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

Biographical / Historical

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.
Conditions Governing Use

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Preferred Citation

Workers Education Bureau of America Records #5277. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Bowen, William J.
Cohn, Fannia M. (Fannia May), 1888-1962.
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