Jensen, Vernon H.,. Series 1, Subseries 2. Correspondence, 1917-1955.
Title:
Series 1, Subseries 2. Correspondence, 1917-1955.
Consist chiefly of correspondence, news releases, and statements pertaining to the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers during the organizing campaigns of Jerome, Ariz. (1917); the split between the IUMMSW and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) over communist influence in the former (1947-1952); and the rank and file revolt of the Butte, Mont. miners, Local No. 1 (1955). Includes files of correspondence of H.S. McCluskey (organizer, IUMMSW) which regard the IUMMSW-Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) strike in Jerome, Ariz. (1917). These files consist of originals and typewritten copies of letters and telegrams written to McCluskey by Thomas French (secretary-treasurer, Arizona State Federation of Labor) on strikers' aid and the IWW role in the Jerome strike; IUMMSW members on the WFM-IWW union rivalry, and the politics and strategy of the IWW; George Powell (secretary, Ash Peak Extension Mining Company) on the IWW position on organizing miners in Arizona; Thomas French on the financial status of the United Verde Company; William Burns and Robert Tally (Executive Board members, IUMMSW) on organizing and the administration of the IUMMSW, IWW influence on the IUMMSW, and a request that McCluskey organize the Jerome miners; H.H. Linney (deputy county attorney, Yavapti County, Ariz.) on the right of the IUMMSW to march and demonstrate in Clarksdale, and property rights in a company town; and Martin Coyne and James Rowan (members, IUMMSW), J.H. Donnelly (president, Arizona American Federation of Labor) and Joseph Cannon on the conduct of the Jerome strike. Additional correspondence includes H. Halter to John Kerwin on IUMMSW-IWW cooperation in Jerome; Connelly and French to members of the A.F. of L. and the Railroad Brotherhoods requesting support for the IUMMSW copper strike against the Verde Mine Operators Association; Charles Clark (general manager, United Verde Company) to committee members offering a strike settlement with no discrimination, and to John McBride (U.S. congressman) on United Verde proposals for strike settlement; and Joseph Cannon to Charles Moyer on strike conduct, working conditions, building union solidarity, and deportation and arrests of strikers. Additionally, includes statements of IUMMSW members on the strike vote conducted by the Jerome miners' union; McCluskey and Fred Temme (president, Jerome Miners' Union) on working and living conditions in Jerome; and the IUMMSU on the union position on the Jerome strike, wartime production, and organizing membership. Also, statements of McCluskey on the IUMMSW position on IWW participation in the Jerome strike; IWW demands for open shop and no time contracts; IWW members hired as strikebreakers, and the IWW's attempt to organize the engineers, mechanics, machinists and electricians of the United Verde Mines. Also, includes letters of Reid Robinson (president, IUMMSW) to the membership of the IUMMSW on the status of local unions (1937), to Philip Murray (president, CIO) concerning the expulsion of the IUMMSW from the CIO, and to George Kirby (IUMMSW) on union politics and Kirby's objections to Robinson and Maurice Travis as union officers; and of the International Board of the CIO to IUMMSW members regarding the administration of IUMMSW District No. 6 (Connecticut), and the investigation of charges of communism in the IUMMSW (1950); statements of the CIO on the expulsion of the IUMMSW for communist infiltration (1950); a press release of Robinson regarding his resignation as president of the IUMMSW (1947); memoranda from Travis to union membership on union politics (1948); and correspondence of the IUMMSW with the American Brass Company concerning the duty to bargain, and the status of the IUMMSW officers who had not signed the non-communist affidavits. Also, reports of the IUMMSW regarding importation of ores, the union's role in war production, the Non-Ferrous Metals Board decisions on wages and settlements (1946); IUMMSW minority report on union leadership policies, elections, membership and raiding; and of Robert J. Davidson (regional director, IUMMSW, Cincinnati, Ohio) on the administration of IUMMSW District 6, interunion politics, relations with the CIO, conduct of elections, and loss of membership (1943). Additionally, include tape recordings of radio broadcasts of members of the IUMMSW Local No. 1 of Butte, Montana during the rank and file negotiating committee's wildcat takeover of the 1955 negotiations. Members and officers of the international union were excluded from these negotiations.
ArchivalResource:
2 linear ft.Radio broadcasts of Local 1 members (Butte, Mont., 1955): 3 sound tape reels.
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