Subseries: Virginia and Henry Hart, 1983 April 26
Note: Access online.

INTRODUCTION
Scope and Content Note: Virginia came to Madison in 1945, Henry in 1946. Involved in Madison politics until 1952 when they left for India.

VIRGINIA'S POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Worked for the YWCA with working women, first in Rochester, New York, then in Knoxville, Tennessee. Then became education director for the ILGWU in Knoxville at a cotton mill. Came to Wisconsin as an ILGWU delegate to the School for Workers, Moved to Madison to study for Masters under Selig Perlman After receiving degree, she taught at the School for Workers. With Gaylord Nelson and others, founded Madison Council on Human Rights. Involved with League of Women Voters. In 1947, stopped teaching, began volunteering full-time for Democratic Party. Hired as executive secretary of Party in 1946.

HENRY'S POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) 1936-1943. Went to college in Nashville, involved there with YMCA. In army 1943-1946. Came to Madison to study TVA under John Gaus.

MADISON ACADEMICS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: John Gaus, William Ebenstein, professors of political science at the University. Gaus foremost expert on TVA. Howard McMurray, lecturer in political science department, ran as Democrat against Joe McCarthy for Senate. Hart urged by friends to vote for McCarthy in 1946 Republican primary because La Follette would be impossible to beat. They thought Democratic Party needed revamping. Returning liberal and Progressive veterans and Madison academics very involved in Democratic Party.

THE AMERICAN VETERANS COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Henry and many friends members of American Veterans Committee (AVC). Henry especially active 1946-1947. Many AVC members later active in Democratic Organizing Committee (DOC). Henry chaired AVC graduate student housing committee. AVC 1946 national convention held in Milwaukee. Two major matters: Chas Patterson and Dick Bolling's contention for national presidency; Communist manipulation of the AVC. Henry was Communist a few years in Tennessee, knew their methods. Spoke and organized successfully to prevent Communist takeover of AVC. Horace Wilkie very active in AVC. Jim Doyle, member, but not active. John Higham, AVC leader. Al Houghton and Harold Claus from Milwaukee active in AVC.

THE DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Many AVC members involved in DOC, but AVC itself did not organize DOC. Many returning veterans wanted to cause political change. DOC considered alternative party, most feasible channel for political activity outside traditional party organizations.

BOB TEHAN AND THE DOC
Scope and Content Note: Tehan most prominent Democratic leader during Roosevelt era. Supported returning veterans who wanted to take over Party. Tehan's support instrumental in success of Gaylord Nelson, Jim Doyle, Carl Thompson. Tehan agreed with DOC effort to recruit farmer and labor support. Jerry Fox, old line Democrat supported DOC. Fox and Doyle were to be Party chairmen, but were otherwise engaged. Virginia Hart and Doyle managed Tom Fairchild's Senate campaign. Tehan knew that a reconstituted Democratic Party could attract former La Follette supporters and thereby gain a focus. Old Party supporters largely Irish Catholics, patronage appointees, conservative. New constituency young, veterans, idealists.

LEADERS OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Leaders Doyle, Thompson, Julia Boegholt, Pat Lucey worked closely with Tehan. Also Red Newton from Kenosha. Newton active in AVC and DOC, editor of Kenosha Labor.

END OF TAPE 13, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY (continued)
Scope and Content Note: Newton had close ties with many union people. Many union members in Party 1946-1948. Former Socialist Dan Hoan's decision to become a Democrat influenced others to join Party.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY ORGANIZATION
Scope and Content Note: Socialist attorney Ole Stolen donated small office at 115 Main Street to the Party, 1946 or 1947. Esther Kaplan, Gretchen Pfankuchen, and Virginia Hart volunteered there full-time. Next moved Party headquarters to University Avenue where Tom Amlie rented or donated space. John Moses and other students volunteered there. Then moved to large office at 18 1/2 East Mifflin. Virginia Hart recruited volunteers and arranged the office.

WARREN SAWALL
Scope and Content Note: Editor of Wisconsin Democrat, published monthly out of 18 1/2 East Mifflin. Sawall moved from Wisconsin Rapids where he did newspaper work. Very active in Party there.

WOMEN'S ROLE IN PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Virginia Hart participated in administrative planning meetings but did not vote. She carried out policy decisions. A few women were on state administrative committee: Marge Benson from Milwaukee, Julia Boegholt, national committeewoman from Madison, Grethchen Pfankuchen. Many women with children and not working, including faculty wives, volunteered.

DANE COUNTY DOC ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Held weekly meetings in members' houses. Usually, Carl Thompson would report on political activity in specific areas of the state. Thompson very systematic and energetic. Much Party spirit in Madison. Madison state headquarters and training ground for state workers. Virginia Hart made a few speeches but was not involved much in county organizing.

DOC ISSUES
Scope and Content Note: Issues: the economy, civil rights, peace, recognition of unions, collective bargaining, minimum wage, constitutional amendment to abolish the poll tax, farm issues, international issues--supported U.N., Marshall Plan, Truman's “Point Four” (technical assistance to the Third World).

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Elections to Committee held at state convention. Members included national committee people, Party state officers, representatives of the ten districts. Discussed Party management, not policy. Raised money. Headquarters usually did not give local candidates money. Members: John Gronouski, tax specialist, was revenue secretary; Dave Carley, secretary; Mary Rohlich, active volunteer.

HORACE WILKIE CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Wilkie had leading post in U.S. Bureau of the Budget, knew how to get things done in Washington. A vigorous campaigner. Henry Hart drafted almost all speeches for Wilkie in 1950 campaign. Strategy involved attacking Glenn Davis for soft anti-Communist attitude. MacArthur entered China just before election. Voters in second district disapproved--this became sole issue of election. Hart organized other writers for 1950 campaign and wrote for Wilkie in other campaigns.

END OF TAPE 13, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

PAT LUCEY
Scope and Content Note: Ran for Congress before he finished Assembly term. From third district. Virginia Hart et al. assembled a group of speechwriters from University faculty, including Henry Hart.

MADISON DEMOCRATIC PARTY MAKE-UP
Scope and Content Note: Considered eggheads by Milwaukee Democrats. Headquarters, including Virginia Hart, tried to recruit people from both east and west sides of town. Bud Morton on County Board. Bob Prideaux steelworker, involved in Party. In middle 1950s, Virginia Hart on Executive Board of Dane County Club. Non-University people found role in Party through city politics.

IVAN NESTINGEN'S CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Elected with Democratic Party support. Madison had “city manager” government in late 1940s, allowing a declining business elite to keep control of city government. Challenged by Capital Times, Democratic Party, trade unions, activists. Union people got more say on City Council under ward system. Under “city manager” system five councilers elected on city-wide basis.

NESTINGEN'S ADMINISTRATION, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AUDITORIUM
Scope and Content Note: Nestingen made many appointments from Democratic Party, e.g. Jim Doyle appointed Police and Fire Commissioner. Nestingen supported by west side university people motivated by “the good of the city”, east side people motivated by availability of construction jobs. That coalition held until Henry Reynolds elected mayor. Reynolds represented conservative, Republican, business interests. Frank Lloyd Wright proposal spearheaded by small group of University people, particularly Harold Groves and Mary Lescohier, later Mary Ahmond. Carroll Metzner, attorney, was principal opponent.

VIRGINIA HART ON LEADING DEMOCRATS
Scope and Content Note: Carl Thompson --workhorse in legislature, committed to structure and organization. Drove long distances at night to promote Democratic cause in state. Gave Virginia Hart ideas on policy implementation
Gaylord Nelson --debonair, entertaining, amusing
Jim Doyle --”brains” of the Party, good speechwriter, knowledgeable about Washington and international scene
Andy Biemiller --Virginia did not know him until he was in Congress, helpful with Washington contacts
Bob Tehan --great charmer, big, imposing, great storyteller, gregarious
Julia Boegholt --only woman in “inner circle” because she held only post open to women, national committeewoman.

HENRY HART ON LEADING DEMOCRATS
Scope and Content Note: Carl Thompson --not eloquent, unemotional, very systematic
Jim Doyle --cosmopolitan, went to Columbia law school, clerked with James Byrnes, FDR's “assistant president”. Took part in many international relations policy decisions. Very eloquent, passionate speaker
Gaylord Nelson --came through La Follette movement, good speaker
John Lawton --Very close friend of Gaylord Nelson, both law students. They brought suit against Judge Ervin Bruner and others claiming that the legislature had been unconstitutionally elected because districts had not been reapportioned for decades. Suit got plaintiffs' names known. Lawton did AFSCME organizing upon graduation from law school.

ROLE OF THE NEWSPAPERS IN DEMOCRATIC CAUSE
Scope and Content Note: Newspaperman Miles McMillin very involved in building Party. William Proxmire was Capital Times reporter in 1949, organized Newspaper Guild. Also put on weekly radio show sponsored by Madison unions. Capital Times reporters active in challenging conservative Republicans. Ed Bayley of the Milwaukee Journal and Bob Fleming also supported Democrats.

END OF TAPE 14, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

HOWARD McMURRAY CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: National Democratic Party position very similar to Wisconsin Progressive Party position. McMurray thought he could get Progressive support if Bob La Follette was eliminated from Senate race. McMurray, an instructor at the University, took leave to run. Was denied reappointment after his loss in 1946. Political science faculty strongly recommended his reappointment. Capital Times attacked Regents, all Republicans, denial of reappointment. McMuarray was outgoing, politically active and ambitious.

END OF INTERVIEW