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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Board. He was not a lawyer that anybody would want for legal advice, I assure you. There was nothing about him to warrant anyone asking him for advice. He didn't have a good mind. He didn't have any great legal knowledge. There was nothing that they could use him for as a really good legal adviser, but they paid him a good fee and he was a lawyer properly admitted to the Bar of the State of New York. He practically never practised, except on shyster stuff. He was a “fix-it” lawyer. All through this period of the factory legislation, he had worked for the Real Estate Board and had been its chief lobbyist both in Albany and in the City of New York.

I know a very, very, very bad episode about Olvaney and the Legislature, but I just can't remember it at this moment. I knew from then on that he was totally untrustworthy, although I'd always suspected it. I think he carried a false message. I think he brought information to Smith and Wagner which was not true. I think he brought a message which was not a true message. I was certain then that he was not on the level.

Smith detested him and thought him very untrustworthy. Smith used all the influence he had to get Jim Foley to take the leadership of Tammany Hall. I knew Foley and I felt kind of hard toward him because he'd changed his vote on the 54 Hour Bill. Foley changed his vote and very nearly defeated





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