Abstract: Papers of John J. Esch, a La Crosse, Wisconsin resident who served as Republican congressman from 1899 to 1921. The collection consists largely of correspondence. As a member or as chairman of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce from 1903 to 1921, Esch had considerable correspondence on transportation legislation, particularly that pertaining to railroad regulation. A major portion of the collection pertains to American participation in World War I and includes material on the restriction of immigration, espionage, preparedness, selective service, censorship of the press, taxation, and demobilization. Numerous incoming letters contain complaints about military and governmental regulations and services. Other letters discuss the agitation for prohibition, the activity of the proponents of woman suffrage, and the needs of the Indian school at Tomah. Some papers relate to Wisconsin politics, especially in Esch's district, which included La Crosse, Jackson, and Monroe counties and some adjacent areas. The collection contains a few personal papers giving information on Esch's business investments, personal correspondence during his tenure in the U.S. Congress, items relating to Esch family genealogy, and some scattered items giving glimpses of La Crosse local history.