William E. Jenner and Indiana Politics

Claude Billings, born 1904 and died 1985, owned and operated the Republican in Akron, Indiana from 1932 until 1962. During that time he served in several positions in the Republican state committee and the Indiana Republican Editorial Association. He speaks about Indiana politics during that time, particularly Senator William Jenner's run for governor in 1948. He discusses several other election years during that period and gives insights into his own involvement. After he sold the newspaper in 1962, he worked for several papers and ends the interview describing his duties as advisor to the Indiana State University student paper.

Robert Brokenburr, born 1886 and died 1974, was a Republican state senator for twenty years. He speaks about his political experience during that time, particularly his involvement in integrating the IHSAA. He also discusses his dealings with William Jenner during their time serving together.

Alvin Cast, born 1901, entered politics somewhat reluctantly in 1950 by becoming precinct committeeman. By 1954, he was elected state chairman for the Republican Party. He speaks about how he was elected to these positions, and the opposition he received from William Jenner. He describes Jenner as vindictive towards his opponents.

Donald Clark, born 1914, worked at the Indiana State Board of Accounts, and served as budget director under Governor George Craig. He speaks about the split in the Republican Party between the Craig and Jenner factions.

Hobart Creighton, born 1896 and died 1976, was nominated to nine terms in the Indiana House from 1932-1948, serving as speaker the last six years. In 1948, he beat out William Jenner to become the Republican nominee for governor, but lost to Henry Schricker. He speaks about his duties as speaker, and the committees and bills he worked on.

Carl Curtis, born 1905 and died 2000, was a United States representative (R) and later served as United States senator (R) from Nebraska. He served in the senate from 1955-1979. The early part of his service was with William Jenner. He describes Jenner's personality, such as taking disagreements hard, and tells several stories that illustrate Jenner's wit. He also speaks about the types of issues Jenner favored.

Charles Fleming, born 1909, was a Democrat and served as the Indiana secretary of state during Henry Schricker's second term as governor. He speaks about the tension between Governor Schricker and William Jenner over the Ripper Bills. He also discusses Schricker's fiscal philosophy, his thoughts on political patronage, and the welfare problem regarding the secrecy of documents.

Hugh Gray, born 1904, served as Martin County, Indiana Republican chairman from 1950 until 1964. William E. Jenner was also from the area, and Gray speaks about their close ties, including partnership in a log cabin retreat. He describes political patronage through the state and briefly discusses the 1940 gubernatorial campaign and the 1948 Republican convention. As county chairman, he knew and speaks about the local politics in Loogootee and the surrounding locales.

Charles Halleck, born 1900, was elected as United States representative (R) from Indiana in 1935 during a special election. He speaks about being a delegate to the 1952 Republican National Convention. He also briefly discusses his involvement in nominating Wendell Willkie.

Walter Helmke, born 1901 and died 1976, was a Republican who served as prosecuting attorney and county chairman from Allen County, Indiana. He speaks about his involvement in local politics, and the support he gave to various political personalities while he was active in politics. In 1948, he attempted to become the gubernatorial candidate for the Republican Party, but withdrew in support of Hobart Creighton. He speaks briefly about his decision and what effect it may have had.

Herbert R. Hill, born 1900 and died 1985, speaks about Indiana politics between the nineteen forties and nineteen sixties.

Nyle Jackson, born 1914 and died 1984, worked as administrative assistant to Earl Wilson and William Jenner. He speaks about the political friction that developed between Wilson and Jenner since they were both from the same home town. He discusses some of the committees Jenner worked on, and the types of situations they handled. Jackson also describes Jenner's wit and tells some anecdotes about him.

Clarence Manion, born 1896 and died 1979, was the School of Law dean at Notre Dame University. He was heavily behind the Bricker Amendment and speaks about his involvement in delivering speeches in its support. He also speaks about William Jenner's role in the Bricker Amendment as well as the 1952 Republican convention.

Frank Millis, born 1895 and died 1991, was a Republican who served in several positions in state government from representative to auditor and treasurer. He speaks about running William Jenner's campaigns for governor in 1940 and 1948. He discusses the charge to remove the 2 percent rule and wonders where the money for campaigns will now come from.

Henry Clark Springer, born 1894 and died 1980, served as De Kalb County, Indiana Republican chairman and chairman of the Indiana Republican Central Committee. He speaks about his involvement in Republican conventions, especially 1948. He talks about being a delegate to several national conventions, and discusses several prominent politicians in the state from the nineteen twenties to the nineteen fifties.

James Tucker, born 1908 and died 1995, was active in the Young Republicans Organization, and was elected the Indiana secretary of state in 1938 and 1940. He speaks about some of the issues he dealt with as secretary, such as the Ripper Bills, McNutt Bills, and patronage. He talks about campaign funding, the 1948 gubernatorial campaign, and serving on the Conservation Commission, which was the precursor to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Lisle Wallace, born 1902 and died 1991, was chairman of the Young Republican Organization and administrative assistant to Senator William Jenner. He speaks about Republican politics in Indiana, particularly campaign contributions, patronage, and conventions he remembers during his political career.

Robert Webb was a Republican and eventually served as majority leader in the Indiana House of Representatives. He speaks about some of the earlier campaigns in Indiana, and the role of William Jenner in the welfare controversy after Indiana made the records public. He also talks about several other bills and the legislative failure of Governor George Craig, partly at the hands of Webb.