The Dismas Becker papers contain few materials regarding Becker's background and activities; most of the items deal with a number of community organizations in Milwaukee with which he was associated from 1966 to 1972. His personal papers are confined to a campaign pamphlet, newspaper clippings, a small amount of correspondence, including a copy of a letter by Becker in support of Father Groppi, which was published in the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1967, and a folder of his writings. The latter consist of a research paper on the problems of religious life, an analysis of the Council on Urban Life's welfare activities, and a piece on the occupation of the State Assembly chamber in October 1979. Articles by Becker also appeared in the CUL's reports of September-October 1969 and January-February 1970.
The documents on community organizations comprise the majority of the collection, and illustrate Becker's involvement with the Council on Urban Life, the Milwaukee County Welfare Rights Organization, and others. The CUL was an organization of priests working in downtown Milwaukee. Its initial statement of purpose is included, and its activities through 1970 are described in CUL reports and funding proposals. Papers concerning the Milwaukee County Welfare Rights Organization consist of by-laws, a constitution, organizational papers, membership lists, financial records and minutes of the finance committee. There are also pamphlets and publicity materials concerning MCWRO activities, and reviews of its book, Welfare Mothers Speak Out. Virtually all of the material has been mimeographed. The history and structure of the Wisconsin Welfare Rights Organization is described in a proposal of February 1971. Its constitution, and that of the National Welfare Rights Organization, are also included. Most of the materials regarding the Public Assistance Coalition, an alliance of twenty-three groups, including the WWRO, analyze federal welfare policies. The purposes of the PAC are outlined in its news release of 8 February 1971. There are also small files pertaining to several other organizations, which primarily consist of minutes of meetings. However, several reports of the Wisconsin Indian Welfare Special Program give details of its affairs. In the reference file on welfare are newspaper articles, research papers, and a manifesto of the National Black Economic Development Conference in Detroit in 1969. There is also a paper on Catholic education in Milwaukee.
