International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Schlesinger, Benjamin, President. Records,
1928-1932., 1928-1932.
Collection Number: 5780/010
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Benjamin Schlesinger, President. Records, 1928-1932.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5780/010
Abstract:
Correspondence and subject files relating to Schlesinger's term, October 1928 to June
1932.
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. President's Office.
Quanitities:
2 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Files of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) president Benjamin
Schlesinger during his final term as president, from October 1928 to June 1932.
Schlesinger was a Jewish immigrant from Lithuania who began working in the garment
industry in Chicago as a teenager. He became a union organizer soon after and rose
quickly in the ranks of the Chicago Cloakmakers' Union. He served as president of
the ILGWU for a brief time in 1903, and again from 1914 to 1923. Later, he was business
manager of the Jewish Daily Forward in Chicago. He died in office on June 6, 1932.
Topics covered in these materials include: communist activity in the garment industry
unions; contract negotiations; Schlesinger's role as business manager of the Jewish
Daily Forward (Chicago); labor disputes in the women's garment industry of New York
City; racketeering; socialism; garment industry strikes in New York City (including
the 1929 Cloakmakers' Strike and the 1930 Dressmakers' Strike); the Tom Mooney Defense
Committee; relations between manufacturers' associations and the union; union conventions;
union elections; union finances; and worker education.
Individuals and organizations represented in the collection include: the Amalgamated
Bank of New York; the Affiliated Dress Manufacturers' Association; the AFL (including
letters from William Green); the Associated Raincoat Manufacturers of New York; Brookwood
Labor College; Abraham Cahan; Thomas C.T. Crain; Eugene Debs; David Dubinsky; ILGWU
Locals 8, 10 and 50; Sidney Hillman; Morris Hillquit; Charles Kreindler; Salvatore
Ninfo; the Rand School of Social Science; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Arnold Rothstein;
Jacob H. Schiff; Mortimer L. Schiff; Norman Thomas; Samuel Untermyer; B.C. Vladeck;
and the Wholesale Dress Manufacturers' Association.
5780/009. Benjamin Schlesinger. President's records, 1914-1923.
Series I. General correspondence. | Box 1 |
Series II. Subject files. | Boxes 1-4 |
Series III. Miscellaneous items. | Box 4 |
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
International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Benjamin Schlesinger, President. Records,
1928-1932. #5780/010. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives,
Cornell University Library.
Names:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Cahan, Abraham, 1860-1951.
Crain, Thomas C. T. (Thomas Crowell Taylor), 1860-1942.
Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926.
Dubinsky, David, 1892-
Green, William, 1872-1952.
Hillman, Sidney, 1887-1946.
Hillquit, Morris, 1869-1933.
Ninfo, Salvatore.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.
Rothstein, Arnold, 1882-1928.
Schiff, Jacob H. (Jacob Henry), 1847-1920.
Schiff, Mortimer L.
Schlesinger, Benjamin, 1876-1932.
Thomas, Norman, 1884-1968.
Untermyer, Samuel, 1858-1940.
Vladeck, B. (Baruch Charney), 1886-1935.
Affiliated Dress Manufacturers' Association.
Amalgamated Bank of New York.
Amalgamated Ladies' Garment Cutters' Union.
American Federation of Labor.
Associated Raincoat Manufacturers of New York.
Brookwood Labor College (Katonah, N.Y.)
International Clothing Workers' Federation.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union--Elections.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union--Finance.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union--Convention.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union--Presidents.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 8 (San Francisco, Calif.)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 50 (New York, N.Y.)
Mooney Molders Defense Committee.
Rand School of Social Science.
Waterproof Garment Manufacturers' Association.
Wholesale Dress Manufacturers' Association.
Subjects:
Clothing workers -- Labor unions -- United States
Labor unions--Clothing workers--New York--New York.
Labor unions--Clothing workers.
Women's clothing industry -- United States
Women's clothing industry--New York--New York.
Clothing trade--United States.
Clothing trade--New York--New York.
Clothing workers -- United States
Clothing workers--New York--New York.
Strikes and lockouts--Clothing trade--New York--New York.
Strikes and lockouts--Clothing trade--United States.
Industrial relations -- United States
Industrial relations--New York--New York.
Working class--Education--New York--New York.
Labor unions and communism--United States.
Socialism--United States.
Form and Genre Terms:
Correspondence
Organization files
CONTAINER LIST
Container
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Description
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Date
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I. General correspondence.
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Box 1 | Folder 1 |
A. 1928-31.
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Includes correspondence between Associated Raincoat Manfacturers of N.Y. and Local
20 (Waterproof Garment Workers Union) on negotiations for agreement, 1928-30.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 2 |
B.
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|
General Correspondence
|
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Box 1 | Folder 3 |
C.
|
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Includes letters from Thomas C.T. Crain (N.Y. District Attorney) on racketeering,
1930
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Box 1 | Folder 4 |
D.
|
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General Correspondence
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 5 |
E-F.
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General Correspondence
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 6 |
G.
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General Correspondence
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 7 |
H-L:.
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Includes list of bonds purchased by affiliated locals, 1929.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 8 |
M.
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Includes ltr. from William Mack offering impartial assistance, 1929; Tom Mooney Defense
Committee, 1929.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 9 |
N.
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|
Includes letters to N.Y. Times and N.Y. World on Communist appeal in Daily Worker
for Communists to participate in mass picketing in the dress industry, Feb. 1929.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 10 |
O-P.
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|
Box 1 | Folder 11 |
R.
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Includes Rand School letters, 1929-30.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 12 |
S.
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Box 1 | Folder 13 |
T.
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Ltrs. from Norman Thomas (4).
|
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Box 1 | Folder 14 |
U-V.
|
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Includes letters to B. C. Vladeck (Manager), Jewish Daily Forward, 1929-30.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 15 |
W-Z.
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II. Subject files.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 16 |
Amalgamated Bank of N.Y.; 1924-31.
|
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Correspondence, financial matters; agreement between Union and bank; shares of Int'l.
Union Bank as collateral for Union loan.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 17 |
Amalgamated Ladies Garment Cutters Union, Local 10.
|
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Ltr. urging Schlesinger to assume presidency, upon Morris Sigman's resignation, Nov.
14, 1928; Maurice Jacobs (Chairman), David Dubinsky (Manager), Local 10.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 18 |
American Federation of Labor: Oct. 1928-July 1929.
|
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Includes letters from William Green.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 19 |
AFL: Aug. 1929-32.
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Associations.
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Box 1 | Folder 20 |
Affiliated Dress Manfacturers Association, Inc.
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Correspondence re negotiations for agreements, 1929-32.
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Box 1 | Folder 21 |
American Cloak and Suit Manfacturers Association, Inc.
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Benjamin Schlesinger conference address, March 1932.
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Box 1 | Folder 22 |
Couturiers Association of N.Y., 1930
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Box 1 | Folder 23 |
Wholesale Dress Manfacturers Association 1929-32.
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Box 1 | Folder 24 |
Brandeis, Louis.
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Birthday greetings to Schlesinger 1926, 1931.
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Box 1 | Folder 25 |
Brookwood Labor College: 1928-32.
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Ltrs. from A.J. Muste (Chairman of Faculty); releases, statements issued by College
re controversy with AFL over teaching policies, 1928; correspondence with Roger Baldwin
and A.J. Muste on American Fund for Public Service loan to Union during N.Y. : Cloakmakers
strike of 1926, 1929-32.
|
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Box 1 | Folder 26 |
Cahan, Abraham: 1928-31.
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Correspondence (non-Union matters).
|
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Box 1 | Folder 27 |
Chicago Joint Board: 1928-30.
|
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Includes correspondence with Morris Bialis (Manager).
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Box 1 | Folder 28 |
Congratulatory Messages. Birthday, 1929.
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Box 1 | Folder 29 |
Congratulatory Messages.
|
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Election to Union presidency, Oct. 1929
|
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Convention (20th), Union: 1929.
|
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Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Convention call; memoranda to affiliates; telegrams to Raymond Ingersoll, James J.
Walker, and Franklin D. Roosevelt (and his responses) on their help in terminating
N.Y. Cloakmakers' strike of 1929.
|
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Box 2 | Folder 2 |
Schlesinger's and Abraham Cahan's Convention addresses, Dec.
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Box 2 | Folder 3 |
Ballots electing Convention delegates of Local 2 (Cloak and Suit Operators Union)
and Local 9 (Cloak Finishers Union).
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Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Committees.
|
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Includes lists of committee members; report of Committee on Law.
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Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Committees
|
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Citizens Committee to supervise elections for Convention delegates; Committee members
(Jacob Billikopf, Arthur Garfield Hayes, Roger Baldwin) correspondence; report.
|
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Box 2 | Folder 6 |
Committees.
|
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Credential Committee. Includes correspondence between Isidore Nagler (Chairman) and
local affiliates on local indebtedness to Union; reports.
|
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Box 2 | Folder 7 |
Invitations and responses; includes William Green, John L. Lewis, Morris Sigman, Norman
Thomas, B.C. Vladeck.
|
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Convention (21st), Union: 1932.
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Box 2 | Folder 8 |
General files.
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Box 2 | Folder 9 |
General files.
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Box 2 | Folder 10 |
Delegates and Alternates. Includes ballots electing delegates to Convention.
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Box 2 | Folder 11 |
Invitations and responses, arranged alphabetically by correspondence
|
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Box 2 | Folder 12 |
Dubinsky, David (and Hannah Haskel): 1928-30, 1932.
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Correspondence between Dubinsky and Benjamin Schlesinger, when Schlesinger is away
from office.
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Box 2 | Folder 13 |
Form Letters and Circulars: 1929-32.
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Box 2 | Folder 14 |
General Executive Board.
|
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Ltr. from Special Committee informing Schlesinger of their decision to Separate Cloak
and Dress Joint Board, April 1930; Dubinsky (Chairman), Salvatore Ninfo (Secretary).
|
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Box 2 | Folder 15 |
Greetings (New Year's).
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Box 2 | Folder 16 |
Hillquit, Morris: Nov. 1928-29.
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Correspondence on legal matters, negotiations for collective agreements.
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Box 2 | Folder 17 |
Hillquit, Morris: 1930-32.
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Includes copies of letters on loan by Int'l. Madison Bank and Trust Co. to 130 E.
25th St. Corporation, 1930.
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Box 2 | Folder 18 |
International Association of Machinists: 1930-31.
|
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Correspondence re Machinists' loan to Union.
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Box 2 | Folder 19 |
International Unions: 1928.
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Union request for loan from various unions to help rehabilitate ILGWU.
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Box 2 | Folder 20 |
Jewish Daily Forward, Chicago: 1923-28.
|
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Benjamin Schlesinger (Manager). Includes letters from Abraham Cahan and Eugene Debs
|
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Box 2 | Folder 21 |
Kreindler, Charles: 1928-31.
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Box 2 | Folder 22 |
Local 8: 1928.
|
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San Francisco, Calif. Correspondence with J. Mencoff.
|
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N.Y. Cloakmakers Strike of 1929
|
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Box 3 | Folder 1 |
July 2-15.
|
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Correspondence is arranged in chronological order; pre-strike items; includes ltr.
to Cloak and Suit Manfacturers on negotiation for agreement; replies from individuals
to whom copies of ltr. were forwarded; statement to Cloakmakers
|
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Box 3 | Folder 2 |
May 28-July 4.
|
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Correspondence includes Shop Chairmen's meeting, May; General Executive Board manifesto
to Cloakmakers, June? messages from local affiliates and individuals wishing Union
success; letters pledging cooperation in aiding strikers; correspondence includes
August Claessens with enclosed list of services for aiding strike; FDR ltr. inviting
Union and manufacturers for conference in attempt to reach settlement, July 2.
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Box 3 | Folder 3 |
July 15-July 16.
|
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Copy of ltr. to FDR from Industrial Council of Cloak Manfacturers stating their position,
July 5; letters of support and congratulatory messages upon conclusion of strike;
includes letters from Sidney Hillman, Norman Thomas.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 4 |
July 7-24.
|
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Congratulatory messages and correspondence
|
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Box 3 | Folder 5 |
July 25-Dec. 2.
|
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Includes congratulatory message from FDR, Aug. 1.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 6 |
General items; includes list of General Strike Committee individuals; Union statements.
|
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N.Y. Dressmakers Strike, 1930
|
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Box 3 | Folder 7 |
Feb. 4-12.
|
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Jan. 31-Feb. 16, correspondence; FDR ltr. inviting Union to conference with manufacturers
to settle strike, Feb. 4; Schlesinger statement at conference, Feb. 7? Herbert H.
Lehman ltr. re Jobbers Association, Feb. 16.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 8 |
Feb. 17-Mar. 16.
|
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Correspondence; congratulatory messages upon conclusion of strike.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 9 |
Jan. 28.
|
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D.D. and Schlesinger addresses at Dressmakers mass meeting
|
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Box 3 | Folder 10 |
Ninfo, Salvatore (Manager), Local 48 (Italian Cloak Makers Union): 1929-31.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 11 |
Philadelphia: 1928, 1930.
|
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Includes correspondence on strike in Local 50.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 12 |
Poland: 1920-31.
|
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Includes correspondence with Garment Workers Union; financial support to Jewish cultural
institutions and newspapers.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 13 |
Referendum for Electing General Officers: Jan. 7, 1930.
|
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Includes correspondence between Louis Reiff (Chairman), National Election Committee
and local officers.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 14 |
Referendum Election: 1930.
|
|
Includes local letters informing Election Committee of election results.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 15 |
Referendum Election: 1930.
|
|
Same as above.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 16 |
Rothstein, Arnold: Nov. 1928.
|
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D.D. telegrams to Schlesinger re District Attorney's evidence that Rothstein was connected
with communist strikes in industry.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 17 |
Schiff, Mortimer L. and Jacob H.
|
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Letter from Jacob on Union activities in relief for war sufferers in Europe (n.d.
prior to 1920); letter from Mortimer on donation to Union.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 18 |
Schlesinger, Speeches and Statements: 1928-Jan. 1929.
|
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Box 3 | Folder 19 |
Schlesinger, Speeches and Statements: Feb. 1929-30.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 1 |
Tailors and Garment Workers Union, London.
|
|
Includes pub., Garment Workers, 1928; agreement between Wholesale Manfacturers Federation
and Tailors Union, 1921.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 2 |
Untermyer, Samuel: 1926, 1928.
|
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III. Miscellaneous items, 1897-30.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 3 |
Newspaper Clipping Files. Articles by Schlesinger (n.d.)
|
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Box 4 | Folder 4 |
Newspaper Clipping Files. Articles re Schlesinger or Union.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 5 |
Notes (holograph).
|
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16 items (n.d.).
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Box 4 | Folder 6 |
Photographs.
|
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50 items.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 7 |
Includes Socialist Party membership cards; membership dues card, Local 1; certificate
of membership in Forward, 1916-25; military certifications, 1917-18 (3 items).
|
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Box 4 | Folder 8 |
Includes Union constitution and by-laws, 1916; visas; autobiographical sketch, Dec.
1931.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 9 |
Includes correspondence with family members in U.S.A. and Poland.
|
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Box 4 | Folder 10a-10b |
Originals.
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