Wallace F. Bennett papers, 1946-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Bennett, Wallace F. (Wallace Foster), 1898-
Title
Wallace F. Bennett papers
Dates
1946-1978 (inclusive)
Quantity
20 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0290
Summary
The Wallace F. Bennett papers (1946-1978) hold documents from the four terms this conservative politician and businessman who served as a U. S. Senator from Utah. Included are business papers relating to the Senator's interests in Bennett Motor, Bennett Glass and Paint, Bennett Leasing, and various investments; family correspondence; correspondence with friends, associates and constituents, such as George Romney, Ezra Taft Benson, J. Willard Marriott, and Ernest L. Wilkinson; and political correspondence that includes interesting items about Utah Governor J. Bracken Lee and Utah Congressman Douglas Stringfellow. Also present are three of Bennett's books, which provide information on his beliefs, the Bennett family, his business interests, and his life in Washington: Faith and Freedom (1950), Why I Am A Mormon (1958), and John F. Bennett: Businessman--Benefactor (1980).
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

It was on November 13, 1898 that John Foster and Rosetta Elizabeth Wallace Bennett became parents of their first child, Wallace Foster Bennett. Wallace attended the Salt Lake public schools and the L.D.S. High School. He later attended the University of Utah. In 1918 he enlisted in the army and upon completion of his training, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He did not see active duty as the war ended at about the time of his commission. He returned to Salt Lake and in 1919 completed his AB degree in English at the University of Utah.

Upon graduation he became the principal of the San Luis Stake Academy in Manassa Colorado which was operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He returned to Salt Lake in 1920 and began his career at Bennett's Glass and Paint, the family business.

In 1922 he married Frances Grant the youngest daughter of Mormon Church president Heber J. Grant. They became the parents of five children, Wallace Grant, David Wells, Robert Foster, Rosemary [Fletcher] and Frances [Jeppson].

In 1917 a formal trust document had been signed by John F. Bennett, W. J. Bennett, a brother, and Joseph C. Sharp, an associate, creating the Bennett Association with a lifetime of fifty years. W. J. Bennett became trustee of the Bennett Association in 1928. In 1938 Richard Bennett became the third trustee on the death of his father. This association was a holding company for the Bennett family assets. In 1928 his father's health began to deteriorate and he assumed more responsibility for the Bennett's business interests becoming secretary-Tresurer of Bennett's Glass and Paint. Upon his fathers death in 1938 he became president of Bennett's.

In 1939 he, along with his two brothers, Harold and Richard, and Homer C. "Pug" Warner, received a franchise from Ford Motor Co. to and establish a car dealership, Bennett Motor Co. In the meantime he continued to be active in his church following in his father's footstep and becoming treasurer of the General Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. He was active in civic affairs. In 1940 he was elected president of the Salt Lake Rotary Club and in 1944 he was selected as the President of the Salt Lake Community Chest.

Over the years he had assumed leadership positions in business organizations. In 1935 he served as Vice President of the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association and in 1937 he became president of the National Glass Distributor's Association. In 1945 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers and elected President of this organization in 1949) the first time someone from a small business background had been chosen.

It was not surprising perhaps that in 1950 some of the leaders in Utah's Republican Party, in searching for the right candidate to unseat long time Democratic Senator Elbert Thomas, looked favorably upon Wallace Bennett's business, civic and church credentials and nominated him as the Republican candidate. He was successful in unseating Senator Thomas and went on to represent the people of Utah for the next twenty-four years.

This election to the senate caused a change in his business responsibilities and these were assumed for the most part by his brother, Richard. The Senator was listed as Chairman of the Board of both Bennett's Glass and Paint and Bennett Motor Co. He continued to act as a Trustee of the Bennett Association, the family holding company.

In 1962 he had a hard fought campaign against Congressman David King. He won and gradually as he had more seniority he had more responsibilities.

His assignments in the senate included the committees in Finance, Banking and Currency, joint committees on Atomic Energy and Defense Production and he was vice-chairman of the Ethic's Committee. Had the Republican won a majority in the Senate he would have become chairman of either the Finance or Banking and Currency Committee.

His special interest in the senate included the upper Colorado Storage Project, establishing a review process for Medicine and Miecaid payments, and securing federal insurance for share holders of the nation's credit union's. When he left the senate he was characterized by Frank Hewlett who headed the Salt Lake Tribune's Washington bureau as "one of the Senate's foremost financial experts."

Wallace F. Bennett died 19 December 1993.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Wallace F. Bennett papers (1946-1978) concentrate on the period of time when Bennett served as United States Senator from Utah. The bulk of the collection dates from 1965 to 1972. The papers have been divided into five categories: business, family, legislative, personal, and political correspondence.

The business papers consist mostly of correspondence along with some financial statements. These items relate to the Senator's Salt Lake interests: Bennett Motor Company, Bennett's Glass and Paint, Bennett Leasing, as well as various investments made over the years.

The family correspondence is of two kinds. There are the "family letters" which kept his immediate family as well as some close associates in touch with his social, political and legislative activities. They contain his candid expressions about those activities and serve as his diary. A nearly complete set of this correspondence is located in boxes 41-46. In addition, there is other correspondence with individual family members that spans the years 1950-1974. Of this latter kind, those between the Senator and his brother, Richard, are the most useful for learning about family, business, and personal matters.

The legislative section of the collection is the least informative. It is primarily perfunctory correspondence and invitations. The latter items were sampled and only a small portion retained.

The personal correspondence consists of letters to friends, associates, and constituents. Among these are former Michigan Governor, George Romney; former Secretary of Agriculture and Mormon Church Apostle, Ezra Taft Benson; J. Willard Marriott; and Ernest L. Wilkinson.

The political correspondence is limited but in some cases revealing. There are interesting items about former Utah Governor, J. Bracken Lee and former Utah Congressman, Douglas Stringfellow, who had been forced off the Republican ticket in 1954.

The Senator wrote three books during this period. They are Faith and Freedom, 1950; Why I Am A Mormon, 1958; and John F. Bennett: Businessman--Benefactor, 1980. They are included in the collection providing useful background information about the Senator's beliefs, the Bennett family, his business interests and his life in Washington. In addition, Mrs. Bennett, the daughter of Heber J. Grant, former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote Glimpses of a Mormon Family in 1968. It is also a useful adjunct providing family information and indicating the highlights of their Washington life.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Wallace F. Bennett in 1982.

Gift of Wallace G. Bennett in 2012.

Processing Note

Processed by Nancy V. Young in 1983 and Julia Huddleston in 2012.

Addendum processed by Julia Huddleston in 2012.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0017).

Senatorial papers are located at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. See also the Robert F. Bennett papers (ACCN 1423) located in the Mansucripts Division of Special Collections.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Faith and Freedom - ManuscriptReturn to Top

Faith and Freedom the Pillars of American Democracy was written in conjunction with Hawthorne Daniel and published in 1950. An edited typescript along with a few items of correspondence are included in this box.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Correspondence
1951; 1967
1 2
Chapters 1-7
1 3
Chapters 8-14

Business, Family and Legislative CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Bennett Motor Company
Correspondence, Financial Statement and an informative memo dated 7/29/54 regarding the Management of the company vis-a-vis its relationship with Ford Motor Co.
2 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
October 3, 1954 - History of the Company outlined in New York Times article.
2 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint "Brush Marks"
Incomplete run of issues December 31, 1953 to November 4, 1954.
2 4
Bennett's Glass and Paint - Correspondence
2 5
"Family Letters"
This series of letters begin with Bennett having undergone surgery in December 1951; a description of Christmas, the return from army service of Wallace Bennett Jr. and his wife, Theda, to Salt Lake; the return to Washington and resumption of the Bennett's activities. The tone of the letters is newsy and filled as much with happenings in their daily lives as Bennett's senate activities. He made speeches before audiences around the County-Such of Rotary clubs, Insurance correspondes and Chamberss of Commerce. The Bennetts redecorate their apartment, Frances Bennett graduated from Wellesly and makes plans for her marriage to Lawrence Jeppson.
  • May 28, 1952 - Senator Robert Taft announced as a presidential candidate and Bennett declared his support of Taft in a letter of May 38, 1952.
  • June 16, 1952 - Alice Roosevelt Longworth had been Bennett's dinner companion and he described the evening's events as "one of the high lights of my Washington experience."
1951 December-1952 June
2 6
"Family Letters"
This year's letters continued to deal with happenings of several members of the family, church activities and some public issues, Particulary speeches he made to conservative audiences.
  • February 19, 1953 - Both Senator Joseph McCarthy and Seretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson are subjects in this letter, page 4.
  • February 27, 1953 - Senator Robert Taft's view on Communists being on University staffs was one with which Bennett implied he disagreed.
1953
2 7
"Family Letters"
1953
2 8
Bennett, David W.
This folder contains a copy of David's "Missionary Farewell" program, dated May 30, 1948; correspondence which indicates he was a seminary teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and, that a daughter, Amy was born March 24, 1954.
2 9
Bennett, Frances G.
2 10
Bennett, Harold
2 11
Bennett, Richard S.
2 12
Bennett, Robert
2 13
Bennett, Wallace G.
2 14
"Family Letters"
March 25, 1954 - The Beginning of Senator Joseph McCarthy's downfall as described by Bennett following an informal meeting with other Republican Senators: Goldwater, Dickson, Knowland, Bricker and McCarthy.
January-June 1954
2 15
"Family Letters"
  • August 6, 1954 - Sen. Joseph McCarthy's problems with his Senate Colleagues are outlined by Bennett in this letter.
  • October 26, 1954 - Circumstances leading to the resignation of congressman Douglas Stringfellow. Among those involved in the resignation were Mormon Church president, David O. McKay, Ezra Taft Benson, Mormon Church apostle and secretary of Agriculture; Utah governor, J. Bracken Lee, Senator Arthur Watkins and Senator Bennett.
  • December 6, 1954 - The rules of Senator Arthur Watkin and Bennett's in the Joseph McCarthy Senate censure hearings are noted.
July-December 1954
2 16
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett
2 17
Jeppson, Frances Bennett
2 18
Congratulations
Letters sent to persons celebrating Golden wedding anniversary,s significant birthdays, Eagle Scout status. These simply give some indication of Bennett's constituent correspondence.
1950
2 19
Decoudun, Andre - Senate Bill 3240
Folders 19-23 contain Imigration and Naturalization Bills which Bennett sponsored attempting to gain citizenship for those sponsered. These were selected from a much larger number representing about twenty-five percent of the total.
2 20
Gunnink, Frans - Senate Bill 247
2 21
Pambianchi, Ferdinando - Senate Bill 2755
2 22
Romer, Gosta Harry - Senate Bill 1897
2 23
Zublic, Jacob Fraim - Senate Bill 694
2 24
Miscellaneous Items
2 25
Senate Newsletter
1951 April 6

Legislative, Personnel and PoliticalReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
3 1
"Strawberry Days"
Over a period of years, during the month of June, Bennett arranged with ZCMI to fly in Utah Strawberries for his Strawberry Days in the senate. This folder contains selected "thank you" correspondence from other senators as well as some logistics correspondence with those responsibletes and shipments.
3 2
General Correspondence
3 3
Financial Correspondence
3 4
General Correspondence "R"
January 8 and January 13, 1954 - Analysis of Bennett's Senatorial role. Correspondence between Bennett and David A. Robinson.
3 5
Reiser, A. Hamer and Beth
Correspondence about the Reiser's British Mission Presidency and some information about Bob Bennett's mission.
3 6
Jonas, Frank H.
Interesting exchange of views about the 1954 Utah election and the roles played by Bennett and Ezra Taft Benson in the resignation of Rep. Douglas String-fellow's.

Business, Family, Legislative, Personal and Political Correspondence, 1955Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
Bennett Motor Company
This correspondence deals primarily with Beneett's personal automobile rather than Bennett Motor Co. business. Bennett's Glass and Paint "Brush Marks"
4 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint "Brush Marks"
Incomplete run January 13-June 16 of the Bennett's employee newsletters.
4 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Correspondence between Richard S. Bennett and Wallace Bennett about Bennett's paint business.
  • October 2, 1955 - New York Times article about the Senator's connection and background with Bennett's paints--particularly the colorizer process.
4 3A
Deutsch, Clarence
4 4
Bennett Association
4 5
Bennett, David W.
March 28, 1955 - David wrote to "Dear Family" and expressed his ideas about philosophy and his problem with mathematics. He wrote about his grave concern that man's math skills had outshipped his social skills.
4 6
Bennett, Harold
May 4, 1955 - Senator Bennett congratulated Harold upon receiving the "Retailer of the Year Award."
4 7
Bennett, Richard S.
4 8
Bennett, Robert
Correspondence is all from Senator Bennett to son, Robert, who was serving a British Mission for the Mormon Church. Senator and Mrs. Bennett visited him in England.
4 9
Bennett, Wallace G.
September 20, 1955 - Glendon Johnson wrote to Wallace G. Bennett. re: Senator Bennett's 1956 re-election campaign.
4 10
Family Letter
January-August
4 11
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett
4 12
Jeppson, Frances Bennett
4 13
Miscellaneous Correspondence
4 14
Office Staff
December 12, 1955 - Neal Maxwell, a member of Bennett's staff, discussed leaving after the 1956 election to work for Deseret News.
4 15
Adamson, Myrtle
4 16
Ashton, Wendell J.
4 17
Automobile Insurance
4 18
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Primarily Bennett's contributions to the Church, Ward Budget and Tithing.
4 19
European Trip
Itinerary, schedule, correspondence for European Trip from August 24 to October 7. This appeared to be primarily a personal rather than an official Senate Trip.
4 20
Financial Items
4 21
General Correspondence
January 26, 1955 - Bennett write to Mrs. James B. Keister updating her on his family and his brothers and sisters.
4 22
General Correspondence "A"
Political - 1955
4 23
Jonas, Frank H.
This correspondence provides more information about the resignation of congressman Douglas Stringfellow and also some limited data on Utah's historical voting patterns. There was speculation about whether sitting Governor J. Bracken Lee would run for a third term.
4 24
Lee, J. Bracken
In 1955 Governor Lee attacked President Eisenhower's loyalty to the Republican Party. Bennett denounced Lee's attack. Materials in this folder provide some background in this matter.
4 25
Republican Senatorial Committee
5 1
Bennett Motor Company
There is extensive memo correspondence from Richard D. Bennett to Harold and Wallace Bennett about the management and finance of aspects Bennett Motor Co. which was the umbrella Co. for Bennett Ford and Bennett Leasing.
January-June
5 2
Bennett Motor Company
July-December
5 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Colorizer paints and the Bennett's company's seventy-fifth anniversary are discussed.
5 4
Bennett's "Brush Marker" newsletter
Incomplete run - 11 issues
5 4A
Business Association
5 5
General Correspondence - Wallace F. Bennett - Richard S. Bennett et al
5 6
Bennett Association
The cash position of the association is noted.
5 7
Bennett, David
Letter to family in which he expressed some of his ideas about mathematics - December 2, 1956
5 8
Bennett, Mabel R.
5 9
Bennett, Rose Wallace
Correspondence about her Harper family genealogy.
5 10
Bennett, Richard S.
Some correspondence between Richard and Wallace Bennett about the Wallace family Genealogy - their mother's family.
5 11
Bennett, Robert
Lon Lee, daughter of J. Bracken Lee, is associated in University of Utah Student government with Bob Bennett. Reference is made to a story about them in the Washington Post in a letter to Bob from his father - June 28, 1956.
5 12
Bennett, Wallace G.
5 13
Family Letter
Bennett presented an overview of his activities -political, religious, legislative and personal from March to June in his letter of June 2. The Senate campaign and its aftermath is the subject of the family letter of December 4.
5 14
Constituent Service--Norman. P. Michaud
Mr. Michaud was a disabled veteran with many problems which Bennett's staff attempt to ameliorate. The correspondence is arranged beginning with the most recent correspondence. The dates are 1956-1958. It has been included to indicate the type of constituent service provided by Senator Bennett's office.
5 15
First Term Accomplishments
This 11 page paper is entitled, "Summary of Accomplishments of Senator Wallace F. Bennett" and may have been used as a campaign hand-out.
5 16
General Correspondence
March 8 - Letter from President Eisenhower to Bennett thanking him for support of administration policies and for Bennetts "kind comments about the upper colorado legislation.
5 17
Office Staff
5 17.1
Strawberry Days
5 18
"A" Correspondence
Miscellaneous letters from correspondents whose last names begin with A covering a variety of topics--some political.
5 19
Adamson, Myrtle M.
The financial matters of the Bennetts are the subject of most of this correspondence.
5 20
"B" Correspondence
Greeting cards and thank-you letters primarily.
5 21
Christmas Card List
A list of several hundred persons with addresses to whom the Bennetts send Christmas Greetings. The list includes the prominent and not so prominent in Utah and Washington.
5 22
Constituent and General Correspondence
5 23
Finance - Correspondence
Primarily correspondence with and reports from the Edward L Burton investment company.
5 24
Sunday School Lessons
Bennett's notes for teaching his lessons as well as the Lesson handbook for 1956.
5 25
Senate Campaign
Limited materials including brochures, correspondence, and a contributor's list, Additional campaign materials are in Bx 5 Fds 13, 15, and 20.
1956

Why I Am A Mormon Return to Top

Typescript, background materials, correspondence, list of autographed copies sent out and reviews. The book was originally published in 1958 as part of a series on religion all entitled Why I Am A Methodist, Episcopalian, Mormon, etc. The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had asked Bennett to write the book which he seemed pleased to do. He began writing in 1956.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
6 1
Why I Am A Mormon - Background Material
This folder contains various items to which Bennett apparently referred when doing the book. Included are the writings of others, various statistics and reasons why some persons made the decision to join the Mormon Church.
  • 1939 - "What is the "Mormon Church Welfare Plan?" Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
  • Notes from Mormon Values: The Significance of a Religious Outlook for Social Action, a thesis by Thomas F. O'Dea, Harvard University.
  • 1957 - "The Mormon in American History" by William Mulder, 21st annual Reynolds Lecture delivered at the University of Utah.
6 2
Correspondence
1956-1958
6 3
Typescript - First Version
This first version differs significantly from the succeeding and final versions. Only Chapter I and Chapter VIII are included.
1956
6 4
Typescript - Second Version
Chapters I - V (incomplete)
1957
6 5
Typescript - Second Version
Chapters VI - X (incomplete)
1957
6 6
Typescript - Second Version
Chapters XI - XV (incomplete)
1957
6 7
Typescript - Second Version
Chapters XVI - XX (incomplete)
1957
6 8
Typescript - Second Version
Chapters XXI - XXIII (incomplete)
1957
6 9-12
Final Transcript (incomplete)
This typescript appears to be the same as the published version. It seems to have been well accepted having been reprinted twice. It presents Mormon thought and practices of the 1950s. The priesthood authority is discussed without mention that it was available only to worthy white males. The General authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were pleased with the book according to their letter to Senator Bennett.
6 9
Preface and Chapter I - V (complete)
6 10
Chapters VI - XII (incomplete)
6 11
Chapters XIV - XVIII (incomplete)
6 12
Chapters XIX - XXIII (incomplete)
6 13
Why I Am A Mormon - Miscellaneous
Reviews and lists of persons to whom autographed copies were sent.

Business, Family and Legislative Correspondence, 1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 1
Bennett Motor Company
There are several memos from Richard S. Bennett on the managment and the financing of Bennett Ford and Bennett Leasing as well as a "Preliminary Report on your various enterprises" listing Bennett Motor and Bennett's gloss Paint co's. profits dated August 6. The new Edsel is previewed in a mailing dated August 23 from Ford Motor Co.
7 2
Bennett, Richard S. - Correspondence
Letters from Senator Bennett to Richard Bennett acknowledging the latter's correspondence.
7 3
Bennett's "Brush Marks"
Incomplete issues between March 21 and November 17.
7 4
Bennett's Glass and Paint
General Correspondence.
7 5
Bennett's Glass and Paint - Correspondence
Wallace G. Bennett. Bennett's gloss and Paints co's. insurance, medical, and pension plans as well as a Union settlement are the subjects covered in this correspondence between Wally Bennett and his father, Senator Bennett. See also Box 8 Fds 7-8 for the labor contract and profit sharing plan.
7 6
Bennett's Glass and Paint Employee Orientation Material
A copy of the group insurance plan. A "welcome" from Senator Bennett as chairman of the Board and a detailed company history policy outline.
7 7
Bennett's Glass and Paint - Labor Contract
7 8
Bennett's Glass and Paint - Profit Sharing Plan
Correspondence, proposed retirement program, ledger sheets on profits, balance sheets for Bennett's Paints and the Bennett Association and U. S. Government publication on the regulation for profit sharing plans.
7 9
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Family - 1957
7 10
Bennett, David
7 11
Bennett, Robert
7 12
Bennett, Wallace G.
7 13
Family Letter
Letters of January 7 and 14 speculate on his upcoming Senate Committee assignments. Also in the letter of January 14 he comments about his progress in writing Why I Am A Mormon. November 17 to December 1 he visited Germany and wrote about his impressions of the county and its people.
7 14
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett, et al
7 15
General Correspondence
Letters are between Bennett and his mother, his wife, his brothers and daughter-in-law, Theda.
7 16
Wallace, William R.
Mr. Wallace was Bennett's uncle whose death is noted by the sons of Utah Pioneers in their newsletter. He was well-to-do and the father of John Wallace later Mayor of Salt Lake and President of Walker Bank.
7 17
Constituent Services
Bennett's staff and Neal Maxwell, formerly on the staff and at this time with the University of Utah, work closely together to bring to their country Ildy Somogyvary, a Hungarian refugee, the daughter of Frank E. Somogyvary, a University of Utah instructor.
7 18
Constituent Services
George Tohinaka long-term resident of Salt Lake is granted permanent status in the United States through efforts of Bennetts staff correspondence, affidavits and senate bills.
7 19
Fruit - ZCMI
Senator Bennett often worked with ZCMI to ship Utah fruit to Washington for distribution to senate collegues.
7 20
General Correspondence - BEA - BEM
7 21
General Correspondence - BEN - BEY
7 22
General Correspondence - DI - DO
Dixon, Henry Alodus. Letters to him from Bennett. March 16, August 16 and September 6. Donald, George R. January 5, March 12, 13 and April 5. Taxation of co-operatives is the subject of this correspondence.
7 23
General Correspondence - DR - DY
Droubay, H. K. General Margins of United Park City Mines is responded to by Bennett on the government's mineral's policy.

Legislature Correspondence, 1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
8 1
General Correspondence - E
  • Eccles, Ellen Stoddard: Bennett sends greetings for her 90th birthday, February 5, 1957.
  • Eccles, George: Bennett sends condolences to George on the death of his mother, March 1, 1957 and on March 18 expressed thanks for Eccles support of the Financial Institutions Act of 1957.
  • Eccles, Marriner S.: Bennett writes to Eccles about inflation and relation with Russia and China, September 30 and December 30.
  • Egan, J. Perry: Wester Water Policy in mentioned in letter of April 18, 1957.
  • Eliason, Eldon A.: Millard County, Potential site for a Naval Bombing Range, February 11, 1957.
  • Emerson, Guy L. V.: U. S. Monetary Policy, June 11, 1957.
  • Ewing, Walter C.: Equal Rights Amendment, February 5, 1957.
8 2
General Correspondence - FA - FE
  • Falkner, M. E.: Bennett's position on Atomic testing, June 10, 1957.
  • Fetzer, John: Bennett's position on Foreign Aid, June 5, 1957.
8 3
General Correspondence - FI - FL
  • First Presidency, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Federal Building--proposed location, December 20, 1957.
  • Fields, William L.: Bennett's attitude on the postal service, May 22, 1957.
  • Floete, Franklin G.: Federal building needs in Utah. Several letters dated January 10-November 4.
8 4
General Correspondence - FO - FU
  • Folland, Richard E.: Deseret Sunday School Union Board, January-September.
  • M. E. Felkner and Newell R. Frei: Atomic Testing
  • Francom, W. L. and W. D. Foster: Civil Rights for Blacks.
8 5
General Correspondence - GA - GH
Gaddis, Stephen: Segregation problem, March 29, 1957.
8 6
General Correspondence - GI - GO
  • Goeppinger, W. W.: Agricultural Purity Program, August 14, 1957.
  • Golding, David: Foreign relationships and Dictatorships, April 5, 1957.
  • Goodman, Jack: Cigarette Warning Label Bill and other correspondence, January - July.
  • Goslan, Ival V.: Upper Colorado storage, January - June.
8 7
General Correspondence
  • Greenhalgh, Taryl L.: Federal Aid to Education, February 11, 1957.
  • Griffin, R. W.: Federal Interstate Highway System, April 30, 1957.
  • Gulbranson, La Mar D.: President of Utah State AFL-CIO. Pay Television, November 11, 1957.
8 8
General Correspondence - HA - HORN
8 9
General Correspondence - HAL - HAY
8 10
General Correspondence - HE
  • Heaton, Dallie G.: Hungarian Relief Program, February 18, 1957.
  • Heald, James E.: Lead and Zinc Policy, September 9, 1957.
8 11
General Correspondence - HI - HO
Hodson, Paul: Senator Bennett wrote to Hodson about Bob Bennett's career plans, June 17, 1957.
8 12
Immigration and Naturalization
8 13
Inter Office Memos and Reports
8 14
Office - Staff Correspondence
8 15
(Proposed) Salt Lake City Federal Building - Reports

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
9 1
Adamson, Mritle M. Correspondence
Mrs. Adamson, a long time employee at Bennett's Paint, handled Bennett's personal and financial matters in Salt Lake. Their correspondence is reflective of this relationship. See Folder 3.
9 2
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Deseret Sunday School Union Board. Address by Elder Adam S. Bennion.
9 3
Financial Matters
9 4
General Correspondence
9 5
General Correspondence - A
Items are arranged alphabetically rather than chronologically. Correspondents include Wendell J. Ashton and Orval Adams.
9 6
General Correspondence - B
This alphabetically arranged correspondence is primarily personal with some of it being constituent.
9 7
Germany - Visit
Correspondence, schedules, speech about trip, miscellaneous items.
9 8
Gifts, Cards, etc.
9 9
Insurance Program
9 10
Rotary Bee - Newsletters
January - September issues--incomplete runs.
9 11
Why I Am A Mormon
Bennett's correspondence with Homer Reiser asking for information to be included in his book.
9 12
Jonas, Frank H. - Correspondence

Business, Family, Legislative, Personal and Political Correspondence, 1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
10 1
Bennett's Glass and Paint
10 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Minutes and financial reports for May.
10 3
Family Letters
Bennett's book, Why I Am A Mormon is mentioned in several of these letters. The funeral service of his mother, Rose Wallace Bennett, is noted in the letter of March 24.
January - March
10 4
Family Letters
The appointment of Hugh B. Brown as an apostle is noted in the letter of April 17, 1958. Harold Stassen's election defeat is mentioned in the May 22 letter and a description of a party at the J. Willard Marriott farm is provided in the letter of May 26, 1958.
April - May
10 5
Family Letters
Employment prospects for Bob and David Bennett are mentioned in letters of June 1 and June 9.
June - July
10 6
Family Letter
Much commentary about Republican politics. The September 10th letter features much information: Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Fletcher, parents of Bennett's son-in-law, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, the Arthur Watkins and J. Bracken Lee primary elections is commented upon as well as the general political situation.
August - October
10 7
Family Letter
November - December
10 8
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett
Wrote to her extended family about her children.
10 9
Appointments
10 10
Department of Justice Correspondence
The Martin Sobell case of Rosenberg-Sobell infamy is one matter of correspondence. Professor Francis Wormuth of the University of Utah has an article in a news sheet about the sobell Case.
10 11-12
Invitations Accepted
These are selected items. About twenty percent of the letters in this section were retained.
10 13-14
Invitations Declined
10 15
Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation
10 16
Miscellaneous Items
Letter from President Eisenhower thanking Bennett for his support of the administrations domestic minerals stabilization plan, August 28, 1958. Bennett, in a Salt Lake Tribune article, urged support of U. S. Student Loan Plan. Bennett subscribed to the position that the U. S. constitution was divinely inspired in the outline of his speech "The Church and the Constitution."
10 17
National Association of Manufacturers Newsletter
July 11, 1958 This issue primarily devoted to congressional matters
10 18
Office - Administration
List of staff employees, 1951-1957 and Congressional Record obituary article on Bennett's mother, Rose Wallace Bennett.
10 19
Pass Ports and Visa's
10 20
Improvement Era Article
"Gospel teaching page Dividends" probably appeared in December 1958 issue or early 1959. Correspondence and typescript. Bennett write Mltelt.
10 21
Miscellaneous Materials
Letter from Grant Johannesen. Legal statement deeding property in Big Cottonwood Canyon to Frances Bennett.
10 22
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Lyle Ward, Bennett's Salt Lake staff person, reported that Sherman Adames, a dishonored assistant to Pres. Eisenhower, was an issue in the 1958 campaign. Senator Arthur Watkins, running for election, faced stiff opposition from some within the Republican party who supported Governor Lee.

Business, Family Legislative, Personal and Political Correspondence, 1959Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
11 1
Bennett Motor Co.
Correspondence about the National Car Rental franchise and financial sheets for Bennett Ford.
11 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Minutes and financial documents for May.
11 3-5
Family Letters
The family letters for this year indicate that the Senator became more active in the senate. He was a member of the Financial Committee chaired by Senator Byrd and the Atomic Energy Committee. He participated in background briefings about atomic energy and indicated he did not feel the testing in Nevada would prove to be a problem. He spends a fair amount of time making speeches for the Republican Party. His personal life continued to be satisfactory. New grandchildren are born. He taught his Sunday School Class and continued his membership on the Sunday School Board. He noted the problem of age associated with the First Presidency of the Mormon Church. His son, David, completed his graduate work in Philosophy at Columbia. Both Bennett's traveled to Europe under the auspice of the Atomic Energy Committee. Mrs. Bennett provided a travel log. The Bennett's social life was well. He provided delightful accounts of Senator Byrd's apple blossom luncheon and a visit to J. Willard Marriott's farm. He described an unhappy encounter with Reed Benson, Ezra Taft Benson's son.
11 6
Appointments
11 7
Immigration
There are several cases in this folder including that of Dr. Aziz S. Atiya, August - October, 1959.
11 8-9
Invitation accepted
These are selected invitations about thirty percent of the total was retained.
11 10-11
Invitations Declined
These are selected invitation about twenty percent were returned.
11 12
Office - Administration
List of members of Senator Bennett's staff, September 17, 1959.
11 13-14
Passport and Visa Correspondence
11 15
Senate Correspondence
Bennett makes a statement to the Senate Interior Committee favoring Hawaiian Statehood, March 2, 1959.
11 16
General Correspondence - A - M
"God of Power" a hymn whose lyrics were written by Bennett is the subject of correspondence with J. Spencer Cornwall.
11 17
General Correspondence - P, R, S
Limited correspondence with Ivy Baker Priest, Rocco Sicliano and I. Daniel Stewart.
11 18
Glendon Johnson Correspondence
Two brief items of correspondence.
11 19
Why I Am A Mormon Correspondence
11 20
Maxwell, Neal
As a former assistant to Bennett, Maxwell maintained a close relationship with the Senator. They exchanged letters about the political system in Utah. A friend sends Bennett a copy of a speech delivered by Maxwell, "The Constitutional Convention Revisited."

Business and Family CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
12 1
Bennett Motor Company
Correspondence includes items about Bennett Ford, Bennett Leasing and National Car Rental. There are some financial reports.
12 2
Bennett's Brush Marks
Five issues, January - July
12 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Correspondence, Profit sharing plan and agenda for Bennett's Directors Meetings.
12 4
Bennett's Glass and Paint - Financial Statements
Agenda, Minutes and financial statements.
12 5
National Association of Manufactures
Newsletters, 1960-1961 and correspondence, 1948, 1960-1961.
12 6
Bennett Association
The possible sale of Main Street property owned by the Bennett's and the John Wallace family is the main subject of this correspondence.
12 7
Bennett, Harold
Harold Bennett, as president of ZCMI, is featured in a Deseret News article about the new ZCMI downtown store.
12 8
Bennett, Richard S.
Bennett Motor, Bennett's glassed Paint and the Bennett Association are the subjects in the correspondence between Richard and Wallace Bennett.
12 9
Bennett, Wallace G.
Miscellaneous subjects discussed--business and some political happenings including the dispute between Mayor J. Bracken Lee and the police chief. Cleon Skousen whom Lee had fired.
12 10
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett
12 11
Jeppson, Frances and Larry
12 12
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Bennett's letters are mostly about minor financial matters having to do with various family members.

Legislative, 1960Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
13 1
Appointments
13 2
C. I. A. Correspondence
December 1, 1960 - Letters from Allen Dulles to Senator Bennett about the status of Frances Gary Powers.
13 3
Civil Service Correspondence
The Hatch Act is the subject of letters to John D. Schone, September 9 and Leonard J. O'Keefe, October 26.
13 4
Congressional Correspondence
Routine correspondence thanking others for small courtesies, well wishes and reminders about general congressional matters and invitations to some senate get-togethers.
13 5
Interstate Commence Commission - Correspondence
13 6-8
Invitations Accepted
These have been sampled - about 20 percent were retained.
13 9-11
Invitation Declined
These invitations have to do, primarily, with his role as a senator--a small number being more personal. Most of the invitations from Utah organizations were saved while only about twenty percent of the remainder were retained.
13 12
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
Letters, Memos and schedules.
13 13
Small Business Administration
Potential Utah Political appointments are listed in correspondence with Vernon Romney, August.
13 14
"Strawberry Days"

Personal Correspondence, 1960Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
14 1
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
14 2
Contributions
Gifts are made to various charities, his church and a scholarship.
14 3
Correspondence - General
14 3A
Deseret Sunday School Union Board
Minutes and Correspondence.
14 4
Eberhardt-Hunter Correspondence
Lyman Hunter, a vice president at Bennett's glass of Paint was interested in purchasing an automobile in Germany on a forthcoming trip. Bennett attempted to enlist the aid of his friend Heinrich Eberhard.
14 5
European Trip
Itinerary for the Spanish portion of the Bennett's European Trip.
14 6
Financial Correspondence
14 7
General Correspondence - A
Aviation Club of Utah Membership Roster for 1960.
14 8
General Correspondence - B
14 9
General Correspondence - C
14 10
General Correspondence - D
14 11
General Correspondence - E, F, G
14 12
General Correspondence - H
J. Bracken Lee is the subject of letters between Bennett, George Hatch and Elwood Winters, February 1960.
14 13
General Correspondence - J, K, L
14 14-17
General Correspondence - M - U
14 18
General Correspondence
May 1, 1960 - Letter from W. La Mar Webb about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints selling their interest in Zions First National Bank. June 1960 - Letters and news articles about the rumored sale of ZCMI - all denied.
14 19
Gifts, Christmas - Correspondence
14 20
Insurance - Correspondence
14 21
Roh, Charles - Correspondence
14 22
Utah Oil Company Board - Correspondence
Utah Oil Refining Co. had come to a corporate end. It was incorporated into American Oil Co. Bennett had been a board member and wrote his "associations of 22 years which followed my father's association of an even longer period now comes to an end," December 22, 1960.
14 23
Why I Am A Mormon Correspondence
Bennett wrote to Dr. Kenneth S. Bennion that "there was a flurry of interest when it [the book] came out [in 1957] which seems largely to have disappeared."
February 3, 1960

Business, Family and Legislative CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
15 1
Bennett Motor Co.
Correspondence and some financial reports.
15 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
List of stock holders, directors and officers, January 13, 1961. Strategy for Bennett's 1962 re-election campaign was the subject of letters, February 21 and February 22 to Richard S. Bennett from the Senator. March 17 - Report of the operation of the profit sharing and retirement plan for 1960. November 13, 1961 - Lists of employees and changes to be inserted in Bennett's Manual.
15 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint - "Brush Marks"
Incomplete run of issues, February - December.
  • November 9 - Richard S. Bennett was featured in an article about his election's to leadership positions in two national Organizations.
  • December 21 - Richard S. Bennett featured in biographical sketch that notes he was just elected to the Board of Directors of Walker Bank.
15 4
National Association of Manufacturers - Correspondence
June 19 - Letter to John W. McGovern, President of NAM from Dillard Mumford about a speech made by Senator Barry Goldwater in which he questioned the effectiveness of the NAM vis-a-vis its relations with Congress.
15 5
National Association of Manufacturers - NAM News
Kennedy Administration. Bennett appeared in many of these issues. As a post president of the NAM he was invited to many of their meetings. He was accused by political opponents as being to closely associated with the group.
  • May 12, 1961 - NAM News features an article on the Douglas Financial Bill requiring leaders to furnish detailed statements of interest charges to borrowers. Bennett led the fight against the bill in behalf of NAM and other business interests.
  • September 29, 1961 - A review of the legislative activities of the Eighty-Seventh Congress.
15 6
Bennett Association
15 7
Bennett, Harold
15 8
Bennett, Richard S.
The up-coming senate campaign, settlement of Rose Wallace Bennett's estate and Bennett Motor Co. matters are the subjects of this correspondence.
15 9
Bennett, Robert
Miscellaneous Correspondence - May 27 - Letter in which there is evidence of the Senator's concern that Bob was not yet married.
15 10
Bennett, Rosetta Wallace - Estate Settlement
Correspondence, Probate Decree
15 11
Bennett, Wallace G.
Correspondence about the 1962 Senate Campaign business matters at Bennett's glass of paint.
  • February 21, 1961 - The Senator wrote to Wallace G. about the hope that a man can be found to "become a pipeline for me into COPE."
15 12
Family Letters
The highlights of Senator Bennett's year as reported in the family letters which cover the period from January - September were his up-coming Senate Campaign; the illness of brother Richard; Mrs. Bennett's assumption of the presidency of the Congressional Club; and Bennett's increased responsibilities in the Senate.
January-September
15 13
Miscellaneous Correspondence
15 14
Winters, Elizabeth and Elwood
15 15-16
Appointments
Selected items - List of Bennett's speeches, September 24 - December 7.
15 17-20
Congressional Correspondence
November 28, 1961 - Senator Everett M Dirksen wrote to Bennett about advise given to J. Bracken Lee to "Leave the senate race alone."
15 21
Inaugural Invitations
Invitations to the Inaugural Ball, concert mass and the Inaugural ceremony of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
15 22-24
Invitations - Accepted

Legislative and Personal CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
16 1-4
Invitations declined
The invitations retained in these 3 folders represent about 20 percent of those marked declined for 1961. More Utah invitations were retained because of their probable research value and interest. March 11 - G. Homer Durham-invitations to his inauguration at Arizona State was declined but with well wishes.
  • April 12 - The objectives of Young Americans for Freedom were endorsed by Senator Bennett.
  • August - Senator Bennett declined to renew his membership in the Capital Hill Club formed by and for Republicans "because much of the money paid by members goes for liquor."
16 5
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
16 6
Schedules
An itinerary and calendar schedule sheet. This is the first example of the Senator office scheduling.
16 7
"Strawberry Days"
16 8
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Correspondence Concern expressed about the portrayal of a Mormon Utah Senator in the book Advice and Consent in correspondence with J. Willard Marriatt, September and October.
16 9-10
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Deseret Sunday School Union--Correspondence and sample kit.
16 11
Contributions
16 12
Benson, Ezra Taft - Testimonial Dinner
16 13-14
Financial Matters
16 15
General Correspondence - A
February 27 - Maurice Abravanel informed Rotary Club members of symphony financial needs and Bennett wrote to the Maestro.
16 16
General Correspondence - B
  • April 11 - Bennett commented to Utah State Senator Reed Bullen about the John Birch Society.
  • July 10, 13, 17 - Meetings conducted by Cleon Skousen are the subject of correspondence between Bennett and Marjorie Beard, Harold Bennett's secretary.
16 17
General Correspondence - C
Correspondence with J. Reuben Clark prior to his death and also his funeral notice, October 10, 1961.
16 18
General Correspondence - D
March 10-24 - Several letters between Bennett and G. Homer Durham about a controversial loyalty oath.
16 19
General Correspondence - E
October 3 - Richard L. Evans and Bennett correspond about the book The Twenty-Seventh Wife, a somewhat unfriendly treatment of the early Mormon practice of polygamy.
16 20
General Correspondence - F
16 21
General Correspondence - G
16 22
General Correspondence - H

Personal and Political, 1961Return to Top

Container(s): Box 17

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
17 1
General Correspondence - J
17 2
General Correspondence - K
17 3
General Correspondence - L
17 4
General Correspondence - M
17 5
General Correspondence - Mc
17 6
General Correspondence - N, O
17 7
General Correspondence - P
17 8
General Correspondence - R
17 9
General Correspondence - S
17 10
General Correspondence - T
17 11
General Correspondence - V
17 12
General Correspondence - W
17 13
General Correspondence - Y
17 14
General Correspondence - Z
17 15
Gifts - Correspondence
17 16
Roh, Charles J. - Correspondence
March 7 and 24 - Correspondence from the Senator to Mr. Roh contains interesting comments about the Bennett family, his role in the senate and his business interests. The Paint business is growing but reports from Bennett Motor are less satisfactory.
17 17
Rotary Bee
Incomplete run of issues of this Rotary Club newsletter. See issues on Bennett May 5 and May 12.
17 18
Timpanogos Club
17 19
Utah Home Fire Insurance Co. Board
17 20
Utah Oil Refining Co.
17 21
Why I Am A Mormon - Correspondence
17 22
Congressional Fund Raising
17 23
Correspondence
17 24
Priest, Ivy Baker
Correspondence and Program for her Bountiful Homecoming, January 30, 1961.
17 25
Senate Campaign
Limited correspondence about Senator Bennett's 1962 Senate Compaign.
1962

Business, Family Legislative, Personal and Political, 1962Return to Top

Container(s): Box 18

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
18 1
Bennett Motor Co.
18 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
Correspondence, one issue of Brush Marks and one newspaper article on Lyman Hunter.
18 3
National Association of Manufactureres
May 14 - Bennett wrote in some anger to James D. Hammond about being the beneficiary of an NAM survey and this fact perhaps coming to the attention of his senate opponent, Congressman King.
18 4
NAM News
Incomplete run of seven issues from January to October 1962.
18 5
Bennett Association
18 6
Bennett, David and Bonnie
18 7
Bennett, Frances Grant
18 8
Bennett, Harold
January 15, 18, 30 - Correspondence between Harold and Wallace about Harold being made president of the National Retail Merchants Association.
18 9
Bennett, Richard S.
Much of the correspondence here has to do with settling the problem of the ownership of Bennett Motor Co? Complex meaning Bennett Ford, National Car Rental and Bennett Leasing. The solution seemingly agreed to is that the Bennett Association would assume ownership of these companies by buying out the equities of others such as Grace Warner.
18 10
Bennett, Robert
Some correspondence about the Senator's re-election campaign in which he assisted.
18 11
Bennett, Wallace G.
18 12
Fletcher, Rosemary Bennett
18 13
Jeppson, Lawrence and Rosemary
18 14
Winters, Elizabeth and Elwood
18 15
Congressional Correspondence
18 16
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
18 17
Prayer Breakfast
18 18
"Strawberry Days"
18 19
Bennett, Wallace Floyd
Mr. Bennett, unrelated to the Senator, developed a correspondence with him.
18 20
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Correspondence
July and August - Several items of correspondence between Bennett and Apostle Richard L. Evans about the possibility of the book, The Twenty-Seventh Wife, being made into a movie.
18 21
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Deseret Sunday School Union Board.
  • Correspondence, outline and order form.
18 22
Contributions
The most generous gift made by Senator Bennett is to B. Y. U. and the most interesting to the Joe Hill House.
18 23
Financial Items
18 24
General Correspondence - B
18 25
General Correspondence - C
18 26
General Correspondence - D
18 27
General Correspondence - E
18 28
General Correspondence - F
18 29
General Correspondence - G
18 30
Contributions
These are undoubtedly a very few of the financial contributions that were made to Bennetts re-election campaign.

Personal and Political CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 19

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
19 1
General Corresondence - H
19 2
General Correspondence - J
This folder contains interesting correspondence about Bennett's 1962 Senate race.
  • September 9 - New York Times article about the race between Bennett and Governor J. Bracken Lee.
  • December 26 - Bennett wrote to Frank Jonas giving him an analysis of his Senate race.
19 3
General Correspondence - K
19 4
General Correspondence - L
January 4 - Bennett became an honorary member of Basin Post No. 64, American Legion. This membership was faithfully renewed in the years following.
19 5
General Correspondence - M
  • February 6 - Bennett comments on Neal Maxwell's article; "Is Freedom of the Press Compatible with National Security?"
  • September 11 - The death of James E. Moss the father of Senator Ted Moss is acknowledged by Bennett with a condolence letter. The obituary article is also included.
19 6
General Correspondence - N
November 16 and December 19 - Exchange of notes between Richard M. Nixon who lost governship race in California and Bennett who won in Utah.
19 7
General Correspondence - O
19 8
General Correspondence - P
19 9
General Correspondence - Q
May 5 - Brief description of the construction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints storage vaults.
19 10
General Correspondence - R
19 11
General Correspondence - S
19 12
General Correspondence - T
January 24 - Doris Fleeson's analysis of the possibility of Congressman David king upsetting Bennett in their senate race.
19 13
General Correspondence - U
19 14
General Correspondence - V
19 15
General Correspondence - W
19 16
General Correspondence - Z
19 17
Reading Dynamic Institutes of American Inc.
Bennett promoted the Institute's program with his senate colleagues.
19 18
Reiser, Homer and Beth
19 19
Roh, Charles J.
19 20
Rotary Bee
Seven issues, February 16 - May 11.
19 21
Wiener, Edward R.
Correspondence about jewelry purchased by Senator Bennett for Mrs. Bennett.
19 22
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
19 23
Senate Campaign
Bennetts Republican primary opponent was former Governor J. Bracken Lee and in the final campaign it was Congressman David King. Although the Senator wrote to various people that he believed the campaign would be close he was confident that he would win. He attributed his eventual victory to being "better organized over a broader base with more people than COPE...[and] all of our people were volunteers....we can identify nearly 15,000 people around the state who participated in specific and planned programs...as a result of this win he became the ranking Republican in the Banking and Currency Committee. Very limited material including a few items of correspondence and a short list of finance company officers who contributed financially.
19 24-26
Senate Campaign
Congratulations, November 7 - December 19. These congratulations came from business, financial and campaign supporters. They substantiate the fact that the basis of his support came from conservative elements of the community.

Business, Family, Legislative, Personal and Political Correspondence, 1963-1964Return to Top

Container(s): Box 20

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
20 1
Bennett, Wallace G.
20 2
National Park Service
October 4 - Bennett was a strong advocate of the multiple use concept for the National Parks System as he indicated in a letter to George Anderson.
20 3
General Correspondence
October 30 - The Daily Utah Chronicle in "Letters to the Editor" section has a letter about Ezra Taft Benson's civil rights position.
20 4
Bennett Motor
20 5
Bennett, David
20 6
Bennett, Harold
Harold Bennett's family, children, spouse and many grandchildren are pictured on their family card.
20 7
Bennett, Richard
March 20 - Richard Bennett wrote to Senator Bennett's son, Robert, about employment possibilities at Bennett's Glass and Paint and provides an overview of the Bennett family holdings and their management.
20 8
Bennette, Wallace G.
  • August 3 - Senator Bennett advised son, Wallace G.against contributing money towards the passage of the Liberty Amendment.
  • September 2 - Program for the dinner honoring Tom Judd, former Republican State Chairman, a Bennett relative and formerly active in Bennett's campaigns.
20 9
General Family Correspondence
20 10
European Trip
September 4 - Bennett wrote to his German friend, Dr. H. Eberhood giving a brief synopsis of the trip.
20 11
Service Academics - Nominations
Correspondence, Information Sheets, Lists of Nominees, Test results are included in this chapter. The material was sampled; about 30 percent was retained.
20 12
General Correspondence
November 13 and 16 - Friendly correspondence exchanged between the Senator and President Lyndon B. Johnson for Bennett's birthday.
20 13
General Correspondence - V
20 14
Young Americans for Freedom (YAF)
Senator Bennett had previously taken a position in favor of the YAF [see Box 16 Fd 2]. These articles from The Daily Utah Chronicle were not originally part of his papers but were included as his son, David, was one of the signatoies of the letters opposed to the YAF attacks on University of Utah professer, Francis Wormuth.

Business, Family and Personal Correspondence, 1965Return to Top

There is little material about the Bennett business interests in 1965 except for some in information about tax problems that had developed as a result of the Bennett Association, the family holding company, having absorbed Bennett's Galss and Paint. Bennett Motor Co. was reorganized "to conform to the Ford Motor Company's ever changing dealer policy."

There is also little material about Senator Bennett's immediate family. He did note in a letter to a friend that son Bob was a political representative for J. C. Penney and Company based in Washington D. C. Bob married a granddaughter of Mormon Church president David O. McKay. The Senator was pleased to have this family connection.

One of the Bennetts daughters, Rosemary Bennett Fletcher is married to Robert Fletcher, brother of University of Utah President James C. Fletcher. They had been long time residents of New Jersey but were transferred during the year to Albuquerque New Mexico where he became vice president for research of the Great Sandy Corporation--responsible for producing U. S. Atomic weapons.

His senate duties continued to grow. He was appointed by the Vice president, Hubert Humphrey, to be a member of the senate Ethics Committee - known officially as the "select Committee: Standard and Conduct. His other committee assignment included Finance, Banking and Currency and the Joint Committees--Atomic Energy and Defense Production. Tom Korologos became his cheif Administrative Assistant replacing Ralph Mecham who had become a Vice President of the University of Utah.

1965 found the Republicans in Utah at somewhat of a low ebb. Bennett and Republican Laurence Burton are the only two major republicans in office. Democrat's Senator Moss and Congressman King hold the other two National offices and the governship was held by newly elected Calvin Rampton. Sherman Lloyd is mentioned as the most likely cnadidate to challenge King for his congressional seat.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
21 1
Bennett Motor Complex
April 21 - Tax problems are reviewed with attorney, John K. Mangum.
21 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
21 3
Bennett's Galss and Paint - Brush Marks.
Six issues of Bennett's Glass of paint newsletter, January - July (incomplete)
21 4
National Association of Manufacturers
21 5
Bennett, Richard S.
  • August - October - Correspondence with Mr. G. G. Sanderson, who wishes to restore the old Bennett's Glass and Paint dray, ca. 1913, which has come into Mr. Sanderson's hands. Photos of the dray then and now are in photo archives.
  • September 7 - Bennett's Glass and Paint was transferred a few years back into the Bennett Association, a business and family trust. There were tax consequences from this transfer that the Bennetts disputed in 1965. Their attorney, John Mangum, handled this matter.
21 6
Bennett, Harold
August 23 - Harold Bennett wrote an informative letter to Senator Bennett about the development of the Granger Shopping Mall vis-a-vis ZCMI and the part played by real estate developer, Graham Doxey.
21 7
Bennett, Wallace G.
June 8 - The Senator wrote to Wallace G. asking his assistance in completing some family genealogy sheets. Some of therelationships between the Heber J. Grant and Daniel Wells families are suggested.
21 8
Jeppson, Frances and Larry
21 9
Miscellaneous
21 10
Winters, Elwood and Elizabeth
21 11-14
Congressional Correspondence
These are selected items of correspondence, about 20 percent has been retained.
  • January 25 - Senator Frank J. Lausche sent Bennett a newspaper sketch of the Kirtland LDS Temple
  • April 15 and 19 - Correspondence between Senator Bennett and Moss on the Glen Canyon National Recreation area and Karparowits Generating Plant.
  • October 6 - Bennett wrote to Senator John Stennis about the value of the Senate Prayer Breakfast Group.
  • November 18 - Bennett wrote to Senator Milward Simpson about the beneficial effects of Indecin for his arthritis.
21 15
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
21 16
Contributions
21 17
Financial Matters
April 26 - Bennett wrote to Myrtle Adamson and in an aside noted that the Bennett Association and Bennett's as a company "are identical."
21 18
Fletcher Family
The remarkable Fletcher family of scientific note are related to Bennett through the marriage of his daughter, Rosemary, to Robert Fletcher, son of Harvey Fletcher and brother of University of Utah president, James C. Fletcher.
  • May 4 - Bennett worte to Mrs. Harvey Fletcher. (Lorena), congratulating her upon being chosen "American Mother of the Year."
21 19
General Correspondence - A
21 20
General Correspondence - B
June 15 - Charles H. Bradford, former Bennett staffer, was appointed as deputy chief of research for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
21 21
General Correspondence - C
21 22
General Correspondence - D S. Petert T. DeGroot
October 27 - Letter to T. DeGroat and enclosure of a biographical sketch on Senator Bennett's father, John Foster Bennett, prominent business and church leader in Utah.
21 23
General Correspondence - E
September 1-7 - Correspondence with Marriner Eccles about the Vietnam War.
21 24
General Correspondence - F
February 26 - Senator Bennett wrote to Horace H. Fisher about his recently completed dissertation, "competition and Concentration in the Brewing Industry" based on his research and work history at the Fisher Brewing Co. of Ogden, Utah.
21 25
General Correspondence - G
  • August 6 - Correspondence with Hampton C. Godbe with reference to J. Bracken Lee.
  • September 11 - Correspondence with Douglas H. Gill about the closing of the W. E. Fife Co.--Men's Clothing store.

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1965Return to Top

Container(s): Box 22

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
22 1
General Correspondence - H
22 2
General Correspondence - I
22 3
General Correspondence - J
August 13 - Correspondence with Frank Jonas, University of Utah professor of political science, about Bennett's position on eliminating silver from dimes and quarters, the organization, if any, of western senators, Northwest Governors Conference and, finally gossip about happenings in the University of Utah Department of Political Science.
22 4
General Correspondence - K
January-June - Correspondence with David M. Kennedy about the appointment of Edwin Brown Firmage as a "White House Fellow."
22 5
General Correspondence - L
March 10 - A biographical sketch of Senator Bennett appears in an attachment to a letter to Arno H. Luehman.
22 6
General Correspondence - M
  • June 4 - News Editorial in the Ogden Standard Examiner about the senator's position on Utah's right-to-work law.
  • October 22 - News article about Heber J. Grant. Bennett's father-in-law, attached to correspondence between Ralph Mecham and Bennett.
22 7
General Correspondence - N
22 8
General Correspondence - O
22 9
General Correspondence - P
22 10
General Correspondence - R
  • January 4 - This folder begins with a telegram of congratulations to newly inaugurated Governor Calvin Rampton.
  • January 25 - Grant family genealogy--listing the wives of Heber J. Grant--is in a letter to Helen Rice.
  • August 31 and September 3 - Correspondence between Bennett and George Romney about Republican Politics.
  • September 28 - Deseret News article and correspondence about the purchase of the Scorup Ranches by Charles Redd.
22 11
General Correspondence - S
22 12
General Correspondence - T
22 13
General Correspondence - U
Primarily correspondence about a claim against a policy held by Senator Bennett with Utah Home Fire Insurance Company.
22 14
General Correspondence - V
22 15
General Correspondence - W
22 16
General Correspondence - Y and Z
22 17
Howell, W. Beverly
Mr. Howell, a Utah businessman and supporter of Senator Bennet, was a frequent correspondent with the Senator.
22 18
Mecham, Ralph
Mecham left Senator Bennett's staff where he had been his top chief assistant, to become assistant to the president at the University of Utah.
22 19
Roh, Charles J.
Mr. Roh and the Senator, as well as the Senator's father John Bennett, had been closely associated in the paint business in past years. The Senator kept in touch with Roh writing him several times a year, often about family members. His letters offen provide a brief over view of the Bennett family. Mr. Roh died the end of December.
22 20
Sertoma Club
22 21
Wallace, Glenn and John
John Wallace is a again to the Senator. The Wallace and Bennett families shared some property interests. Mr. Wallace was chairman of the Board of Walker Bank. His wife, Glenn Walker Wallace, is one of Salt Lake's foremost civic and charity leaders.
22 22
Why I Am A Mormon
This book by Bennett was reprinted in a paperback edition by Beacon Press. There are several items of correspondence about the reprint as well as with Deseret Book Co. which had previously been one of the book's publishers. Bennett continued to send copies to those whom seem interested in Mormonism. New statistics about church growth were featured in later editions.
  • April 6 - Deseret News article "Church Tells of 64 Gains." Interesting material about the growth of the total church as well as its auxillaries and the number of missionaries.
22 23
Wiener, Arline and Edward
Mr. Edward Wiener, a manufacturer of fine jewelry and his daughter, Arline became frequent correspondents with the Senator. Mr. Wiener made several pieces of jewelry for the Bennetts and Arline worked in the Senators office.
22 24
Miscellaneous Matters
September and October - Several letters about back room Republican politics. The correspondents are Senator Bennett, Kent Shearer, long time republican party stalwart, and William A. Lang, Republican gadfly
22 25
Ward, Lyle
Ward worked as a part-time Utah aide to the Senator and the correspondence is primarily political.

Business, Family, Legislative and Personal Correspondence, 1966Return to Top

The business correspondence for 1966 is useful in helping to better understand the many Bennett interests. Bennett Leasing had problems with both taxes and the Valley Music Hall. Bennett Ford is in the process of being transferred to Richard Warner. The Bennett Association invests in the Almaden Winery.

His legislative duties were sometimes frustrating. He wrote to Gweneth Gates in January that "I am usually on the losing side [but] to this time I am not ready to quit." Later in January he attended an International Balance of Payments Conference in England and in April a conference in New Zealand.

He noted the passing of an old friend, Charles Roh. "His passing leaves a real hole in the list of older men who helped me so much when I was getting started in the business." In July and August the Senator was hospitalized for his ulcer condition.

During the year he wrote to David Lawrence McKay urging him to have his father, LDS President David O. McKay, disassociate himself from an implied endorsent of the John Birch Society suggested by Ezra Taft Benson.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
23 1
Adamson, Myrtle
23 2
Bennett Leasing Co.
  • March 16 - Bennett Leasing's tax refund suit is the subject of a memo from Richard Bennett to Senator Bennett, Harold Bennett and Grace Warner.
  • July 20 - Valley Music Hall problems with financing are of interest to Bennett's Leasing because that company was responsible for providing the seats for the facility. See also Bx 23, Fd 6
23 3
Bennett Motor Co.
Primarily correspondence with Richard L. Warner who was in the process of buying out Bennett Motor and who had assumed its management.
23 4
Bennett's Glass and Paint
January - Senator Bennett made a speech before a group of businessmen at a conference in Chandler Arizona. A copy of the speech which had to do with the manufacturing and distribution of paint, and filled with some levity, is included.
23 5
Bennett, Harold
23 6
Bennett, Richard 5.
Business, Family and political matters are intermingled in this correspondence. The Bennett Association, Bennett Leasing, Bennett's Glass and Paint and various political matters are the main subjects of the correspondence between the Senator and his brother, Richard. The investments, assets and tax problems of the Association and Leasing company are explained in some detail. The Political matters concern financial contributions made to various Republican candidates and indignation at the political manuvering of Congressman David King. John Mangum, attorney for the Bennett interests, son-in-law of Ernest L. Wilkenson, and republican leader is mentioned often throughout this correspondence.
  • January 4, 10, 11 - A menu, letters and a painted program regarding an upcoming government procurement conference to be co-sponsored by the University of Utah College of Business, S. L. Chamber of Commerce and Republican King are exchanged between Richard and Wallace Bennett. The Bennett's feel King is trying to take unfair political advantage of the situation.
  • March 4, 18 - Memos from Richard Bennett to the Senator mentioning possible investment to be made by Bennett Motor Co, described as a personal holding company for Bennett Ford. Bennett Ford was, at this time, operated by Richard L. Warner.
  • June 9 - On a previous memo of January 20 - The subject of these communications is the investment in the Almaden Winery located in Sant Clara County, California.
  • July 13 - The financial problems of the Valley Music Hall located in Bountiful, Utah is the subject of memos between Richard and Wallace F. Bennett. Bennett Leasing is involved in leasing seats to the complex. See also Bx 23 Fd 2.
  • July 22 - Senator wrote to Richard Bennett about his interest in investing in the Almaden Winery in California, two California Ranches, Las Vegas "Strip" property and, closer to home, some Salt Lake County dry farms.
23 7
Bennett, Wallace G.
23 8
Miscellaneous Correspondence
23 9
Winters, Elwood and Elizabeth and children
23 10
General Correspondence
23 11-14
Congressional Correspondence
  • February 7 - Bennett provided Senator Hugh Scott with a memo about Republican issues in Utah for his talk on the Brigham Young University Campus.
  • April 28 and June 9 - Bennett corresponded with John T. Conway about Atomis test fallout in Utah.
  • August 10 and 12 - Senator Frank E. Moss inserted a notice about Senator Bennett's hospitalization for an Ulcer condition in the Congressional Record.
23 15
White House Correspondence
23 16
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
April 27 - In a letter to Mrs. Frank E. Jacobsen Senator Bennett recalled some of his, as well as Mrs. Bennett's, church activities. He had earlier studied and sung under the direction of J. Spencer Cornwall and written the words to the Mormon hymn "God of Power, God of Right." He noted that Mrs. Bennett was active in the Primary Association at the Ward and Stake level and had been a member of the Primary General Board.
23 17
Contribution's
Senator Bennett continued to be a personally generous supporter of many local Utah groups. In addition he had been contacted by Mr. Edward Ball an industrialist and philanthropist connected by marriage to the DuPont family, for suggestion about Utah charities and causes to which Mr. Ball and his sister Mrs. DuPont could make donations.
23 18
Financial
23 19
General Correspondence - A
23 20
General Correspondence - C
  • August 5 - Bennett wrote to Dr. J. Floyd Cannon describing symptoms of his ulcer condition.
  • September 9 - In a letter to Janice O. Cope, Bennett described his position on Civil Rights.
23 21
General Correspondence - D
September 23 - Bennett worte to Mark A. Dalton outlining his attitude on the rights of Blacks.
23 22
General Correspondence - E
23 23
General Correspondence - F
July 1 - In a letter to Adaline Fuller the Senator wrote about possible presidential candidates and pronounced his fondness for Michigan Governor, George Romney.
23 24
General Correspondence - G
  • February 3, 7 - The possible development of oil and minerals from the Great Salt Lake is the subject of correspondence between J. W. Gallivon publisher of the Salt Lake Tribune and Senator Bennett.
  • November 25 and December 7 - Correspondence about the forthcoming (January 18, 1966) 80th birthday celebration of former Utah Senator, Arthur V. Watkins.
23 25
General Correspondence - H
23 26
General Correspondence - I
23 27
General Correspondence - J

Personal and Political, 1966Return to Top

Container(s): Box 24

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
24 1
General Correspondence - K
February 4 - Bennett worte letter of condolence to Alice Kasai, widow of Henry Kasai, who had been a leader in Utah's Japanese-American Community. Mr. Kasai's obituary is included.
24 2
General Correspondence - L
24 3
General Correspondence - M
January 21 - Bennett wrote to David Lawrence McKay urging him to have his father, L. D. S. Church president David O. McKay disassociate himself from an implied endorsement of the John Birch Society suggested by Ezra Taft Benson.
24 4
General Correspondence - N
24 5
General Correspondence - O
24 6
General Correspondence - P
24 7
General Correspondence - R
24 8
General Correspondence - S
October 21 - Bennett sent condolense letter to the widow of former Republican Douglas Stringfellow.
24 9
General Correspondence - U
24 10
General Correspondence - V
24 11
General Correspondence - W
24 12
General Correspondence - Y, Z
24 13
"Get Well" cards
Senator Bennett was hospitalized for an ulcer condition in late July until the third week in August. About twenty percent of the cards were retained.
24 14
"Get Well" Correspondence
About twenty percent of the correspondence was retained.
24 15
Howell, W. Beverly
24 16
Jensen, Thorpe A.
Mr. Jensen had been sending first-day covers and stamps for many years to Senator Bennett who in turn passed them on to his friend, C. J. Roh. Upon Mr. Roh's death, he passed them on to his nephew, Richard Winters.
24 17
Johnson, Glendon
24 18
Marriott, J. Willard
August 18 - Vietnam policy memo from Senator Bennett for potential presidential candidate Gov. George Romney sent by way of J. Willard Marriott.
24 19
Mecham, L. Ralph
Correspondence between Bennett and Mecham, two "University of Utah News" releases about Mecham's appointments, and a Rotary Bee newsletter showing Mecham as a forthcoming speaker.
24 20
Mortimer, George H.
Correspondence between Mortimer and Bennett regarding a forthcoming Utah Symphony concert at Carneige Hall. Mention is also made of the legal problems of a mutual friend, DeWitt Paul.
24 21
Nelson, Joseph S.
Mr. Nelson kept Bennett informed about local Utah issues.
24 22
Robison, Rulon Y.
These letters deal primarily with the efforts Bennett was making to secure a job for Robinson's granddaughter, Chari LaRue, with the Utah Parks Co?? There is also mention made of family and friends and some senate business. These are letters of old friends.
24 23
Sertoma Club Correspondence
Dr. Levi Reynolds who headed the Salt Lake City Sertoma Club is the originator of most of the Sertoma correspondence. In addition to correspondence there are newspaper articles, a printed program, list of finalists for the Sertomas Essay Program and a declaration from Utah governor Rampton's office declaring the week February 20 through February 26 as "Freedom Week."
24 24
Smoot, Reed Family Papers
Senator Bennett was asked to help locate any papers of Senator Reed Smoot which might have been in Washington. They were to be forwarded to Brigham Young University, which had been designated the repository for all Smoot Family materials.
24 25
Timpanogos Club
Announcements of forthcoming meetings, membership list from 1913 - 1964, summary of finances, 1957 - 1965 and some correspondence. The purpose of the Timpanogas Club appears to have been to meet for dinner and to listen to speakers. To quote from the club's material:
  • "The roster reads like a who's who in Utah eminence. Just a reading of the list should give every member a renewed pride in this select circle. This is really one of the better mutual admiration societies to which any of us can belong." The roster shows Wallace Bennett, Marriner and George Eccles, J. Ruben Clark, Willis Ritter, Henry Eyring, O. C. Tanner, John Gallivan, Joseph Rosenblatt et al as members.
24 26
Wiener, Arline F.
24 27
Jonas, Frank
September 5 - November 10 - Several items of correspondence are exchanged between Bennett and University of Utah Professor of Political Science, Frank Jonas about the resignation of former Utah Congressman Douglas Stringfellow from the Republican ticket.
24 28
Judd, Thomas G.
24 29
Lloyd, Sherman P.
Correspondence between Bennett and Lloyd about Lloyd's Utah congressional race.
24 30
Miscellaneous Correspondence
  • February - May - Correspondence with Lauren Gibbs about Vietnam strategy.
  • July 21 - Bennett wrote to Burton about his congressional campaign.
  • September 26 - Richard Nixon wished Bennett a speedy recovery from his ulcer attack.
  • November 16 - Brigham Young Universtiy Dean Harold Glen Clark had earlier in the year given a talk to Young Democrats at the Y about their party and their religion. Bennett commented in the talk in a letter to Clark. A copy of the talk is included.
  • November 17 - Bennett congratulated Governor George Romney on his win in Michigan and disc?? the November race in Utah.
  • November 28 and December 5 - B. Y. U. President Ernest L. Wilkinson was interested in learning about Senator Bennett's plans for 1968.
24 31
Richards, Richard
Several items of correspondence regarding the organizational aspects of Utah's Republican politics.
24 32
Ward, Lyle M.

Business, Family, Legislative, Personal Correspondence, 1967Return to Top

Container(s): Box 25

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
25 1
Bennett Motor Complex
  • March 11, 15 - The Bennett Ford buyout by Richard Warner is the subject of this correspondence.
  • May, 1967 (p. 8) - Intermountain Industry does an article on the history of Bennett Motor.
25 3
Bennett's Glass and Paint
25 4
Bennett Association
25 5
Bennett, David
25 6
Bennett, Harold
25 7
Bennett, Richard S.
25 8
Bennett, Wallace G.
25 9
Fletcher, Robert and Rosemary
25 10
Miscellanous Correspondence
25 11
Winters, Elizabeth, Elwood and Richard
25 12-15
Congressional Correspondence
25 16
Adamson, Myrtle
25 17
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
25 18
Contributions
25 19
Contributions - Utah Shakespearean Festival
Post cards, correspondence and Festival Report.
25 20
Financial
25 21
General Correspondence - A
25 22
General Correspondence - B
25 23
General Correspondence - C
25 24
General Correspondence - D
January 23 - Obituary and condolence letter to Mrs. Heary Aldous Dixon upon the death of her husband former Congressman Dixon.
25 25
General Correspondence - E
November 28 - In a letter to C. J. Ehlers Bennett related talks about his family relationship with the Bennett and Wallace families.
25 26
General Correspondence

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1967Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
26 1
General Correspondence - G
September 28 - Black people and Banking is the subject of letters between Bennett and Dennis L. Gibson.
26 2
General Correspondence - H
26 3
General Correspondence - I
26 4
General Correspondence - J
26 5
General Correspondence - K
26 6
General Correspondence - L
26 7
General Correspondence - M
September 28 - Bennett explained why he wanted to be a Senator in a letter to Douglas Mortensen.
26 8
General Correspondence - O
26 9
General Correspondence - P
  • October 26 - November 20 - Correspondence between Senator Bennett and A. H. Parry re: the forward that the Senator wrote for Neal A. Maxwell's book A More Excellent Way--Essays on Leadership for Latter-day Saints. See also Bx 26, Fd 17.
  • December 15 - Mrs. Bennett wrote a book about her life and submitted it to the Deseret Book Publishing Co. for its consideration.
26 10
General Correspondence - Q
September 27 - Correspondence from Sally R. Quinn and attached article from the L. A. Times entitled, "Capital Power: Men with Clout in Committees." Senator Bennett is one of those profiled.
26 11
General Correspondence - R
February 28 and April 24 - Admiral H. C. Rickorer reports on ??? a new nuclear submarine.
26 12
General Correspondence - S
  • February 28 - Both Senator Bennett's brother, Harold, and the senators friend Rocco Siciliano, club spelling are recipients of University of Utah Alumni Awards.
  • July 28 - The Panama Canal, Racial problems in the U. S. and the Vietnam War are all subjects brought up in Correspondence between Bennett and Frank Streator.
  • August 25 - Marriner Eccles views on Vietnam are brought to the Senators attention. This is not the first time.
  • October 6 - Mormons in congress are listed in a letter to Richard F. Sanders.
26 13
General Correspondence - T
26 14
General Correspondence - V
26 15
General Correspondence - W
26 16
General Correspondence - X, Y, Z
26 17
Maxwell, Neal
October-December - Several items of correspondence about the forward Maxwell had asked Bennett to write for his new book, A More Excellent Way -- Essays on Leadership for Latter-day Saints. The forward is included.
26 18
Mecham, L. Ralph
26 19
Robison, Rulon
June 22 - Bennett commented about his part in the Senate hearing on Thomas Dodd as well as about his own re-election bid in 1968.
26 20
Strike, John and Nickolas
26 21
Wiener, Ernest R.
This correspondence has to do primarily with jewelry Wiener made for the Bennett's.
26 22
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
Bennett's correspondence with Wilkinson deals primarily with Wilkinson's concern about the Black riots of that year.
  • December 21 - Bennett wrote of his estimate of Senator Edward Brooke.
26 23
Miscellaneous
26 24
Pearson, Glenn L.
26 25
Romney, George
Information is primarily about Romney's try for the 1968 GOP presidential nomination.
26 26
Senate Campaign
Bennett's correspondence indicates some of the preparations made for the forthcoming 1968 campaign.
26 27
Ward, Lyle
Ward is Senator Bennett's representative in Utah. Most of the correspondence has to do with the Senator's 1968 re-election bid.
  • March 17 and October 26 - Ward wrote to Bennett about Milion Weilenmann, Bennetts perceived and actual opponent.

Business, Family Legislative and Personal Correspondence, 1968Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
27 A
Bennett Motor Complex
27 B
Bennett's Glass and Paint
27 C
Bennett Association
27 D
Bennett, Richard
27 E
Bennett, Wallace G.
27 F
Fletcher Family
27 G
Jeppson Family
27 H
Miscellaneous Correspondence
27 1-2
Congressional Correspondence
March 8 - Senator Bennett wrote to Congressman Sherman Lloyd about Elizabeth Ann Lloyd being Utah's representative at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
27 3
Congressional Correspondence-Brooke, Edward W.
March 7 - Senator Sennett wrote to Senator Brooke encouraging him to accept a speaking engagement at Brigham Young University.
27 4
Adamson, Myrtle
27 5
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
February 12 - Bennett supplied material for an article on "Peace" to be published in the Mormon Church publication, The Improvement Era.
27 6
Contributions
December 23 - Edward Ball through Senator Bennett made substantial contributions to Utah organizations. These are listed in a letter to Ball from Bennett.
27 7
Financial
27 8
Financial--Utah Home Fire Insurance Co.
27 9
General Correspondence - A
27 10
General Correspondence - B
October 16 - Richard Boss and Senator Bennett correspondended about the eventual placement of the Senator's papers at the University of Utah Libraries.
27 11
General Correspondence - C
January 15 - In a letter to William Caffey, Bennett outlined his thinking on a number of public issues such as Vietnam, appropriate age for voting, school prayers and public spending.
27 12
General Correspondence - D
27 13
General Correspondence - E
March 27 - Marriner Eccles continued to forward Anti-Vietnam material to Senator Bennett.
27 14
General Correspondence - F
January 4 - Senator Bennett supplied an article for the National Tire Dealers and Retreader's Association annual marketing guide entitled "Will 1968 be the Year of the Consumer?"
27 15
General Correspondence - G
27 16
General Correspondence - H
  • March 19 - Senator Bennett's sentiments about "civil Rights" were written to Jackson B. Howard.
  • April 2 and November 26 - John L. Harmer and Senator Bennett exchanged correspondence, chiefly about California politics.
27 17
General Correspondence - I
27 18
General Correspondence - J
27 19
General Correspondence - K
  • February 1 - The "Truth in Lending Bill" which Bennett had worked hard to defeat was approved, apparently, according to the Senators letters to George W. Koch.
  • June 6 - Condolence letter sent to Ethel Kennedy, Widow of Senator Robert Kennedy.
27 20
General Correspondence - L

Personal and Political PapersReturn to Top

Container(s): Box 28

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
28 1
General Correspondence - M
28 2
General Correspondence - N
28 3
General Correspondence - O
28 4
General Correspondence - P
28 5
General Correspondence - R
28 6
General Correspondence - S
28 7
General Correspondence - T
28 8
General Correspondence - U
28 9
General Correspondence - V
28 10
General Correspondence - W
28 11
General Correspondence - X, Y, Z
28 12
Johnson, Glendon
Johnson accepted a new position in Houston Texas with the Great southern Life Insurance Company. The friendship between the Bennetts and Johnson remained strong. Senator Bennett described it as "an intimate personal and business relationship."
28 13
Mecham, Ralph
April 30 - In a letter to Mecham Bennett noted disapproval of a statement by columnist Jack Anderson about the position of the Mormon Church vis-a-vis the problems of the poor.
28 14
Wiener, Edward and Arline
Correspondence and invoices--primarily about jewelry purchase.
28 15
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
  • February 1 - "Wither American," and address to the Kiwanis Club in Salt Lake City.
  • February 12 and 19 - Correspondence between Senator Bennett and Ernest L. Wilkinson regarding a possible donation to Brigham Young University by philanthropist Edward BALL.
  • September 19 - Bennett and President Wilkinson exchange correspondence about Senator Frank E. Moss "-his interest and his ceronies."
28 16
ZCMI Centennial Celebration
Invitation to the ribbon cutting, certificate showing Senator Bennett to have been and "honorary ribbon cutter," and a brief sketch with pictures of ZCMI spanning its first 100 years of service.
28 17
Miscellaneous Material
28 18
Nixon, Richard M.
There are only a few items of correspondence.
  • In reminiscing about the campaign he wrote, "It was pretty rough....My opponent was both ruthless and unscrupulous. ...I got just over 54% [of the vote]... a 31,000 majority...
  • Prior to the election writing on November 1, the campaign here has been hotter than I would have expected.... in fact, the senate race...is the only race that is being fought at all." (letter to Charles E. Wallen, November 1, 1968)
  • February 19 - In a letter to C. Lamont Felt, Bennett speculated about the possible campaign tactics of Phil Hansen should he become the democratic nominee.
  • March and April - There are several items of correspondence between Senato Bennett and Senator Charles Percy who spoke at a Utah Tribute dinner for Bennett.
  • April 1 - Bennett reacted to President Lyndon Johnson's decision not to seek the 1968 Democratic Presidential Nomination.
  • May 18 - Clean Skousen wrote to Bennett about the Senate Campaign.
28 20
Senate Campaign
August 26 and September 5 - Interesting correspondence between Senator Bennett and University of Utah political science Professor,Frank Jones, regarding the possible campaign tactics to be used by Bennett's opponenets. During the campaign, Jonas offered to be of service when he wrote, "I shall try to listen to their [opponents] plans so that I can forward them to you."
August - November

Business, Family, Legislative and Personal Correspondence, 1969Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
29 1
Bennett Motor Complex
29 1A
Bennett's Glass and Paint
29 1B
Bennett Association
February 20 - Correspondence between Richard and Wallace F. Bennett about the Johnson Land Co. which changed its name to Terracor.
29 1C
Bennett, Harold
29 1D
Bennett, Wallace G.
29 2
Miscellaneous Correspondence
April 28, 30 - Correspondence between Richard and Wallace Bennett about the "Lalique Angels" purchased by John Wallace as a gift to be placed in the new L. D. S. Church Office Building. Because the angels had wings making them theologically incorrect the church felt they could not be used.
29 3-4
Congressional Correspondence
29 5
Office Staff
29 6
George Washington Award
April 30 - Senator Bennett recieved the George Washington award for distinguished public service. A copy of the address given at the dinner by Cecil H. Underwood, former governor of West Virginia is included in the folder.
29 7
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • May 13 - The various dates when Senator Bennett was ordained, endowed and received his Patriarchal Blessing in the L. D. S. Church are given in a letter to Bishop Sid W. Foulger.
  • May-June - Senator Bennett corresponded with N. Eldon Tanner on behalf of a friend to ascertain whether the L. D. S. Church might be interested in selling their interest in the Utah-Idaho Sugar Co.
29 8
Contributions
29 9
Contributions--Ball DuPont
Correspondence, brochures and other background information on various Utah groups to which Senator Bennett suggested that philanthropist Edward Ball and his sister Mrs. DuPont might wish to contribute. A final list of recipients is also enclosed.
29 10
Financial
29 11
General Correspondence - A
29 12
General Correspondence - C
29 13
General Correspondence - D
June 10, 20 - Bennett became an official member of the University of Utah Emeritus Club.
29 14
General Correspondence - E
29 15
General Correspondence - F
29 16
General Correspondence - G
29 17
General Correspondence - H
29 18
General Correspondence - I
29 19
General Correspondence - J
29 20
General Correspondence - L

Personal and Political CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box Folder
30 1
General Correspondence - M
30 2
General Correspondence - N
March 20 and April 10 - Two perfunctory letters from President Richard M Noxon to Bennett.
30 3
General Correspondence - O
30 4
General Correspondence - P
30 5
General Correspondence - R
30 6
General Correspondence - S
30 7
General Correspondence - T
30 8
General Correspondence - U
30 9
General Correspondence - V
30 10
Hawell, W. Beverly
January 7 - In a letter to Hawell, Senator Bennett characterized Milton Weilemann, his opponent in the 1968 senate race.
30 11
Johnson, Glendon
This correspondence shows the close relationship between the Bennetts and Johnsons. The Johnsons are recipients of the Bennett family letter.
  • January 7 - Bennett mentioned a rumor that the Bloomington Land Development of the Johnson brothers was in trouble but later correspondence shows no reply.
30 12
Judd, Thomas G.
Mr. Judd is Mrs. Bennett's nephew. In the past he has helped in Bennett's election campaigns. There is an easy familiarity between the two.
30 14
Maxwell, Neal
30 15
Mecham, L. Ralph
30 16
National Industrial Conference Board
Summary Report, correspondence calendar, pamphlet, list of participants etc are among the items from this organization which sponsored a number of conferences throughout each year attended by people of influence. Bennett attended many of these sessions.
30 17
O'Rourke, Dennis
June 16 - The business policy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of possibly disposing of some of its corporate holdings was the subject of this letter from Bennett to O'Rourke.
30 18
Miscellaneous correspondence
30 19
Young Americans for Freedom

Business, Family and Legislative Correspondence, 1970Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
31 1
Bennett Motor Company
31 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint
31 3
Bennett Association
31 4
Miscellaneous Correspondence
31 5
Congressional Correspondence
31 6-7
Invitations Accepted
Even though these have been selected very few invitations were apparently accepted during January and March. This may have been because Mrs. Bennett was hospitalized with his surgery.
31 8
Office Staff
31 9
Senatorial Profile
In preparation for Senator Bennett's appearance in a pamphlet, "Leaders in Profile: The United States Senate," some background material was prepared by his staff.

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1970Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
32 1
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
32 2
Contributions
32 3
Contributions--Ball and DuPont
32 4
Far East Trip
32 5
Financial
32 6
Financial--Terracor
During 1970, Terracor which had formerly been the Johnson Land Co., founded by Glendon and Franklin Johnson, experienced some financial problems. The Bennett's had been involved in helping to finance the Johnsons venture.
32 7
General Correspondence - A
32 8
General Correspondence - B
32 9
General Correspondence - C
32 10
General Correspondence - D
32 11
General Correspondence - E
32 12
General Correspondence - F
32 13
General Correspondence - G
32 14
General Corresondence - H
November 3 - Bennett in wrote to John Harmer about the over protection of members of the L. D. S. Church from worldly evils.
32 15
General Correspondence - J
32 16
General Correspondence - K
32 17
General Correspondence - L
32 18
General Correspondence - M
In June L. Ralph Mecham announced his resignation from the Four-corners Regional Commission. He moved to the Anaconda Co.
  • December 4 and 11 - Senator Bennett was recommended for a University of Utah Distinguished Alumnus Award.
  • December 7 - Chase Peterson was mentioned as a potential candidate for the presidency of Harvard
32 19
General Correspondence - N
November 17 - Bennett wrote to President Nixon about being the recipient of Social Security benefits.
32 20
General Correspondence - 0
32 21
General Correspondence - P, Q
32 22
General Correspondence - R
32 23
General Correspondence - S
32 24
General Correspondence - T
32 25
General Correspondence - U
32 26
General Correspondence - V
32 27
General Correspondence - W
32 28
General Correspondence - X, Y, Z
32 29
Johnson, Glendon
The relationship between the Bennett and Johnson families continued to be warm and friendly and there is no mention made in this personal correspondence about the financial problem of Terracor, a company owned by the Johnsons and in which the Bennetts invested. (See box 23 folder 6).
  • February 16 - Glendon Johnson is made a Stake President.
32 30
Wallace, Glenn Walker
32 31
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
32 32
Miscelaneous Correspondence

Business, Family, and Legislative CorrespondenceReturn to Top

As the ranking member of the Senate's Finance Committees Bennett assumed more responsibility and power. He was responsible for the Nixon Administration's tax bill which proved to be an arduous assignment. According to his administrative assistant, Robert Wolthius, the "long and difficult floor fight on the tax bill" caused his ulcer condition to worsen and he was forced, on December 2, to undergo surgery. Wolthius replaced Tom Korologos who had moved on to the Whote House to become a special whote House assistant to President Nixon. As a member of the Banking Committee, Bennett also had a leading role to play in the monetary reform measures that came about in 1972.

Mrs. Bennett successfully underwent surgery at the beginning of 1971 to replace her hip joint. A sad note for Bennett was the death in March of his sister, Mary Bennett Smith.

Some of Senator Bennett's business interests apparently prospered. Bennett Motor Company showed a substantial profit increase and on December 4, 1971, Bennett Ford officially became Rick Warner Ford. The Bennett Association investment in Terracor, the company founded by his close friend Glendon Johnson, was in some jepordy.

The Bennetts took several trips because of his senate responsibilities. In May they were in Munich for the International Banking Conference; they later traveled to Paris in June for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference which was tied to his Finance Committee work; in September they went to Geneva for the United Nations Atomic Energy Conference.

Senator Bennett was the recipient of two honorary degree-the first from Northeastern University in Boston and the second from his Alma Mater the University of Utah.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
33 1
Bennett, Richard S.
  • January 29, 1971 - Financial Problems with Terracor are cited.
  • January 38 and February 1, 1971 - Bennett Motor Company's profit margin for the previous year increased.
  • October 29, 1971 - Arrow Press Square Property values are discussed.
33 2
Miscellaneous Correspondence
December 4, 1971 - Bennett Ford announced the change of its corporate name to Rick Warner Ford.
33 3
Bennett, David W.
October 18, 1970 and February 10, 1971 Correspondence between David and his father. He mentuned the various institutions to which he might leave his papers.
33 4
Miscellaneous Correspondence
33 5
Smith, Mary Bennett
Mrs. Smith, the sister of the Senator, died in March. Bennett described her as "a wonderful, kind and quiet woman who did much to alleviate the burden of many."
33 6
Atomic Energy Committee - Geneva Trip
Correspondence, delegation list, invitations to events, itinerary and staff guide are included.
33 7
Congressional Correspondence
February 3, 1971 - Bennett congratulated Wayne Owens on becoming Administrative Assistant to Senator Frank Moss.
33 8
Congressional Invitations
This material includes invitations to Senate hearings, official Congressional happenings as well as lunches, receptions and dinners and even a "shower" for prospective father--Senator Stom Thurmond--March 16, 1971.
33 9
Correspondence
  • October 1, 1971 - Bennett wrote to a fourth grade class about his committee assignments.
  • November 5, 1971 - Ezra Taft Benson wrote to Bennett about his voting record.
  • December 7, 1971 - The Equal Rights Amendments was discussed by Robert Wolthius, Bennett's assistant.
33 10
Fletcher, James C. - NASA Confirmation Testimony
Statements by Senator Frank Moss and Bennett and Fletcher including Fletcher, Biography and correspondence.
33 11
Honorary Degree - Northeastern University
Correspondence, Bennett's brief life sketch, commencement program.
  • April 22, 1971 - Bennett wrote to Senator Edward Brooke thanking him for his efforts in securing this honorary degree.
June 6, 1971
33 12
Invitation accepted
Congressional invitations were selected and place in a separate folder and the remaining invitations represent about twenty percent of the whole.
January-May
33 13
Invitations accepted
He continued to accept invitations from the "Conference Board" banking and Utah groups. There are no invitations after October 26. This may have to do with the Senator's health and heavy work load (he was operated on December 2 for his ulcer condition) or they just may not have been included in these files.
June-December
33 14
OECD Meeting (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
June 6-9, 1971 - Invitations, background information schedules, objectives and issue papers are among the items included.
33 15
Senate Committee Work
October 31, 1971 - Frank Hewlett in a Salt Lake Tribune article outlined the Senator's very heavy committee responsibilities. This work load was said to have led to the flare-up of his ulcer condition.
33 16
White House Correspondence

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1971Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
34 1
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
34 2
Contributions
Bennett's contributions range from small amounts to substantial donations. The Utah Symphony and Ballet West were recipients of some of his larger gifts. Contributions made to the Mormon Church and Republican party are to found in their respective files.
  • June 2, 1971 - The Bennett Association contributed to a memorial fund for their long-time lawyer, John K. Mangum who had been killed in a plane crash.
34 3
Contributions - Ball and DuPont
Mr. Edward Ball, brother of Mrs. DuPont who had in previous years made substantial contributions to Utah Organizations, wrote that she had died in late 1970 and there would be no gift for the coming year as her estate was being probated. Mr. Ball sent $25,000 of his money for Bennett to distribute.
34 4
General Correspondence - A
June 21 and February 1, 1971 - Bennett's Salt Lake Senate office is referred to in correspondence between the Senator and Tess Anderson.
34 5
General Correspondence - B
  • February 1 and 9, 1971 - Laurence Burton, defeated Republican Senatorial candidate from Utah, is the subject of correspondence between Bennett and John T. Bern hard. The latter had offered him Buton a visiting professorship.
  • February 9, 1971 - Mrs. Bennett's recovery from her January hip operation is described in a letter from Senator Bennett to Mame Bennett.
34 6
General Correspondence - D
34 7
General Correspondence - G
34 8
General Correspondence - H
34 9
General Correspondence - J
34 10
General Correspondence - L
November 15, 1971 - Bennett contratulated Rex E. Lee on becoming Dean of the new Law School at Brigham Young University. Attached to the letter is a news article about Dean Lee's appointment.
34 11
General Correspondence - M
  • January 25, 1971 - Bennett wrote to Robert R. Mullen regarding the employment of his son Bob in Mullen's Company.
  • March 30, 1971 - Tom Korologos became a special assistant to President Nixon.
  • March 29, 1971 - J. Willard Marriott thanked Bennett for inserting a story about him in the March 23 issue of the Congressional Record.
  • June 22, 1971 - Bennett thanked mitchell Melich for help in securing a honorary degree from the University of Utah awarded at Spring Commencement.
  • July 6, 1971 - Bennett thanked J. W. Marriott Jr. for cohosting a dinner in Bennett's honor on June 24, 1971.
  • December 15, 1971 - Wayne Owens fund raising is the subject of a letter between Mountain fuel official and Senator Bennett.
34 12
General Correspondence - N
34 13
General Correspondence - O
April 23, 1971 - John P. O'Keefe invited Bennett to join the NAACP. Bennett declined.
34 14
General Correspondence - P
November 24, 1971 - In a letter to Orrin D. Parker, Bennett outlined his senate activities during 1971.
34 15
General Correspondence - R
April 27, 1971 - Bennett sent condolences to Governor Calvin L. Rampton on the death of his mother Janet Campbell Rampton.
34 16
General Correspondence - T
34 17
General Correspondence - W
February 5, 1971 - Letters from Senator Wallace Bennett to Mr. Bennett Wallace about the possibility of a family connection.
34 18
Johnson, Glendon
The tone of this correspondence is warm and friendly indicating the close feelings between the Bennett's and the Johnson's.
34 19
Surgery - "Get Well" Correspondence
At the White House Conference on Again, Monday November 29, 1971, Senator Bennett who had been making a luncheon speech, collapsed and was hospitalized. On Thursday, December 2, he was operated on to correct the ulcer condition that had developed, only about 10 percent of the correspondence was retained.
  • December 10, 1971 - Letter from administrative assistant Robert Wolthius to Senator Gordon Allot gives the best overview of Bennett's situation.
  • In addition to correspondence there are 3 news articles.
34 20
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Most of the correspondence has to do with Republican fund raising efferts but it is not substantive.

Business, Family Legislative and Personal Correspondence, 1972Return to Top

There were major changes in the business enterprises of the Bennetts namely Richard Warner completed his buyout of Bennett Ford and changed its name to Rick Warner Ford." Various property transfers by the Bennett's in back of their First South Store allowed for the development of Arrow Press Square.

The Bennetts have recovered their health but there were ups and downs in their family. Robert Bennett was associated to an unknown degrees in the Watergate drama. Wallace and Theda continued to serve the LDS Church in a mission presidency in England. The Fletcher grandchildren are coming of age and there is some insightful correspondence from two of them. Lawrence Jeppson published a book, The Fabulous Frauds. The publisher had to withdraw it because some of its material was in error. The Bennetts celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Bennett served as ranking member of the Financial Committee and also had seniority on the Banking Committee. In addition he was on the Housing and Urban affair committee, joint committees on Atomic Energy, Defense Production and Internal Revenue Taxation Committees. He chaired the committee on Standards and Conduct. His correspondence to other Senators and house members, titled as Congressional Correspondence, does not reflect his committee work nor in most cases issues before the Congress. Its substance is almost exclusively personal. Paul Denham became his administrative assistant because Robert Wolthius vacated the job to return to Utah and run (unsuccessfully) for Congress against Gunn McKay.

Bennett had some problems with two Mormon publications the Deseret News and The New Era. The Era featured an article on the life of Heber J. Grant which ignored his polygamous relationships and these tended to cast doubt on Mrs. Bennett's (Frances Grant) parentage. She is the daughter of President Grant and his third wife Emily Wells. Senator Bennett wrote several letters to important Church authorities stating, "I don't know whether this (the article stated Grant had just one wife) is the result of careless editing, poor scholarship or a deliberate editorial decision, but it is completely false and unfair." Later in the year Bennett became some what upset at the Deseret News because they carried little, if any, information about the Bennett's fiftieth wedding party which was featured in the Washington media.

Richard Nixon won in a landslide against Geroge McGovern in the race for the presidency but the senate stayed Democratic, thus Bennett did not become chairman of the Finance committee Utah voters overwhelmingly endorsed Republican Nixon and Jake Garn but voted democratic for its two Congressmen--Gunn McKay and Allen Howe.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
35 1
Bennett Family Interests
Several items of correspondence between Senator Bennett and Richard Bennett regarding the trasformation of Bennett Ford to Rick Warner Ford.
  • December 17, 1971 and June 2, 1972 - Arrow Press Square property requirements.
35 2
Bennett's Glass and Paint "Brush Marks"
There are seven copies of this company newsheet which was issued every two weeks: February 17, March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, May 11 and November 23.
35 3
Bennett, Harold H.
Limited somewhat formal corresondence about a booklet on crime and justice.
  • December 1972 - Harold suffered a mild coromary and had successful open-heart surgery.
35 4
Bennett, Robert F.
  • June 24, 1972 - Richmond Times-Dispatch article about the relationship between Bennett, Howard Hunt and the Watergate break-in.
  • July 5, 1972 - Bob Bennett's version in a letter to his extended family of the Watergate break-in and his relationship to Howard Hunt through the Mullen Company and Hunt's relationship with the White House as Hunt's CIA involvement.
35 5
Bennett, Wallace G. and Theda
Several items of correspondence that have to do primarily with a gift for the senior Bennett's Fiftieth Wedding anniversary.
  • November 16, 1972 - Senator Bennett wrote to his grandson, Doug, who was a Mormon missionary about discipline and integrity.
35 6
Fletcher Grand children
Senator Bennett took time to be interested in the activities and opinions of his grandchildren, Tina and Peggy Fletcher. August 9, 1972 - Bennett wrote a long letter to Peggy about George McGovern and several public issues.
35 7
Miscellaneous Material
June 2, 1972 - New York Times article about son-in-law Lawrence Jeppson's book Fabulous Frauds which the publisher had to withdraw because of some inaccuracies.
35 8
Wedding Anniversary - Fiftieth
Limited correspondence regarding the arrangement for the Anniversary celebration.
35 9
Winters, Richard
The correspondence, as in previous years deals primarily with his stamp collection hobby which Bennett aids by sinding him "First Day" covers.
  • August 17 and August 31, 1972 - There Letters make mention of Doug Bennett, Bennett's grandson and Winter's cousin and the personal development he is undergoing while on his mission.
35 10
Bennett's Newsletter
"Senator Wallace F. Bennett Reports from Washington." Although there are many references made throughout the correspondence to the newsletter, this issue, July 1972 is the only copy found in the collection.
35 11
Congressional Corresondence - Personal Notes
January-March
35 12
Congressional Correspondence
May-June
35 13
Congressional Correspondence
July-September
35 14
Congressional Correspondence
December 1, 1972 - Letter to Bennett from Senator Robert Packwood about the "Senate Seniority System" but no reply.
October-December
35 15
International Peace Garden
July-October 1972 - Several letters concerning the possibility of making Salt Lake's International National Peace Garden a "National shrine." They are primarily from Keith Wiesley whose mother took a leading role in the establishment of the garden.
35 16
South African Trip
Schedules, itineraries, invitations and notes about the trip for Senator and Mrs. Bennett; December 8-17, 1972.
35 17
White House Correspondence
Perfunctory correspondence from a White House assistant thanking Bennett for his interest in assorted matters.
35 18
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • May 22 and May 25 - Correspondence between Bennett and Ted Jacobsen regarding a Temple saures Visit by Senator Strom Thurmond Jacabsen wondered it he might be a likely convert and Bennett replied that Senator Thurmond has difficulty accepting a new idea.
  • September 14 and 28 - Correspondence between Bennett and Wendell Ashton wherein Bennett questioned the Deseret News policy on covering congressional officeholders.
35 19
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Heber J. Grant Matter
The January 1972 issue of the Mormon publication, the Nev Era featured an article on Heber J. Grant in which it stared he had only one wife and six children thus ignoring his polygamous relationship with two other wives and therefore not recognizing the children born to these unions - one of whom was Frances Grant Bennett. Senator Bennett wrote to several church authorities including then President Harold B. Lee asking that some redress be made that would set forth the true history of President Grant.
  • January 14, 1972 - Bennett wrote to Neal Maxwell about the Grant Matter.
  • January 27, 1972 - Bennett wrote to Harold B. Lee.
  • June 1, 1972 - Bennett wrote to Gordon B. Hinkley.
35 20
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Neal A. Maxwell
This folder has to do with a program honoring the late apostle, Richard L. Evans and comments about the experience of Maxwell's son, Cary in Bennett's office.
35 21
Contributions
35 22
Financial Correspondence
35 23
General Correspondence - A
  • August 2, 3 and 10, 1972 - Bennett discussed his financial holdings with a Ralph Nader investigator.
  • October 20, 1972 - Bennett recalls an anecdote concerning J. Willard Marriott's earlier career as a caterer.
35 24
General Correspondence - B
February 1, 1972 - Bennett comments about the Equal Rights Amendment in a letter to Gudvor W. Braty
35 25
General Correspondence - D
35 26
General Correspondence - E
January 13, 1972 - Bennett reports high lights from 1971 to German friend - Heinrich Eberhardt.
35 27
General Correspondence - F
May 25 and August 11, 1972 - Correspondence with James C. Fletcher, head of NASA, inviting him to the Bennett's 50th Wedding anniversary and thanking Bennett for. help on the space shuttle program.
35 28
General Correspondence - G
October 27 and November 1, 1972 - Bennett and Salt Lake Mayor Jake Garn discussed successor to George Romney at HUD.
35 29
General Corresopndence - H
  • June 3-7, 1972 - Bennett related his reasons for being a Republican to Paul Hildreth.
  • October 24, 1972 - "The Constitution by a Thread." Bennett and Vera Hickman discussed possible apocryphal statements by various LDS Church leaders.
  • November 16, 1972 - Bennett corresponded with Robert Hinckly about Hinckly Institute.
35 30
General Correspondence - J

Personal and Political Correspondence, 1972Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
36 1
General Correspondence - K
  • March 26, 1972 - A printed program from the banquet honoring Tom C. Korologos.
  • September 7, 1972 - Description of early means of transporting goods used by Bennett Glass and Paint.
36 2
General Correspondence- L
36 3
General Correspondence - M
  • January 18, 1972 - Bennett wrote to his Salt Lake physician, Floyd Cannon, about his ulcer operation, the events leading to it and his continuing arthritic condition.
  • April 11 and 18, 1972 - Bennett discussed his feelings about capital punishment in letter to Sandy K. Moser.
36 4
General Corresondence - N
January 25, 1972 - The censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy as it affected former Senator Arthur Watkins.
36 5
General Correspondence - O
36 6
General Correspondence - P
This folder contains ordinary correspondence except for a letter to David Putnam Jr. May 25, 1972 in which he commented on the 1972 election. He extolled, unprophetically the virtues of President Nixon, "we will have a clear-cut choice between a responsible man [Nixon] and one who will say and do anything to get elected."
36 7
General Correspondence - R
36 8
General Correspondence - S
May 31, 1972 - Belle S. Spafford wrote requesting Bennett use his influence to have a stamp issued honoring the National Council of Women.
36 9
General Correspondence - T
36 10
General Correspondence - U
36 11
General Correspondence - V
36 12
General. Correspondence - W
  • January 10 and 20, 1972 - Arthur V. Watkins in a letter to Bennett mentionsed presidential War powers that four democratic presidents have violated.
  • May 10 and 16, 1972 - Politics in Utah is the subject of a letter from Judge David J. Wilson to Bennett.
  • October 17 and 31, 1972 - Bennett Family background is the subject of correspondence between Bennett and John Williams.
36 13
Health
January 3, 1972 - Medical advice from Thomas McP. Brown, M. D.
36 14
Johnson, Glendon
36 15
Ward, Lyle M.
Ward continued as Bennett's Utah Field Representative
  • September 12, 1972 - Comments about the propects for a Republican land-slide in November.
36 16
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
Wilkinson has been elected Republicans National Committee man form Utah. Bennett over his years in the senate became a more has been a moderate Republican while Wilkinsons Views have ?? became a more conservative. Bennett wrote on July 24, 1972, "our disagreements are matters of degree rather than outright controdiction and I am sure we can continue to work together."
36 17
General Material
Most of this mateiral has to do with political fund raising.
  • June 12 and 15, 1972 - Nickolas strike and Bennett wrote about Utah's 1972 gubernatorial material.
36 18
Wothius, Robert K.
Wolthuis, who had been Bennett's administrative assistants, ran for Congress from Utah's First District - This limited material has to do with this race.

Business, Family, Legislative and Personal Correspondence, 1973Return to Top

There is only one item regarding Senator Bennett's business interests and this has to do with his former company, now Rick Warner Ford. Family correspondence is also negligible. The topics under the general heading "Legislative" are more varied than in some other years but there is no substantial in depth information. The "Personal" correspondence provides an overall glimpse of 1973 mentioning the following: Senator Bennett had a relapse of sorts from his ulcer operation and required additional surgery; he and Mrs. Bennett went to Vienna and South Africa on a Congressional trip; he announced his forthcoming senate retirement in 1974; some contenders for his senate seat are mentioned; there are fleeting references made to the Watergate situation and Bennett is chosen to receive an honorary degree from Brigham Young University.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
37 1
Miscellaneous Correspondence
37 2
Miscellaneous Corresondence
July 11, 1973 - Letter from Robert P. Bennett, the letter head of which indicates he is now Vice President-Treasurer of Collector's Investment Fund, Inc.
37 3
Winters, Richard K.
37 4
African Trip
March 19. 1973 - Letter to E. Ross Adair in which Bennett commented about Congressional politics in general and mentions Watergate in particular.
37 5
Congressional Corresondence
  • February 14, 1973 - Note of appreciation from Senator Lowell Weicher thanking Bennett for selecting him to had member of the Select Committee no investigate Watergate.
  • February 16, 1973 - Bennett refused to accede to a request from Senator John Tower for a list showing the partisan make-up of the Finance Committee Staff.
January-March
37 6
Congressional Correspondence
April - June
37 7
Congressional Correspondence
July - September
37 8
Congressional Correspondence
October 23, 1973 and November 28, 1973 - Gerald R. Ford wrotes to Bennett thanking him for his support for the Vice Presidency.
October - December
37 9
Federal Health Care Program
Two publications noting speeches by Bennett about Federal health care programs.
37 10
Miscellaneous Corresondence
37 11
Retirement Announcement
  • June 24, 1973 - Salt Lake Tribune editorial paid tribute to Bennett's Senate career.
  • June 27, 1973 - George Bush, as chairman of the Republican National Committe wrote that Bennett upon retirement will be sorely missed.
  • June 29, 1973 - Response by Bennett to Senator Leverett Saltonstall on the subject of senate retirement.
37 12
Select Committee Standards and Conduct
April 12, 1973 - Investigative report on the employment of Senator George McGovern's son-in-law.
37 13
Vail, Thomas
Vail, the highly regarded Chief Counsel of the Senate Finance Committee, was stricken and died from cancer Bennett, through correspondence and visits, demonstrated concern for Vail and his family. Correspondence, biographical sketch and Senator Bennetts Senate Floor Speech run from January to October 1973.
37 14
Voting Record
July 21, 1973 - Bennett's voting record as measured against averages of other Senators by the Republican Policy Committee.
37 15
Ward, Lyle M.
  • April 17 and 30, 1973 - Corresondence between Ward and Bennett regarding potential candidate for Bennett's seat in 1974.
  • October 16, 1973 - Bennett's feelings about the University of Utah.
  • October 16 and November 5, 1973 - Correspondence about Dr. J. D. Willimas, University of Utah political science professor who advocated impeachment proceedings against President Nixon.
  • For additional information about Bennett's ?? toward the university of utah are President Cariner's files 1973-1974, Wallna Bennett, university Archives.
37 16
White House Correspondence
Miscellaneous Perfunctory notes.
  • February 22, 1973 - Program from White House reception for supporters of the Vietnam Agreement.
37 17
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The material in this folder is useful in showing Bennett's analysis of 1973 economic conditions and his moderate position on the United Nations. There is also a pamphlet commerating the 40th Anniversary of the Washington Ward Chapel Commemorating
  • September 19 and October 2, 1973 - Correspondence between Bennett and Ezra Taft Benson regarding the United Nations.
  • October 2, 1973 - Letter to Victor J. Brown Jr. analyzing current U. S. economic conditions, the social secureity system and advising about wage levels for employees of the LDS Church.
  • November 9-11, 1973 - Printed porgram commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Washinton Ward Chapel.
37 18
Contributions
37 19
Honorary Degree - Brigham Young University
  • August 1, 1973 - Commencement Instructions.
  • Much of the General Correspondence for 1973 has been lost. The existing folders begin with "S" and run through "Z".
37 20
General Correspondence - S
  • January 31, 1973 - Letter to Bertha Schryver in which he over views happening from the past year.
  • October 1, 1973 - Letter to Mary Stanley in which he notes growth of the Mormon Church in the Washington, D. C. area.
  • November 6, 1973 - Bennett wrote to Ted Schmidt about President Nixon's Watergate problems.
37 21
General Correspondence - T
37 22
General Correspondence - U
37 23
General Correspondence - V
37 24
General Correspondence - W
  • February 14, 1973 - Letter from Caspar W. Weinberger Informing Bennett that Terrel H. Bell was not selected as Commissioner of Education.
  • February 23, 1973 - Thank you letter to Dr. J. D. Williams University of Utah Political Scientist for some research.
  • May 23, 1973 - Utah Judge David J. Wilson wrote to Bennett lamenting the Watergate investigation and the Press attack on President Nixon.
  • June 20, 1973 - Friendly note to J. D. Williams about comments made by a mutual friend.
  • November 19, 1973 - Correspondence between Bennett and Williams re: his papers being donated to Brigham Young University.
37 25
General Corresopndence - X, Y, Z
37 26
75th Birthday
Senator Bennett celebrated his 75th birthday at a surprise party at the Congressional Club attended by friends, fellow senators and finally members as well as surprise guests, President and Mrs. Nixon, Pictures taken at the party were featured in the Washington Post of several other papers. The Post article noted that eight of the fifteen dinner guests had earlier been at the White House questioning the president about Watergate. The folder contains greetings from family and friends and several newsclippings.
  • November 13, 1973 - Washington Post and other newspaper clippings showing President and Mrs. Nixon attending the Senator's birthday party.
37 27
Wilkinson, Ernest L.
  • May 14, 1983 - Watergate investigation discussed by Bennett in correspondence with Wilkinson.
  • May 22, 1983 - George Romney mentioned as possible Senatorial Candidate from Utah.
  • October 16 and 18, 1973 - Bennetts senatorial papers to be given to Brigham Young University.

Family, Legislative, Personal and Political Correspondence, 1974-1976Return to Top

The material for 1974 is limited. There is no business correspondence and only 1 family item. The congressional corresondence is also sparee but repeating many of the former themes--birthday greeting thank you's for small favors and notes from participants in the Senate Prayer Breakfast Group. 1974 was the year in which Bennett left the Senate and the hotly contested race to fill his seat took place between Mayor Jake Garn of Salt Lake City and Congressman Wayne Owens. There is almost no material about either his retirement or the race. The 1976 material consists of some newsclippings featuring Bennett's son Robert. It was not part of the original collection, but was included because its amplifys 1972 material having to do with his role in the Watergate break-in.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
38 1
Correspondence
A Father's Day card from Grandson Doug and reply by Bennett.
38 2
Congressional Correspondence
38 3
Issue and Position Data
Americans for Constittutional Action Index. An analysis of members in the 2nd session of the 93rd Congress.
38 4
Medicare - Professional Standards Review Organzations.
Frank Hewlett, in a Salt Lake Tribune article of July 28, 1974 states that: "Senator Bennett's most recent major accomplishment stems from his 1972 Amendment to the Social Security Act which directed the setting up of Professional Standards Review Organizations throughout the country to provide for the monitouring of the medical care given Medicaid and Medicare patients by boards of local physicians." Although this amendment originally drew the wrath of the AMA, the organization, under new leadership, found the program to its liking. This is one of the few items in the collection which shows in some depth, Bennett's ideas on a particular issue.
  • January 23, 1974 - First draft reply to a Wall Street Journal editorial on PSRO provisions of Public Law 92-603.
  • May 8, 1974 - Senate Committee on Finance background material in PSRO's.
38 5
Senate Retirement
There were various events held during 1974 paying tribute to Senator Bennett for his long service in Washington, but there are few pieces of amterial.
  • March 15, 1974 - Introduction of Bennett at his testimonial dinner by Neal A. Maxwell.
  • July 28, 1974 - Frank Hewlett's article in the Salt Lake Tribune outlining Bennett's career.
  • November 29, 1974 - Correspondence from Des Barker indicating Bennett had been presented with a Boehm bird by his friends, at an event.
38 6
White House Corresopndence
July 30, 1974 - Note from Pat Nixon stating she and the President would be unable to attend the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. Although it, is signed "Pat" the perfunctory style of the note might make one question the genuineness of the signature.
38 7
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Although there are only a few items in theis folder they indicate that Bennett was on. familiar terms with the new First Presidency members, Spencer W. Kinball, Marion G. Romney and N. Eldon Tanner.
  • January 3, 1974 - Letter to President Spencer W. Kimball pledging his support.
  • February 28, 1974 - Letter inresponce to an earlier one from Marion G. Romney regarding a recent request. He further asked Romney for an audience with members of the First Presidency in order to tell a story "which has been bothering me ever since I heard it."
38 8
General Correspondence
This material is not arranged alphabetically but rather chronologically due to its limited nature. It includes all general items of correspondence for 1974.
  • October 3, 1974 - Correspondence between Bennett and Wilkinson in which Bennett agreed to present Wilkinson's book to President Ford. The 1974 congressional and Senate and House races are touched upon.
  • October 4, 1974 - Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, dropped a note to Bennett thanking him for meeting him at Brinper young university and stated the "will be greatly missed" in the Senate.
38 9
Garn, Jake - Senate Campaign
October 3, 1974 - Garn wrote to Bennett thanking him for arranging a reception in Washington, D. C. on September 11, 1974.
38 10
Bennett, Robert F.
  • June 17, 1976 - Rolling Stone "Letters to the Editor" in which Bennett denied being a CIA man and a reply in which Howard Kohn reaffirmed his case about Bennett's CIA ties.
  • September 21, 1976 - The Star headlined that Bennett was not only a former CIA agent but was also the character "Deep Threat" featured in All the Presidents Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The identification of Bennett as "Deep Throat" was made by Frank Sturgis a former CIA agent who was imprisoned for his role in the Water gate break-in.
  • This assertion of Sturgis about Bennett's role in Watergate rubably have no basis in fact. Others have been more convincingly depicted as "Deep Throat" namely Alexander Haig in the book by John Dean.

Cartoon Biographical Sketches and AddendaReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
39 1
Bluebird Cafe
This is a cartoon sketch of the Bluebird Cafe and of its proprietor O. Guy Cardon. John Foster Bennett had financially aided the Cardons and their cafe according to his biography.
39 1A
Bennett, Frances Grant
Program announcement showing her being honored, 1983.
39 2
Benett, John Foster
There are 3 biographical sketches of John Foster Bennett.
39 3
Bennett, Rosetta Elizabeth Wallace
There are 3 sketches of Mrs. Bennett. The first is written by Mithie E. Anderson, the next is a letter about his mother written by the Senator to Mrs. John E- Bennett and the final is a copy of the page from the Congressional Record announcing her death.
39 4
Bennett, Wallace F.
Included in this folder are biographical sketches, carresondence, newspaper articles and a box listing of the Senator papers when they were delivered to the Marriott Library. These are arranged with the most recent items first.
39 4A
Fletcher, Peggy
39 5
Wallace, Henry and Elen Harper.
There are sketches on each of the maternal grandparents of Senator Bennetted
39 6
Winters, Elizabeth Bennett
39 7
Bennett Enterprise
39 8
Federal Building Named After Bennett
40
Books by Senator and Mrs. Bennett
This box contains the published volumes of the books by Senator and Mrs Bennett. They are:
  • Faith and Freedom: The Pillars of American Democracy by Senator Bennett, Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, 1950.
  • Why I Am A Mormon by Senator Bennett. This is a third edition published by Deser Book in 1964. It was first published in 1958 by Thomas Nelson and Sons.
  • Glimpses of a Mormon Family by Frances Grant Bennett. Published by Deseret Book, 1968.
  • John F. Bennett: Businessman - Benefactor by Senator Bennett. He published it privately for the Bennett family members in 1980.
41-46
Family Correspondence
1940-1978

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Legislators--United States

Personal Names

  • Bennett, Wallace F. (Wallace Foster), 1898- --Archives

Corporate Names

  • Bennett Motor Company
  • Bennett's Glass and Paint

Family Names

  • Bennett family

Geographical Names

  • Utah--Politics and government

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business records
  • Correspondence
  • Drafts (documents)