OFF THE RECORD |
Mr. Hopkins requested that none of his remarks with reference to the President's strike message be used, and that they all be regarded as strictly off the record, unless otherwise indicated in the following transcript.
|
Query: |
What do you think about the President's message concerning the strike? Do you conclude from it that the strike is now unjustified and that relief will be withdrawn?.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
I cannot say anything about that until I see that statement That is an important matter, and I do not want to say anything now about it. What do you think the answer will be? Do you think the strike will be called off?
|
Query: |
I think it will be the finish of the United Textile Union.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
What did he say?
|
Query: |
He just asked the strikers to go back to work on the basis of the Winant report. It was about 4:30 last night.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Did you see the statement?
|
Query: |
I saw most of it.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Did he use any time?
|
Query: |
No, no time. Can you say, off the record, that the implication is that relief will be withdrawn from the strikers if —
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
That is an important statement. I cannot say anything.
|
Query: |
Will you see the President?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Yes, I am going to see him, but it is not about this statement, but a number of little things. Now, I do not want any implications on this thing. I did not know the statement was issued until just now. Obviously, this is an important thing, and I do not want to give any implication that I am going to Hyde Park because of that statement, because it is not true. I am simply going to see him about getting some money, and about some other things, I would rather you did not say anything about my going to Hyde Park, because the trip is bound to get worked up into this new thing. Of course, as soon as I get there, they will probably come—
|
Query: |
Do you want us to hold your going to Hyde Park in confidence?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
I would rather that you did. I am not going on any important business, but when I go there, they put one and two together and the thing may be entirely misinterpreted, and it is obviously an important matter. I think there are important indications in it, but I cannot say anything about it and there should not be any wrong implications. I would much rather you did not talk about me in connection with the strike. We do not want to get mixed up in it, but I think what you have told me is the best news I have heard in a month.
|
Query: |
When are you coming back?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
On Monday, and you can ask me about this then.
|
Query: |
It will be the first thing we will ask.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
What do you think about it?
|
Query: |
I think it makes the strike unjustified from now on. What do you think?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
What do you think I should say? I want to see the statement, and I do not want any implication that if it is in a certain way, I would act in a certain way.
|
Query: |
What good does it do to keep it quiet for a few hours?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
The thing is that the damn thing is so important. The big thing is to get the strike settled and if there is any implication that relief will be cut off, it might hurt things. The strike thing may be in the bag and I do not want to get the relief question into the picture now. Obviously, I cannot say anything about it anyway. All I can say would be that I have not seen the statement.
|
Query: |
You might go to Hyde Park without having a chance to talk to any newspapermen.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
I would not talk to them anyhow until after seeing the President.
|
Query: |
It might be safer for you to issue a statement here.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
And then, of course, the news would be at Hyde Park that Harry Hopkins is going to see the President about the strike. Those boys would play ball that way.
|
Query: |
But why not make a statement before you go, of some sort?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
For two cents, I would not go there.
|
Query: |
The papers will speculate about cutting off relief.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Well, will they? The thing is that the President is trying to settle the strike. There has really been very little about the relief end, and I do not want to throw that in as a factor. It might be the last thing that the President wants in the picture.
|
Query: |
But it will be known you are going there.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
But not about this. I am going because we are running out of money. Also, a lot of Mayors are going to be there on Saturday, and I will conclude my little affairs and return on Monday.
|
Mr. Milford | (as some late entrants arrived)
You want all of this off the record, Mr. Hopkins, don't you?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Yes, it is all off the record. I do not want to say anything or have any implications that might conflict with this thing.
|
Query: |
Then you have no comment to make. Let the chips fall where they will.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Is that what you all think? I am merely saying that I have not read the statement and have no comments to make.
|
Query: |
Why not say the purpose of the trip is social security?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
I an not going to say anything about Hyde Park this morning. If you fellows were not here and I had heard this before the conference, I might not have gone at all. I do not have to go there.
|
Query: |
You do not want anything said about your going to Hyde Park, then?
|
Query: |
If you say you are going up for some other purpose, that will avoid the trouble. Say you are going to see the Mayors conference.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
It is just not in the bag and if I had known this before you came in, I would not have gone up.
|
Query: |
Your problem seems to be that you will be seen before you get to the President, but you will not talk to that man and he will send out a story—
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
I will see him when I come out.
|
Query: |
But the story will be gone by then.
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
Oh, I cannot help that. Well, I guess you had better say that I am going to Hyde Park to attend a conference on Saturday morning—an executive meeting of the Mayors conference.
- (The above statement is also included in the transcript for public use and is merely place here to maintain the continuity of this "off the record" transcript.)
|
Query: |
Can we say also that you are seeking money?
|
Mr. Hopkins: |
That is merely relief routine, not news. I have the money.
Frank J. Hartnett
|