F. August Bellanca. General Organizer's correspondence, 1914-1953.

Sub-Series — Box: 146

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

This correspondence covers a wide variety of topics, including the struggles of the union after its break from the United Garment Workers; its organizing campaigns in the major clothing manufacturing centers in the U.S. and Canada; locals and joint boards of the ACWU; charitable organizations; the depression and its impact on the clothing industry; the New Deal; politics and political organizations, including the American Labor Party; strikes and lockouts in the men's garment industry; union business matters; women in the union; worker education; and working conditions in the garment industry.

The officers represented include: Bessie Hillman, Jacob Potofsky, Joseph Schlossberg, John Abt, August Bellanca, Sidney Benjamin, Beatrice Bisno, Hyman Blumberg, Sol Brandzel, Alex Cohen, Tecia Davidson, Gladys Dickason, Charles W. Ervin, J.B.S. Hardman, Abraham Hershkowitz, Louis Hollander, Leo Krzycki, Fred Reinfold, Richard Rohman, Frank Rosenblum, Lester Rosner, Howard Samuel, Jacob Sheinkman, and Valentin Wertheimer. Those officers whose papers are more substantive (Bessie Hillman, Jacob Potofsky, Joseph Schlossberg, and August Bellanca) are represented by individual catalog records.

Other individuals and organizations represented include: the AFL; Dorothy Jacobs Bellanca; the CIO; Sidney Hillman; the NRA; the U.S. Dept. of Labor; and the Women's Trade Union League.

Dates

1914-1980
1920-1950 (bulk)

Creator

From the Collection: Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (creator, Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Conditions Governing Access

From the Collection:

Access to some portions of the collection is restricted; contact Kheel Center reference archivist for further details.

Extent

208.33 cubic feet

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence of August Bellanca from the founding of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA)in 1914 through the early 1950s. These letters document Bellanca's organizing efforts in the U.S. and Canada, especially among Italian workers, from the union's earliest days. Also covered are Bellanca's work with the ACWA's Italian locals and with the CIO's Textile Workers' Organizing Committee. In addition, the correspondence contains many personal appeals from Bellanca to friends and colleagues on behalf of individuals in need of work, medical care, or clothing, particularly during the depression years. There is also much routine and some personal correspondence.

Abstract

Correspondents include Dorothy Jacobs Bellanca, Fiorello LaGuardia, Jacob Potofsky, Joseph Salerno, and Joseph Schlossberg. Topics covered include union matters (particularly organizing and the resolution of jurisdictional and other disputes), anti-fascist political activities in the U.S., and political campaigns.