The series consists of an affidavit, articles, brochures, charts, clippings, correspondence, cross-reference sheets, drafts, essays, executive orders, galley proofs, laws, leaflets, lists, maps, memoranda, minutes, notes, photographs, political platforms, press releases, regulations, reports, resolutions, speeches, summaries, tables, telegrams, transcripts, and transmittal slips.

Materials in this series date from 1918, 1930, and 1936-1957, with the bulk of the material covering Byrnes’ service as the chief economic stabilizer from 1942-1945. He gave up his Supreme Court justiceship to become the Director of the Office of Economic Stabilization on October 3, 1942, and later the Director of the Office of War Mobilization (OWM) on May 28, 1943, which became the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion (OWMR) in October 1944. During his service in the OWM Byrnes became known as the “Assistant President.” However, Byrnes relationship with Roosevelt became strained after he was looked over as a vice-presidential candidate for a second time. Byrnes resigned from his post on April 2, 1945.

Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically by folder title, and correspondence files are arranged alphabetically by surname. Additional personal correspondence—formerly housed at the University of South Carolina—is filed at end of the series. Photographs and oversize items have been removed to photograph and oversize storage. See the Photographs Series for photographs removed from this series.

This series is a rich source of primary materials related to all aspects of economic stabilization on the homefront during World War II. It documents Byrnes’ effort to coordinate and mediate numerous wartime economic agencies. The material also documents Byrnes’ working relationship with President Roosevelt, containing memoranda between the two and drafts of executive orders press releases, and speeches suggested by Byrnes for Roosevelt’s use.

Topics include shortages and rationing, especially oil along the East Coast, of rubber, and of manpower; wage and price administration and control; and subsidies, particularly for agriculture and the oil industry. Correspondence includes congratulations to Byrnes’ appointment in 1942 and reactions to his resignation in 1945. There are also letters and memoranda concerning appointments to various boards and commissions as well as court appointments.

The series documents Byrnes’ attempts to mediate a dispute between Vice President Henry A. Wallace and Secretary of Commerce Jesse Stone over responsibility for wartime shortages; the actions of the War Manpower Commission to deal with the manpower needs of industry and the armed services; and the role of the National War Labor Board in mediating wage disputes in the coal and railroad industries, including the 1943 coal strike and the threatened 1944 railroad strike that led to the U.S. Army temporarily taking over the railroads. In addition there is material relating to a number of aspects of the oil problem such as the Canol Project (an oil pipeline in Canada from the Norman Wells oil fields to a refinery in Whitehorse to supply oil for machinery working on Alaska Highway); the construction of pipelines and refineries; transportation; and foreign reserves, especially in the Middle East. The latter includes a proposal for the construction of an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, the need for an agreement with the United Kingdom regarding exploiting reserves in their area of influence, and the development of an international oil policy for the United States.

Byrnes also accompanied President Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference (held in the Crimea on February 7-12, 1945) in an unofficial capacity. Of particular interest are the shorthand notes Byrnes took during the Conference. Transcriptions of these notes are also available as well as agreements, minutes, and other materials relating to the Conference.

Political material can also be found in this series. Most of it relates to the 1944 Democratic Convention in Chicago and Presidential election but there is also a little concerning politics in South Carolina. Items about the Convention include drafts of the party platform, suggestions for honorary members of the Democratic National Committee, and speculation over who might be chosen as Roosevelt’s running mate. Election materials include campaign plans and strategies.

Items concerning Byrnes’ failure to be chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate at the convention include correspondence in support of his nomination and reactions to his failure to be nominated; memoranda of telephone conversations and discussions of regarding the vice presidency; and Byrnes’ explanation of why he was not nominated. There is also a book draft (probably for All in One Lifetime) regarding the vice presidency and transcriptions of excerpts from Walter Brown’s journals covering this period.

In addition to material relating to his federal service and politics there are also items concerning Byrnes’ personal life. Some of it is financial and relates to investments and real estate. There are condolences; requests for assistance for autographs, for photographs, and for recommendations for jobs, military discharges and transfers; invitations; and thank yous. There is material relating to the death of Frank Hogan, a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer and Byrnes’ cousin, as well as Byrnes’ membership on the Clemson College Board of Trustees, which include minutes and correspondence concerning wartime enrollment and the College’s efforts to support the armed services.

Correspondents include businessmen Bernard Baruch and Roger Peace; OWMR colleagues Walter Brown, General Lucius Clay, Ben Cohen, Cassie Connor, Donald Russell, and Fred Searls; Leo T. Crowley, Alien Property Administrator and Director of the Foreign Economic Administration; National War Labor Board Chairman William H. Davis; Presidential Press Secretary Stephen Early; Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter; Presidential Secretaries William Hassett and Marvin McIntyre; Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes; Marvin Jones, Administrator of the War Food Administration; Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau; Wayne Morse, public member of the War Labor Board; War Production Board Chairman Donald Nelson; Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson; Lawrence Pinckney, South Carolina Administrator of the Works Progress Administration; Robert Poole, President of Clemson College; Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman; journalist Herbert Swope; Fred Vinson, Director of the Office of Economic Stabilization; and Alexander Whitney, President of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. There is also correspondence with members of the Busch, Fuller and Miner families.

SEPARATION LISTIn Removed Oversize Box 1: