Oral History Program Frank Francis Junior Unknown Interviewer 24 July 1980 i Oral History Program Weber State University Stewart Library Ogden, Utah Frank Francis Junior Interviewed by Unknown Interview 24 July 1980 Copyright © 2012 by Weber State University, Stewart Library ii Mission Statement The Oral History Program of the Stewart Library was created to preserve the institutional history of Weber State University and the Davis, Ogden and Weber County communities. By conducting carefully researched, recorded, and transcribed interviews, the Oral History Program creates archival oral histories intended for the widest possible use. Interviews are conducted with the goal of eliciting from each participant a full and accurate account of events. The interviews are transcribed, edited for accuracy and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewees (as available), who are encouraged to augment or correct their spoken words. The reviewed and corrected transcripts are indexed, printed, and bound with photographs and illustrative materials as available. Archival copies are placed in Special Collections. The Stewart Library also houses the original recording so researchers can gain a sense of the interviewee's voice and intonations. Project Description The Weber State College/University Student Projects have been created by students working with several different professors on the Weber State campus. The topics are varied and based on the student's interest or task for a specific assignment. These oral history assignments were created to help Weber State students learn the value and importance of recording public history and to benefit the expansion of the Weber State oral history collections. ____________________________________ Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account. It reflects personal opinion offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ____________________________________ Rights Management All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to the Stewart Library of Weber State University. No part of the manuscript may be published without the written permission of the University Librarian. Requests for permission to publish should be addressed to the Administration Office, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408. The request should include identification of the specific item and identification of the user. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Francis, Frank Junior, an oral history by Unknown Interviewer, 24 July 1980, WSU Stewart Library Oral History Program, University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. iii Abstract: The following is an oral history interview with Frank Francis Junior. The interview was conducted on July 24, 1980, by and Unknown Interviewer, at Francis’s home. Francis discusses the history of the Democratic Party as well as his experience with Banks and Newspapers. UI: Mr. Francis can you tell me something about your life, growing up in Weber County and how you got involved in Weber County politics? FF: I would be very pleased to and welcome to our home. I was born on 26th and Wall, just above 26th and wall, on June 2, 1907. My father was Frank Francis, who was at that time editor of the Ogden Standard Examiner. He sub sequentially was elected Mayor of Ogden from a district that wasn't the best in Ogden either; it was 26th and Wall as you know, and was elected three times and which we were all very proud of. I went to -attended Ogden High School. I graduated from Ogden High School and at that time I was a musician playing at the White City at night and working my way, you might say, through school. I was also made captain of the Ogden High School Band, at that time, and our band went to Pastoral Ohio where they held a contest for the best military band in the United States. I was very proud as was Ogden and my family of this adventure. We came out of the contest as 3rd in ranking due to the weakness of our wind section and our brass section, we're very proud to say we took 1st. We played before John Philip Sousa at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City and he applauded us for our fine band. At that time there were no females and ladies in the band only sponsors on these battalions and the band itself. From there I went to Weber State College and took a few courses in accounting, and then became associated with the Commercial Security Bank. At that time it was in the middle of the block in Ogden, and I had an opportunity to become associated with both the Commercial Security and the Ogden State Bank. I chose to become acquainted with and work with the Ogden State Bank at that time, due to the generous pension plans and so on. So that's where I was employed for five years, at which time the bank failed under the great depression we had and inflation. UI: When the bank failed, tell me about when the bank failed. Were there a lot of people in Ogden who lost money? Tell me how did you come out on that? FF: The bank failed August 31, 1931, many banks in the United States failed at the same time in that period. The country was in an uproar. They were really hectic times. People came in and drew their money out. It all started with a rumor that circulated (reported) by some woman in Ogden and went like wildfire. We had lines of people waiting for the money a block long at times, and longer than that. They were desperate. Some used guns to try to force you to give them their money, and we couldn't get any help from any other banking institution or from any government agency. There was none at that time who could help us. So we had to start in liquidation and that was a pitiful thing. We had 120,000 dollar gold pieces in the vault and they were the last to go and that was a sad 5ffair. That went on in liquidation for two years. I worked in the loans and discounts and helped collect the loans that were due which was a very, very sad experience. The bank liquidated finally at 68%, which was remarkable considering the times. We didn't have the agencies as I reported before to help us out or to help us liquidate the loans, so it hurt Ogden tremendously. The bank in total figures was $8,500,000.00, and Commercial Security, in comparing figures, was $4,500,000.00. Both the Commercial Security and the First Security Bank also had runs but were able to stop them. And that's the story of the first bank failure in Ogden of any serious nature. UI: Who owned the bank? FF: The primary stockholder and owner was H. E. Hemmingway, and he had several officers that he had hired and trusted, and the bank was making good headway and he was an outstanding and good banker. But the bank continued to grow and I finally ended up in it, after my career as a Federal Bank Examiner, for 30 years. It is now a bank of nearing 500,000,000.00 dollars. UI: Tell me about serving on the Weber State College Board of Trustees and the Institutional Council., FF: Thank you. I was fortunate enough to be appointed on the Board of Trustees at Weber State College in the year 1966 by Governor Rampton. Later fin I was reappointed to the Weber State College Institutional Council which succeeded the Board of Trustees. 1978 was the last year of my service at Weber State College serving on the Institutional Council; it was also my last year as Senior Vice President and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Security Bank of Ogden Utah. I had held a wide variety of banking and financial positions throughout the West. My career ended in Ogden where it began, in 1928, as son of the West's best known newspaper man-and mayor of Ogden. UI: He was mayor of Ogden from what years to what years? FF: He was mayor of Ogden in 1919 to 1920, and in 1927. My career has touched on every phase of banking, from bookkeeping to Federal Bank Examiner with a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Ultimately I became cashier, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Commercial Security Bank— position from which I retired as I reported previously. When I was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1966, I worked aggressively for broader and higher quality education programs for students of Northern Utah, especially the entire state and outside attendance by other students. As chairman of the Institutional Council, for four years, and as a member of the executive committee I had infused with a passionate commitment to expand the physical plant of the college, which included some southern buildings which had honored me by having my mane inscribed on the plaques. I am very proud of this together with my colleagues. In the first competition for college funds I maintained a high level of influence within the Democratic Party to secure Weber College's fair share of state appropriations. I negated numerous attempts by our sister institutions, especially one from up North, to reduce Weber College's role in higher education. Frequently we resorted to his personal friendship of Governor Rampton to secure this end. Among other activities that I have been interested in was primarily the Democratic Party. I had been at one time President of the Ogden City Jr. Democrats and was in close contact with all the Democrats in the entire state of Utah. I was also acquainted with the Kennedy family. I had the privilege of meeting President Johnson, and had been fairly active especially in fund raising for the Democratic Party. In Weber County the funds were raised, different ways, primarily by donation. However, we had a very careful executive committee and funds were put aside for another rainy day. This accumulated for the party a substantial amount of money, in an excess of 10,000.00 dollars in savings to be used at a time when it was badly needed. I had worked for the Democratic Party as their treasurer and fund raiser for some thirteen years and it was certainly a great pleasure for me to help my party. I've also been one of the directors of the United Fund. The Heart Fund was instrumental in establishing the Alcoholic foundation and the Northern Utah Alcoholic Foundation, and to assist our alcoholic problem in Weber County. I was also a member of the Hall of Fame Board, which put many prominent Ogden men and women of the honor list and with their pictures in the County Building to be recognized by everyone. I then launched a career at an early age, and as has been mentioned prior as a professional trumpet player, having studied under Mr. Nickles, the father of Red Nickles, famous organizer and trumpet player for the Five Pennies, nationally known. But I did this on the side when I was going to school and before becoming involved in banking and finance. I had to give up one or the other and in this my wife had part of the decision to help me decided on banking. I started, as stated before, in the Ogden State Bank in 1927 as a bookkeeper and late working as a collection teller and general bookkeeper. In 1931, I began three years of service with the liquidation division of the Utah Banking Department, as sighted before in the closing of the Ogden State Bank. In 1934, I was employed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in which an Ogden man, E. G. Bennett, was the director. I was employed as an assistant examiner in the 12th Federal Reserve District as a plain examiner in the San Francisco Office and in 1944 I was named examiner in charge of the Salt Lake District, including Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. I was appointed cashier secretary of the board for Commercial Security Bank in 1946, and my promotion for Vice President occurred in 1950. I have already stated my general education but I also want to add that I took a law course at night at the Golden Gate University in San Francisco, and also a correspondence course from the La Salle Extension University both in accounting and law. I am a director of Box Elder County Bank which is now approximately twenty-six years in existence. I am also a member of the executive committee and was one of the original organizers with Mr. Harold Reese, a prominent Senator and Democrat in Box Elder County. I received an honorary degree from Weber State College in 1978 and this, in my opinion, was one of my proudest achievements. I would like to read my reply in receiving my degree as a matter of information and courtesy. Dr. of Humanities acceptance speech: Honored guests, faculty, and I might add fellow graduates, it is a great honor for me to have been awarded this honorary degree. I am both proud of the honor and deeply humbled by the inference. While there are many others more deserving, there is no one more appreciative and sincerely honored than I. I share this honor with my wife, Alice, who had stood by my side and given me full support and encouragement during our lives together. Also, I deeply value my family who are here today to share in this special occasion. I would like to recognize my wife Alice, my daughter Bacrechia Valentine and her husband Richard, and my son Steven Francis, my oldest son, Superior Judge Francis of Nevada City California, who was unable to attend. But, I received a letter from him part of which I would like to share with you. Quote: "if you listen closely at nine a.m. on June 3, you will hear a great shout coming from the deep loud canyons of Southern Utah. Hurray for my father, I salute him - I honor him - I admire him and love him. Thank you Weber State and Ogden for being so observant. Your son, Frank." It has been a challenging life; I have certainly enjoyed my association with the college and hope that my small part may have accomplished some good in its growth and development. Thank you. UI: Tell me about your father, Frank Francis Senior that was Mayor of Ogden during 1916? FF: He was Mayor of Ogden in 1919, 1921, and 1927. He was Associate Editor of the Standard Examiner and author of the famous western newspaper column, "News and Views". Died at 1:30 in the morning, in the local hospital. He was 75 that was 1945, December 27. For 50 years he had been a resident of Ogden, whose citizens three times elected him to the Mayor of the city. And all of that period of 50 years Mr. Francis had been importantly associated with the Standard Examiner. Mr. Francis, last, was in the newspaper office on Saturday night December 8, working until 8:00 to complete the News and Views column of paragraphs which was printed on Sunday morning of December 9. With his usual interest, he read the telegraph dispatch, he exchanged comments with the members of the staff working on the Saturday night shift, visited the composing room, returned to his office where he tucked some newspapers in his pocket to be read at home, closed the door and deserted (departed) for a good night’s work. On the next day, Sunday, he was stricken and taken to the hospital where his condition fluctuated from day to day. On Christmas day the newspaper staff was encouraged, maybe Mr. Francis was going to win his battle and return to his work at the paper. Mr. Francis worked in Austin, Nevada as a printer's devil (you know what that is? you know they set type) on the Reveille Newspaper and as a locomotive fireman. When he was 18 years of age he went to Humble County, Nevada. He was elected to the state legislature soon after he had reached his majority. Going to San Francisco in 1895, Mr. Francis became identified with a San Francisco call, in which he did special writing. The summer of that year, he went to Salt Lake City and in the fall came to Ogden as Associate Editor of the Standard Examiner, owned and edited by the late William Glassman. He had resided in Ogden since. Three times Mayor of Ogden, Mr. Francis was first elected in 1919, re-elected in 1921, and served his third term in 1927-1930. He was asked in 1923 to run for the United States Senate but declined. He was later nominated to Congress on the Democratic ticket during the Coolidge regime; and although defeated, carried Weber County by 3500 majority. That’s quite a majority. During Mr. Francis' Mayoralty some of the most extensive improvements in Ogden's history were carried through. Solar construction, sidewalks, paving extension, establishment of the first airport, provision for a new municipal golf course, free garbage systems, and increased artesian water supply, all were inaugurated during Mayor Francis' administration. By bringing about conciliation from farmers in the upper and lower valleys, Mayor Francis with Archie P. Biglow (Archie P. Biglow, by the way, was President of Ogden State Bank) paved the way for the building of Pine View Dam after taking the farmers out of court. Saving the United States Government free to negotiate this, he considered his best contribution to com¬munity welfare. Mr. Francis said he gleaned his greatest pleasure from the writing of this column. From the personal responses experienced, some of the most delightful testimonials, he used to say, came from the young people. He said his most gripping experience during public service took place in 1921 when in a depression his trust in humans was sealed through all time. As Mayor he estab¬lished credit among Ogden merchants for the unemployed, carrying them through the winter period. Out of 550 to whom credit was extended only two persons failed to clear themselves of this debt the following spring and summer. That's remarkable. Mr. Francis appeared in nearly every church meeting house in Ogden and nearly all cities in the state of Utah as a speaker. Mr. Francis was a member of the Weber Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce and so on. He was an honorary member of a number of other organizations. He was one of the founders of the Federal Building and Loan Association. He served as its President. Among appointments, he held member of the Utah Water Storage Commission, Trustee of the State Industrial School, Director of Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Utah-Idaho Associated Press and newspaper group, and so on. Walter Winchell, noted New York writer, devoted a good part of his column a few years ago to Frank Francis' unique newspaper style. The late Arthur Brisban remarked that Frank Francis1 News and Views was one of the best and most remarkable columns published in America. Mr. Francis was born in Austin, Nevada, January 9, 1970 son of Andrew and Elizabeth Mulchay Francis. He married Grace Paine in Ogden July 19, 1906. They had two children Frank P. Francis, Federal Bank Examiner San Mateo, California and a daughter. Among the survivors are the widow, the son and the daughter, 4 grandchildren, Brother Walter Francis of Austin and Sister Mrs. Elizabeth of Roseville. She worked by the way as society editor at the Ogden Standard Examiner.