"History of the United Mine Workers, 1890-1932" Unpublished Manuscript on Microfilm, 1926-1932
Collection Number: 5302 mf
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
"History of the United Mine Workers, 1890-1932" Unpublished Manuscript on Microfilm, 1926-1932
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5302 mf
Abstract:
This manuscript consists of approximately 110 type-written pages and represents the
major portion of Mr. Pascoe's projected history of the United Mine Workers. The material
here was written between 1926 and 1932. The manuscript deals mainly with Mr. Pascoe's
early organizing activities in Kentucky and with the Illinois "rebellion" of the late
twenties and early thirties. Mr. Pascoe's examination of the affair in Illinois differs
from most other accounts in that he approaches the events from a "pro-international"
point of view.
Creator:
Pascoe, Samuel
Quanitities:
0.11 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Samuel Pascoe was a United Mine Workers (UMW) organizer in Illinois, eastern Kentucky,
and the anthracite region of northeastern Pennsylvania, and president of UMW District
30 (Kentucky).
A violent opponent of UMW District 12 leadership, Pascoe condemned District president
Frank Farrington's association with the Peabody Coal Company, denounced his leadership
and that of John H. Walker and generally applauded John L. Lewis' efforts to oust
these officers and establish a provisional government for the District, claiming it
had become dominated by communists. Pascoe alleged communist associations with Albert
F. Coyle, editor of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers magazine. Pascoe also
condemned the Brotherhood for its operation of non-union mines in West Virgina and
Kentucky.
The Jacksonville Agreement of 1924 was reviewed by Pascoe who claimed it was abrogated
by most mine operators under the leadership of Charles Schwab of the Bethlehem Mines
Corporation and Andrew Mellon of the Pittsburgh Coal Company. Pascoe also alleged
collusion between the railroads and southern mine operators who opposed the agreement.
Pascoe believed that southern mine owners attempted to "steal" Central Competitive
Field markets and urged the necessity of organizing the southern miners. He insisted
that the Interstate Commerce Commission had also established freight rates that unduly
favored southern mines.
He claimed to be instrumental in establishing District 30 (covering eastern Kentucky)
in 1920 and served as its first president until his resignation in 1933. Throughout
his career, Pascoe remained loyal to the union leadership and, especially during the
anti-Lewis insurgency in District 12 in the late 1920's and early 1930's, fought union
dissidence unswervingly. Pascoe retired in 1938 and died seven years later.
Reminiscences of Samuel Pascoe, United Mine Workers (UMW) organizer and president
of UMW District 30 (Kentucky). Pascoe was a strong supporter of John L. Lewis and
a vigorous critic of communist activities in the union. His memoirs center on his
organizing efforts in Illinois and eastern Kentucky and his perception of union activities
and politics in the Central Competitive Fields.
Pascoe commented on and discussed the Bituminous Coal Strike of 1922, the Pittsburgh
Coal Company Strike of 1925, the Anthracite Strike of 1925-1926, and the Harlan County
Strike of 1931-1932. He also talked about government intervention in the industry,
notably the attempts by secretary of labor James J. Davis to reconcile the UMW and
the mine owners in 1927 and the Senate investigations into the condition of the coal
fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio in the following year. Pascoe also
commented on the impact of the Norris-La Gaurdia Act of 1932 and the Davis-Kelly Bill
of that year.
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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
"History of the United Mine Workers, 1890-1932" Unpublished Manuscript on Microfilm,
#5302 mf. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University
Library.
Related Collections: 5301 mf: United Mine Workers of America District 12 (Ill.) Records on Microfilm
Names:
Bethlehem Mines Corporation
Consolidated Coal Company of Pennsylvania
Peabody Coal Company (Saint Louis, Mo.)
Pittsburgh Coal Company of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Terminal Coal Company
United States.
United States. Interstate Commerce Commission.
Coyle, Albert F.
Davis, James J. (James John), 1873-1947.
Farrington, Frank
Hapgood, William P. (William Powers)
Lewis, John Llewellyn, 1880-1969.
Mellon, Andrew William, 1855-1937
Pascoe, Samuel
Schwab, Charles M., 1862-1939
Walker, John Hunter, 1872-1955
Subjects:
Anthracite Coal Strike, United States, 1925-1926.
Bituminous Coal Strike, United States, 1922.
Pittsburgh Coal Company Strike, 1925.
Labor unions--Kentucky--Officials and employees.
Labor unions--United States--Officials and employees.
Labor unions and communism--United States.
Coal miners.
Coal mining industry. United States. State supervision.
Harlan County (Ky.). Coal Strike, 1931-1932.
Trade-unions. Coal-miners. Illinois. Organizing.
Trade-unions. Coal- miners. Kentucky. Organizing.
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
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Description
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Date
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Record Group C-3, United Mine Workers Manuscript of Samuel Pascoe
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Scope and Contents
Negative
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