UAW Political Action Department: Roy Reuther Records

Collection

Identifier: LR000191_PAD

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Important Subjects Include: Civil Rights Legislation and Enforcement, 1949 - 1957 Congressional Elections, 1948 - 1956 Congressional Elections Fund Raising, 1948 - 1956 Detroit Elections, 1949 - 1955 Detroit Fair Employment Practices Ordinance, 1951 Factionalism in Local 12, Toledo, Ohio, and Investigation of Richard Gosser Kohler Boycott, 1956 - 1957 Michigan Elections, 1950 - 1956 Michigan Elections Voter Registration, 1950 - 1956 Reapportionment of Michigan Legislative Districts, 1950 - 1956

Correspondents Include: Al Barbour; Al Barkin; Olive Beasley; Andrew Biemiller; Richard Boiling; Chester Bowles; Thomas Burke; Paul Douglas; James Farrell; Orville Freeman; Pat Greathouse; Martha Griffiths; Philip Hart; Augustus Hawkins; Hubert Humphrey; Mildred Jeffrey; Estes Kefauver; Jack Kroll; Emil Mazey; George Meany; Patrick McNamara; Stephen A. Mitchell; Donald Montgomery; Wayne Morse; James Murray; Richard Newberger; William Oliver; Wright Patman; Walter Reuther; Victor Reuther; James Roosevelt; August Scholle; Brendan Sexton; Paul Sifton; Neil Staebler; Al Ullman; G. Mennen Williams; Leonard Woodcock

Series Description: Series I. 1948 Elections. Records relating to the work of Roy Reuther when he was Administrative assistant to John Livingston. These records relate to the role of the UAW in Congressional elections. Series II. Outgoing Correspondence, 1949 - 1957. These records consist of letters from Roy Reuther, and from his office assistants, Ralph Showalter, Edward Purdy, Edward Tonat, Salome Williams, and William Dodds.

Series III. Non UAW Individuals and Organizations, 1949 - 1957. Office files of Mr. Reuther reflecting his work with community organizations. Series IV. UAW Departments, 1949 - 1957. Correspondence and other records relating to UAW staff personnel. Series V. UAW Regions, 1949 - 1957. Correspondence and other records relating to UAW staff personnel. Most of this material pertains to the role of the UAW in Congressional election campaigns.

Series VI. AFL-CIO and CIO Departments and Committees, 1949 - 1957. Correspondence and other records relating to the AFL-CIO and the Congress of Industrial Organizations staff personnel. Series VII. AFL-CIO and CIO State Labor Councils, 1948 - 1957. Correspondence and other records relating to AFL-CIO and the Congress of Industrial Organizations staff personnel.

Series VIII. AFL, AFL-CIO and CIO Unions, 1949 - 1957. Correspondence and other records relating to the staff personnel of various unions.

Series IX. Elections and Election Issues, 1950 - 1956. Research material relating to Congressional elections. Series X. Michigan Elections, 1950 - 1956. Correspondence and other records relating to elections in the state of Michigan.

Series XI. Detroit Elections, 1949 - 1955. Correspondence and other records relating to elections in the City of Detroit.

Dates

1947 - 1957

Creator

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (Organization)

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

History

In 1948 John Livingston was director of the Political Action Department, and Roy Reuther was his administrative assistant. Mr. Reuther became director in early 1949, and Ralph Showalter was his assistant. There were two other members working in the main office - Edward Tonat and Salome Williams, who was the secretary. When Ralph Showalter left in June, 1952, he was replaced by Edward Purdy. In July, 1956, William Dodds joined the staff as assistant coordinator. In 1955 the name of the department was changed to the Political Action Committee, but there was no re-organization until August, 1957, when the name was changed to the Citizenship Department. For convenience of description, the Citizenship Department files are in a separate collection.

Extent

32 Linear Feet (64 MB)

Additional Description

Abstract

Subjects include: civil rights; Detroit elections; Michigan Congressional elections; UAW factionalism

Arrangement

Arranged in 11 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-5), Series 2 (Boxes 5-12), Series 3 (Boxes 12-16), Series 4 (Boxes 16-29), Series 5 (Boxes 29-47), Series 6 (Boxes 47-49), Series 7 (Boxeses 49-51), Series 8 (Box 51), Series 9 (Boxes 52-54), Series 10 (Boxes 54-62), Series 11 (Boxes 62-64). See individual series statements for arrangement.