As a pioneer in the study of land economics, housing, transportation, and urbanization and in the development of a real estate education curriculum, the IRLE's records are worth studying not only for the history of the organization but also for the data they contain on these subjects. The records are divided into four parts: Subject Files, Public Utility Research Files, Financial Records, and Scrapbooks. Central to the understanding of the IRLE is the Subject File. It contains correspondence, reports, research papers and materials, and other types of records pertaining to the administration of the Institute as well as to its many research interests. Significant among these files are budgets, both proposed and actual, for the period 1920-1932. Overall policy making at the Institute is also well covered in the Board of Trustees minutes, 1922-1927, and staff meeting minutes, 1926-1927 and 1930. Research interests, especially in the areas of housing and taxation are documented in files on numerous studies proposed and/or undertaken by the Institute.
The Public Utility Research Files consist of charts, tables, and other types of data concerning the ownership and financing of various types of public utilities. The materials were probably collected for one or more of the studies conducted by the Institute. Data include comparisons of bond yields, ownership statistics, and rate information. Although the data covers the period 1900 to 1932, it was compiled sometime after 1920. Arrangement is alphabetical by subject.
IRLE Financial Records consist of journals, 1922,1928; ledgers, 1925-1932; and monthly financial statements, 1925-1931. The journals are a chronological record of receipts and expenditures which show the source of receipts and the individual or company receiving payments. Disbursements also frequently include an explanation of the purpose of the expenditure. Ledgers are arranged by account and show expenditures. For the period 1925-June 1928 the volumes are general in character including not only accounts for office supplies, printing, travel, and postage but also specialized accounts for salaries and expenses charged to specific projects. After June 1928 separate ledgers were maintained; one for general office expenditures, and one for special projects. Also in the financial records are monthly statements of IRLE bills paid by Northwestern University. The overall content and arrangement of these statements is similar to the journals.
The eight volumes of IRLE Scrapbooks are organized topically. Categories include “articles about the Institute,” “commendations and criticism,” and others. See the contents list below for a complete account of the topics.
