Guide to the International Workers Order Records,
1927-1956

Pre IWO Documents, 1927-31

Workingmen's Sick, Benevolent & Educational Federation. Includes correspondence & Certificate of Incorporation. Joseph Kertesz, Executive Secretary correspondence with legal representatives re laws of various states relative to fraternal beneficiary societies; benefit claims; with various state Insurance Commissioners discussing the legality of the Federation.

Constitutions - IWO, 1942 & 1948.

Included in "minutes" are actual minutes, summaries of minutes & reports.

Minutes - 1938

Minutes of Plenary Sessions of the General Executive Board of the International Workers Order, Inc. held at Hotel Center, New York City, September 10th and 11th, 1938. 25 pages.

Minutes - 1938

9/10/38 - General Secretary Max Bedacht reported to the Board on the convention goal of 300, 000 members by next convention (2 years). Suggests more rapid growth & development of IWO, discusses weaknesses & shortcomings and the importance to organize politically not mechanically. "We must mobilize anti-fascist fighters -- not membership solicitors". Discusses how to organize lodges, educating the public to the meaning of proletarian fraternalism, improving communication between national & local leadership. Bedacht then submitted a plan for the general membership drive.

Minutes - 1938

9/11/38 - National Treasurer, Peter Shipka - submitted financial report, discussed membership in relation to dues income, and selling sanitarium stamps.

Minutes - 1938

English Section Secretary - Louise Thompson - read letter of President Weiner from Commissioner of Insurance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts which states that IWO is communist. Thompson comments that Massachusetts Commission created its own Dies Committee to engage in a "Red" hunt. Explains steps taken when the letter arrived & what occurred at the following hearings

Minutes - 1939

Minutes of the Semi-Annual Plenary Session of the General Executive Board of the International Workers Order, Inc., held at Manhattan Center, New York City, March 4th, 5th and 6th, 1939. 27 pages.

Minutes - 1939

3/4/39 - General Secretary Max Bedacht's report - possibility of establishing a home for aged members, status of the campaign for doubling membership by the next convention, inadequate sick benefit fund, dealing with neighborhood problems as a means to increasing membership. He states that growth in English speaking lodges is a priority and discusses organizers will be help responsible for speeding up growth in their areas, leadership training in May

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

General Counsel J. Brodsky - reports that the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision on license renewal should be handed down any day and that "the outlook is that the decision will be favorable to the Order".

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

3/5/39 - Treasurer Shipka - submitted financial report as of 12/31/38.

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

B. McLaurin reported favorably for the Auditing

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

3/6/39 - N. Polak - reports of misappropriation of lodge moneys by financial secretaries and suggests bonding of same.

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

M. Bedacht - submits resolutions for consideration - including resolutions on work among and with National Groups, and establishment of Negro Work Commission - all passed unanimously.

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

3/6/39 (cont) - Brother Levin - submitted proposals on educational work - unanimously adopted

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

G.E.B. Plenary Session, Summary of Discussion - March 6, 1939. Brother Bedacht. 8 pages

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

1/4/39 - Report of Max Bedacht, General Secretary I.W.O. To the Organization Committee and Eastern District Organizers Hotel. Pennsylvania, New York. January 4, 1939. 18 pages.

Congressman Vito Marcantonio addressed the Board

Discusses speeding up the organization effort, campaign quotas, restructuring the apparatus of I.W.O., Figures and comparisons of recruits and losses, analyzes the weakness of English section, suggests consolidation of lodges, role of district leaders as problem solvers in their territory, solutions for turnover, financial problems.

Minutes - 1940

Summary of the Discussion By General Secretary Max Bedacht - Meeting of the General Executive Board - January 29, 1940. 5 pages.

Minutes - 1940

Commended Polish section for successful organizing, mentioned turnover discussion including Philadelphia, Jewish, Italian, English, Chicago, Ukrainian lodges. Political Responsibilities of Districts, citing Turkish lodge problems.

Minutes - 1940

Minutes of General Executive Board Meeting. September 14-15-16, 1940. Hotel Picadilly, New York. 4 pages

Minutes - 1940

Brother Benjamin submitted report on Social Security Campaign, during discussion, proposals made including endorsement of American Youth Act, support of bill protecting foreign born - report & proposals adopted. Motions adopted include - American Peace Mobilization, constitutional changes.

Minutes - 1941

Minutes of Executive Committee, April 11, 1941. 1 page.

Minutes - 1941

Minutes of the Executive Committee, September 3, 1941. 1 page. Routine.

Minutes - 1941

Minutes of the Executive Committee, October 21, 1941. 6 pages. Resolution passed supporting Federal Program for Civilian Defense including directives for participation in civilian defense work.

Minutes - 1941

Minutes of Plenary Session of the General Executive Board, February 22-23-24, 1941. 5 pages.

Minutes - 1941

Two guests introduced - Paul Robeson, Earl Robinson. Discussion of Supreme Courts dismissal of the appeals of William Weiner and Earl Browder. Rev. B.W. Harris of Norfolk addressed the Board, and discussion followed on Negro problems

Minutes - 1941

Minutes of Semi-annual Plenary Session of the General Executive Board - September 6-7, 1941. 6 pages.

Minutes - 1941

Resolution to support the U.S. fight against Naziism following Hitler's assault on the Soviet Union discussed, support of Earl Browder, William Weiner and Brother Sam Darcy discussed. Resolution opposing discrimination against Negro people in the armed forces & defense industries, and repeal of Poll tax adopted. Resolution selling Oakridge Jewish Cemetery, Proviso Township, Hook County, Illinois lost to IWO Cemetery Dept.

Minutes - 1941

Summary of Discussion by Brother Max Bedacht, Meeting of the General Executive Board. September 7, 1941. 3 pages. Includes comments on ending the IWO's isolationism.

Minutes - 1942

Minutes of the General Executive Board Plenary Sessions - February 7-8, 1942. New York City. 10 pages & resolutions

Minutes - 1942

"Resolution passed enacting a Plan and Program for National Group Victory Councils. Sam Pevzner read a message from President Weiner. Peter Shipka submitted financial report. Resolutions to urge the House of Representatives to disband the Dies Committee, establish of Victory Councils, to release Earl Browder, to restore Dale Zysman to active duty on the Navy, on Negro rights, citizenship cases were adopted. Resolution to communicate with Secretary of Navy Knox re dismissal of IWO members from Navy Yards in New England on the basis of their IWO membership was referred to Resident Board for Study."

Minutes - 1942

Speech of Herbert Benjamin, General Executive Meeting, February 7, 1942. 11 pages. Discusses how IWO members can best serve the war effort, Victory Councils, Nationality Group, Civil Defense, condemns Red Cross attitude toward Negro donors, Navy attitudes toward Negroes, Browder imprisonment

Minutes - 1942

Minutes of General Executive Board, June 27, 1942. 6 pages. Discuss resolutions including Herbert Benjamin's resignation, activating more members for the war effort, setting up a Western front, urging Front Line Fighters Fund to intensify Russian War Relief.

Minutes - 1942

Proceedings of the General Executive Board, November 6,7,9, 1942. 7 pages. Senator Stanley Nowak of Michigan addressed the Board. Reaffirmed effort to free William Weiner, read telegram to be sent to CIO convention, discussed membership lethargy re war activities, establishment of a commission to study Negro problems.

Minutes - 1943

Proceedings of General Executive Board, February 26-27, 1943. 21 pages. Vice President Rockwell Kent in his address to the Board discusses IWO leaders in the armed forces, reads a letter from Dave Green which includes treatment of Negroes in the service. The Board approves postponement of National Convention for 1 year due to the war, establishment of an Organization Department with outline of duties and representatives, Treasurer Shipka submitted financial report, Establishment of Negro Subdivision - Frederick Douglass Society of the I.W.O. R. Muenich reported on the work of the Women's Commission. Resolutions passed on Hitler's Anti-Semitism Program, Congressional Economy Bloc, Repeal of Poll Tax, Hobbs Bill, Negro Work.

Minutes - 1944

Minutes of General Executive Board, Plenary Session, February 12-13, 1944. 19 pages.

Minutes - 1944

Milgrom's resolutions call for National Unity citing the Teheran Conference, IWO's role in the war effort, building the Negro American section, Executive Secretary of New York District, Middleton submitted subreport on the general lodges. Brother Vail, Secretary New England District, suggested a name change for I.W.O. Vrabel remarked on the progress of the Slovak Workers Society as affected by the war. Middleton spoke on a fourth term for President Roosevelt, June Gordon reported on the Front Line Fighters Fund, and called on the GEB to take a stand against the "Equal Rights Amendment" which would "wipe out all protective legislation for women...". Rymer proposed a resolution in favor of the Wagner-Murray-Dingell Social Security Bill. A resolution on Legislative work was proposed including passage of Lucas-Green-Worley Federal Ballot Bill, Marcantonio Anti-Poll Tax Bill, Lynch Bill, Marcantonio-Scanlon-Dawson Bills to establish Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC), and defeat of Bankhead Bill. Resolutions submitted to combat anti-Semitism, on British White Paper re Jewish Community in Palestine, on Japanese slayings of American P.O.W.'s, on deportation of Mrs. E. Browder, on repatriation of Italian anti-fascist refugees to return to Italy, convention arrangements.

Minutes - 1944

Minutes of General Council Meeting, November 24-25-26, 1944. 15 pages. General Secretary submitted report on plans for the future. Treasurer Shipka discussed new membership certificate decided on at 6th convention, detailing new endowment plan for adults and savings-insurance plan for juniors. Discussion on General Secretary's report included problems of returning veterans. President Croatian Society IWO, Gerlach introduced Mr. Alatko Balokovic who addressed the Council re heroism in Yugoslavia and support of a Relief Ship to Yugoslavia. Discussion on organizing the Negro Community, including repealing the Poll tax, establishing closer relations with organizations of the Negro people. Mr. James W. Ford, 1936 candidate for Vice President was presented and spoke on Negro situation. Mrs. Eurah Gerrard spoke about Negro community in Chicago. Nationality leaders gave reports on their sections. J. Brodsky, IWO attorney read New York Insurance Examiners Report of June 9, 1944 and a motion was made to carry out recommendations contained in that report. Resolution on Social Security, anti-fascist election campaign, anti-discrimination legislation, war risk clause, war relief, servicemen's welfare, anti-semitism, Taylor Rape case.

Minutes - 1944

Closing remarks by Max Bedacht, General Secretary - IWO -- General Council Semi-Annual Session, November 24-26, 1944. 4 pages. Stresses cultural activities, political activities

Minutes - 1946

Minutes of General Council Meeting, March 16-17, 1946. 8 pages.

Minutes - 1946

Message from Rockwell Kent read re cultural activities. Reports from lodges, General Treasurers financial report submitted by Peter Shipka, J. Brodsky reported that Indiana approved license, Wisconsin is still pending and Missouri has denied the application. Resolutions on Social Security, Negro rights, People's Peace Movement, Women's Activities, Price Control, Democratic Europe including condemnation of Churchill's anti-soviet activities and restoration of Roosevelt's foreign policies.

Minutes - 1947

Minutes of Meeting of General Council, March 1 and 2, 1947. 7 pages.

Minutes - 1947

Sam Milgrom's Executive Committee report included discrimination against national groups by reaction forces, reorientation of General Lodges. Lodge reports, Skipka submitted Treasurer's Report. Letter from Max Bedacht asking for leave of absence and granting of request with full pay. Constitution Committee Report.

Minutes - 1947

Minutes of Executive Committee, December 5, 1947. 1 page. Discussion on Attorney-General Clark's charges.

Minutes - 1947

Minutes of Executive Committee, December 8, 1947. 3 pages. Statement on Attorney-General Clark's designation of the IWO as an organization of questionable loyalty and discussion on this subject.

Minutes - 1947

Minutes of Executive Committee, December 16, 1947. 1 page.

Minutes - 1947

Report of Brother Charles Musil, to the Executive Committee. 1 page. Establishment Czech Workers Society IWO, report of the Czech lodges of IWO

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of General Council Meeting IWO Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14, 1948, Fraternal Clubhouse, New York City (10 pages, 10 pages resolutions).

Minutes - 1948

Secretary-Treasurer, Shipka presented financial report, discussion on new name for the IWO, Memorial observance for J. Brodsky, Welfare Fund, Dave Greene reported on membership drive, Resolutions discussed included adopting an official ritual establishing Welfare Fund, Resolution on unconstitutional list of attorney General Clark, Peace, Work in Negro community, Mrs. Rosa Lee Ingram, Deportation, children's work, English speaking work.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee - March 8, 1948. 2 pages. Financial Report, proposed name changes for the IWO, discussed aged members in re Welfare Fund, retiring Lee Pressman as attorney for case against Clark listing.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, March 30, 1948. 3 pages. Discussed Pilgrimage to Washington arranged by the United Committee to Save the Jewish State and United Nations, General Council meeting re IWO Defense Fund.

Minutes - 1948

Executive Committee, April 6, 1948. 2 pages. Discussed name change for IWO, Welfare Fund, IWO Defense, progress of membership drive.

Minutes - 1948

Executive Committee, April 7, 1948. 3 pages & 2 page attachment. Discussed cultural festivals, membership drive, letter from Dave Green to organizers.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, April 20, 1948. 3 pages. Approved recommendation opposing Un-American Committee Bill in Congress. Discussed State of Pennsylvania's inquiry to Attorney General Clark's listing of IWO, and challenging revocation of IWO's tax exempt status by U.S. Tax Commissioner, radio censorship of foreign language broadcasts.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, May 4, 1948. 3 pages. Discussed possibility of organizing Mexican-Americans, Draftee rates, Saltzman reported on his European trip, Negro communities, Defense Fund, defeat of Mundt Bill, and Hobbs Concentration Camp Bill.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, June 4, 1948. 3 pages. Discussed Treasury Department's revocation of IWO's tax exempt status

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, June 15, 1948. 2 pages. Greene reported on Defense Fund, membership drive. Discussed citizenship cases.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, June 29, 1948. 3 pages. Saltzman reported not to recruit Mexican Americans. Recommendation to continue to correspond with the Hollywood Ten. Discussed Platform Hearings of the New Party.

Minutes - 1948

Minutes of Executive Committee, September 14, 1948. 4 pages. Discussed Attorney Clark's reply to court case, Starr reported on delegation to State Department, discussed United Nations week, Shipka reported on Festivals, Greene reported on Defense Fund

Reports - 1937

Report of Max Bedacht, General Secretary to the Enlarged Meeting of the National Executive Committee, I.W.O. - Hotel Latham, New York City, October 2, 1937. 47 pages.

Reports - 1937

Discusses membership - capacity to recruit, maintain members, "We want the masses, we must have them", definition of solidarity and workers fraternal benefit society, changing fascist workers into progressive ones, occupational health, Negro problems, women's activities, sports, "anti-fascist month", establishing an official organization.

Reports - 1938

Report to the G.E.B. by the General Secretary. 21 pages. See: Box 1 - Folder 5 - Minutes, 1938 for report summary, also includes list of officers, G.E.B. members, plan for official organ, "Policy To Guide the Order."

Reports - 1939

Report to the G.E.B. Meeting, March 4, 1939, by the General Secretary. 36 pages. See: Box 1 - Folder 6 - Minutes, 1939 for report summary.

Reports - 1939

Report of General Secretary Max Bedacht To The Plenary Session of The General Executive Board, August 26, 1939. 31 pages. Discusses the organizing campaign, home for the aged, structure of I.W.O., Organization of lodges, social membership, English-speaking lodges, support of New Deal, Social Security finances, - also includes pre-convention discussion, "Our Tasks."

Reports - 1940

Report of General Secretary Max Bedacht to the Plenary Session of the G.E.B. - January 27, 1940. 25 pages. Discusses organizing campaign, progress of lodges, consolidation of IWO, attacks on IWO.

Reports - 1940

Report of the General Secretary Max Bedacht to the Plenary Session of the G.E.B. - September 14, 15, 16, 1940. New York. 27 pages. Discusses the threat of reaction, organizing campaign, district financing, Youngstown, Ohio lodges, consolidation, Brighton Beach area in Brooklyn, English and Jewish lodges.

Reports - 1940

Report of Brother Max Bedacht for the General Executive Board. 19 pages. Delivered at District Convention, discusses fascism, war, Social Security campaign, General Lodges, consolidation, New Jersey lodges. Also includes proposed draft resolution on consolidation, list of G.E.B. members, two pre-convention discussion issues "Our Tasks", "Resolution on the establishment of an IWO Home for the Ages", supplementary resolution on consolidation, Directives on applying the Policy of Consolidation.

Reports - 1941

Report of the General Secretary to the G.E.B., February 22-23, 1941. New York City. 9 pages. Discusses fascism, world politics, Dies Committee, raid on Philadelphia office, William Weiner's conviction, Jewish Section finances, (incomplete).

Reports - 1941

S - Summary of Discussion on Report on Social Security Campaign by Brother Herbert Benjamin. 8 pages.

Reports - 1941

Remarks of Brother Herbert Benjamin in Discussion on the Resolution Meeting of the G.E.B., I.W.O. New York, September 6, 1941. 18 pages. Discusses resolution to support U.S. fight against Naziism following Hitler's assault (see also Box 1, folder 8).

Reports -1942

Report (2/7/42) 15 pages. Discusses organizational problems including consolidation, community lodges and councils, Williamsburg, New York Community Council, establishment of a membership department, recruiting, community centers, financing system.

Reports -1942

Officers' Report to the G.E.B., February 7-8, 1942. 19 pages. Discusses fascism, political activities, service to unions, Dies Committee, Front Line Fighters Fund, Civilian Defense, youth activities, Stelmach Scroll, activities of Nationality Sections, and Departments, membership

Reports -1942

"IWO & Its Tasks" - Report by Max Bedacht, General Secretary at the Functionaries Conference - August 24, 1942. 15 pages. Discusses Jewish Section problems, organizing congressional elections, Nationality Sections, and 4 page summary of this report. Report on the State of the Order by Max Bedacht, General Secretary, IWO to the GEB - November 6-9, 1942. 22 pages. Discusses anti-fascist activities, war bonds, war propaganda, civilian defense, war relief, congressional elections, major IWO weaknesses, organizing, national group lodges, women's work, Negro communities, district functionaries & staffs, also includes Bedacht's report on work for victory, motions on IWO work for victory and memo on the structure of the IWO.

Reports - 1943

Report to the GEB on the Progress of the Order during the year 1942. February 26-27, 1942. 32 pages. Discusses war activities, politics, fascism, Finnish-American Lodge in Norwood, MA re: red cross auxiliary, Front Line Fighters Fund, Aid to Russia, finances, postponement of convention, home for aged, Social Security, benefits, organizing, membership, licensing, departments, nationality sections, cultural activities.

Reports - 1943

A memorandum on the problems of our youth work by Max Bedacht. 6 pages.

Reports - 1943

"Our Civic and Organizations" Report to the GEB of the IWO, February 26, 1943. 24 pages. Discusses the Russians in the war effort, Nazism in North Africa, Fascism in America, Democracy, Dies Committee, sectarianism, functionaries, organizing, postponing convention, tribute to Peter Shipka - also includes

Reports - 1943

"Resolutions for Action" adopted by GEB, September 25-26, 1943.

Reports - 1944

Pre-convention discussion reports by W. Weiner, President & Max Bedacht, General Secretary - GEB, February 12-13, 1944. New York City. 31 pages

Reports - 1944

Report to the General E.B. by Max Bedacht, General Secretary, IWO, Hotel Riverside Plaza, New York City, February 12-13, 1944. 18 pages and summary. Discusses fascism, education members on political matters, cultural work.

Reports - 1944

"Towards 175,000 members by the 6th National Convention" by Ben Gordon, Secretary, National Organization Department - Report given at G.E.B., IWO, February 12-13, 1944. 16 pages and G.E.B. resolutions passed at February 12-13, 1944 meeting. See also: Box 1, folder 11.

Reports - 1944

Report to the General Council by Max Bedacht, General Secretary, New York, November 24-26, 1944. Includes discussion on Fraternal Committee for the Reelection of President Roosevelt, elections, organizing drive, Negro equality & organizing, relief activities, social security.

Reports, 1945

Financial report, Report to the General Council of the IWO by the General Secretary - "The Order in 1944" 34

Reports, 1945

"Our Anti-Fascist Task of Today" Report of Max Bedacht, General Secretary, to the General Council, September 15-16, 1945. 38 pages, 19 pages. Discusses post-war fight against fascism, including national unity, Social Security, election campaigns, Negro rights, fraternal insurance, youth, immigration, veterans

Reports, 1946

The Order in 1945 and its perspectives for 1946 - Report of Max Bedacht, General Secretary to the General Council, March 16-17, 1946. 23 pages and 8 pages statistics. Discusses work of Jewish Society, Ukrainian, Russian, Slovak, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Croatian, Serbian, Carpatho-Russian, Spanish, Romanian, Greek, Finnish, general lodges, organizing campaign, Western Pennsylvania Drive, finances, Front Line Fighters Fund, Fascism, ideological mobilization, Wagner Health Bill

Reports, 1946

Report to the General Council on Veterans Work by Jerry Trauber - March 16-17, 1946. 9 pages

Reports, 1946

Report of Max Bedacht, General Secretary, To the General Council Meeting of the IWO - September 7-8, 1946. 16 pages and 2 pages summary. Discusses Negro persecution, Social Security legislation, Fascist immigration, congressional elections, national society, lodges.

Reports - 1947

Report by Sam Milgram to the General Council of the IWO - New York - March 1-2, 1947. 31 pages. Discusses discrimination against Negroes, Jews, establishment of FEPC, second generation in lodges, "Youngstown Story".

Reports - 1948

Section of Executive Secretary, Brother Sam Milgrom's Report to general Council, Sunday, March 14, 1948. 6 pages. "Our English-Speaking Work" also a resolution on this subject, minutes of Committee on English-Speaking Work, March 24, 1948. 4 pages.

Reports, 1949

Report of Brother Peter Shipka, General Secretary-Treasurer to the General Council of the IWO held on November 12-13, 1949. 25 pages. Discusses Examination Report of New York Insurance Department, financial, membership, expulsions, Dunne's Insurance Report, Welfare Fund.

Reports - 1951

Report of the Officers Presented to the General Council, IWO, February 3-4, 1951 - Delivered by Peter Shipka, General Secretary-Treasurer. 21 pages. Discusses convention cancellation, liquidation, Report of Examiners of New York Insurance Department, Injunction, Mr. Haley, George Powers, Manning Johnson, Mr. Bohlinger

IWO Financial Data

1930-1952 incomplete misc. financial data.

Convention Documents - 1938-47

Includes reports, speeches, resolutions, attendance lists, proceedings, bulletins

President - Kent, Rockwell - 1940-41

Two letters to Max Bedacht discusses Kent's book, "This Is My Own". Kent suggests trying to keep cost down so members (IWO) and others can afford it. Kent says how important education is for the IWO and "An important part of education is the reading of books". Also discusses the possibility of a radical book club, the IWO membership being the nucleus of such a club.

President, Kent, Rockwell - 1947-48

Correspondence generally to and from Sam Milgrom, Executive Secretary re some legal matters, Hungarian celebrations, recruiting drive, meeting arrangements, Henry Wallace political campaign; 3/1/48 to Milgrom, "I believe that if we could get through the iron curtain of faculty control and talk directly to the students we could change the world."; Ukrainian society folk festivals promoting the Wallace campaign; correspondence with Dr. T. Addis, Stanford University discusses setting up a national movement of all "subversive" organizations - "votes for Wallace are our ammunition"; re Kent running for Congress (33rd District); includes a broadside "Rockwell Kent for Congress".

President, Kent, Rockwell - 1949

Mostly with Sam Milgrom re meeting and speaking arrangements; re financial difficulties for those identified with the left wing in politics, 10/15/49; 12/10/49 statement to NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) endorsing their civil rights campaign and letter from Roy Wilkins, 12/21/49 thanking Kent for his statement but advising him that IWO was not invited to participate in the mobilization.

President - Kent, Rockwell - 1950

With Milgrom re sending observers to the NAACP crusade meeting; celebrations of IWO's 20th Anniversary; NY Times quoted TASS (USSR) in Kent's speech in Moscow saying "that the United States government is not my government" and Kent's letter with corrected version of the statement; Milgrom's arrest on deportation charges; Milgrom asks Kent to draft a mailing to thousands of people outside the Order, "informing them about the attack... through a deportation drive to brand the Order as an organization which advocates force and violence."

President - Kent, Rockwell - Miscellaneous manuscripts

Includes statement, appeal, articles.

General Secretary - Bedacht, Max - 1938-48

August 25, 1942 memo from Gene Kahn, National Fraternal Congress to Bedacht enclosing list of organizations of National Fraternal Congress, Kahn explains "I have designated in pencil on the side names of IWO functionaries to whom I believe letters or memos should be sent to ascertain which persons are now known sympathetic contacts"; with Moran Weston re organizing campaign-reporting on contacts and new members signed up in various locations; letters from political leaders in Washington thanking Bedacht for his organizations' statement re the Dies Committee; from Bedacht to Peter Shipka, 3 page letter says "in membership there is stagnation" (of the IWO) suggests special efforts to be made to build up the order, 9/1/43; 5/25/43 - memo from Bedacht clarifying the relationship of the national group sections of the IWO to the order as a whole and to its GEB; and correspondence, form letter and publication from German-American Committee for Spanish Relief (1938) unable to translate and correspondence, 1944 with American Youth for Democracy.

General-Secretary - Bedacht, Max - Miscellaneous Mss.

Includes "Our General Project for 1941-42"; "Our Anti-Fascist Task of Today," 1945; "Labor Fraternalism, A Guide to the Lodges and Members of the IWO," 29 pages; "Our Plan for Plenty,"; "The Concern of All..." - about National Health Act and miscellaneous

Vice-President - Middleton, John E. 1940-42

Includes correspondence, form letters, speeches re civil service employee being questioned about his association with IWO; 8 page report, "For An Offensive On a Second European Front"; speech, "Defeat Fascism's Attack on the Soviet Union"; "The IWO and the National Groups," 1942, 17 pages.

Director of Organization - Milgrom, Sam, - March 1945 -June 1947.

Correspondence re organizing new lodges; to various societies re meeting arrangements; national health bill legislation; membership drive, plans for general convention of Slovak Workers Society; organization of a city committee in Milwaukee; urging of all societies to issue agitation material in connection with the Truman message, (memo 3/27/47); report of junior activities in the IWO; rights of foreign born; actions against the infamous activities of the Austrian monarchist-fascists in the U.S.; fight for Negro rights by the Polonia Society; greetings to the Convention of the Polonia Society, (5/27/47) by K. Witaszewski, Chairman, Central Committee of Trade Unions in Poland; correspondence re OPA, (Office of Price Administration).

Director of Organization - Milgrom, Sam - July-September, 1947.

Correspondence re membership; memo re proposed organizational changes; plans for separate Portuguese lodge in Fall River, Massachusetts; lists (1947) by Society giving number of lodges, and active builders.

Director of Organization - Milgrom, Sam - 1946-47

Johannes Steel Tour

Director of Organization - Milgrom, Sam - 1946-47

Correspondence with Steel re speaking tour, newsletters, broadsides and routine.

General Director of Organization - Greene, Dave - 1947-49

Correspondence from United Resort Workers of America requesting IWO to hire union people for work in summer camps; from I. Gish, government employee, re criticism of Camp Kinderland by Sam Friedlander; other correspondence re Cam Kinderland; deportation; attack of Attorney-General Tom Clark on IWO; with expelled members for nonpayment of dues urging them to pay up because of lack of insurance protection.

General Director of Organization - Greene, Dave - 1950-51

Correspondence re deportation of Krishna Chandra and others because of past membership with IWO; Johnstown, Pennsylvania Lodge concerned re officers being accused of being Communists; 7 page outline "Attacks on the IWO," 6/19/50; memorandum re aid to IWO members in miners strike.

General Director of Organization - Greene, Dave - 1953

Memo to all societies re preparation of the appeal to secure a reversal of the liquidation decision, to Rockwell Kent requesting him to attend hearing in Albany; reinstatements of membership; and other correspondence re appeal hearings; memo including annual financial statement; letter from member of Lodge 3543, Philadelphia voicing concern re Insurance Department representatives being paid by IWO; re IWO lodge officers giving lists of members to FBI agents; correspondence pertaining to legal matters re Subversive Activities Control Board; and documents re Gwinn Amendment.

General Director of Organization - Greene, Dave - Training School correspondence - 1948-50

Includes correspondence, lists, financial reports, notes, programs for various training schools within the IWO, some of which were held at Camp Kinderland.

General Director of Organization - Greene, Dave - Training School - Miscellaneous

Includes mss. of reports re schools

Executive Secretary - Milgrom, Sam - 1947

Includes correspondence, minutes, form letters with

Executive Secretary - Milgrom, Sam - 1948-50

Minutes, 2/27/48 - Committee for Establishment of National Council of Lodges in Negro Communities; information on General Lodge Milk Fund Campaign; membership drive reports; reports and resolution on English-speaking work; tours; anti-lynching bill; statistics on transfers of members; "memo on Press Reactions to the Wallace Candidacy,; 1/14/48; correspondence from John Middleton discusses political campaign in Western Pennsylvania; correspondence with Society reps re Defense Fund drive; Ukrainian Folk Festivals; requests to all Societies to send Milgrom outlines of their plans for 1949; correspondence re politics and Communist Party; release from Ohio NAACP re civil rights legislation.

Milgrom, Sam - Miscellaneous - 1946-49

Includes notes, memos, statistics, correspondence re Portuguese located in various geographical areas; lists of organizers by society; report on Parent-Children's Festival Tour; membership stats by society, 1946; letter to Milgrom from J. Finley Wilson, Order of Elks re IWO representatives joining the Elks in a Legislative Assembly and Rally for Civil Rights, 1/21/49.

Executive-Secretary - Benjamin, Herbert - 1941-42

Includes "Resolution on Brother William Weiner," (President, IWO) to show support after his arrest and imprisonment, along with Earl Browder; 4 page form letter to all District and Section Secretaries re the building of membership in the organization; 6/27/42 5 page letter of resignation as Executive-Secretary which outlines conflict within the leadership of the organization; recruitment during the war; letter requesting lodges to send letter of support to Philip Murray, Steel Workers Organizing Committee, on the event of their 1st constitutional convention; 6 page re organizational problems within IWO.

Executive Secretary - Benjamin - Mss., reports, speeches

re personnel policy; "The True Picture of America," 31 pages; "For Victory in the War Against the Fascist Axis," 11 pages; "Work Among the National Groups," 7 pages; "Review of Our Work, Our Shortcomings, Our Further Tasks,; 36 pages; Remarks by Benjamin, 9/6/41 re "National Unity Against Hitlerism," 10 pages

Executive Secretary - Benjamin - Mss., reports, speeches

"We Give Aid and Comfort - Report on Income Disbursements Activities Response, Front Line Fighters Fund, 1941-42," unpaged; "To the GEB"; 11 page memo re problems within the organization of the IWO; "Summary of Discussion, GEB, 4/27/42 by John Middleton," 6 pages re political and organizational problems, abolition of the Office of Executive Secretary.

Executive Secretary - Benjamin - Mss., reports, speeches

"Resolutions and Proposals on the Work of the Order Among National Groups," 4 pages; "Introduction to the Discussion on Resolution and Concrete Proposals for Improved National Group Work," 2/22/41, 13 pages; "Concrete Proposals Recommended for Adoption by Special Committee on National Group Problems," 4 pages; "Americans All-Immigrants All-Want Peace," 4/6/41, 17 pages

Executive Secretary = Benjamin - Mss., reports, speeches,

"Labor's Battle, The Fight for William Weiner is the Fight For Freedom and the People's Welfare," 13 pages; Radio Speech, "The Plan For Plenty," 3/13/41, 30 pages; "For An Offensive On A Second European Front," 5/25/42, 8 pages; Speech "Unity for Victory", 2/7/42, 13 pages.

Rymer, Harry - Administrative Department, 1944-48

Includes routine office correspondence between Rymer and past and present employees

Officers - General Information - 1944-51

Lists of officers; requests for leaves of absence; resignations; list of dates of renewals for State Insurance Department licenses; memo re activities of IWO and other organizations, n.d.; memo from P. Shipka to William Karlin re collection of assessment for the Old Age Home, 1/9/51.

Administrative Correspondence - General - 1938-47

Mostly routine office correspondence re dues, membership eligibility, staff recommendations, life insurance and general operation of headquarters.

Alabama - 1949

Includes one letter from George Glover to "Eddie", an organizer in Alabama. Discusses loss of IWO Charter in Alabama.

Baltimore - 1940-47

Correspondence re membership (suspension & reinstatements), local offices, recruitment drive, minutes of City Central Committee, for 8/23/44, letter to Milgrom from Baltimore, Secretary of City Central Committee Robert Meyers, re problems of the Committee as far as coordination of activities of lodges and organization of a Negro lodge in Baltimore, re problems with offices at headquarters - Meyer's suggests disbanding the Baltimore City Central Committee unless better cooperation is received.

Bronx - 1943

Includes 33 page, "Report by H. Shiller, Secretary of the Bronx District Committee of the Jewish-American Section of the IWO to the Third Annual Convention of the Bronx District, held on Saturday and Sunday, March 27th and 28th, 1943." Report discusses Jewish unity, the war, Congress, poll tax, reorganization of lodges in the Bronx, Jewish Children's Schools, women's clubs, statistics on membership.

California - 1939-50

Correspondence re San Diego Local 577 members involved in strike with employers of a furniture company represented by United Furniture Workers - asking for IWO to investigate the situation and to give support; correspondence and legal documents re case of slander of family members of IWO Lodge 4310; Building of the Croatian order on the West Coast; and other routine.

Chicago - 1938-39

Correspondence between Louise (Thompson) Patterson and Sam Milgrim and other re activities of lodges throughout the Chicago area, which includes Du Sable Lodge 751 and Midwest District (Miriam Cheifitz), re recruitment, IWO publications, social activities, meetings and conferences, Negro membership; Negro conference; request for information re establishment of an Arabic lodge; internal conflicts between Chicano lodges and International Office re coordination of efforts and activities; support for Miners and Packing House Workers during strikes; and routine.

Detroit - 1944-48

Correspondence generally between officers of Michigan State Committee and Sam Milgrom re conflict between officers with Detroit lodges; Negro History Week Program plans; financial problems; recruitment drive; political campaign for Roosevelt; Romanian Fraternal Society re new recruits; establishment of new lodges in Detroit; athletic activities - youth groups; recruitment of Negro members; financial reports; and routine.

Florida - 1949