Greenwell, Darrell J., 1933-1956

File — Box: 28, Folder: 1-14

Identifier: II

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The correspondence of Greenwell to Hinckley and Dean R. Brimhall in Washington, D. C., provides a good source of information from the Utah scene. Greenwell's early letters dealt with the WPA program and relief as well as politics. The later correspondence included radio, World War II, and other aspects of Utah news. Greenwell's letters were complete and significant and always welcomed by Hinckley and Brimhall who shared them. Other correspondence of Greenwell can be found in the Works Progress Administration files.

January 23, 1936--Greenwell reports to Hinckley on the political scene in Utah. Reminds Hinckley of the split in the Republican party in 1922 due largely to Abraham Glasmann's influence. Now he informs Hinckley of the political power play in the control of radio stations in Utah, mainly Ogden and Salt Lake City.
May 15, 1939--Dean Brimhall became administrative assistant to Hinckley in the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
June 30, 1939--Greenwell reports that there are 15,000 persons in Utah eligible to work on Works Progress Administration projects. Wants to use more of these people on the arsenal in Weber County.
November 23, 1939--Greenwell tells of the election of Ab Jenkins over Herbert Snow and gives and analysis.
December 21, 1939--To Major B. M. Harloe, chief engineer, Works Progress Administration, Washington, D. C., from Greenwell asking advice as to whether the plan to use 500 to 1,500 Works Progress Administration men on the air depot at Ogden would be carried out or if other arrangements would have to be made for these men.
February 16, 1940--To Dean Brimhall and Hinckley describing in detail the L.D.S. church and Works Progress Administration relief controversy, the success of WPA programs in some cities of Utah, and progress at the Ogden Air Depot.
May 15, 1940--Hinckley to Greenwell describing the Civil Aeronautics Authority as one of the New Deal agencies set up as an independent organization with its trials, challenges, complexities, and successes in which Hinckley and Dean Brimhall are involved--Hinckley as chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
May 19, 1940--Greenwell writes of Utah's response to the war news, politics, and Works Progress Administration.
June 21, 1940--Greenwell to Hinckley telling of "jubilation and good will toward you in Ogden and Salt Lake City for your appointment to Assistant Secretary of Commerce." Tells of Gail Martin's work in the music and art projects of Works Progress Administration, and his influence in promoting a symphony orchestra.
October 17, 1940--Report to Hinckley on work stoppage at Hill Field, J. Reuben Clark's remarks on church and Works Progress Administration relief, reelection of F. D. Roosevelt, and employment stimulated by defense program.
April 22, 1941--Greenwell writes Dean Brimhall and Hinckley on politics, Works Progress Administration, airports in Utah built or being built by WPA, and Governor Maw's political appointments.
July 15, 17, August 6, 8, 1941--Information regarding completion of the Logan City Airport.
December 14, 1941--Greenwell writes the reaction of Utahns to Pearl Harbor and the possible role of the Works Progress Administration organization in the war effort. Hopes the organization will merely shift to war work. Writes of Nazi interest in Mormons and Mormon missionaries in Germany as possible propagandists.
January 19, 1942--Greenwell reports on reorganization in the regional office, location of Provo steel plant at Geneva, hiring at Remington and Ordnance Depot.
March 16, 1942--To Hinckley on almost every subject concerning Utah, labor, and the war. He quotes Arthur Gaeth "that Utah businessmen [he probably meant church men too] were taking the wrong track in resisting the industrialization of the state because such industrialization was acquainting the workers of Utah with what real wages are."
March 30, 1942--From Hinckley enclosing a report that outlines what is being done to relieve the critical housing shortage in Ogden. This letter is in response to Greenwell's letter of March 7 describing the lack of housing facilities in Ogden.
April 12, 1942--Greenwell writes that vital war work is being held up because of housing shortages in Ogden. Makes recommendations that the army could use until defense houses are built. Suggests that if the army can not get the accommodations, the job should be done by Works Progress Administration. Mentions that the Japanese are coming to Utah and Idaho to work for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company and to do other farm work.
May 10, 1942--Greenwell writes: "After visiting all the Japanese centers in California and having talked to Works Progress Administration personnel managing the centers and many of the Japanese, I now feel that I know more about the human problems of the situation than probably any other one person." He wonders if WPA will be playing a part in the relocation and feels the organization could do a good job.
July 21, 1942--Greenwell is being considered for the Office of Price Administration director in Utah. Writes to Hinckley about the lack of organization, high rental practices, and has serious misgivings about his future.
August 2, 1942--Greenwell writes that he was not appointed director of the Office of Price Administration and also of the difficulties in state agencies, social work, Social Security Board, and old age pensions. He becomes secretary to a Vital Area Board for Utah to sift War Public Works which will include army, navy, Maritime Commission, Works Production Board, Social Security, and the State of Utah.
August 16, 1942--This letter gives a complete picture of wartime Utah especially Ogden, Provo, Tooele, and Salt Lake City where housing and labor conditions have become acute. A lack of coordination of agencies and strong leadership in the state has created frustration and animosity among various factions.
August 22, 1942--Dean Brimhall comments to Greenwell on the appointment of Grant Ivins as the administrator of Office of Price Administration.
December 9, 1942--Greenwell's job with Works Progress Administration was liquidated. He is writing editorials for the and other publications.
January 18-February 16, 1943--Correspondence between Hinckley and Greenwell regarding a suitable position for Greenwell after Works Progress Administration was phased out in Utah, February 1, 1943. Greenwell completed a 20,000 word report on the WPA after beginning with Federal Emergency Relief Administration and remaining with the program nine years.
July 7, 1943--Greenwell uses a letterhead from the where he has gone to work.
August 16, 1943--Greenwell writes an editorial in praise of, and in defense of, Bernard DeVoto in relation to the publication of his book .
January 18-March 20, 1944--Correspondence between Greenwell, Hinckley, and Brimhall on local and state politics.
March 25, 1944--Greenwell writes of the Bramwell case (Kent S. Bramwell, mayor of Ogden) involving a slot machine racket.
May 1, 1944--Arthur Gaeth lost the sponsorship of Wasatch Oil Company because of his outspoken discussion of the Bramwell case in Ogden, urging Salt Lake City to examine its own situation before pointing a finger at Ogden. Greenwell writes of the hatred of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Utah and predicts "an unhappy period" until election.
May 8, 1944--Hinckley writes of Greenwell, "You have a great gift of being forthright without being offensive. So many when they disagree start calling names. This childishness you have never indulged in and I know that as long as you live, you will never deviate from your intellectual integrity."
May 10, 1944--Abe L. Glasmann induced Wasatch Oil Company not to cancel its contract with Arthur Gaeth while the situation was "on fire." Greenwell and others agreed that the Democratic party should do what it can to get rid of Governor Herbert B. Maw.
June 24, 1944--J. Bracken Lee wants the nomination for governor to run against Maw.
July 1, 1944--Hinckley writes that he is to be the director of Contract Settlement and chairman of the Contract Settlement Board.
July 5, 1944--Greenwell writing to Hinckley and Brimhall reports the indictment of two ex-mayors of Ogden, Harman W. Perry and Kent S. Bramwell, and a score of others. He tells of the Mormon church discouraging members to accept Social Security, Old Age and Survivors Insurance benefits, and of a debate over providing hospitalization and medical care features to the Social Security Act.
July 28, 1944--Greenwell on the subject of Senator Elbert D. Thomas and other political matters.
August 18-December 21, 1944--Correspondence concerned with Utah and national politics, and the war.
February 13, 1945--Hinckley comments on editorials by Greenwell--"Liquor Control Policy Wanted," and others including those on consolidation of city and county government.
October 2, 1946--Comments relating to remarks of J. Reuben Clark, George Albert Smith, and David O. McKay about the influence of outsiders connected with Geneva Steel Plant.
November 5, 1947--Harman W. Perry wins the election for Ogden mayor and the airport bond election is defeated.
January 29, 1949--Greenwell's report to Hinckley on the Utah legislative session includes J. Bracken Lee's "unrealistic budget" and a note on Weber College becoming a four-year institution.
April 2, 1949--From Holger Cahill to Hinckley requesting the names of artists and people who directed and participated in the Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project in Utah. He remarked on the technical excellence of works done in Utah and listed the following people whom he wished to contact: Darrell Greenwell, Gail Martin, Lynn Fausett, Judy Lund, Elzy Bird, and Frank Mace.
March 22, 1950--Greenwell tells of a dinner for union men and wives held at Ogden for Senator Elbert D. Thomas. Thomas had strong support from the unions. Marriner S. Eccles has been mentioned as a possible candidate for senator. The first of the 1,800 officers and enlisted men have started arriving at Hill Field.
December 11, 1950--Greenwell writes Hinckley regarding a position for ex-governor Maw outside of the state.
December 29, 1950--Greenwell discusses some of the issues in J. Bracken Lee's message to the legislature, mainly the educators' demands for more money.
October 6, 1951--Report to Hinckley by Greenwell on speeches by Marriner S. Eccles.

Dates

1933-1956

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.