Ford Hunger March, 1932

Joe Brown Papers

drice — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:19:34 -0400

A one-time reporter for the Federated Press, Mr. Brown gathered a variety of items for a proposed book on unionism in the auto industry. Clippings, correspondence, handbills, and miscellaneous publications relate to the rise of auto unions during the 1930s and 1940s. Nearly every topic of importance for that time and subject is covered, including sit-downs, drives to organize various plants, and strikes. The scrapbooks contain mostly Detroit newspaper clippings about auto unions.

Box 23, Folder "Strikes and Lockouts (by Industry): Glass Companies is unavailable.

Robert W. Dunn Papers

drice — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:09:09 -0500

Research notes and other material gathered for Dunn's Labor and Automobiles (New York: 1929). The collection also includes a few clippings pertaining to subsequent events in the labor movement in the auto industry, such as the Battle of the Overpass, sit-down strikes of 1937, and earlier 1930's auto strikes.

Henry Kraus Papers

drice — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:36:01 -0400

Mr. Kraus was the first editor of the UAW's newspaper The United Auto Worker (later changed to Solidarity). He was active in the early attempts by the UAW (first under the AFL and later under the CIO) to organize the auto industry. Files for the late 1920s and early 1930s cover the attempts by groups, including the Auto Workers Union of the Trade Union Unity League, to organize auto workers, and discuss such events as the Murray Body Strike (1929); the Ford Hunger March (1932); and the Briggs Strike (1933). There are many items pertaining to the AFL's work in the auto industry, such as material on the threatened auto strike of March 1934, the Toledo Auto-Lite and Chevrolet strikes of 1934 and 1935, and conferences and conventions of the UAW-AFL. The collection also has many files of the AFL's Detroit office for the early 1930s. Particularly well covered are the activities of the UAW-CIO from 1936 to 1940, including the South Bend Convention, the sit-downs, early attempts to organize Ford, and the Homer Martin controversy (resulting in the split of 1939). The Flint Sit-Down Strike and factionalism in the UAW are particularly well documented. Correspondents include nearly every major AFL, CIO, and UAW leader of the period. Among them are John Brophy, F. J. Dillon, Adolph Germer, William Green, John L. Lewis, Homer Martin, Rose Pesotta, Walter Reuther, and R. J. Thomas. Public figures include Charles Coughlin and Frank Murphy. Nine reels of microfilm complement content in Part I and are described in a separate guide.

Part 3 contains manuscripts, notes and research materials from Kraus’s three major books, as well as materials from his other books and writings including those on medieval art. Also included are transcripts of oral histories from a variety of individuals involved in the labor movement, especially those from the 1937 Flint Sit-Down Strike.

Maurice Sugar Papers

drice — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:28:16 -0500

Chief counsel for the UAW from 1937 to 1946, Mr. Sugar's career as a labor lawyer began in 1916. The items in this collection pertain to his song, Sit Down, a favorite of the sit-downers of the mid-1930's. Subjects include: UAW legal matters; UAW factionalism; Ford Hunger March; HUAC; radical politics.

Mary Van Kleeck Papers

drice — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:28:17 -0500

Correspondence, reports, minutes of meetings, clippings, and published material of Mary Van Kleeck, director of the Commission on Women's Work and Industrial Studies, and associate director of International Industrial Relations Institute of the Russell Sage Foundation. In addition to Miss Van Kleeck's files concerning her work with the Sage Foundation and the Inter-Professional Association are the papers of Knickerbocker Boyd, an architect interested in the relationship of architects with the building trades unions, and Edward Wieck, a colleague of Miss Van Kleeck's at the Sage Foundation. Activities of the United Mine Workers Union, 1900-1940's; organizing and unionizing in the automobile and steel industries in the 1930's and 1940's; and the operations and reports of the Sage Foundation are among the subjects included in the collection.

Samuel M. Levin Papers

cwesterman — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:16:45 -0500

From 1915-1919 Professor Levin taught history and economics at Detroit Central High School and Detroit Junior College. In 1920 he served as Chairman of the History Committee, organized to revise the history curriculum of the secondary schools of the City of Detroit. He was appointed Professor of Economics and Chaired the Economics Department from 1933-1953. Subjects include, Equity of Sacrifice Program, Ford Motor Company labor policies, 1919-1934, Jewish life, Menorah Society, 1911-1912, and the Economics Department, Labor Program and the founding of the Business Administration Department.

Collection Spotlight: UAW Local 174 Mural

eclemens — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 11:49:00 -0400

In 1937, United Auto Workers Local 174 sponsored the creation of a series of murals to enliven their Union Hall and celebrate their rich, if relatively young, history. The resulting work proved to be one of the most memorable pieces of Detroit’s New Deal-era artwork. read more »

Ford Hunger March

kchinery — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:49:56 -0400

As the devastation of the Great Depression spread throughout Detroit, increased lay-offs and financial instability among Ford Motor Company workers led to an atmosphere of despair that reached an apex in 1932. These workers were among those who marched to Ford’s River Rouge Industrial Complex in Dearborn, Michigan on March 7, 1932. This event, famously known as the Hunger March, was orchestrated by members of Detroit’s Unemployed Councils, who had been helping unemployed workers fight evictions and seek relief from charitable agencies. read more »

(12271) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

“The head of the vast funeral march of 70,000 proceeding down Woodward Avenue in silent pledge that the four martyrs (Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio) who were killed on Monday, March 7, 1932 did not die in vain.”

--Photographer’s Description

Note: The banner leading the marchers reads "Smash Ford-Murphy Police Terror." The "Murphy" invoked is Detroit's Mayor Frank Murphy.

(12272) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

-Photographer's Notation

(12273) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands line Woodward Avenue as the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March passes by, Detroit, Michigan. Within the crows, people hold banners and sign denouncing the violence and urging men to join the auto worker’s union.

(12274) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands line Woodward Avenue as they await the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12275) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:49 -0400

Thousands fill the streets as they await the funeral procession for four of the men slain during the Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12276) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

The first of four hearses that carry Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, leads the vast funeral procession down Woodward Avenue.

(12276) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, Hearse, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:48 -0400

The first of four hearses that carry the men who were killed during the Ford Hunger March leads the vast funeral procession down Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.

(12277) Ford Hunger March, Funeral Procession, Police, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Mourners confront Detroit Police officers during the demonstration and funeral procession for four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March. Several people hold signs aloft, the most prominent proclaims “Negro and White Unite!.”

(12278) Ford Hunger March, Funerals, Communist Party Headquarters, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

The coffins that hold Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, are given a public viewing at Detroit's Communist Party Headquarters prior to their internment at Woodmere Cemetery.

Note: The African American man at front center is Christopher Alston, a future organizer for UAW - Ford.

(12279) Ford Hunger March, Funerals, Woodmere Cemetery, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Mourners stand by memorial wreaths during the funerals of Joe York, George Bussell, Coleman Leny and Joe Blasio, four of the men killed during the Ford Hunger March, at Detroit's Woodmere Cemetery.

(12280) Ford Hunger March, Victims, Joe Bussell c. 1930s

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Portrait of Joe Bussell, killed by Ford Servicemen during the 1932 Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

(12281) Ford Hunger March, Victims, Joe York, c. 1930s

pneirink — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

Portrait of Joe York, killed by Ford Servicemen during the 1932 Ford Hunger March, Detroit, Michigan.

Courtesy of Belle Weisman

(12282) Ford Hunger March, Workers' Inquiry, Flyer, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:45:50 -0400

A flyer inviting people to the public investigation of the Ford Hunger March Massacre by a Workers Jury to be held March 25, 1932 at Detroit’s Cass Tech High School.

(DN_76441) Ford Hunger March, Marchers en route, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:38:43 -0400

Demonstrators fill the streets en route to the Ford Motor Company River Rouge Plant during the Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77644_2) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

pneirink — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:14 -0400

Demonstrators are met with violence by Dearborn Police and Ford Motor Company Servicemen outside of the Rouge Plant during the 1932 Ford Hunger March, Dearborn, Michigan.

(DN_77644_3) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:14 -0400

Tear gas fills the air as Dearborn Police and Ford Motor Company Servicemen attack demonstrators outside of the Rouge Plant during the 1932 Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77644_4) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:15 -0400

Tear gas fills the air as Dearborn Police and Ford Motor Company Servicemen attack demonstrators outside of the Rouge Plant during the 1932 Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77645) Ford Hunger March, Violence, Victims, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:15 -0400

An unidentified Dearborn Policeman is assisted off of Miller Road after finding himself the first casualty of the fight between Dearborn Police, Ford Servicemen, and demonstrators during the Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77646) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:15 -0400

Demonstrators on Miller Road outside of the Rouge Plant flee as tear gas and bullets are released on them by Dearborn Police and Ford Servicemen during the 1932 Ford Hunger March.

(DN_76441_1) Ford Hunger March, Marchers en route, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:36:00 -0400

Demonstrators fill the streets en route to the Ford Motor Company River Rouge Plant during the Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77646_1) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:15 -0400

Tear gas fills the air as Dearborn Police and Ford Motor Company Servicemen attack demonstrators outside of the Rouge Plant during the 1932 Ford Hunger March.

(DN_77646_2) Ford Hunger March, Violence, 1932

eclemens — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:13:15 -0400

Tear gas fills the air as Dearborn Police and Ford Motor Company Servicemen attack demonstrators outside of the Rouge Plant during the 1932 Ford Hunger March.