Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America.

Variant names

Hide Profile

The Chamber of Commerce of the United States traces its origins to an April 22, 1912, conference of commercial and trade organizations called by President William Howard Taft. The idea was to create an organization that could represent the interests of the business community in Washington. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America held its first annual meeting on January 21, 1913.

During the First World War the Chamber organized more than 400 War Service Committees to assist the Council of National Defense which worked closely with the War Industries Boards. However, after the Armistice was signed the Chamber began to lobby Congress to lift wartime restrictions on business. During the post war strike wave, the Chamber of Commerce took a relatively moderate position on collective bargaining, as it supported the right of workers to join labor organizations.

The 1920s were years of growth for the Chamber of Commerce with membership exceeding 16,000 business organizations by 1929. During these years the organization worked closely with Herbert Hoover and his Department of Commerce in order to set up a system of voluntary codes of fair competition. The Chamber also became an active supporter of the employee representation plans that flourished during this decade. In 1926, the Chamber built its present headquarters building on Avenue H in Washington, D.C. This building was designed by the prominent architect Cass Gilbert.

After the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt the Chamber became an active critic of the New Deal which was redefining the relationship between business and the state. However, once World War II was declared, its leaders worked closely with the administration as it accepted government regulation of business as part of its support of the war effort. During the 1950s and 60s it organized increasingly active political action programs designed to represent the business community in Washington.

From the description of Records 1912-1980. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122292399

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Trade publications, 1928-1954. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Nagel, Charles, 1849-1940. Charles Nagel papers, 1877-1940 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Camp, Wofford B. (Wofford Benjamin), 1894-. Wofford Benjamin Camp papers, 1919-1983, (bulk 1943-1983). Clemson University Libraries, Robert Muldrow Cooper Library
referencedIn Saint Paul Association of Public and Business Affairs. War activities scrapbook, 1918. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Cass Gilbert Collection, 1883-1952 New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Frederick Cecil Horner Papers, 1917-1960, (bulk 1922-1940) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Records, 1911-1997 MSU-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
creatorOf Winton, David Judson, 1897-. David J. Winton papers, 1929-1973. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn George Tichenor files, 1948-1959. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
referencedIn Fortune, William, 1863-1942. Papers, 1877-1938. Indiana Historical Society Library
referencedIn David J. Winton papers., 1929-1973. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Lukens Steel Company. Executive officer files, 1903-1979. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn National Association of Manufacturers (U.S.). Records of senior staff, 1922-1971. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Publications. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Printed materials 1953-1963. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Filene, E. A. (Edward Albert), 1860-1937. Edward A. Filene papers, 1888-1937 (bulk 1907-1937). Credit Union National Association
referencedIn Papers, 1884-1998 (inclusive), 1929-1988 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. Office of the president. Records, 1909-1952 (bulk 1914-1948). Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Morrison, Clinton, 1915-. Clinton Morrison and family papers, 1859-1991. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Johnston, Eric. Papers, 1920-1963, bulk 1940-1963. Eastern Washington State Historical Society
referencedIn Davis, Archie K. Archie K. Davis papers, 1927-1986 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn David Newton Henderson Papers, 1930-1976 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Clinton Morrison and family papers., 1859-2004. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Jones, Mark M. (Mark Manderville), 1890-1986. Papers, 1916-1965. Rockefeller Archive Center
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Publications. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Minnesota. Division of Vocational-Technical Education. Area vocational technical institute files, 1961-1972. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn National Foreign Trade Council. Trade Policy Committee. Records, 1947-1967 Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934. Cass Gilbert collection, 1883-1952 (bulk 1900-1934). Churchill County Museum
creatorOf Redfield, William Cox, 1858-1932. Address of Hon. William C. Redfield, Secretary of Commerce, at the fourth annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, New Willard Hotel, Washington, Tuesday evening, February 8, 1916 : Vocational education. Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
referencedIn Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943. Papers, 1860-1985 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Nagel, Charles, 1849-1940. Charles Nagel papers, 1877-1940 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Floyd B. McKissick Papers, 1940s-1980s University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn United States Work Projects Administration Records, 1524-1975, (bulk 1935-1942) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn New York (State). War Council. New York State War Council records, 1941-1945. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Felix M. Warburg papers Harvard Business School, Knowledge and Library Services/Baker Library
referencedIn Peterson, Esther, 1906-1997. Papers: Series I-IV, 1884-1998 (inclusive), 1929-1998 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Eric A. Johnston Papers, 1920-1963, 1940-1963 Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives
creatorOf Dulles, Allen, 1893-1969. Khrushchev's challenge : address to the forty-sixth annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Washington, D.C., April 28, 1959. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
referencedIn Champ, Frederick Percival, 1896-1976. Frederick P. Champ papers, 1930-1976. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
referencedIn Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Archives, 1885-1990s David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn United States. National Labor Relations Board. Topic 9 : Interviews re external influence on the NLRB, 1968-1975. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Learned Hand papers Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Richardson, Henry Smith, 1885-1972. Henry Smith Richardson papers, 1811-1999 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Economic Research Dept. Records, 1915-1965. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Frederick P. Champ papers, 1896-1976 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesManuscript Collection
referencedIn Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Archives, 1885-1990s David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954. Papers, 1880-1954. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Plumley, H. Ladd. H. Ladd Plumley collection, 20th century. Worcester Historical Museum
referencedIn Charles Nagel papers, 1877-1940 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Inventory of the Francis C. Turner Papers TAMU ARCH 00126., 1929-1997 Cushing Memorial Library,
referencedIn Lazarus, Fred, 1884-1973. Reminiscences of Fred Lazarus, Jr. : oral history, 1965. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn McCoy, Charles Brelsford, 1909-1995. Papers, 1967-1974. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. [Miscellaneous publications on the National Industrial Recovery Act] University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Kelley, Frank, 1897-1963. Papers, 1936-1963. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
referencedIn Cerf, Jay H. Jay H. Cerf papers, 1940-1974. Stanford University, Hoover Institution Library
referencedIn Greenewalt, Crawford H., 1902-1993. Papers, 1928-1968 (bulk 1942-1968). Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Van Sickle, Leftist Pamphlet Collection, 1900-1993 Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries,
referencedIn National Industrial Conference Board. Records. 1916-1985. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Shoup, Paul, 1874-1946. Paul Shoup papers, 1928-1946. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn National Association of Manufacturers (U.S.). Records, 1895-1990 (bulk 1930-1976). Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Records 1912-1980. Hagley Museum & Library
creatorOf Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. [Materials from the Chamber of Commerce submitted to the Commission on Government Security. [microform]. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Tichenor, George, 1906-1959. George Tichenor files, 1948-1959. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Cass Gilbert Papers, 1841-1961, (bulk 1886-1934) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Barnes, Julius H. 1873-1959. person
associatedWith Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce corporateBody
associatedWith Camp, Wofford B. (Wofford Benjamin), 1894- person
associatedWith Cerf, Jay H. person
associatedWith Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America. Economic Research Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Champ, Frederick Percival, 1896-1976. person
associatedWith Davis, Archie K. person
associatedWith Dulles, Allen, 1893-1969. person
associatedWith Du Pont, Pierre S. (Pierre Samuel), 1870-1954. person
associatedWith E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. Office of the president. corporateBody
associatedWith ESTHER (EGGERTSEN) PETERSON, 1906-1997 person
associatedWith Filene, E. A. (Edward Albert), 1860-1937. person
associatedWith Fortune, William, 1863-1942. person
associatedWith Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934. person
associatedWith Grant, Richard F. 1879-1957. person
associatedWith Greenewalt, Crawford H., 1902-1993. person
correspondedWith Hand, Learned, 1872-1961 person
associatedWith Harriman, Henry I. 1871-1950. person
associatedWith Henderson, David Newton, 1921- person
associatedWith Horner, Frederick Cecil, 1887-1974. person
associatedWith Johnston, Eric. person
associatedWith Johnston, Eric A. 1895-1963. person
associatedWith Jones, Mark M. (Mark Manderville), 1890-1986. person
associatedWith Kelley, Frank, 1897-1963. person
associatedWith Lazarus, Fred, 1884-1973. person
associatedWith Lukens Steel Company. corporateBody
associatedWith McCoy, Charles Brelsford, 1909-1995. person
correspondedWith McKissick, Floyd B. (Floyd Bixler), 1922- person
associatedWith Minnesota. Division of Vocational-Technical Education. corporateBody
associatedWith Morrison, Clinton, 1915-. person
associatedWith Nagel, Charles, 1849-1940. person
associatedWith National Association of Manufacturers (U.S.). corporateBody
associatedWith National Foreign Trade Council. Trade Policy Committee corporateBody
associatedWith National Industrial Conference Board. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (State). War Council. corporateBody
associatedWith O'Leary, John W. 1875-1946. person
associatedWith Outdoor Advertising Association of America corporateBody
associatedWith Peterson, Esther, 1906-1997. person
associatedWith Pierson, Lewis E. 1870-1954. person
associatedWith Plumley, H. Ladd. person
associatedWith Redfield, William Cox, 1858-1932. person
associatedWith Richardson, Henry Smith, 1885-1972. person
associatedWith Roper, Daniel C. (Daniel Calhoun), 1867-1943 person
associatedWith Saint Paul Association of Public and Business Affairs. corporateBody
associatedWith Shoup, Paul, 1874-1946. person
associatedWith Shreve, Earl O. 1881- . person
associatedWith Sibley, Harper, 1885-1959. person
associatedWith Steinkraus, Herman W., 1890-1974. person
associatedWith Strawn, Silas Hardy, 1866-1946. person
associatedWith Tichenor, George. person
associatedWith Tichenor, George, 1906-1959. person
associatedWith Turner, Francis Cutler, 1908- person
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Commission on Government Security. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. National Labor Relations Board. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Work Projects Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith Van Sickle person
associatedWith Warburg, Felix M. (Felix Moritz), 1871-1937. person
associatedWith Wheeler, Harry A., 1866-1960. person
associatedWith Winton, David Judson, 1897- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
United States
Subject
Business and politics
Business and state
Businessmen
Collective labor agreements
Commercial associations
Commercial policy
Economic policy
Employee rights
Employers' associations
Foreign trade promotion
Government insurance
Industrial management
Industrial policy
Industrial relations
Industrial safety
Internal security
Loyalty oaths
Management rights
Newsletters
Open and closed shop
Personnel management
Security clearances
Trade associations
Trade associations
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1953

Active 1963

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jx285d

Ark ID: w6jx285d

SNAC ID: 62646758