JACQUELINE KENNEDY, HISTORIC CONVERSATIONS: SIXTH CONVERSATION V
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today JFK+50 continues our report on "Jacqueline Kennedy, Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy," published by Hyperion.
The sixth conversation was recorded on June 3, 1964.
Arthur Schlesinger asks:
"In the....early spring of '63, one big thing....was the steel crisis &---were you....around then?"*
*The date of the steel crisis was actually April of '62.
Jacqueline Kennedy answers:
"I remember how really outraged Jack was. You know, it's one of the few times--he really controlled his temper.
I mean, you never saw him lose it, but just sometimes that flash. I mean, he was really--what Roger Blough did to him--"**
Mr. Schlesinger says:
"He felt that Roger Blough had double-crossed him."
Mrs. Kennedy responds:
"Yes, I just remember the expression. His mouth was really tight. And you just didn't do that, you just didn't behave that way."
Mr. Schlesinger says:
"Arthur Goldberg played an active role in this steel thing & Ted Sorensen, I suppose...."
Mrs. Kennedy adds...
"It seems to me mostly Jack on the phone & Clark Clifford. But I suppose all the rest went on in his office..."
**Roger Blough (1904-1985) was chairman of the board of United States Steel Corporation from 1955 to 1969.
In April 1962, Blough, contrary to a verbal agreement not to raise steel prices, announced a 3.5% increase.
JFK felt betrayed. Following intense pressure from the administration, Blough rescinded the price hike within 72 hours.
Excerpt from President Kennedy's address on April 11, 1962:
"Actions of United States Steel & other leading steel corporations increasing steel prices by some $6 a ton constitute a wholly unjustifiable & irresponsible defiance of the public interest.
In this serious hour in our Nation's history......the American people will find it hard, as I do, to accept a situation in which....steel executives....can show such utter contempt for the interests of 185 million Americans."
