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ill feeling around Cabinet and high administrative circles as there was over this War Manpower Commission. It's funny that I can't think this out more clearly. I ought to remember this because it was my preoccupation for months. However, I don't seem to remember it very clearly.

At any rate, I tried so hard to win over Harold Smith. Even the President said, “See if you can't win Harold Smith over on this,” on one occasion. This was before it had been put through. I've got some papers somewhere that will show a great deal on this whole story.

At any rate, this fight got so intense, and the difference of opinion so sharp, that the President finally said, “I can't think this thing through. I see good reasons on both sides. I can't make it clear. I'm going to a point a man who won't do anything else but sit and listen to all of you one by one, or group by group, whichever you please, and then make a decision.”

He appointed William O. Douglas. He said, “Here's a man with a good mind, and an absolutely clear one. He hasn't been prejudiced by anybody. He hasn't been fixed by anybody. Talk to him. Tell him your whole story.”

Why do I associate Felix Frankfurter somewhere or other with this? Maybe I talked to Frankfurter at one point about it.

At anyrate, Douglas opened up headquarters in the Cabinet room over in the White House. Sam Rosenman was in