Oral Histories

Interview of Ralph Palmer Merritt

Member of the University of California Regents and project director at Manzanar during World War II.
Subtitle:
“After Me Cometh a Builder”—the Recollections of Ralph Palmer Merritt
Series:
Z: Orphan Interviews pre 1999
Topic:
UCLA and University of California History
UC Regents
UC Regents
Biographical Note:
Member of the University of California Regents and project director at Manzanar during World War II.
Interviewer:
Gilb, Corrine S.
Interviewee:
Merritt, Ralph Palmer
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Interviewee Retained Copyright
Abstract:
Childhood in Northern California; education at University of California, Berkeley; San Francisco earthquake, 1906; employed as secretary to Benjamin Ide Wheeler, president of university, 1907-10; vice president and manager, Miller-Lux cattle firm, 1911-13; first University of California comptroller, 1913-20; food administrator for California, World War I; Industrial Workers of the World leaders jailed; relations with Robert Gordon Sproul; University of California, Southern Branch, created; support for Herbert Hoover in campaign against Hiram W. Johnson, 1920; university presidency of W. W. Campbell; appointment as UC regent by Governor Friend Richardson, 1924; opposition to Westwood site for UCLA; composition of board of regents, 1920-30; role in development of California State Chamber of Commerce; service on statewide water committee; director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1925-28; work with Sun-Maid raisin growers; function of grower cooperatives.