U.S. At War: Loan Man

Four days after Henry Wallace's confirmation as Commerce Secretary. Franklin Roosevelt announced his appointment for the other half of Jesse Jones's old job —Federal Loan Administrator. It surprised no one that his choice was Economic Stabilizer Fred Moore Vinson.

An ex-Congressman from Kentucky, an ex-Justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia, Fred Vinson is still best remembered for his hard, intelligent work on tax bills in the House. As Jimmy Byrnes's successor in OES, he has worked mightily to hold the line against inflation. An easygoing man with a quiet disdain of officious fuss-&-feathers, he was sure to be confirmed by the Senate: he is the archtype of the middle-of-the-road, politically wise New Dealer.