Workers Education Bureau of America Records, 1920-1954
Collection Number: 5277
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Workers Education Bureau of America Records, 1920-1954
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5277
Abstract:
Consist of governance and financial documents, reports, correspondence, memoranda
and notes pertaining to radio programs, courses and programs to promote workers' education,
adult and vocational schools and educational programs (1921-1951).
Creator:
Workers Education Bureau of America
Quanitities:
2 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Founded in 1921 by a group of unionists and educators, the Workers' Education Bureau
of America (WEB) functioned under the directorship of Spencer Miller and John D. Conners
as a service organization for research, teaching, publication, and extension work
in workers' education. WEB received financial, political, and consultative support
from American Federation of Labor (A.F. of L.) leaders, including Samuel Gompers,
William Green, and Matthew Woll. In 1951, WEB was formally integrated into the A.F.
of L. as its Education Department.
Section 1. History: Records consist mainly of correspondence, memoranda, and reports
pertaining to the routine administration and activities of the Workers' Education
Bureau of America. Organizational records include financial statements and auditors'
reports (1922- 1947); bibliographies; reading lists; clippings; and certificates of
incorportation and certification. Also, memoranda, letters and reports pertaining
to the Labor Book Fund; workers' education programs in various states; the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration-WEB jointly sponsored West Coast School of Unemployed
Workers (1934); the WEB-A.F. of L. dispute with Brookwood Labor School (1929); financial
matters; the establishment of a labor correspondence school, the International Labor
News Service for Worker Education, the Pittsburgh Labor College, and the A.F. of L.
Education Department.
Includes correspondence chiefly of Spencer Miller and John D. Conners with Samuel
Gompers and William Green (presidents, A.F. of L.) and Matthew Woll (vice president,
A.F. of L.); the American Association of Adult Education; William Haber (professor,
Michigan State College); William J. Bowen (president, Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers'
International Union of America); Victor A. Olander (secretary-treasurer, Illinois
State Federation of Labor); and Fannia M. Cohn (secretary, International Ladies' Garment
Workers' Union) pertaining to the Workers' Education Bureau Press Inc., workers' education,
A.F. of L.-WEB relations and joint programs, and leadership training.
Section 2. Organizational activities: Records consist of memoranda, reports, correspondence
and miscellaneous documents pertaining to WEB relations with the A.F. of L.; various
workers' education programs conducted by unions, academia, and government agencies;
and the founding and development of WEB. Include documents pertaining to the establishment
of the Labor Book Fund (1922-1928). Also, reports, memoranda and notes pertaining
to vocational, adult, and workers' education programs in various states (1935-1939);
A.F. of L-WEB joint conferences on labor and public education; Rutgers University-New
Jersey Federation of Labor-WEB joint conferences on international labor relations
(1946-1947); and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) workers' education radio broadcasts
(1939). Additionally, correspondence of Spencer Miller with Harry Russell (director,
WEB, New England Region) on regional conferences and programs (1925-1928); of Sterling
Fisher (director of educational radio talks, CBS) on research and radio broadcasts
(1939); and of William Green on workers' education programs in academia (1935).
Also, correspondence of John D. Conners with Harold Taylor (president, Sarah Lawrence
College) on Fulbright Scholarships, and worker and student exchange programs with
Ruskind College, Oxford Univ., and with Matthew Woll on WEB and A.F. of L. cooperative
projects and workers' education programs. Also, correspondence of Woll (in the capacity
of labor chairman, National Advisory Council on Radio in Education) with William Green
and President Franklin D. Roosevelt regarding WEB radio broadcasts (1932).
Section 3. Publications and research documents: Consist of reading lists and bibliographies;
published and unpublished pamphlets and reports; notes, memoranda, and manuscript
drafts of reports on research projects; and news releases and bulletins of WEB and
various cooperating agencies. Include materials by Samuel Gompers, Edward C. Lindeman,
Theresa Wolfson, John D. Conners, Mark Starr, Fannia Cohn, Nelson H. Cruikshank, and
Arthur Elder pertaining to workers' education; public speaking; child labor; leadership
training; collective bargaining; voluntary unionism; the history of the A.F. of L.;
labor plays; social security; unemployment; workmen's compensation; labor and the
economy; labor history; unions and the community; the construction industry; and the
international labor relations programs conducted by the American Council of Education
and the American Friends Service Committee.
Section 4. Miscellaneous correspondence and reports: Consist chiefly of published
and unpublished reports; routine correspondence of Spencer Miller and John D. Conners;
and notes and memoranda. Materials regard workers' education and the atomic age, international
labor problems, leadership training, radio programs, technology and unemployment,
regional workers' education programs, teacher training, and unemployment (1921-1951).
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Workers Education Bureau of America Records #5277. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
Bowen, William J.
Cohn, Fannia M. (Fannia Mary), 1885-
Conners, John D.
Cruikshank, Nelson H.
Elder, Arthur H.
Fisher, Sterling
Gompers, Samuel, 1850-1924
Green, William, 1872-1952
Lindeman, Eduard
Miller, Spencer, 1891-
Olander, Victor A., 1873-1949
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882- 1945
Russell, Harry A.
Starr, Mark, 1894-
Taylor, Harold, 1947
Wolfson, Theresa, 1897-1972
Woll, Matthew, 1880-1956
American Association for Adult Education
Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America
Brookwood Labor College
Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.
Illinois State Federation of Labor
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
New Jersey State Federation of Labor
Ruskind College (University of Oxford)
Rutgers University
United States. Federal Emergency Relief Administration
West Coast School of Unemployed Workers
Workers' Education Bureau of America
Workers' Education Bureau Press, Inc.
Subjects:
Adult education teachers, Training of -- United States
Child labor -- United States
Construction industry -- United States
Educational exchanges -- United States
Press, Labor -- United States
Radio in adult education -- United States
Social security--United States.
Unemployment -- United States
Unemployment, Technological -- United States
Vocational education--United States.
Workers' compensation--United States.
Adult education teachers
Labor and laboring classes. Education. United States.
Labor and laboring classes. United States. Drama.
Trade-union leadership. United States.
Trade-unions. United States. Social activity.
Unemployment relief. United States.
Workers' education. United States.
Workers' education. United States. Curricula.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Articles of Incorporation
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 2-5 |
Auditor's Reports
|
1922-1925 |
Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Auditor's Reports
|
1921-1947 |
Scope and Contents
Worker's Education Bureau Press, Inc.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Copyright Registrations
|
1947-1948 |
Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Financial Correspondence
|
1924-1928 |
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence from Matthew Woll, Fifth Vice-President, American Federation
of Labor and Peter J. Brady, President, Federation Bank and Trust Company on routine
matters (1927); letter from F. P. Keppel, President, Carnegie Corporation, praising
the Bureau (1928); financing plan outline from Will McCord, The Organization Finance
Bureau.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Financial Correspondence
|
1929-1937 |
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence from Haley Fiske, President, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
on routine matters (1929); two letters from Franklin D. Roosevelt, Vice-President,
Fidelity and Deposit Trust Company of Maryland praising the objectives of the Bureau
(1925) and declining to make a fund raising appeal in the newspapers (1925); correspondence
from Dr. Frederick D. Keppel, President, Carnegie Corporation regarding grant application
and approval (1932); grant approval notification from W.W. Brierly, Secretary, General
Education Board (1934); letter from William Green, President, American Federation
of Labor regarding increased contribution (1937); undated loan agreement signed by
several members of the Executive Committee of the Bureau.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 10 |
General Correspondence
|
1921 |
Scope and Contents
Includes letter from Samuel Gompers, President, American Federation of Labor and correspondence
with Florence Thorne, American Federation of Labor on routine matters; suggestions
from W. H. Manwaring, The Labor College regarding proposed structure of Bureau courses
(5 pp, handwritten).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 11 |
General Correspondence
|
1922 |
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence from Florence Thorne, American Federation of Labor regarding
articles of agreement between the American Federation of Labor and the Worker's Education
Bureau (3 pp typed, 4 handwritten); letter from Matthew Wall, President, International
Photo-Engraver's Union regarding the election of executive board chairman; critique
of agreement by J. M. Budish, Editor, The Headgear Worker; "American Federation of
Labor and Worker's Education", stenographic report of Matthew Woll, Chairman, Education
Committee, American Federation of Labor and excerpt of Samuel Gomper's speech delivered
at the Second Annual Conference Worker's Education Bureau; letter from Gompers regarding
formation of joint executive board; correspondence with Florence Thorne on routine
matters; letter from Gompers naming representatives to Executive Committee.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 12 |
General Correspondence
|
1923-1924 |
Scope and Contents
Includes form letter from Matthew Woll urging affiliates to form permanent education
committees (2pp, 1924); and routine (1923); routine correspondence with Florence Thorne;
proposal to assist in developing labor legislation in Nicaragua from Chester M. Wright,
English Language Secretary, Pan American Federation of Labor (1924).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 13 |
General Correspondence
|
1925 |
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence from Florence Thorne regarding labor research and routine
matters; Oliver Carlson, Director, Worker's School application for affiliation (and
subsequent denial); letter of appreciation from William Green on general labor research;
notes and suggestions on a variety of issues connected with the Bureau possibly from
Lloyd Cosgrave (12pp handwritten).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 14 |
General Correspondence
|
1926 |
Scope and Contents
Includes routine correspondence with Florence Thorne; letter of praise to Matthew
Woll from Herbert Hoover, Secretary, Department of Commerce.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 15 |
General Correspondence
|
|
Scope and Contents
Contains requests of Grace B. Kleug, Chairman, Educational Committee of the Ladies
Auxilllary, International Association of Machinists for advice on initiating an education
program; routine correspondence from William Green; letter opposing limiting membership
of Executive Committee from Fannia Cohn, Executive Secretary, Education Department
International Ladies Garment Workers Union; letter praising the commencement of regularly
scheduled conferences from William Green.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 16 |
General Correspondence
|
1928-1930 |
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence from James H. Maurer, Superintendent, Department of Accounts
and Finance (Reading, PA) reluctantly agreeing to remain President of the Worker's
Education Bureau (1928)
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 17 |
General Correspondence
|
1931-1932 |
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence and attachments with William Green concerning preliminary
plan for developing a Department of Education within the American Federation of Labor
(1931).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 18 |
General Correspondence
|
1933 |
Scope and Contents
Contains queries from the executive officers of the Bureau regarding the continued
solvency of the Bureau; correspondence with Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor regarding
establishing an Education Department within the Labor Department; affiliation fee
from David Dubinsky, President, International Ladies Garment Worker's Union; letter
regarding funds for Bureau run labor institutes from Horse A. Cartwright, Director,
American Association for Adult, Education.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 19 |
General Correspondence
|
1934-1935 |
Scope and Contents
Statement given by Thomas E. Burke, President, Workers Education Bureau, at a conference
called by the Secretary of Labor and the Commissioner of Education (1934); correspondence
with Peter J. Burke regarding the anticipated affiliation of the Worker's Education
Council of New York City (1934); correspondence from William Green regarding the Western
Labor College (1935).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 20 |
General Correspondence
|
1936-1938 |
Box 1 | Folder 21 |
General Correspondence
|
1939-1941 |
Scope and Contents
Includes routine correspondence from William Green(1939); letter of praise from George
Meany, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Labor (1941); four photographs
labeled "WEB 20th Anniversary-April 1941".
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 22 |
General Correspondence
|
1943 |
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence with Mark Starr, Chairman, Labor Advisory Council, Worker's
Service Program, WPA regarding the beginning of the Labor Extension Service under
the auspices of the U.S. Department of Labor; letter from C.J. Haggerty, President,
California Federation of Labor refusing to participate in programs offered by the
People's Educational Center; letter from William Wolff, Executive Secretary, People's
Educational Center outlining organization and objective.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 23 |
General Correspondence
|
1944-1946 |
Scope and Contents
Includes letter from Glen Burch, Editor Adult Education Journal regardinq postwar
activities (1946); correspondence with Florence Thorne, Director of Research, American
Federation of Labor regarding suggestions on the Labor Extension Service (1946); routine
correspondence with Matthew Woll, Chairman, Committee on Education, American Federation
of Labor (1946); routine correspondence from Walter G. O'Donnell, Chairman, Adult
Education Committee, American Federation of Teachers, Local 279 (1946).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 24 |
"History of the Worker's Education Bureau" Pamphlet
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 25-26 |
Positions of Employment
|
1946 |
Box 1 | Folder 27-29 |
Positions of Employment
|
1947 |
Box 1 | Folder 30 |
Correspondence School Institute
|
1926-1930 |
Scope and Contents
Includes plan outline for Organization of Washington Labor Institute from Richard
S. Harvey, Lawyer.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 31 |
Labor Book Fund
|
1922-1931 |
Scope and Contents
Contains several letters from Fannia Cohn in her capacity as a trustee of the Labor
Text Book Fund (1922, 1928, 1929).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 32 |
Labor Schools
|
1922-1941 |
Scope and Contents
Includes a refusal to contribute from William L. Hutcheson, General President, United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (1927); Correspondence with John
Brophy regarding his membership on the Executive Board (1927); routine correspondence
from James H. Maurer and Thomas E. Burke (1927); letter from William Green regarding
the denial of affiliation to the Union Labor College of Pittsburgh (1928), letter
from William Collins, General Organizer, American Federation of Labor, regarding John
Brophy and the removal of his endorsement by the Pittsburgh Central Labor Union (1928).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 33 |
National Civic Federation
|
1936 |
Scope and Contents
A Brief History of the Origin Development and Present Activities of the National Civic
Federation typescript, 22pp.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 34 |
New England Division
|
1928-1936 |
Scope and Contents
Routine Correspondence with Harry A. Russell, Regional Director, Worker's Education
Bureau (1928, 1929, 1934, 1935); routine correspondence with Nelson Cruikshank of
Connecticut (1935); routine correspondence with William Green (1935); letter from
Harry A. Russell regarding program implementation (1928).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 35 |
Radio Programs
|
1931-1938 |
Scope and Contents
Includes program agenda and selected script for "The People's Platform" which aired
weekly from July 20, 1938 to April 23, 1939; program agenda and selected script for
"Americans at Work" a program aired weekly from April 28, 1938 to April 15, 1939;
correspondence with Sterling Fisher, Director of Education and Radio Talks, Columbia
Broadcasting System regarding decision to discontinue research services of the Bureau
(1939); routine correspondence front Levering Tyson, Director, National Advisory Council
on Radio in Education (1934); letter to Matthew Woll from Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor,
State of New York, praising the radio series (1932); letter from William Green praising
radio programs (1932).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 36-37 |
Ruskin College Scholarships
|
1947-1950 |
Scope and Contents
Includes routine correspondence from Harold Taylor, Chairman, Committee on Ruskin
Labor Scholarships (1947).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 38-40 |
Rutgers Institute
|
1946-1947 |
Box 1 | Folder 41 |
Teacher Training
|
1923-1926 |
Scope and Contents
Contains routine correspondence from Matthew Woll, Seventh Vice-president, American
Federation of Labor(1923); letter to Lloyd Crosgrave, Assistant Secretary, Worker's
Education Bureau regarding the Gary system from F. G. Stecker, Secretary-Treasurer,
American Federation of Teachers (1926),
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 42 |
Unemployment
|
1930 |
Box 1 | Folder 43 |
UNESCO
|
1949 |
Scope and Contents
Contains travel authorization for John D. Connors, President, Worker's Education Bureau,
to the meeting of the Committee on Education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 44 |
University Extension
|
1924-1930 |
Box 1 | Folder 45 |
Vocational Education
|
1935-1939 |
Box 1 | Folder 46 |
Western Division
|
1934-1935 |
Scope and Contents
Includes routine correspondence from E. W. Mounce, State Supervisor of Worker's Education
Bureau in Missouri (1935); routine correspondence with Paul Vogt, Western Regional
Director, Worker's Education Bureau (1935); tentative draft of Worker's Forum from
Paul Vogt (1935).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 47 |
Worker's Education Bureau Press, Inc.
|
1923-1926 |
Box 1 | Folder 48 |
Worker's Education Bureau Press, Inc.
|
1927-1928 |
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence from Chester M. Wright, Editor, International Labor News Service
regardinq joint venture with the Bureau (1927); criticisms of "Trade Unionism in the
Building Industry" from William J. McSorley, President, Building Trades Department,
American Federation of Labor and William J. Bowen, President, Bricklayers, Masons
and Plasterers Union of America (1927); routine correspondence from William Green
(1928).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 49 |
Worker's Education Bureau Press, Inc.
|
1929-1935 |
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence concerning the litigation Fleming & Reavley vs. The Worker's
Education Bureau (1929); Victor C. Olander, Secretary-Treasurer, Illinois Federation
of Labor critique of pamphlet (1931).
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 50 |
Worker's Education Bureau Press, Inc.
|
1940 |
Scope and Contents
Correspondence regarding Samuel Hasanovitch and his unauthorized us of Bureau credentials
for the purpose of personal gain.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 51 |
Worker's Education Bureau Spring Conference
|
1954 |
Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Annual Reports
|
1935-1950 |
Box 2 | Folder 2 |
Article Series
|
1940 |
Scope and Contents
"The Pros and Cons of Consumer Credit" by Constance Kent, 16pp. typescript
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 3 |
Article Series
|
1944 |
Scope and Contents
"Labor in the Postwar World" by Dr. John L. Childs, 4pp. reprint
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Article Series
|
1945 |
Scope and Contents
"Labor's Stake Abroad" by Dr. William Withers, 6pp, reprint "Labor and Social Security"
by Nelson Cruikshank, 6 pp, photocopied reprint
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Article Series
|
1946 |
Scope and Contents
"Workers Education: What? Why? How?" by John D. Connors, 18pp (12pp typescript, 6pp
photocopy) "Money and How It Works" by Jerry Voorhis, 6 pp, (5pp photocopy, 1p reprint).
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 6 |
Article Series
|
1947 |
Scope and Contents
"Workers Interdependence in Our Economy" by Arthur A. Elder, 6pp, reprint (plus additional
typescript, reprint and photocopies)
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 7 |
Article Series
|
|
Scope and Contents
"Sweden: Laboratory in Economic Democracy" by Arnold S. Zander, 17 pp, typescript
(plus additional reprints)
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 8 |
Article Series
|
1948 |
Scope and Contents
"Labor and the Law" by Matthew Woll, 6pp, reprint "Organized Labor's Stake in Tax
Policy" by Arthur A, Elder, 6pp, reprint.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 9 |
Article Series
|
1949 |
Scope and Contents
"Labor and UNESCO" by John D. Connors, 6pp, reprint (plus additional reprints) "The
Soviet System - of Mind Control" by George S. Counts, 3pp. Reprint
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 10 |
Crosgrave Article Series
|
1939 |
Scope and Contents
"Short Stories on Economics", 12pp. typescript.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 11 |
Crosgrave Article Series
|
1940 |
Scope and Contents
"More Short Stories on Economics", 12pp. typescript.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 12 |
Crosgrave Article Series
|
1941 |
Scope and Contents
"National Defence", 13 pp, typescript. "More on National Defense", 12pp, typescript,
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 13 |
Crosgrave Article Series
|
1942 |
Scope and Contents
"America at War", 13pp, typescript, "The World at War", part I-VI, 13 pp, typescript.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 14 |
Crosgrave Article Series
|
1943 |
Scope and Contents
"The World at War", part VII-XII, 12pp, typescript. "After the War", 12pp, typescript
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 15 |
Labor Lecture Series
|
1932 |
Scope and Contents
Pamphlets
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 16 |
Libraries
|
1928 |
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence from William Green regarding opportunity for the American
Federation of Labor and the American Library Association to cooperate.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 17 |
Miscellaneous Publications
|
1926-1936 |
Box 2 | Folder 18 |
Miscellaneous Publications
|
1946-1954 |
Box 2 | Folder 19-20 |
Pamphlets
|
1946 |
Box 2 | Folder 21 |
Pamphlet Series
|
1921-1925 |
Box 2 | Folder 22 |
Pamphlet Series
|
1926-1933 |
Box 2 | Folder 23 |
Pamphlet Series
|
1934-1946 |
Box 2 | Folder 24 |
Picket History of the AFL-CIO
|
1950 |
Scope and Contents
Original, manuscript
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 25 |
Press Releases
|
1935-1947 |
Box 2 | Folder 26 |
Railway Review
|
1923 |
Box 2 | Folder 27 |
Reading List Series
|
1926 |
Box 2 | Folder 28 |
Research
|
1924-1928 |
Box 2 | Folder 29 |
Research
|
1936-1938 |
Scope and Contents
Routine correspondence with Dr. Carole Blume, Dr. Mollie Ray Carol/ Director of Research
and Ursula Batchelder Stone.
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 30 |
Research
|
1947-1950 |
Box 2 | Folder 31 |
Research Division Pamphlets
|
1936 |
Box 2 | Folder 32 |
Research Division Series
|
1927 |
Box 2 | Folder 33 |
Shop Stewards Manual
|
1947 |
Scope and Contents
Contains original typescript and sketches
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 34 |
Shop Stewards Manual
|
1947 |
Scope and Contents
Manuscript
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 35 |
Syllabus Series Pamphlets
|
1920-1926 |
Box 2 | Folder 36 |
Syllabus Series Pamphlets
|
1935-1945 |
Box 2 | Folder 37 |
Workers Education News Service
|
1924-1926 |
Scope and Contents
11pp, miscellaneous reprints
|