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Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith, 1993 September 23-October 28
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Smith, F. Leo (Frank Leo)
- Title
- Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith
- Dates
- 1993 September 23-October 28 (inclusive)1993-09-231993-10-28
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (12 audiocassettes (10 hr., 44 min., 12 sec.) + 1 photograph (color ; 5.5 x 4 in.))
- Collection Number
- SR 1195
- Summary
- Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith conducted by Clark Hansen from September 23 to October 28, 1993, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Smith was an Oregon state representative and Multnomah County district attorney.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Frank Leo Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1903. He attended Columbia University (now the University of Portland); Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington; and Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C. He earned his law degree in 1928, and joined a law firm in Portland in 1929. He met Josephine Gleason after returning to Portland, and they were married in 1932; she died in 1960. Smith was elected as a Democrat to represent Multnomah County in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1939 to 1944. He left the Legislature to continue in private law practice, and later also worked as a lobbyist for the Oregon State Employees Association, helping to establish the Public Employees Retirement System. He also lobbied for the University of Portland and the Archdiocese of Portland. In 1957, he was appointed to replace Multnomah County district attorney William Langley, who was removed from office. Smith left that office in 1958. In 1960, he and Dorothy McMahon were married; she died in 1980. In 1995, he and Frances Ritz Donnerberg were married. He died in 1999.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Handwritten index (28 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with F. Leo Smith was conducted by Clark Hansen at Smith's home in Portland, Oregon, from September 23 to October 28, 1993. In this interview, Smith discusses the history of the Ku Klux Klan and anti-Catholic sentiment in Oregon. He then discusses the policies of the Democratic Party in the early 20th century, particularly in Oregon, and his involvement with the party. He describes his early law career in private practice during the Depression. He talks about his time in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1939 to 1944, including his campaigns, constituency, and committee assignments. He speaks at length about legislation he worked on in the House, particularly a bill on textbooks in public schools that was later overturned by the Oregon Supreme Court. He then discusses his brief term as Multnomah County district attorney, from 1957 to 1958, and the many vice cases he prosecuted. He also talks about his involvement with the Catholic Church as a member, lawyer, and lobbyist. He discusses his later career as a lobbyist, particularly his work on establishing the Public Employees Retirement System while lobbying for the Oregon State Employees Association, and in defeating a bill on abortion while lobbying for the Archdiocese of Portland. He closes the interview by talking about the changes in society over the 20th century.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and photograph are available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith, by Clark Hansen, SR 1195, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the estate of F. Leo Smith. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Cassette | ||
1-2 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 September 23 |
3 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 September 23-1993 October 7 |
4 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 7 |
5 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 7-14 |
6-7 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 14 |
8-9 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 21 |
10-12 | Oral history interview with F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 28 |
Folder | ||
SR1195 | Photograph of F. Leo Smith | 1993 October 21 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Catholics--Oregon
- Lawyers--Oregon--Portland
- Legislation--Oregon
- Legislators--Oregon
- Public prosecutors--Oregon
Personal Names
- Smith, F. Leo (Frank Leo)
Corporate Names
- Democratic Party (Or.)
- Oregon. Legislative Assembly
Geographical Names
- Oregon--Politics and government--20th century
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Hansen, Clark (interviewer)