A. E. Lyon Papers, 1971-1974
Collection Number: 5450
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
A. E. Lyon Papers, 1971-1974
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5450
Abstract:
This collection consists of the writings of Arlon Everett "Art" Lyon, president emeritus
of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, executive secretary of the Railway Labor
Executives' Association, and member of the Railroad Retirement Board.
Creator:
Lyon, A.E.
Quanitities:
0.5 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Arlon Everett "Art" Lyon was born in Thedford, Nebraska on October 15, 1899. In 1919,
after his discharge from the U.S. Army, Mr. Lyon secured a job with the Southern Pacific
Railroad in Stockton, California as a signal helper. After a few years of employment,
Mr. Lyon became active in his local union, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen [BRS],
first as member of the local grievance committee, then as chairman of that committee.
Within a year, Mr. Lyon became general chairman for the local BRS on the Southern
Pacific; this was a full time position.
His rise through the BRS ranks continued, becoming a member of the Grand Executive
Board of the national union and finally accepting a job at the international headquarters
of the BRS in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Lyon worked as the assistant to both the union
president and the union secretary-treasurer; he also served as the editor of The Signalman's
Journal, the publication of the BRS.
In 1934, Mr. Lyon became president of the BRS after being recommended by the outgoing
union president. Mr. Lyon served as union president from 1934-1945. In 1945, Mr. Lyon
became the Executive Secretary of the Railway Labor Executives' Board [RLEA]. He held
this position until 1962, serving as the spokesman for all of the member organizations
of the RLEA in Washington, D.C.
From 1945 to 1962, while serving as Executive Secretary of the RLEA in Washington,
Mr. Lyon was assigned the task of representing American railway labor on the Executive
Committee of the International Transport Workers' Federation [ITWF]. This was part
of the RLEA's broader responsibilities in the Marshall Plan during the post-war period.
During this phase of the Marshall Plan, he was one of three labor members of the Public
Advisory Board of the Economic Cooperation Administration. He also served on the Department
of Labor's Trade Union Advisory Committee on International Labor Affairs. Mr. Lyon
was the only labor member of the U.S. National Commission for the Pan-American Railway
Congress. He was delegate to sessions of the Inland Transport Committee of the International
Labor Organization.
In 1962, Mr. Lyon left the RLEA and accepted the appointment as the labor member
on the Railroad Retirement Board from President John F. Kennedy. He was reappointed
to the board by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
After his retirement, Mr. Lyon spent his time writing about the history of the BRS,
American railway labor, and his involvement in both.
Inclusive date range: 1971-1974
Bulk dates: 1971-1974
This collection contains a selection of writings by A. E. Lyon, president emeritus
of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and executive secretary of the Railway Labor
Executives' Association [RLEA]. The topics of the manuscripts contained in this collection,
and its associated collection 5450 mf, cover a broad range of topics about the American
railroad labor movement and railroading itself. In this collection, the topics covered
include an analysis of government relations with regard to railroad labor relations
from 1920 to 1974; a history of the successful campaign to create legislation that
would standardize and regulate railway signaling devices and systems; an essay about
James P. Mitchell, secretary of labor under President Eisenhower; and, a memoir that
A. E. Lyon refers to as "a series of memoirs and historical sketches, a combination
of autobiographical material and my version of events in the history of the Brotherhood
of Railroad Signalmen" (from the Preface to vol. 1).
These manuscripts provide both historical narratives surrounding major pieces of
railroad legislation, railroad labor history, and railroad history as well as offering
the personal insights and opinions of A. E. Lyon, who was at the center of American
railroad labor organizations for more than half a century.
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
A. E. Lyon Papers #5450. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives,
Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 5450 AV: A. E. Lyon Audio-Visual Materials 5450 mf: A. E. Lyon Papers on Microfilm 5484: Railway Labor Executives' Association Records 5484 AV: Railway Labor Executives' Association Audio-Visual Material 6087: Railway Labor Executives' Association Additional Records 5300: Railway Labor Executives' Association Miscellany 5552: Railway Labor Executives' Association Additional Records 5728: Railway Labor Executives' Association Additional Records
Names:
Lyon, Arlon Everett, 1899-
Mitchell, James Paul, 1900-
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
Railway Labor Executives' Board.
Southern Pacific Railroad
Subjects:
Signal Inspection Act--Railroads
Collective bargaining--Railroads--Law and legislation--United States.
Railroads--Employees--Labor unions--United States.
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
"Government Regulation of Railroad Labor Relations Since 1920." copy 1
|
1974 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
"Government Regulation of Railroad Labor Relations Since 1920." copy 2
|
1974 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
"Signal Inspection Act."
|
1972 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
"The Best Secretary of Labor."
|
1971 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
"Review of My Brotherhood Career and Events in the History of the Brotherhood."
|
1972 |
|
Scope and Contents
Vol. I: 1-114.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
"Review of My Brotherhood Career and Events in the History of the Brotherhood."
|
1972 |
|
Scope and Contents
Vol. I: 115-231.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
"Review of My Brotherhood Career and Events in the History of the Brotherhood."
|
1974 |
|
Scope and Contents
Vol. II: 232-330.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 8 |
"Review of My Brotherhood Career and Events in the History of the Brotherhood."
|
1974 |
|
Scope and Contents
Vol. II: 331-453.
|
|||