Scope and Content Note

The collection is divided into three sections based on the following types of employment offices operated by the Commission:

Free Employment Offices (Images 1-9)

• The Industrial Commission administered Free Employment Offices throughout the state. All of these offices were conducted under cooperative arrangements between the Commission and the city, or city and county combined, in which they were located. Operating expenses were paid by the city, while the Industrial Commission paid the salaries of all employees.

United States Employment Service (Images 10-16)

• Beginning in 1918, Employment Service Offices were administered cooperatively by the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin and the United State Department of Labor. Although employment offices were considered the states responsibility, the federal government assisted state officials.

Wisconsin State Employment Service (Images 17-75)

• The Wisconsin State Employment Service, established in 1934 under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, was part of a federal-state system of public employment offices. Authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, the program was designed to facilitate full employment and to promote employment stability through a system of district offices. The Industrial Commission paid the salaries of employees and local government paid all other expenses. There was no charge for the services of the office. Harry A. Lippart was State Superintendent when the Wisconsin State Employment Service was established.