The Howard Papers are arranged in three groups: Correspondence, Articles and Speeches, and Biographical Material.
Correspondence, [1917?] - 1938
With only a few exceptions prior to 1937 the letters are personal letters to his wife, and only in passing does he mention the business of his union work. Even during the tense days of 1936 to 1938, when Howard was a leading figure in the conflict which saw the Committee on Industrial Organization (CIO) separated from its parent American Federation of Labor, his letters reflected little of the pressures of public life.
Most of the letters of 1938 deal with Howard's failure to win reelection to the ITU presidency. In the correspondence is a letter to Mrs. Howard, signed by Mary Pickford.
Articles and Speeches, 1918-1938
The articles and speeches written and delivered by Charles P. Howard between 1918 and 1938 are a comprehensive expression of the philosophy of a labor leader. As a government representative during World War I, Howard's speeches to labor organizations concerning the relation of labor unions to the government and to the war industries indicate a train of thought that developed and broadened during the next twenty years.
As a national figure in the Labor Movement, Howard's writings reflect his concern with union politics, administration, and organization. Within the International Typographical Union Howard belonged to the Progressive Party (not to be confused with the national political party known as the Progressive Party).
During the economic depression of the 1930s Howard's views were widely discussed by writers and commentators, and this collection contains reports of his testimony as a representative of labor unions at Congressional Committee hearings.
In his later years, 1934-1938, Howard's writings deal with his attempts to give all workers the benefit of membership in collective bargaining units. The bitter struggle, and the final break, which took place between the Committee on Industrial Organization and the American Federation of Labor, are referred to in speeches and articles of the period.
Biographical Material
This collection contains one folder of biographical material, printed, typed, or newspaper clippings.
