The papers that make up this collection, arranged chronologically by months, are chiefly those concerning three matters in which Bradley Taylor was particularly interested: Republican party politics; the pilot training program during World War II known as War Training Service; and the American Legion Memorial Library.
Republican Party Politics
Although Taylor helped to manage several successful campaigns for Alvin O'Konski, representative from Wisconsin's Tenth Congressional District, there is almost no correspondence relating directly to local or state politics. One notable exception is a letter from Taylor to Governor Oscar Rennebohm, February 25, 1950, concerning Thomas E. Fairchild opposing Alexander Wiley for the Senate. Most letters referring to political matters concern the national scene and legislative matters in which the American Legion was concerned.
Correspondence with Senator Joseph McCarthy, 1949-1956, makes reference to McCarthy's anti-communist fight and Taylor's support of McCarthy, veterans' bills, and McCarthy's personal appearances in Wisconsin. Taylor's letters from McCarthy's office were often written by the latter's secretary, Mary B. Driscoll, who sometimes referred to conversations with the Senator, or to his opinion.
War Training Service
In 1942-1943 a large number of educational institutions and flight operators were being utilized to train pilots who could not qualify as combat pilots but might be used for service as co-pilots, liaison pilots, ferry pilots, and instructors. Since the American Legion claimed credit for helping to enroll 25,000 of these men in the Civil Aeronautics Authority's War Training Service program (CAA-WTS), many Legionaires felt obligated to follow their progress. When it seemed clear that these recruits were not receiving adequate consideration, the Polar Bear Association (composed of veterans of the North Russian Expedition) authorized Bradley Taylor to embrace their cause in its name.
Taylor was extremely active in behalf of these pilots. At least half of the papers in this collection are concerned with his fight to obtain pay and recognition for the men, and to aid pilots after the war. In the course of the controversy, 1942-1947, he corresponded with a majority of the senators and many representatives. This correspondence includes letters exchanged with Senators Pat McCarran, Alexander Wiley, Robert M. La Follette, Jr., Arthur Vandenberg, Henry Cabot Lodge, and Homer Ferguson, and others, and with Representatives Alvin O'Konski of Wisconsin and James H. Morrison of Louisiana.
During 1943 Taylor had much correspondence with Hugh Fulton, Chief Counsel for the Special Committee Investigating the National Defense Program for the Senate (the Truman Committee). In addition, Taylor corresponded with radio commentators who were interested in the WTS controversy: Drew Pearson, 1943-1944; Earl Godwin, 1943-1944; and H.V. Kaltenborn, 1943-1945.
American Legion Memorial Library
A memorial section of the American Legion Library at Indianapolis was created in order that individuals could present books as memorials to Legionaires who had died. Taylor was active, 1952-1957, in acquiring gifts of books from various authors; consequently, there are several letters in this collection from well known authors. They are usually brief, and simply mention an interest in giving the books.
