The Roy L. Matson Papers are concerned primarily with Matson's professional career. The bulk of the collection falls into three areas; the West Washington underpass issue (1944-19 8), Matson's European defense tour (1952), and his India tour (1958). In addition, the collection contains general correspondence (1903, 1947-1960), articles, speeches, personal memorabilia, and miscellany.
The files relating to the West Washington underpass issue consist of correspondence (1944-1948), specifically letters to Roy Matson and to and from Mayor Halsey Kraeger; speeches; documents from court cases; reports; statements; interviews; and newspaper clippings. These papers are arranged topically, and chronologically thereunder.
The papers concerning Matson's European defense tour are filed by country. These files contain general information and background on each country, including guides, briefings, programs, notations, correspondence, historical sketches, press and contact lists, and newspaper clippings.
The papers concerning Matson's India tour consist of newspaper clippings, itineraries, general correspondence, letters to Mrs. Matson, and reports. These papers are arranged by topics. Matson's descriptive accounts provide an understanding of the life and problems of the Indian people.
The articles file, arranged alphabetically, includes some newspaper clippings about Matson's son David; an article entitled “Love's Way” by Jessie Matson; a rather long report on the Indian press; and some articles, pamphlets, and surveys on socialized medicine.
The personal memorabilia file contains insurance forms, addresses, certificates, cards, announcements, invitations, and citations.
In addition, the collection contains information on the Foreign Leader Program of the International Educational Exchange Program (1959) and two miscellaneous folders of newspaper clippings, both foreign and domestic.
