Descriptive Summary
Walter Gordon Merritt Collection1902-1967
, (Bulk 1920-1946)
MS 014
The language of the materials is English
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Western Connecticut State University
Merritt, Walter Gordon.
Ruth A. Haas Library
In 1902 Walter Gordon Merritt entered the national labor scene in the Danbury hatters strike as counsel for the hat companies. This collection contains many of Walter Gordon Merritt's published articles and pamphlets regarding labor and management relations.
Provenance
This collection consists of a gift from Alison Roth and a gift from Mrs. W.G. Merritt in 1977.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Special Collections and Archives
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
Fax: 203-837-9108
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); The Walter Gordon Merritt Collection; MS 014; box number; folder number;
Western Connecticut State University Archives
Historical/Biographical Note
In 1902 Walter Gordon Merritt entered the national labor scene in the Danbury hatters' strike as counsel for the hat companies. This strike stands as a landmark in the labor history because it led to the Supreme Court decision that placed unions and their members under the provisions of the Sherman Antitrust Act. For many years after the strike, Merritt worked continuously on the labor scene handling labor law as a partner in the firm of McLanahan, Merritt, and Ingraham. Mr. Merritt's views and evolution of his thinking have been of interest to labor and management alike.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains many of Walter Gordon Merritt's published articles and pamphlets regarding labor and management relations. In addition, there are copies of letters Merritt received commenting on an article he wrote in the February 1957 issue of the
American Bar Association Journal. Correspondents include: Victor W. Knauth, A.Willis Robertson, Mrs. William F. Bevan, Henry H. Curran, Paul D. Wilbur, Arthur Ballantine, Arthur J. Goldberg, Charles P. Collins, Floyd M. Kocher, Paul L. Poirot, Max Powell, L. S. Goldberg, Howell Spear, Harold E. Craw, Brice P. Disque, Claude McColloch, Carroll E. French, Richard L. Nahley, John H. Roos, and Angelo Patri.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically.
The files are grouped into 1 series:
- Inventory
Access Points
Subject Names:
Schwellenbach, Lewis B.
Merritt, Walter Gordon.
Subject Organizations:
League for Industrial Rights.
Subject Topics:
Boycotts.
Industrial relations-United States.
Labor-United States.
Labor unions.
Open and closed shops.
Strikes and lockouts.
Document Types:
Correspondence.
Publications.
Fliers.
Speeches.
Container List
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
Inventory
1
1
Address of Walter Gordon Merritt before the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. June 18, 1946.
1946
1
2
America's Town Meeting of the Air. How Should the Government Deal with the Labor Problem? Broadcast from The Town Hall, New York overthe NBC Blue Network. Walter Gordon Merritt and Lewis B. Schwellenbach.
1937
1
3
Argument of Walter Gordon Merritt Proposing Amendments to Wagner Industrial Disputes Act.
undated
1
4
Correspondence
1949-1967
1
5
Factory Solidarity or Class Solidarity?
undated
1
6
The Four C's of Industry. March 1923.
1923
1
7
History of the League for Industrial Rights.
1925
1
8
Labor, Law, and Order, A Composite.
1915
1
9
Labor Policies of the 30's Call for Changes in the 40's. An address byWalter Gordon Merritt. February 1946. (2 copies)
1942
1
10
Labor Unions and The Law.
undated
1
11
Memorandum of Realty Advisory Board in Opposition to Closed Shop. Before the National War Labor Board. In the Matter of Realty AdvisoryBoard on Labor Relations, Inc. and Building Service EmployeesInternational Union, Local 32-F, A.F. of L. Case no. 141.
undated
1
12
The Neglected Side of Trade-Unionism. The Boycott.
1902
1
13
Newspaper and Magazine Articles
1916-1966
1
14
The Open Shop; A Debate. Andrew Furuseth, President of the International Seamen's Union versus Walter Gordon Merritt, Counsel of the League forIndustrial Rights. March 13, 1921.
1921
1
15
The Open Shop and Industrial Liberty. June 1922.
1922
1
16
Organized Labor and Democracy,
undated
1
17
Our Unbalanced Labor Policy.
1902-1967
1
18
Regulation of Labor Unions. A Discussion of Fundamental Principles As Suggested by a Regulatory Bill Introduced in the Legislature of the State of New York in March 1937.
1937
1
19
Speeches
1919-1955
1
20
The Struggle for Industrial Liberty.
1922
1
21
Town Meeting. The Open or Closed Shop for War Industries? March 23, 1942.
1942
1
22
Two Federal Legislatures?
1944
1
*
Cassette tape (oral interview), April 1964
1964