Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

Moses Alexander Papers

abarker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:03:40 -0400

The papers in the Moses Alexander Collection consist of photocopies of the Idaho governor's correspondence relating to the suppression of the Industrial Workers of the World and to labor unrest in the mining, timber, and farming industries of northern Idaho.

Arthur A. Almeida Papers

srafferty — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 12:45:26 -0500

Arthur A. Almeida was born in about 1929 and lived in San Pedro, California. He helped found the San Pedro Bay Historical Society. With his interest in local history, Almeida documented history of the early labor efforts including International Workers of the World (IWW) local - Maritime Transport Workers 510 and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Includes a speech given by Paul Ware and historical articles by Almeida about early organizing efforts in San Pedro and Los Angeles. Arthur Almeida is married to Irene and they had three children, Arthur 'Joaquim', Marjella, and Lourette.

Alfred and Rose Anderson Papers

abarker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:03:35 -0400

Though collectively titled, the collection is largely that of Alfred Anderson. Mr. Anderson was an active member of Industrial Workers of the World and various Industrial Union locals during the 1920's. The collection reflects the activities of Industrial Union 440, and the IWW, and particularly the controversies at both the national level and within the Industrial Union 440 during 1924-1925 which ultimately caused Mr. Anderson to withdraw from active union participation.

Charles Ashleigh Papers

abarker — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:53:21 -0400

Transcripts of interviews with Charles Ashleigh conducted by the Sussex Society for the Study of Labor History in 1973 and 1975. Mr. Ashleigh describes his personal experiences with the Industrial Workers of the World and other radical groups in the years prior to and during World War I and the early 1920's.

John Beffel Papers

drice — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:21:49 -0400

Mr. Beffel served as a reporter, writer, editor, and publicist. He edited manuscripts of Slim Brundage, Joseph Cohen, Paul Crouch, Harry Kelly, Walter Marshall, Rose Pesotta, Voline, and Vincenzo Vocirca; and did publicity work for the Workers Defense League. In addition to the manuscripts, the collection includes correspondence, drafts, notes, and clippings which deal with the Carlo Tresca Memorial Committee, anarchists, communism, the Joe Hill case, the IWW, and the League for Mutual Aid. Correspondents include, in addition to the authors noted above, Ralph Chaplin, Margaret DeSilver, Max Nettlau, Matilda Bobbins, Nicolaas Steelink, Norman Thomas, and Fred Thompson.

Mellie and Herbert S. Calvert Papers

abarker — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:52:54 -0400

As a delegate of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Herbert Calvert served on the Organization Committee chartered by the Soviet Council of Labor and Defense to form the Siberian industrial labor colony known as the Autonomous Industrial Colony of Kuzbas. As president of the American Committee of Kuzbas Mr. Calvert recruited American skilled workers and artisans for the colony. The papers of Herbert and Mellie Calvert consist primarily of an unpublished manuscript written by Mr. and Ms. Calvert relating the founding and history of the Kuzbas colony.

Elaine Rogan and Tor Cedervall Papers

drice — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:29:46 -0500

The Rogan-Cedarvall papers consist mainly of clippings pertaining to Mr. Cedervall's activities on behalf of the IWW in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joseph P. Conlin Papers

abarker — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:51:37 -0400

A Professor of History and author of several books concerning the Industrial Workers of the World, Joseph Conlin’s papers document his study of the history of the organization and correspondence with members of the IWW.

Minnie F. Corder Papers

abarker — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:06:33 -0400

A member of the Industrial Workers of the World, Minnie Corder’s papers include an unpublished autobiographical novel which addresses themes of the garment industry, immigration, migrant labor, socialism, unions, and the Great Depression.

Covington Hall Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:26:03 -0500

A Xerox copy of a draft of Hall's 238-page manuscript, Labor Struggles in the Deep South. The original of this draft is held by the Tulane University Library. In his work, Mr. Hall discusses the labor movement in New Orleans and the Louisiana-Texas area from the pre-Civil War period to the outbreak of World War 1. The role of the IWW is particularly well covered.

Sam Dolgoff Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:49:13 -0500

Sam Dolgoff was involved in radical movements since the age of 15. Using the pen name Sam Weiner, Dolgoff wrote widely in radical and anarchist periodicals, including a couple of important critiques of American labor. The papers of Sam Dolgoff which consist of pamphlets on anarchism, socialism and communism reflect his interest in and involvement with radical unionism and politics.

E. F. Doree Papers

abarker — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:28:21 -0400

Edward Doree worked as an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and served as treasurer of the IWW General Defense Committee. As secretary-treasurer of Textile Workers Industrial Union 1000 (Philadelphia) Mr. Doree was arrested as part of the mass arrests of IWW workers for alleged violation of the Sedition Act of 1918. Mr. Doree’s papers relate to his imprisonment and efforts to obtain amnesty.

Hagbard M. Edwards Papers

abarker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:51:31 -0400

Hagbard Edwards was a member of the General Organization Committee of the Industrial Union of Lumber Workers. Mr. Edwards’s papers consist of primarily of an autobiography, which describes his childhood in Norway and his experiences as a lumberjack, miner and field hand in the Pacific Northwest.

Richard Ellington Papers

drice — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:36:38 -0400

Richard Ellington was a typographer and typesetter and member of the Industrial Workers of the World. Born in Seattle, WA, he moved to New York after his discharge from the army. Through his interest in science fiction, he became involved with sci-fi fan groups where he met his wife as well as other libertarian/anarchists. He joined the IWW in 1955, as a group effort to revive the organization and served on the Executive Board numerous times. In the mid 1960s, Ellington and his family move to the San Francisco Bay area where he later established his own typesetting business. Some projects for which he typeset include non-anarchist, alternative publications and poetry books, though many of his projects were for the IWW. Through his home office, he typeset many anarchist periodicals, including the Industrial Worker, and stickers that were called “silent agitators.” He also co-wrote the Boss’s Songbook. Richard Ellington died from lung cancer on May 26, 1991.

The Richard Ellington papers consist largely of correspondence related to his work with the Industrial Workers of the World starting in the 1950s until his death in 1991. Most of the correspondence is followed by the related typeset document. The collection includes various manuscripts, pamphlets, and leaflets on which he worked as well as files from his time as member of the Executive Board. The newspaper articles he saved covering the IWW and anarchist events are also included.

Edward Falkowski Papers

abarker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:28:08 -0400

The Edward J. Falkowski collection contains diaries and papers relating Mr. Falkowski’s experiences as a mineworker, reporter, a student at Brookwood Labor College and as an instructor at Commonwealth Labor College.

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:25:06 -0500

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) as a high school student in 1906, but left school a year later to dedicate herself to organizing full time. A gifted and popular speaker, over the next several years she participated in IWW free speech and legal defense fund-raising campaigns and helped organize the Lawrence and Paterson textile strikes. A tireless defender of labor and political agitators facing deportation, Ms. Flynn helped found the ACLU in 1920, only to be expelled in 1940 for having joined the Communist Party three years earlier. She also wrote and lectured extensively on women’s issues. In the mid-1950s she was imprisoned for violation of the Smith Act and in 1961, became the first woman to serve as chair of the U.S. Communist Party, a position she held until her death in Moscow on September 5, 1964.

The Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Collection consists primarily of family correspondence, mostly letters she wrote to her nephew, Peter Martin, while in prison and while traveling in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the western United States in the 1960s. While its content largely concerns family and personal matters, including her health, it also contains some political commentary as well as her impressions of prison life and the places she visited.

Lawrence Gracia Papers

abarker — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:24:53 -0400

Author Lawrence Gracia was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Mr. Gracia’s papers consist of unpublished manuscripts of stories relating the principles of IWW and the struggles of its members.

Goddard Graves Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:17:17 -0500

Material from his tenure as IWW General Executive Board member.

William Henkelman Papers

drice — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:13:00 -0500

William Henkelman served in WWI as a member of the American expedition to Russia, Michigan 'Polar Bear' unit. He became active in the Industrial Workers of the World after the war. His papers reflect his service in Russia and involvement in the IWW.

Paul Hering Papers

drice — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:57:36 -0500

Paul Hering was a cutter in the textile industry and an organizer for the IWW. His papers consist of several membership cards and his organizing credentials.

Joe Hill Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:37:48 -0500

The Joe Hill Collection was given to the Archives by King Carl XVI Gustav of
Sweden when he visited in April of 1976. This small collection includes mostly late correspondence.

Floyd Hoke-Miller Papers

abarker — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:54:06 -0400

A member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 659, Floyd Hoke-Miller wrote for the Local 659 publication, Searchlight, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) publication, Industrial Worker, and the Council of Industrial Organization (CIO) publication, Auto Worker. Mr. Hoke-Miller’s papers include poems and published articles.

Marie and David Ingar Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:22:53 -0500

Subjects include: IWW; eulogy of David Ingar

Industrial Workers of the World Records

drice — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:44:51 -0400

The Industrial Workers of the World was founded in 1905 and is a member-run union for all workers. The IWW organizes all workers producing the same goods or services into one union instead of pooling them by skill or trade. Numbered among its members (known popularly as Wobblies) are lumberjacks, miners, farmhands (especially migrant workers), sailors, and workers in textile mills. Since their founding, the IWW has made significant contributions to labor struggles around the world. The union is proud of its long-standing tradition of fierce defense of the first amendment and breaking down barriers of race, ethnicity, and gender. Since it's founding in Chicago, the IWW has moved its headquarters around the country.

Part 1 includes minutes and proceedings, trial records and evidence, newspapers, pamphlets, poems, cartoons, songs, and correspondence. Subjects of interest include the Centralia Conspiracy; criminal syndicalism; the Everett Massacre; Free Speech fights; organization of farm workers; labor conditions; the controversy between craft and industrial unionism; government raids and seizures; trials of various members; foreign IWW administrations; political prisoners; GEB 1960's-1970's; conventions 1970's; Junior Wobblies; Houston Branch; and information on such figures as Vincent St. John. Correspondents include T.J. Bogard, Arthur Boose, Richard Brazier, Frank Cederval, A.S. Embree, William D. Haywood, Claude Irwin, Joyce Kornbluh, John A. Law, George Lucas, Albert Prashner, Rudolf Rocker, Vincent St. John, Nicolaas Steelink, Fred W. Thompson, William Unger, Walt Westman, and Claire Whitaker.

Part 2 of the Industrial Workers of the World Collection contains General Executive Board correspondence from the 1960s and 1970s and minutes, newsletters and correspondence from several branch locations and foreign administrations covering the same time period. Also included are Constitutional General Convention minutes from the 1970s, membership dues booklets, songs, cartoons, poetry, articles, legal case files, and a large assortment of English and foreign-language pamphlets and leaflets. Of particular interest are the reports of undercover private detectives posing as IWW members who investigated IWW organizing among Arizona miners in 1923.

Part 3 include mainly correspondence, reports, and photographs that document the union’s activities and goals primarily during the time they were headquartered in Ypsilanti. Since the organization is global, some reports come from places as far as Sweden and Germany. Of particular note are copies of Junior Wobblies cards dating from the 1930s.

Content of Box 158, Folder "Cigar Makers Meeting" is unavailable.

IWW Detroit/Ann Arbor Branch Records

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:34:02 -0500

Subjects include: organizing; boycotts

IWW Minneapolis Branch Records

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:35:24 -0500

Subjects include: radical pamphlets; union affairs

IWW San Francisco Bay Area Branch Records

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:37:32 -0500

Subjects include: radical publications; union activities

Stanley D. Kane Papers

srafferty — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 12:33:09 -0500

This collection contains an International Workers of the World (IWW) song book, I Will Win Songs to fan the flames of discontent originally published in 1926. 22nd edition. Inscribed inside is a note "Given in the memory of Judge Stanley D. Kane (1907-1991) who fought for union rights in the 40s, served on the Minnesota District Bench for 27 years, and, in his youth, rode the rails to the wheat fields of North Dakota."

Samuel Krieger Papers

drice — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:56:03 -0500

Samuel Krieger was a member and recruiter for the Industrial Workers of the World and worked for the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers and International Brotherhoold of Teamsters. His papers mainly reflect his interest in human rights and his activities during his retirement.

E.W. Latchem Papers

drice — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:44:33 -0500

An apprentice glass blower at an early age, E.W. Latchem joined the Industrial Workers of the World in 1912. He helped organize the Agricultural Workers Organization in 1915 and much of his union activity centered around Minnesota. His papers reflect his affiliation with the IWW and labor figures such as Vincent St. John.

Ben Legere Papers

aergas — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 09:00:42 -0400

Union activist Benjamin (Ben) Legere (1887-1972) worked in the theater as an actor, playwright, and director. He participated in both the American and Canadian labor movements as a member of the General Executive Board of the Canadian One Big Union and an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Legere’s papers reflect his activities in the American and Canadian labor movements, California politics and the theater.

George Lutzai Papers

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:34:29 -0500

An early member of the IWW and of UAW Local 314 in Detroit, Mr. Lutzai has long been interested in various radical movements. This collection contains materials on communism and anti-religious movements, as well as humanist, rationalist, and free-thought pamphlets from the 1950's and 1960's. Other periodicals and newspapers have items on the American Civil Liberties Union, Father Charles Coughlin's Social Justice Movement, and problems of senior citizens.

Henry E. McGuckin Papers

aorchard — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:59:36 -0500

The Henry E. McGuckin papers contain a copy of his book, Recollections of a Wobbly.

There is no finding aid for this collection.

Tatsuro Nomura Papers

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:53:31 -0500

Contains books and articles regarding IWW translated from Japanese.

John Oneka Papers

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:04:35 -0500

John Oneka, a former member of the IWW, was a member of UAW Local 235 at the Chevrolet Gear and Axle Plant. At various times he served as its president, trustee, and Shop Committee chairman. The papers include some of the Shop Committee minutes for 1937-46 and materials on political matters, the IWW, Medicare, and other union concerns. Among the correspondents are John Dingell and Philip Hart.

John Panzner Papers

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:09:12 -0500

Mr. Panzner began his labor career with the IWW in the far west, organizing mine and agricultural workers. For his work with the IWW, he was sentenced to Leavenworth Federal Prison. After his release, he returned to Detroit and was active in the early development of the UAW. Among his papers are materials on labor relations at Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company and some pamphlets on social reform, including a description of the case which resulted in his imprisonment.

Matilda Robbins Papers

drice — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:12:38 -0500

Manuscripts (articles and stories), clippings, correspondence, personal papers, and photographs collected by Mrs. Robbins, who was a labor organizer and writer for the IWW from 1912 until her death in 1963. Subjects include the Paterson N.J. Silk Strike.

William Seraile Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:26:25 -0400

A specialist in African-American history, William Seraile served on the faculty of the Department of Black Studies of Herbert H. Lehman College, New York City. Mr. Seraile’s papers primarily relate to his research on Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organizer Ben Fletcher.

Matthew and Elizabeth Serviss Fox Papers

drice — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:09:05 -0500

Matthew and Elizabeth Serviss Fox were both members of the IWW. Mrs. Fox served as the secretary-treasurer, William D. Haywood's secretary during his tenure. These papers consist of three letters Haywood wrote to Elizabeth Serviss Fox during his appeals process and subsequent flight to Russia.

George Smith Papers

drice — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:55:18 -0500

George Smith was a journeyman machinist in Chicago who served in several capacities as a member of the Industrial Workers of the World. His papers document his membership in this union.

Nicolaas Steelink Papers

drice — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:09:30 -0500

Mr. Steelink was an IWW member convicted of criminal syndicalism in the California trials of 1920. He was a contributor for many years to the IWW paper, Industrial Worker, under the pseudonym, Ennaes Ellae. The collection is comprised of personal correspondence, including letters written during his imprisonment in San Quentin, and deals with the IWW, the trials and imprisonment, San Quentin, William Haywood's departure for Russia, civil rights, and economic questions. Correspondents include William T. Brown, Alice Chase, Lily R. Iverson, Fanny Bixby Spencer, Mrs. Fannia Steelink, and Harold H. Story, as well as a number of fellow IWW members, F.A. Blossom, Joseph Ettor, Scott Nearing, Fred Thompson, and others.

Philip Taft Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:07:50 -0400

Labor historian Philip Taft authored various books on economics and labor history, including The History of Labor in the U.S. 1896-1932, which he co-authored with Selig Perlman, and was a founding editor of the journal, Labor History. An early member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Mr. Taft served on the IWW Organization Committee. Mr. Taft’s papers concern his research on the labor movement, particularly regarding the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and his involvement with the IWW.

Frederick W. Thompson Papers

drice — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:44:31 -0400

A Canadian, Frederick Thompson came to the U.S. and became a member of the Industrial Workers of the World in 1922. He traveled throughout the country organizing for the IWW, served as General Secretary-General, edited "The Industrial Worker," and wrote two histories on the organization. His papers reflect his involvement with the IWW and his interest in preserving its history; his ties to Socialism; his effort to become a U.S. citizen; and IWW legal struggles of the 1950s and 1960s.

William E. Trautmann Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:35:34 -0400

A founding member and organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), William Trautmann served as secretary-treasurer and on the first IWW executive board. As an IWW organizer, Mr. Trautmann led the 1909 McKees Rocks, Pa. Pressed Steel Car Company Strike and the Lawrence, Mass. textile workers strike of 1912. Mr. Trautmann’s papers include a portion of an unpublished autobiography manuscript describing his experiences with the IWW and his involvement in various factional disputes.

Richard B. Tussey Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:30:22 -0400

Richard B. Tussey served in the Cleveland labor movement as an organizer, educator, editor, negotiator and administrator, for various organizations, including the Socialist Labor Party, the Metal and Machine Workers Industrial Union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the Mechanics Educational Society of America (MESA) and the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen, later known as the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). Mr. Tussey’s papers document the activities of the various labor organizations he associated with, and to a lesser degree, his work as an advocate for civil rights and the peace movement.

Charles and Jennie Velsek Papers

abarker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:29:02 -0400

A member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) for over 50 years, Charles Velsek served as secretary of IWW Agricultural Workers Industrial Union (AWIU) Local 110, and for a brief period, as Chairman of the IWW General Executive Board. Jennie Velsek was an active labor advocate, and participated in a number of IWW strikes. The papers of Charles and Jennie Velsek reflect their involvement in the labor movement, and the activities of Local 110 in Yakima, Washington.

Mary Heaton Vorse Papers

drice — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:37:50 -0500

Literary manuscripts and related papers, correspondence, daily notes and journals, reference and research material, notes, clippings, pamphlets, personal and family papers, and memorabilia, collected by Mrs. Vorse, writer, labor journalist, and social critic of the U.S. She also covered strikes, civil and labor disturbances, wars, revolutions, and political upheavals in other parts of the world. From the textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts (1912) to the textile strike in Henderson, North Carolina (1959), her writings and activities include the International Women Suffrage Convention (1913); the IWW; child labor; Consumers League; the organization of the Provincetown Players (1915); mining strikes in Michigan and Minnesota (1916); the rise of Hitler; invasion of Poland; postwar conditions in Europe after both world wars; the Scottsboro case; the steel strikes of 1919 and 1936-37; organizational drive of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers (1920-21); the Sacco-Vanzetti case (1920); Palmer raids and criminal syndicalist cases (1921-23); textile strikes in Passaie (1926) and Gastonia (1929); Farmers Holiday Association (1932); migrant workers; automobile sit-down strikes (1936-37); UNRRA (1945-47); the Sinarquistas in Mexico (1949); crime on the New York-New Jersey waterfronts (1950-54). Correspondents include John Dewey, John DosPassos, Dave Dubinsky, John Edelman, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, William 2. Foster, John F. Kennedy, John L. Lewis, Sinclair Lewis, Robert E. Peary, Walter Reuther, Theodore Roosevelt, Lincoln Steffens, and many other prominent persons in the labor, literary, and political fields.

John Walsh Papers

abarker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:01:11 -0400

John Walsh was a member of various labor unions, and served as strike committee chairman in the International Longshoreman’s Association, and as an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Mr. Walsh’s papers consist of correspondence between himself and his brother, Joseph Walsh. The letters convey Joseph Walsh’s observations about the Depression and the events leading up to World War II, and describe the working conditions of laborers, particularly that of miners, and the unemployed in California and the Southwestern United States.

Walter Westman Papers

abarker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:45:59 -0400

As a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Walter Westman served as secretary of the IWW General Defense Committee, as IWW General Secretary-Treasurer, and was active as an organizer. Mr. Westman’s papers are composed of membership cards documenting his involvement in the IWW.

Collection Spotlight: The Utah Phillips Papers

Public Relations Team — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:40:56 -0400

Bruce Duncan “Utah” Phillips (1935-2008) was one of the most prominent members of the American folk community in the latter half of the 20th century. He became well known as a folk singer, storyteller, poet, radio host, and activist beginning in the late 1960s and continued to be a distinguished figure in the folk and labor communities for the following four decades. The Walter P. Reuther Library, the repository for the Utah Phillips Papers, is pleased to announce that the collection is now open for research. read more »