Harold's Old Time Radio

ABC Special Event 47-08-05: Investigation of Hughes Airplane Contract

Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Focus: Recorded highlights from the 1947 Senate hearing, featuring testimony from Elliott Roosevelt—the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt—before the committee investigating Howard Hughes’ aircraft contract.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a historic 1947 Senate hearing regarding allegations surrounding the awarding of aircraft manufacturing contracts to Howard Hughes and Henry Kaiser during World War II. The session, recorded in the packed and high-profile Senate caucus chamber, focuses on the testimony of Elliott Roosevelt, who faced scrutiny both for his wartime role and his status as FDR's son. The podcast features real-time exchanges between senators and Roosevelt, illuminating issues of political motivation, propriety, and military procurement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Context & Political Undertones

• Host John Edwards sets the stage, describing a tense, media-filled chamber and the public interest in Roosevelt's five-hour testimony.
• The backdrop is Elliott Roosevelt's assertion that the committee’s probe is politically motivated and aimed at smearing his late father, President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Notable Quotes

• "You have stated now that the fact that you were the son of the President of the United States had to be considered in these matters."
  – Senator Ferguson (02:28)

• "I will fight to the death to protect his name and his record."
  – Elliott Roosevelt (06:01)

2. Charges of Favoritism & Political Targeting

• Senator Ferguson questions whether Roosevelt’s behavior was appropriately scrutinized due to his family status, suggesting higher standards were applied.
• Roosevelt pushes back, contending the committee is selectively targeting him, neglecting broader issues of corporate gifts and widespread military favoritism.

Memorable Exchange (03:05–04:42)

• Roosevelt:
  "You would select the son of the president for the first and primary blaze of publicity...But you have chosen to deal with me..." (03:05)

• Ferguson: "It doesn't make any difference to the committee whether or not you claim that this is merely a political investigation." (04:14)

3. Assurances of Fairness and Right to Criticize

• Senator Ferguson promises a fair hearing, stating Roosevelt can openly criticize the committee without fear of reprisal.
• Roosevelt responds with determination to defend his father's reputation against alleged political attacks.

Standout Quotes

• "You can criticize the committee in a broadcast. You can criticize them right here under oath. That is your privilege as a citizen of the United States..."
  – Ferguson (05:12)

• "I will fight to the death to protect his name and his record."
  – Roosevelt (06:01)

4. Corporate Entertainment and Expense Account Scrutiny

• Senators probe whether Hughes or other companies improperly entertained Roosevelt, possibly swaying his military procurement decisions.
• Roosevelt counters by listing numerous major contractors who entertained him, arguing such interactions were routine and widespread.

List of Entertainers (07:01)

• "I was entertained by the Douglas Company, Lockheed, Fairchild, the aluminum company of America, Reynolds Metal, Pratt and Whitney, Curtis Wright, ... Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Pan American..."
  – Roosevelt (07:01)

5. Personal Character and Party Allegations

• Tensions rise over Meyer’s expense reports, which reference Roosevelt and suggest the presence of young women at parties.
• Roosevelt categorically denies any wrongdoing, calling the implications despicable.

Notable Exchange

• Roosevelt: "I think it is an utterly despicable insinuation that he should clear up for the record, because I deny with my whole heart and soul such an allegation." (10:07)

• Roosevelt (re: expense records):
  "He who digs the grave for another almost invariably falls into it himself." (10:55)
  (A sardonic reference to his being persistently targeted in documentation.)

6. Clarification of Hyde Park Visit & Expense Accounting

• A detailed exchange (12:08–21:52) discusses whether a visit to Hyde Park was legitimate from an expense and business perspective.
• Roosevelt explains officers visited Hyde Park, met Meyer, and the interaction was social rather than business-motivated.
• Discussion turns highly technical over public relations practices, accounting categories, and business contacts.

Highlights

• The senators press Meyer on why visiting Hyde Park was eligible for business expense—Meyer claims it was a valuable social contact.

• Meyer:
  "Under the heading of public relations, I mean, it's a contact and a contact with the first lady of the land. It couldn't have been more charming or more gracious." (18:49)

• Roosevelt emphasizes: "It was a reciprocity setup." (20:44)

7. Debate on Photo Reconnaissance Plane Procurement

• Roosevelt defends his military decisions relating to the Hughes photo reconnaissance plane, countering charges that he relied on unproven claims from Hughes.
• He insists procurement officers should have demanded rigorous performance guarantees and criticizes the Army Material Command for delays he believes endangered pilots.

Sharp Exchanges

• Ferguson: "Did you have any evidence before you of the performance record…" (24:49)
• Roosevelt: "...the only source that you could get it from" was Hughes' claims and specifications. (25:21)
• Roosevelt: "If they didn't put it in, I'm making an allegation that they were seriously delinquent in their duty." (29:15)

8. Conclusion: Ongoing Political Accusations

• The hearing ends with Roosevelt reiterating his belief in political motivations and calling for procurement reforms.

Closing Remarks

• "I hope that it will come out as a result of this investigation that there will be improvements made, by golly, because I don't think that the Procurement Division employed the proper tactics..."
  – Roosevelt (29:52)

• Roosevelt claims damage was done by the premature release of incomplete information to the press:
  "...records of this committee should have been released to the public press to the extent of $5,083 that was chargeable to me when me I had never had the opportunity of telling the committee publicly beforehand how completely ridiculous that was." (30:37)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "I will fight to the death to protect his name and his record." — Elliott Roosevelt (06:01)
• "He who digs the grave for another almost invariably falls into it himself." — Elliott Roosevelt (10:55)
• "You can criticize the committee...That is your privilege as a citizen..." — Senator Ferguson (05:12)
• "It was a reciprocity setup." — Elliott Roosevelt (20:44)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Introduction and Opening Political Context – 00:43–04:42
• Assurances and Right to Criticize – 04:48–06:06
• Expense Account and Entertaining Practices – 07:01–09:31
• Personal Allegations & Expense Records – 09:49–11:03
• Hyde Park Visit & Business Expense Debate – 12:08–21:52
• Photo Reconnaissance Plane Procurement – 23:14–29:15
• Final Political Charges and Closing Remarks – 29:49–31:19

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode captures a tense, formal, and sometimes combative hearing, with moments of sharp wit and biting sarcasm—particularly from Elliott Roosevelt as he battles to defend his conduct and his father's legacy amid political undertones. The senators, meanwhile, oscillate between strict procedural questioning and colloquial humor, especially during the nightclub business discussions.

For listeners interested in the intersection of history, politics, scandal, and the mechanics of American wartime procurement, this episode provides a rare, vivid window into a legendary congressional hearing and the personalities who dominated it.