Dales, Jack (OH R-34)

Pragmatic Leadership: Ronald Reagan as President of the Screen Actors Guild. (1981). Executive Secretary, Screen Actors Guild, ? - 1972.

Dales makes observations helpful in understanding the subsequent political attainments of Ronald Reagan. Dales speaks of the working relationship he had with Reagan in which Dales would orchestrate much of the behind-the-scenes work and Reagan would convey the board's position to the members and deal with dissent. He describes his efforts throughout the forties and fifties to educate the Guild membership concerning television's role in economic changes in the industry. The fruits of Dale's foresight and persistence materialized in a pension and welfare fund and in millions of dollars of residual payments to performers for reuse of their work.

Daly, E.A. (OH W-44)

"Alameda County Political Leader and Journalist," Perspectives on the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, Vol. II. (1971).

Daly was interviewed in order to document the highlights of his forty-four years as publisher and editor of the California Voice newspaper and of his political activities in Alameda County.

Darling, Dick (OH R-37)

Republican Activism: The California Republican Assembly and Ronald Reagan. (1981).

The interview focused on the events leading up to the election of Dick Darling as president of the California Republican Assembly and on his efforts to help get Ronald Reagan elected governor in 1966.

Dart, Justin (OH R-22)

"Justin Dart," The "Kitchen Cabinet": Four California Citizen Advisers of Ronald Reagan. (1981).

One of several California businessmen, impressed with Reagan's public speaking during the 1964 presidential campaign who prevailed upon him to become a candidate for governor. They provided much of the early solicitation of funds and supporters. Gradually expanding during 1966, they composed part of the transition team that advised Reagan on appointments and helped organize his first months in office.

Davis, May Layne Bonnell (OH KB-14)

"An Appointment Secretary Reminisces," The Governor's Office Under Edmund G. Brown, Sr. (1977). Assistant to the Governor, 1963-1965.

Davis talks about key staff people in Pat Brown's office as governor and the intricate process of researching and selecting candidates for appointment by the governor. In analyzing the appointments procedure, she emphasizes the importance which the governor placed on prior clearance of appointments with local legislators. A challenging part of her job was to keep supplicants and their supporters happy when they were not appointed.

Day, Roy (OH W-46)

"Campaigning with Richard Nixon, 1946-1952," Richard M. Nixon in the Warren Era. (1975).

Day helps to identify contributors, campaign workers and their connections--to each other, to the candidate, and to the particular community or city of each. We learn how the planning was accomplished for Nixon's successful campaigns and how and when the candidate and his staff made decisions.

Debs, Ernest E. (OH 88-5)

Oral History Interview with Ernest E. Debs. (1987). Assembly Member, 1943-1947; Los Angeles City Council, 1947-1958; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 1958-1974.

Debs discusses his family background, education, migration to California in 1923, pre-legislative employment, electioneering, and service in the California State Assembly, particularly his involvement on committees related to education and health.

del Junco, Tirso (OH R-39)

"California Republican Party Leadership and Success, 1966-1982," Republican Philosophy and Party Activism. (1982).

del Junco discusses the party's increasing effectiveness in raising campaign funds, and in getting Republicans to vote. He also notes his own success in building a strong Hispanic presence within the party, including the establishment of the Hispanic Council.

Dellums, C.L. (OH W-30)

International President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Civil Rights Leader. (1970, 1971).

Dellums was the international president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He helped organize and led the statewide movement for a state fair employment practices law. After its adoption, Governor Brown asked him to accept an appointment to the California Fair Employment Practices Commission. Dellums served from 1959 to 1969.

Dills, Ralph C. (OH 91-2)

Oral History Interview with Ralph C. Dills. (1989). Senator, 1967- ; Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge, 1952-1966; Assembly Member, 1939-1949.

Dills discusses his background, education, early political involvement in the EPIC movement and in the Democratic party, tenure as a municipal court judge particularly during the Watts rebellion in 1965, and provides considerable information on his chief legislative interests and accomplishments while serving initially as a California State assemblyman and then as a California state senator.

Dinkelspiel, John Walton (OH W-46)

"Recollections of Richard Nixon's 1950 Senatorial Campaign in Northern California," Richard M. Nixon in the Warren Era. (1975).

As the northern California chairman of Nixon's 1950 senatorial campaign, Dinkelspiel affords a view of Nixon somewhat different from the high visibility and old-friend network enjoyed by the young congressman in southern California.

Dolwig, Richard J. (OH 89-29)

Oral History Interview with Richard J. Dolwig. (1987). Senator, 1956-1970; Assembly Member, 1946-1956.

Interview covers partisanship in the state legislature; leadership in the assembly and the senate; reapportionment; legislation pertaining to water, pharmaceuticals, railroad crossings, freeways, Long Beach tidelands; power politics; Eurovest trial; Hugh Burns, Edmund G. Brown, Sr.; Randolph Collier, Jesse Unruh, other government officials.

Doyle, Donald (OH KB-12)

"An Assemblyman Views Education, Mental Health, and Legislative and Republican Politics," Education Issues and Planning, 1953-1966. (1979). Assembly Member, 1953-1958.

Doyle discusses his personal history, his initial campaign for the assembly in 1952, various legislative personalities and episodes, the Knight-Knowland-Nixon struggle for party power, his actions as chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, and the development and enactment of the Short-Doyle Community Mental Health Act of 1957.

Draper, Murray (OH W-21)

"Warren's 1946 Campaign in Northern California," Earl Warren's Campaigns, Vol. I. (1972).

Draper was the northern California executive director of Warren's campaign for re-election to the governorship. He describes the methods, criteria of operations, and milieu of this victory over Attorney General Robert Kenny.

Drury, Newton B. (OH W-15)

"A Conservationist Comments on Earl Warren and Harold Ickes," Earl Warren as Executive: Social Welfare and State Parks. (1970). Chief, Division of Beaches and Parks, 1952-1958.

Drury discusses his contacts with Earl Warren, who was his classmate, his friend, and the governor who appointed him in 1951 to head up the state parks. He comments on the primary cause of his return to California from Washington--the old Olympic National Park spruce misunderstanding with former Interior Secretary Harold Ickes, and his resistance to then-Secretary Oscar Chapman, who advocated the plan to dam two rivers in Dinosaur National Monument.

Duffy, Jean Moorhead (OH 94-10)

Oral History Interview with Jean Duffy. (1994). Lobbyist, California Nurses Association, 1976-1978; Assembly Member, 1978-1986.

Duffy discusses her family background and nursing education, nursing career, marriages and children. She describes teaching nursing at the college level then becoming a lobbyist for CNA. She talks about her decision to run for Assembly, those who supported her, campaigning as a nurse and mother and then about learning to be a legislator. She offers insights into the role of legislative women and the Tuesday Dinner Club as well as her perceptions of other legislators. She also tells of her switch from the Republican to Democratic party and the ensuing controversy. Candy Lightner, MADD, and the drunk driving bill are also discussed.

Dumke, Glenn S. (OH R-11)

The Evolution of the California State University System, 1961-1982. (1984). Chancellor, California State Universities and Colleges, 1977-1983; Chancellor, California State Colleges, 1962-1976; President, San Francisco State College, 1959-1962.

Dumke provides a look at the process and issues involved in merging an assortment of local state colleges into a unified system that included nineteen campuses by 1982 when he retired as chancellor. Among the issues discussed are the upgrading of state colleges, tensions between the colleges and the University of California, and student activism in the 1960s. Dumke also recalls working with both governors Edmund G. Brown and Ronald Reagan on higher education matters.

Dunckel, Earl B. (OH R-40)

Ronald Reagan and the General Electric Theater, 1954-1955. (1982). Vice president, General Electric Public Relations.

In describing General Electric during those years, Dunckel refers briefly to questions the company had been dealing with concerning restraint of trade and controversies with electrical unions, particularly the employee-relations policies. The growing liberal influence in government was also an issue of the times in the business world and was often discussed by the two men as they traveled together.

Dunlap, John F. (OH 90-8)

Oral History Interview with John F. Dunlap. (1988). Senator, 1975-1978; Assembly Member, 1967-1974.

Dunlap, as both assemblyman and senator, was instrumental in getting environmental legislation passed. He worked on open space lands, the coastal commission, fluorocarbon legislation, offshore drilling. He also discusses education and transportation issues, tax law, and legislative reform.

Dunne, George (OH R-8)

Christian Advocacy and Labor Strife in Hollywood. (1981).

Dunne reminiscences Ronald Reagan's participation in the motion picture labor movement.

Dutton, Frederick G. (OH KB-11)

Democratic Campaigns and Controversies, 1954-1966. (1977, 1978).

Dutton was interviewed to capture an "idea man" in motion inside the pressures of practical politics. Governor Pat Brown reached out for this type of person to complement those around him who functioned more in terms of organization and program. Dutton focuses on the years when Brown was governor.

Dwight, James S. (OH R-6)

"Early Reagan Administration Perspectives on State Finance, 1966-1967," California State Department of Finance and Governor Ronald Reagan. (1983). Chief Deputy Director, 1969-1972; Dept. Deputy Director, 1967-1968.

Dwight discusses his efforts in 1966 to provide the governor-elect with a working knowledge of the state's finances and to provide input on the budget Reagan would present to the legislature shortly after he took office. He provides useful comments on the Reagan cabinet and decision-making process. He also explains the importance of the budget as a policy tool, citing welfare reform and education-funding strategies during the governor's second term.

Dymally, Mervyn M. (OH 99-2)

Oral History Interview with Mervyn M. Dymally. (1996-1997). Assembly Member, 1963-1967; Senator, 1967-1975; Lieutenant Governor, 1975-1979; Congressman, 1981-1992.

Dymally discusses his family background and childhood in Trinidad, his decision to immigrate to the United States, and college education in the States. He talks about his early involvement in Democratic clubs in California, his bids for public office, and legislation and committee activities at the state and congressional levels. He focuses on fund-raising, media coverage and perception of African Americans, and African American political organizations and activism. Dymally describes his relationship with Governor Jerry Brown and other California political figures and signing the executive order that decreased the power of the lieutenant governor. He provides information about allegations of wrongdoing against him and FBI investigations of his activities as well as the reactions by his constituents to these events.

Elkington, Norman (OH KB-20)

"From Adversary to Appointee: Fifty Years of Friendship with Pat Brown," Pat Brown: Friends and Campaigners. (1978, 1979). Justice, Court of Appeal, 1966- ; Judge, San Francisco Superior Court, 1959-1966.

Elkington and Brown first encountered each other as opponents in the courtroom of a referee in bankruptcy. Elkington backed Brown for district attorney in 1939 and 1943 and joined the DA's staff after Brown was elected. He describes Brown's energy and vigorous prosecution of gambling and abortion operations which had generated graft and corruption of scandalous proportions. He recalls Brown's innovations in administration (full-time staff attorneys and efficient filing systems) and in criminal investigation procedures (the suspicion booking system recommended by Bert Levit).

Ellingwood, Herbert E. (OH R-23)

"Law Enforcement Planning and Coordination, 1969-1974," Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in California, 1966-1976. (1981, 1983). Legal Affairs Secretary, 1969-1974.

Ellingwood discusses the administration's efforts at California court reform and reducing crime and to encourage individual and corporate responsibility; development of emergency services, questions involved in gathering and disseminating information among law enforcement agencies. As a member of the California Council on Criminal Justice, which channeled federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration funding to local programs, he encouraged and attended meeting that brought judges together with policemen, district attorneys, and other professionals.

Engle, Lucretia (OH KB-22)

"Clair Engle as Campaigner and Statesman," Political Advocacy and Loyalty. (1977).

Engle provides insight into the Senator's last days and the political maneuvering that resulted in Pierre Salinger being named to Engle's Senate seat and later losing the November election to George Murphy. As her husband's secretary, she gives a vivid picture of his years as representative for the Second Congressional District.

Ennis, Edward (OH W-31)

"A Justice Department Attorney Comments on the Japanese-American Relocation," Japanese-American Relocation Reviewed, Vol. I: Decision and Exodus. (1972).

Ennis, a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General in charge of war problems, became chief of the Justice Department's Alien Enemy Control Unit after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He contrasts the development of the Justice Department's program of selective internment of enemy aliens with the Western Defense Command's vigorous advocacy of a policy of evacuation of all Japanese-Americans. He also comments on the roles played by Attorney General Biddle, Tom Clark, a special assistant attorney general, and FBI head J. Edgar Hoover.

Erwin, Thomas M. (OH 89-19)

Oral History Interview with Thomas M. Erwin. (1987). Assembly Member, 1943-1958.

This interview discusses southern California dairy farming and agricultural associations in the 1930s; Erwin's career in the state assembly, 1943-1955, including organization and leadership, with comments on fish and game, highways, land use, other contemporary issues; Richard Nixon, Goodwin Knight, Jesse Unruh, other political figures.