home in Washington, D.C. in a few days. I [Dale Trelevan of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin] consented and taped the interview with slight preparation, an aberration in the research methodology developed for oral history interviews at the Society.

The results of the interview demonstrate the absence of interviewer in-depth knowledge about Mr. Kuehl's long and illustrious career in both public and private sectors of the economy, except for portions related to the progressive wing of the Republican Party during the 1920s and early 1930s. Mr. Kuehl's remarks about his background and pre-Washington years will complement the very complete collection of personal papers he has donated to the State Historical Society. Researchers should examine the register of that collection for more detailed biographical information on Mr. Kuehl.

Abstract to the Interview

The tapes for this interview have two tracks: a voice track containing the discussion and a time track containing time announcements at intervals of approximately five seconds. The abstract below lists, in order of discussion, the topics covered on each tape, and indicates the time-marking at which point the beginning of the particular discussion appears.

Thus, the researcher, by using a tape recorder's fast-forward button, may find expeditiously and listen to discrete segments without listening to all of the taped discussion. For instance, the user who wishes to listen to the topic on “Fountain City a German Town” should locate the place on the second track of tape one, side one, where the voice announces the 07:50 time-marking (the voice says at this point, “seven minutes fifty seconds”), and at this point switch to the first track to hear the discussion. The discussion on “Fountain City a German Town” continues until approximately 10:25, at which point discussion of the next topic (“Boat Yard Workers Patronize Golden Frog”) begins.

Notice that in most cases, sentences beneath each headline explain more about the contents of the topic. For example, the sentence underneath “Fountain City a German Town” gives further details on what appears on the tape between 07:50 and 10:25.

The abstract is designed to provide only a brief outline of the content of the tapes and cannot serve as a substitute for listening to them. However, the abstract will help the researcher to locate easily distinct topics and discussion among the many minutes of commentary.

Frank W. Kuehl Papers (Mss 617) at the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives.

Acquisition Information

Accession Number: M80-182

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared by Dale E. Treleven, May 18, 1982.

Tape/Side   1/1 Time   00:00	Introduction
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   00:30	Interviewer's Introduction Scope and Content Note: Will discuss Governor Blaine and Bob La Follette, Sr.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   00:55	Born September 9, 1894, in “Era of Panics” Note: [The actual date of Kuehl's birth, according to evidence in his papers, is September 14, 1894.] Scope and Content Note: Mother grew up in Fountain City, Wisconsin, but moved to Tacoma, Washington, while working as domestic servant. Met and married Kuehl's father there. Family returned to Fountain City after father injured in construction accident. Kuehls bought and ran Golden Frog Saloon and attached bowling alley.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   07:50	Fountain City a German Town Scope and Content Note: Ardent La Follette and Blaine supporters.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   10:25	Boat Yard Workers Patronize Golden Frog Scope and Content Note: Parents operated the saloon together. Father cashed more paychecks than the local bank cashed.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   11:25	Attends La Crosse Normal School Scope and Content Note: Member of 1914 state champion debating team. Became principal of Melrose high school in 1914
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   13:30	World Wars “Never Should Have Been” Scope and Content Note: World War I grew out of commercial competitiveness. Hesse's mission to England showed Hitler's desire for peace.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   15:05	“Super-Patriots” Harrass Outspoken Pro-German Americans Scope and Content Note: German-American barns sometimes defaced with yellow paint. Kuehl then living in very patriotic northern Michigan area, and didn't publicly oppose World War I.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   16:50	Melrose High School Rehires Kuehl Scope and Content Note: Winning baseball team and introduction of high school German course among his greatest accomplishments there.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   17:30	Iron River, Michigan, High School Offers Better Job Scope and Content Note: Long distance telephone call so unusual that operator interrupted showing of film at town auditorium to find Kuehl. Iron River a prosperous mining town. Position as supervisor of commercial work and penmanship at high school and principal of night school offered twice the salary Melrose could pay.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   19:35	Hired to Be Disciplinarian Scope and Content Note: Success with solving night school problems won Kuehl the position of high school principal. Kuehl's most effective disciplinary tool was his ability to arouse students' contrition for misbehavior.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   25:15	Active Military Service, Scope and Content Note: Accepted for Air Force, but program broke up before his training began. At infantry camp and later at officers' training school.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   26:50	Studies Commerce and Law at University of Wisconsin Scope and Content Note: Enrolled in commerce because acquaintance recommended he take Steve Gilman's classes.
Tape/Side   1/1 Time   28:05	End of Tape 1, Side 1
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   00:00	Introduction
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   00:30	Business Manager of University of Wisconsin Yearbook Scope and Content Note: Yearbook's recovery under Kuehl from financial mismanagement impressed Philip La Follette. Recalls contacts with and careers of other people active on university publications staffs during 1920's. Among these are Owen Scott, Whitney North Seymour, Irwin Maier, and George Crownhart. Recalls trip to Bogota, Colombia, as American Bar Association representative to Inter-American Bar Association meeting.
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   09:50	La Follette Campaign Uses Kuehl's Analysis of Wisconsin Support for La Follette Scope and Content Note: Written as course thesis in 1921 and published in Buffalo County newspaper. Governor John Blaine learned of article from Ralph Immell, Kuehl's fellow law student and fraternity brother, and asked to use it in senatorial campaign.
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   13:25	Takes Job In Governor's Office Scope and Content Note: Blaine offered Kuehl job handling legislative business under Immell. Kuehl assumed most of work when Immell had to be away from Madison on family business. In 1923, Blaine appointed Immell adjutant general, a controversial move because Immell was so young. Immell's friendship with General John Marshall useful to Kuehl when he was bond counsel [for Reconstruction Finance Corporation].
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   18:50	Immell's Appointment Not Politically Motivated Scope and Content Note: In retrospect, “[t]here wasn't room really for both of us” in Blaine's office. Colonel John G. Salzman appointed adjutant general at same time.
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   22:00	Heads Blaine's Legislative Program Scope and Content Note: Handled coal strike problems, Ku Klux Klan's visit to governor's office, Progressive Republican caucus meetings. Caucus included some Milwaukee Democrats and Socialists; during Prohibition, wet and dry groups met separately. Edwin Witte wrote some of floor leader's speeches on taxation.
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   25:40	Joins Wisconsin Attorney General's Office Scope and Content Note: Assigned school bond issue chores, which other attorneys loathed. Experience there qualified Kuehl for position as bond counsel to Reconstruction Finance Corporation in Wisconsin. Called to work in directors' office in Washington, and soon became head of legal division there.
Tape/Side   1/2 Time   27:40	End of Tape 1, Side 2
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   00:00	Introduction
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   00:30	Active in La Follette Presidential Campaign Scope and Content Note: Working from governor's office, Kuehl gathered information from campaign's field organization. Considers his ability to “get confrontations compromised” as his “long suit.” Reconciliation between Blaine and Herman Sachtjen an example.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   02:30	Delegate to Republican Convention in Cleveland Scope and Content Note: Blaine's preference for Kuehl prevailed over La Follette preference for some one else. Kuehl's only elected office. Looked out for Wisconsin delegation and worked on minority platform.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   06:50	Blaine Defeats Lenroot in Senate Race Scope and Content Note: Blaine stood aside for Young Bob La Follette's candidacy in 1924. Kuehl helped organize 1926 campaign from his office. [Robert La Follette, Sr., died, and Robert La Follette, Jr., ran for his father's Senate seat, in 1925. See Kuehl's correction of the date at 2/1, 15:25.]
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   10:20	Helps Gerald Boileau Qualify for Congressional Seat
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   11:35	Opens Progressive Republican Headquarters for Al Smith Presidential Campaign, Scope and Content Note: Took leave of absence from attorney general's office. Immell and La Follettes joined campaign after Kuehl set up statewide organization. Ran vigorous campaign until Smith's religion became an issue during last weeks before election.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   13:25	Delegate to Kansas City Convention Scope and Content Note: Alternate for Blaine; served as delegation “traffic man” again, and worked on minority nominees slate.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   15:00	Old Bob as Spokesman for Wisconsin Electorate Scope and Content Note: Wisconsin farmers and union members well informed in areas of interest during La Follette years. Remainder of Wisconsin electorate knew and supported his positions. Large voter turnout meaningless unless it reflects an intelligent understanding of the issues, as it did then.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   18:50	La Follette Name Still Wins Votes Scope and Content Note: Name carried Young Bob into office, and later helped Bronson La Follette start elected career and make political comeback.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   20:20	Washington-Based La Follettes Lose Touch With Wisconsin Voters Scope and Content Note: Both Old Bob and Young Bob expected to campaign and win on Washington issues and record. Young Bob did not anticipate his 1946 defeat. Kuehl, a close friend, shared Young Bob's opposition to U.S. entry into World War II. Owns manuscript of La Follette speech against lend-lease act. Can offer no clues about why Bob committed suicide.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   25:00	Handles Lost Islands Case While Assistant Attorney General Scope and Content Note: Used dean of geology department as expert witness to establish Wisconsin title to islands in Mississippi River. Senator Blaine helped expedite the case several times. Kuehl also tried appeals cases within Industrial Commission jurisdiction in Dane County Circuit Court. Recalls first meeting with Harold Ickes.
Tape/Side   2/1 Time   29:00	End of Tape 2, Side 1
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   00:00	Introduction
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   00:30	Effective Approaches to Working with Ickes
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   01:00	Develops Wisconsin Bank Stabilization Program Scope and Content Note: Accompanied Governor Philip La Follette to hearings on foreclosures against farmers. After Kuehl brought Oconto bank closures to governor's attention, La Follette sent him to banking department to rescue state banks closed by examiners. Stabilization program established percentage of depositors' loss for each bank, then asked its directors and stockholders to voluntarily increase their liability beyond 100 per cent. Met separately with depositors to explain segregated loss to them. Most eventually got all their money back.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   05:35	Stabilization Program's Legality Never Tested Scope and Content Note: Unorthodox but successful banking. Kuehl personally authorized to declare percentage of deposits as basis for determining when a bank could be considered stabilized. Wisconsin national banks began to favor state procedures; national controller adopted Wisconsin program after a year of resistance. Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) loan to stabilize Milwaukee banks was its last loan before it began to capitalize banks instead.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   08:55	Kuehl Works for RFC in Washington Scope and Content Note: John Blaine, an RFC director, recommended Kuehl. Job also included attention to self-liquidating revenue projects such as San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and Pennsylvania Turnpike. Also worked with Leo Crowley and Secretary Ickes in administering public works programs.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   11:15	Leo Crowley Chairman of Wisconsin Bank Stabilization Committee Scope and Content Note: Later chairman of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. An unassuming but outstanding personality.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   12:35	RFC Takes Over Public Works Financing Scope and Content Note: Many projects, especially college campuses, defaulted on public works loan payments before the war because they could not generate enough income. Kuehl developed effective collection procedures, made 100 million dollars' profit from bonds “that were really cats and dogs.”
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   16:20	Kuehl as Washington Attorney for American Medical Association Scope and Content Note: Disliked politics in last years of RFC, and decided to leave job at newly organized Small Business Administration.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   17:40	First Head of Labor Department Welfare and Pension Fund Scope and Content Note: Appointment delayed until interview with Secretary of Labor cut through internal politics. Worked there until mandatory retirement age of seventy. [Kuehl was Chief of the Division of Welfare and Pension Reports in the Bureau of Labor Standards.]
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   19:35	Kuehl's Father, John Blaine, and Jesse Jones as Honest and Businesslike Models Scope and Content Note: Blaine and Jones did not conform to influence-peddling atmosphere prevalent in U.S. Senate.
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   21:20	Election and Legislative Victories Are Happy Memories
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   22:25	Sensible Work Pace Reason for Longevity Scope and Content Note: In retrospect, glad that he did not pursue nomination to RFC board: “By my very nature, I probably would have overdone or gotten involved in politics that I couldn't accept.”
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   23:55	Closing Remarks
Tape/Side   2/2 Time   24:10	End of Interview