Correspondence
At least one half of the correspondence in these papers deals with routine letters in connection with speaking tours and campaigns for election to office, especially in the years 1936, 1938, 1940, and 1942. Although Loomis was a leader in the Progressive movement in Wisconsin in the thirties and early forties, few of his letters discuss Progressive Party politics or state and national problems. Exceptions are letters exchanged with the La Follette brothers. Between 1931 and 1935, and again in 1942, there is correspondence with both Robert M. La Follette and Philip La Follette relating to campaign plans, sentiment regarding a Progressive-Democratic coalition, and speaking engagements. A letter from Loomis to Robert M. La Follette, April 24, 1933, discusses the types of measures in Congress being supported by La Follette.
During the years when Loomis was in the state legislature, 1929-1933, his correspondence reveals the many types of matters in which he interested himself, particularly his concern over education and power problems. He was always at the forefront in the movement for public ownership of power in Wisconsin. Between 1933 and 1942 correspondence occurs relating to municipalities Loomis represented in public utilities cases. However, there is no correspondence at all relating to Loomis' work as director of the Rural Electrification Administration.
Correspondence during the period when Loomis was attorney general, 1937-1938, relates to opinions on a variety of legal matters.
Correspondence concerning his law practice includes two types of cases: (a) small claims and collection cases, and (2) legal problems in connection with municipalities Loomis' firm represented in public utilities cases. These types of law correspondence run throughout the years covered by the Loomis papers.
Campaign materials, speeches, legislative bills, personal data.
These boxes contain campaign schedules, lists of party workers, and expense reports. Most of the speeches and releases in Box 22 relate to election campaigns, although some are speeches given on special occasions. Box 23 contains memoranda, legislative bills and hearings, and personal records relating to Orland Loomis.
Box 26 also contains a folder of briefs and materials on the Wisconsin Development Authority, an organization set up by the state in 1937 to aid and encourage municipal power districts and the public ownership of power.
Public Utilities.
The original Loomis papers contained briefs, agreements, and correspondence concerning nine Wisconsin municipalities represented by Loomis in court hearings on utilities matters. (Bangor, Edgerton, Viroqua, Hustisford, Fennimore, Waterloo, Kendall, McFarland, and Poynette) The letters have been filed with the Loomis correspondence, but Boxes 24-26 contain the briefs and legal papers regarding utilities cases in these cities.
