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Lukens Steel Company. Executive officer files, 1903-1979.

Title: Executive officer files, 1903-1979.

The records are a selection of files from some of the executive officers of the Lukens Steel Company of Coatesville, Pa. They begin in 1903, when the company discontinued the use of general letterbooks. Only two of the company's top officer, Charles Lukens Huston and his son Stewart Huston, preserved their files more or less intact. The other series are fragments preserved by either of the two Hustons. Taken together, the files cover most of the important developments in the 20th century history of the company, but with a shifting emphasis. Subjects include the electrification and modernization of the plant, the employment of African-Americans and European immigrants, the impact of the Depression, the cultivation of new markets, World War II business, and post-war conversion and growth. One of the more interesting units contains minutes and memoranda of the Business Problems Group of the Society of Friends, an group of Quaker industrialists who attempted to respond to the labor radicalism and strife of the 1915-23 period with Quaker-style conciliation and consensus-building. Post-1949 presidential files consist entirely of speeches and public relations material. The files of Charles Lukens Huston are relatively complete. He was in charge of operations and production and also served as Works Manager until 1925. From 1928 to 1963 the files of his son, Stewart Huston, primarily reflect his duties as corporate secretary and his role representing the company in a variety of trade and civic associations. After his election to the vice presidency following his father's death in 1951, his files contain an incresing amount of material generated by the board of directors and its committess, providing more detail on executive decisions. The files of both Hustons reflect their adherence to conservative and evangelical causes. There are a number of interesting tangential items relating to bomb shelters and uranium prospecting in the 1950s, and examples of health-food diet regimens from the 1920s. The files of Darwin S. Wolcott and the comptroller's office include material on Lukens's contribution to the Manhattan Project. The files of the treasurer's office include material from the Coatesville Opportunities Council regarding rehabilitation of low-cost housing in the late 1960s.

ArchivalResource: 76 linear ft.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122555029 View