the Dicker Bill established specific guidelines for announcing party gatherings and

prevented late venue changes. In the words of Porter, "if the house burned down,

they'd have to have it on the vacant lot."80 Brownell had been instrumental in drafting

the bill and encouraged Porter to work for its passage.8 After the bill had passed,

Porter agreed to drop his quest to become national committeeman, and joined forces

with Briggs and McDowell.82 The trio worked well together, with Porter bankrolling

the political activities of his allies, including a number of visits to county chairmen to

line up delegates. He also became the leader of the Draft Eisenhower movement in

Texas. Behind the scenes, the trio worked to line up a number of attractive delegate

candidates and organized opposition in counties under the control of the Zweifel

faction.83

 The upstart group couched its efforts in the quest to expand the state party and

create a viable two-party system. This coincided with their private ambition as well,

as Brownell told Briggs that he hoped that "it will be possible to induce a group of

progressive young fellows to run for office on the Republican ticket. The only real

way, as you and I have so often discussed, to build up the Republican Party in Texas

is to start at the bottom and elect local candidates."84 Briggs and McDowell had made

token efforts toward this goal over the years but Porter, the energetic newcomer,

brought a fresh enthusiasm and a zeal that was rare in the South. He also brought a


80 Interview with Joe Ingraham and H. Jack Porter, 9 November 1972. Copy in Eisenhower Library.

81 Edward Dicker, interview by John Luter, 23 December 1969. Transcript, Oral History Collection,
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas. Hereafter cited as Dicker interview.
82 Edward Bermingham, Letter to Dwight D. Eisenhower, 7 February 1952. Copy in Folder (Edward J.
Bermingham [ Jan. 1952 Feb. 1952], Box 11, Eisenhower Pre-Presidential Papers.

83 W. C. Briggs, Letter to Herbert Brownell, 20 April 1952. Copy in Folder (Br (1)), Box 24, Brownell
Papers.
84 Herbert Brownell, Letter to W. C. Briggs, 20 November 1950. Copy in Folder (Br (1)), Box 24,
Brownell Papers.