Harold D. Smith Papers, 1939-1946 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Title: Harold D. Smith Papers, 1939-1946

Primary Creator: Smith, Harold D. (1898-1947)

Extent: 2.0 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: This collection is arranged in four series: Daily Memoranda, 1939-1940, Daily Record, 1940-1946, Conferences with the President, 1939-1946, Ehite House Memoranda, 1939-1946.

Date Acquired: 06/00/1965. More info below under Accruals.

The Harold D. Smith papers include diaries, lists of appointments, memoranda, correspondence, and newspaper clippings from the period when he served as Budget Director. Under Reorganization Plan No.1, effective July 1, 1939 the Bureau of the Budget was transferred to the Executive Office of the President and was responsible for preparing and administering the budget, developing plans for more efficient administrative management of Federal activities, recommending Presidential action on legislation approved by Congress, and assisting in the preparation of Executive Orders and Proclamations.

During World War II, the Bureau also was involved in organizing and liquidating emergency agencies and in making recommendations on personnel and economical utilization of supplies. The papers, which detail these activities of the Budget Bureau, are arranged in four series.

Harold Dewey Smith was born on June 6, 1898 in Haven, Kansas. After receiving degrees in engineering and public administration from the Universities of Kansas and Michigan, he worked for several municipal and state·research organizations. In 1937 he was appointed Budget Director for the state of Michigan by Governor Frank Murphy and served in that capacity until April, 1939 when his fiscal reforms in Michigan attracted the attention of President Roosevelt who named him Director of the Bureau of the Budget.

This appointment coincided with the transfer of the Bureau to the Executive Office of the President, authorized by the President's Reorganization Plan No. 1, effective July 1, 1939.

After Roosevelt's death, Smith remained at his post until June, 1946 when he resigned to become vice-president of the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). He was serving as acting president of that institution at the time of his death in Culpepper, Virginia on January 23, 1947.

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Accruals: Additional materials were acquired in July 1965.

Acquisition Source: Mrs. Lillian M. Riley

Acquisition Method: Gift

Related Materials: Related material may be found in PSF - Subject File - Bureau of the Budget, PPF 8024 Harold D. Smith, OF 79 Bureau of the Budget, OF 5708 Bureau of the Budget - Enrolled Public Bills, Papers of Wayne Coy.