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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Part:         Session:         Page of 912

Perkins:

I don't know about that.

Interviewer:

Wickard called up Jones and asked him if he was going to submit his resignation, and Jones said, “Hell no, I've worked too long to get this job.” But it was customary, at Inauguration, to submit a resignation.

Perkins:

Well, it was customary. I don't know whether it was or not, I never did know exactly whether it was customary or not. I haven't any idea.

Interviewer:

Well, you did, anyway. You wanted to get out.

Perkins:

I did. Yes. I thought it was high time.

Interviewer:

You know Roosevelt's letter to you of January 22, 1945, is in the Roosevelt published letters: “Dear Frances: That is a tremendously interesting letter of yours, and shows concisely and clearly all that you have accomplished in the Department of Labor.

“There are many other things to do--matters of which you are familiar--and, as I told you on Friday, your resignation is not one of them. It is hereby declined. Indeed, it is rejected and refused. I will see you as soon as I get back. “As ever, yours,”

Perkins:

You see, I had written him a two or three page very condensed report of what had been accomplished in the





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