Container
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Title
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:00
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INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:35
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PREFACE
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:55
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BIOGRAPHY : Born in Vitebsk, White Russia, near the eastern border of Germany. Came to United States in 1912 at age 8 with parents and older brother. Last of nine children, all deceased.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
02:25
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ARRIVAL IN U.S. : Came with help of brothers and sisters who had preceded him. Family dispersed when war broke out. Came to Milwaukee in 1919. Father a trader of cattle in old country; in the U.S. he went into poultry business. Retired early because of poor health and lack of work.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
04:20
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RELATES CHILDHOOD STORY OF POLICE RAID IN WHITE RUSSIA : While just a “little shaver” police came to brother's business to search for political materials. Asked young Raskin if he would like to say something and he said yes. They put him on a table and he said, “Down with the czar.” Everyone laughed but if older brothers had said the same thing they would have been sent to Siberia.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
07:25
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ANTI-SEMITISM : Faced “prosecution from police and persecution from villagers.” U.S. was haven. Threat of draft into army during Russian-Japanese war provided incentive to leave. One brother punctured ear to escape draft. Couldn't leave country without proof of military service.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
11:15
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ESCAPE TO AMERICA : Walked several miles across border at midnight with help of sympathetic soldiers. “Schlepped” with parents and brother across border in group of 200.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
15:35
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SCHOOL IN NEW YORK : Attended boys school. Birthdays assigned by teacher, since most children didn't know when they were born.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
18:15
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SOCIALIST ENVIRONMENT : Raised in Jewish, socialist neighborhood in Brooklyn. Socialists were centrists who held that means of production must be owned by all the people so all could share in the product. As a child listened to all the soapbox speakers. Heard Eugene Debs at Brooklyn Labor Lyceum. Emil Seidel was vice presidential candidate with Debs. Gave Raskin the feeling that he was coming to home territory when he moved to Milwaukee.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
24:30
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FAMILY POLITICS AND BACKGROUND : Father not political but brothers were. Max only one to go to college or high school. Others worked to help support Max. Felt responsibility to family.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
25:25
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SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY : Was choir boy from early years. Responsibility to not bring shame on family.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
27:00
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END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:35
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EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND : Finished two years at normal school, then went to Marquette Law School for three years. Joined Glee Club.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
02:45
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CITIZENSHIP : Had to become citizen on his own. Took two friends of mother as witnesses in about 1921.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
04:10
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BACKGROUND : Graduated from Marquette in 1926, and wanted to start political career. Interested in socialist party which was “dominant political force.” Main reason for success was their belief in honesty and clean government.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
05:20
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DESCRIBES SOCIALIST PARTY : A reform movement sprinkled with Marxian passages; not socialists “by the book.” Believed that government belonged to people. Organized by wards. Joined in 10th ward (lower north side). Raskin listed occupation as shoe salesman rather than lawyer because both socialists and unions considered lawyers to be enemies. Party very selective in accepting lawyers, who constituted probably no more than ten out of 5,000 members. “I better not show off. I'll tell them I'm a working man.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
09:00
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DESCRIBES LOCAL GOVERNMENT : Alderman from 10th ward a socialist. In 1913 partisan elections in municipal government to abolish socialists but socialists kept their organization. Dues and labor required of all members. Raskin distributed socialist Voice of the People. Aldermen would give reports at each party meeting.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
12:50
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STRUCTURE OF PARTY - DISTRICT COUNCIL : Wards elected delegates to district council. Decisions made there, also real debates took place. Saw such labor leaders as Hadley, Weber, Ohl there.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
14:35
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EARLY PARTY ACTIVITIES : Election of 1928. Tom Duncan ran in district; took soapbox and made speeches in his behalf. Became delegate. Raskin noticed that those who were elected presiding officers for meetings always came early, so he began coming early. Was elected presiding officer.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
17:35
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ELECTION OF 1930 : Received call from vigilance committee which was preparing slate. Looking for candidate for district attorney. Had used up all candidates. Challenged him on his beliefs and selected him. Final election meeting held Sunday before election. Never in his “wildest dreams” did Raskin expect to be there. Roused public attention by accusing bailiffs and court attendants of passing out lawyers' cards (ambulance chasers). Practiced making speeches on auditorium stage.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
27:15
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ELECTION RESULTS : Voting procedure.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
29:20
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END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:05
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RESULTS OF ELECTION OF 1930 : Raskin ran well in city, but “buried” in suburbs. Became more active in party. Even defeat gave him good standing as party member.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
02:20
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ELECTION OF 1932 : Selected to run again; this time for City Attorney and there were more substantive issues, such as public ownership of utilities.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
05:30
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ORGANIZED LABOR AND POLITICS : Labor movement began to “show muscle.” Followed Gompers line of staying out of politics. Only help from labor was by stealth--sneaked into meetings with help of friends. Changed with organization of CIO. Political leaders openly invited to meetings. Raskin invited Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Rosenberry to speak at a union meeting. He came to a meeting of the Nash Motors local. Discusses judicial ethics.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
14:05
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HELP FROM LABOR MOVEMENT : No access to the Federated Trades Council; would have been like trying to reach General Motors' Board of Directors. Stresses importance of Milwaukee Leader.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
16:45
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SOCIALIST PARTY CAMPAIGN FINANCING : Socialist elected officials required to bail out Milwaukee Leader. Raskin contributed ten percent of salary to Socialist Party.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
17:25
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WORK AS CITY ATTORNEY ON LABOR ISSUES : Reviews history of labor in Milwaukee. Describes J. F. (Jake) Friedrick. Relates dealings with other reporters. Support for legislation funding soup kitchens. Used to “tag along” wherever Mayor Daniel Hoan went.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
23:10
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CITY FINANCES : Needed to borrow money every year in the spring time. In 1933, city turned down for loan by First Wisconsin National Bank. “Baby bonds” created at five percent interest. Difficulty in getting program accepted.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
28:50
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END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:30
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BABY BOND PROGRAM : Raskin in charge of program; little acceptance. Created “white list” of organizations or businesses which would accept bonds and accept them at par. Distributed to employees, serving as free advertising. Result was that Milwaukee came through Depression debt free.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
05:55
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LABOR ORGANIZATIONS WHILE CITY ATTORNEY : Raskin wanted to be actively involved in labor issues. Told his staff they could take credit for successes; he would take blame for mistakes. Had support of the party. Dan Hoan taught Raskin to keep door open.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
08:25
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LABOR UNIONS GOOD AND BAD FOR RASKIN : Had to prosecute those arrested for such violations as destruction of property. Raskin once refused to prosecute some participants in a mass demonstration against Hitler. Court decided that someone else must prosecute on behalf of city.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
10:50
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CHANGE IN TRAFFIC COURT APPEARANCE BY POLICEMEN : Allowed stipulation to be placed on back of traffic ticket thereby releasing many policemen from coming to court.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
13:55
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PACKINGHOUSE WORKERS STRIKE OF 1933 OR 1934 : Plankinton management lodged scab workers inside the plant. Raskin demanded that Plankinton get license to run boarding house, thereby defeating company efforts to house strikebreakers. Workers won strike.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
20:40
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GUEDER, PAESCHKE AND FREY CO. STRIKE : Difficult strike which Raskin helped settle. Jake Friedrick one of negotiators. Used the police to contact 800 strikers to inform them they must attend meeting the following day.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
27:00
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LINDEMANN-HOLVERSON STRIKE : Issue was management's refusal to recognize union. Strike split families; fathers striking and sons scabs or vice versa. Required presence of most of police force. Raskin used principle of public nuisance. Assigned problem to Mary Eshwaller and suggested to her an ordinance declaring public nuisance.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
29:10
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END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:30
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LINDEMAN-HOLVERSON STRIKE--BONCELL ORDINANCE : Asked alderman Frank Boncell from 14th ward, which was where plant was located, to introduce ordinance. Introduced and passed, but later revoked.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
05:00
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RASKIN'S DEFEAT FOR RE-ELECTION : Raskin held responsible for fomenting strikes. Law and order was issue and this meant being able to cross picket line, not to walk safely on the street. Raskin called on Hoan: “What was socialist about his administration?” Socialist caucus had regular meetings.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
07:25
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PROPOSAL FOR PURCHASING POWER PLANT : Resolution introduced with price tag of 60 million dollars attached. Defeated because such an expenditure during the Depression was unimaginable to voters. Raskin went down to defeat along with the referendum and Boncell; Hoan's margin diminished.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
12:20
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PATTENGEE VS. WAGNER IRON WORKS : CIO tried to organize plant already under contract with AFL. Company fired organizers; suit sought vacation pay for those fired. Supreme Court found that AFL had done nothing to support plaintiffs and was considered same as “enemy,” the company.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
14:20
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BRIBERY ATTEMPTS : Invited to lunch by a newspaperman and offered $5000 retainer if he withdrew a petition. Beer also delivered to house after prohibition was lifted.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
18:35
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RASKIN AS LABOR SPOKESPERSON DURING TERM IN OFFICE : Mounted police sent out during Seaman Body plant strike, and labor called on Raskin to intercede. As a consequence they continued to call on him after he left office. Raskin became attorney for United Auto Workers in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin; other unions also came to Raskin for assistance. Sometimes paid; sometimes not. Newpaper Guild paid him with a membership. Describes Reuther family as socialists of the democratic variety.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
23:30
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REMEMBERS HAROLD CHRISTOFFEL : Christoffel a communist and “made no bones about it.” “No one wanted the strike there...They cheated. They had counterfeit ballots. As a result they had a majority but it was not a true majority.” UAW put local in trusteeship, and named Pat Greathouse as president and Raskin as attorney. Christoffel followed party line.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
27:15
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META BERGER : She accepted a trip to Russia. Also built a house with non-union labor, although Raskin suggests there was no union labor in Ozaukee County at that time. Labor expected her to “import” union workers. “The trades, they demanded everything of the Socialist Party they could, but they gave very little in return.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
28:00
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RASKIN INVITATION TO VISIT RUSSIA : Sometime before the war, Eugene Dennis, a “handsome looking guy with a baby face,” told Raskin, “We would like to send you to Russia at no expense to you.” Raskin declined, and still considers this a smart decision, though he had a great desire to see his birthplace.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
29:10
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END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:20
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LABOR ATTITUDES TOWARD LAWYERS : Raskin established procedures for trying union members who broke rules; was a law officer advising parties how to proceed. Not part of debate. Christoffel ousted.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
04:00
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SOCIALIST PARTY IS PEACE PARTY : Not tenable in the face of Hitler. Rank and file wanted to fight and left Party. Farmer-Labor Progressive League formed; Norman Thomas, Frank Zeidler mainstays of Party.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
12:50
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ELECTIONS IN 1944 : Dan Hoan and William McMurray both decided to run for U.S. Senate. Raskin and Krycki went to New York to meet with Frank Rosenblum (regional director in Chicago for Amalgamated Clothing Workers), Morris Hillquit and Roger Baldwin. Stopped in Detroit to talk to Morris Sugar, attorney and “brains” for UAW. Argued that Hoan should be candidate instead of McMurray because McMurray was a communist. Raskin states that he didn't know Sugar was also communist. McMurray became candidate. Raskin then tried to get Hoan to run for governor. Circulated petition to encourage Hoan and he agreed to run. “But Hoan had a lousy voice over the radio.”.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
18:00
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ELECTION OF 1946 : Christoffel and other Communists supported McCarthy in primary.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
20:20
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WORK WITH BILL COOPER OF SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION : Charles Kasik, president of Century Building wanted to keep “charwomen” from organizing; Cooper asked Raskin for help. Filed a complaint with the brand new Wisconsin labor board. Lawrence Gooding was chairman. Held that women could not be fired for joining the union. Board upheld them; appeal to circuit court sustained board's decision.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
26:20
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MERGER OF WISCONSIN STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR AND STATE INDUSTRIAL UNION COUNCIL : Raskin's work for CIO ended at merger as the new organization retained AFL counsel.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
29:15
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END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:50
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WISCONSIN CIO CHANGES AFTER LEFT WING OUSTED : Change in the right direction; didn't lose activism but gained more support. Communists didn't make positive contribution. Early leadership of both AFL and CIO were Socialists. Socialist Party contributions included learning how to run meeting, talk, declaim, etc.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
03:30
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SOCIALIST PARTY LOSES POWER BECAUSE ROOSEVELT BECOMES A SOCIALIST : Old AFL leaders didn't want labor law because they didn't want lawyers. Became active in Democratic Party. Appointed by John Reynolds as Judge in 1963.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
08:00
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WHY LABOR MOVEMENT IS IN DISFAVOR : Need more public relations work. Need to emphasize that they are part of consumer public as well. Importance of teaching labor studies in high schools. Has two children and six grandchildren and one is going to become conservative!
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
13:00
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END OF INTERVIEW
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