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Civilian Public Service Union Records

Notifications

Held at: Swarthmore College Peace Collection [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore 19081-1399

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Swarthmore College Peace Collection. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
DG.008
Repository:
Swarthmore College Peace Collection
Extent:
3.5 linear ft. (3.5 linear ft.)
Preferred Citation:
Cite as: [Identification of item], in the Civilian Public Service Union Records (DG 008), Swarthmore College Peace Collection.
Date:
1944-1946 (inclusive)
Creator:
Civilian Public Service Union
Abstract:
The Civilian Public Service Union was organized at the beginning of 1944 in the CPS camp at Big Flats, New York. Men at other camps and units quickly joined the group. CPSU, a union for "drafted workers conscientiously opposed to war," was formed to provide an organized means of communication and group action among men in all sections of CPS and to combat the waste and injustice of the CPS system itself. Ralph C. Rudd served as chairman from late 1944 until CPSU was dissolved in early 1946.

The Civilian Public Service Union was organized at the beginning of 1944 in the CPS camp at Big Flats, New York. Men at other camps and units quickly joined the group. CPSU, a union for "drafted workers conscientiously opposed to war," was formed to provide an organized means of communication and group action among men in all sections of CPS and to combat the waste and injustice of the CPS system itself. Ralph C. Rudd served as chairman from late 1944 until CPSU was dissolved in early 1946.

The records of the CPSU were deposited in the Swarthmore College Peace Collection in June of 1946 by Robert Beach of Philadelphia, a CPSU member. A small portion of the records came to the Peace Collection in 1976 from historian Charles Chatfield. These records originated in the larger collection of CPS records given to Chatfield by Gordon Streib (see Accession 76A-84). Records include a proposed constitution, scattered minutes, correspondence (1943-1945), CPSU Newsletter, statements, releases, financial records, membership and contact lists, and research date on use of manpower in CPS. Also in the collection are the records of local units in various CPS camps, including scattered minutes, correspondence, financial records, and membership lists. Camps represented by significant amounts of material include: Big Flats, NY Camp #46; Powellsville, MD Camp #52; Middletown, CT, Camp #81; Trenton, ND Camp #94; Pownal, ME Camp #130, Germfask, NC Camp #135; and Jaundice Unit, Philadelphia, PA Camp #140. See also American Civil Liberties Union, National Commission on Conscientious Objectors, Kampelman, AFSC-Civilian Public Service, labor and peace, conscientious objection.

These records are divided into two sections. The first part consists of the records donated to the Peace Collection by Robert Beach. These materials have not been reorganized, and have been kept in the order in which they arrived at the Peace Collection. The records that came from Gordon Streib have been kept separate and the material organized into categories matching the Beach accession. All materials have been put into acid-free folders.

The Swarthmore College Peace Collection is the official repository for these records.

Gift of Robert Beach and Gordon Streib.

For the catalog record for this collection and to find materials on similar topics, search the library's online catalog.

Processed; Finding aid revised by Wendy E. Chmielewski, June 1994; updated by Eleanor A. Fulvio, July 2009; Wendy E. Chmielewski August 2009, November 2018.

  1. Civilian Public Service Personal Papers and Collected Materials (DG 056)
  2. Center on Conscience and War (DG 025)
  3. American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service/Prison Service Committee Records (DG 002)

Organization
Subject

Publisher
Swarthmore College Peace Collection
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research without restrictions.

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Use Restrictions

None.

Collection Inventory

History, constitution, and national correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
History.
Box DG 008: 1
Preliminary constitution, 1934-1944.
Box DG 008: 1
Local constitutions.
Box DG 008: 1
Mailing lists.
Box DG 008: 1
Minutes of General Executive Board meeting, 1945 (May 5-6).
Box DG 008: 1
Correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Election, 16528.
Box DG 008: 1
Policy discussion, July-August 1945.
Box DG 008: 1
Rudd letters to Locals.
Box DG 008: 1
Correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Ralph Rudd correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Miscellaneous correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Correspondence with peace groups.
Box DG 008: 1
Correspondence with/about labor.
Box DG 008: 1
Miscellaneous correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Ralph Rudd correspondence.
Box DG 008: 1
Ralph Rudd correspondence -not CPSU.
Box DG 008: 1
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Ed. Whiteway-organizing secretary.
Box DG 008: 1
Nat Hoffman-national treasurer, 1945.
Box DG 008: 1
Stationary.
Box DG 008: 1
Financial statements.
Box DG 008: 1
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Mimeograph materials and publicity.
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1946 (January 30).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (November 19).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (October 15).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Inquiry on CIO-SCMWA", 1945 (October 12).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Issues at Elkton", 1945 (September 24).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "GEB Letter", 1945 (September 3).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (August 30).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Letter to Secretaries", 1945 (August 6).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Mailing list, 1945 (August 3).
Box DG 008: 2
Mime "Policy Discussion", 1945 (July 29).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (July).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "GEB Letter", 1945 (June 1).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Letter to GEB and Moninees", 1945 (May 19).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Crespi Poll, 1945.
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Issue at Middletown", 1945 (May 15).
Box DG 008: 2
Dependency survey.
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Mailing, 1945 (May 14).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo constitution, minutes of GEB, 1945 (May 6).
Box DG 008: 2
Secretary's report to GEB, 1945 (May 6).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (April 30).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (April 27).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Bibliographies for GEB, 1945 (April 23).
Box DG 008: 2
News releases, 1945 (March 23).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (April 21).
Box DG 008: 2
Rudd letter to Locals and Contacts, 1945 (March 5).
Box DG 008: 2
Rudd letter to all camps, 1945 (March 24).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Release on Germfask", 1945 (February).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Letter on test case, 1945 (February 12).
Box DG 008: 2
Rudd letter to all camps, 1945 (February 12).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (February 4).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1945 (February 2).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo Kosch's inquiry, 1945 (January 17).
Box DG 008: 2
Rudd to Union members and friends.
Box DG 008: 2
Ralph Rudd letter to GEB and Locals, 1944 (December).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1944 (October 24).
Box DG 008: 2
Newsletter.
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo, 1944 (July 17).
Box DG 008: 2
Mimeo "Poll at Middletown, 1945".
Box DG 008: 2
Addresses-copies of mailing lists.
Box DG 008: 2
Union vs. USA, filing of finances.
Box DG 008: 2
Drafts for publication.
Box DG 008: 2
Relevant data and pamphlets.
Box DG 008: 2
Newsletter and files.
Box DG 008: 2
Correspondence re: S.S. Admin. Order #4, Unused skills in CPS.
Box DG 008: 3
Correspondence with Henry Dyer.
Box DG 008: 3
AFSC experience report.
Box DG 008: 3
Lew Hill.
Box DG 008: 3
Releases on Germfask.
Box DG 008: 3
Pink paper #1.
Box DG 008: 3
Pink paper #2.
Box DG 008: 3
"What Should Be Done".
Box DG 008: 3
Newspaper publicity.
Box DG 008: 3
Camp system.
Box DG 008: 3
S.S. administrative instructions to hospital, etc. units.
Box DG 008: 3
Correspondence S.S. AI #4, 1943-1945.
Box DG 008: 3
Ed Mayerding and anti-conscription work.
Box DG 008: 3
Rudd and CPSU vs. CPS correspondence.
Box DG 008: 3

Forms.
Box DG 008: 4
Unused skills- correspondence.
Box DG 008: 4
Correspondence on Form L #1.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 completed copies.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 completed, selected originals.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 completed, rejected.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 completed, selected copies, not sent.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 completed, selected copies.
Box DG 008: 4
General Hershey letter.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #1 filled out.
Box DG 008: 4
Unused skills, copies of forms.
Box DG 008: 4
Form #2 and covering letter.
Box DG 008: 4
Card lists of members.
Box DG 008: 5

Camp #16 (Kane, Pa).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp # 20 (Wells Tannery).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #21 (Cascade Locks).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #23 (Coshocton).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #26 (Alexian).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #27 (Mulberry, Fla).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #27 (Orlando).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #27 (Tallahassee).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #35 (North Fork, Ca).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #36 (Santa Barbara).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #37 (Coleville).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #41 (Williamsburg).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #42 (Wellston).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #43 (Puerto Rico).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #46 (Big Flats) 4 folders.
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #47 (Sykesville).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #49 (Byberry) 6 folders.
Box DG 008: 6
Chairman's file.
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #50 (Presbyterian Hospital).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #51 (Fort Steilacoom).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #52 (Powellsville) 3 folders.
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #56 (Waldport).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #59 (Elkton).
Box DG 008: 6
Camp #61 (Duke).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #73 (Columbus).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #75 (Medical Lake).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #76 (Glendora).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #77 (Greystone Park, NJ).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #79 (Utah).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #80 (Lyons).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 (Middletown, GI unit).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 (Middletown).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 minutes.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 reports.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 communications from the G.E.B.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 constitution and organization.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 letters.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 union.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #81 (Middletown).
Box DG 008: 7
Scope and Contents

[3 folders]

Camp #82 (Newtown).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #83 (Warren St.).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #84 (Concord).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #87 (Brattleboro).
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #88 (Augusta, ME).
Box DG 008: 7
Warren, Pennsylvania.
Box DG 008: 7
Camp #94 (Trenton, SD).
Box DG 008: 7
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #100 Rutland, VT.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #108 Gatlinburg, TN.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #111 Mancos, CO.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #114 Mt. Weather, Bluemont, VA.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #115 Mass. General, Boston MA.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #115 Minneapolis, MN.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #115 Pinehurst, NC.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #115 Rochester, NY.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #115 Welfare Island, New York, NY.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #119 New Lisbon, NJ.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #121 Bedford, VA.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #127 American Fork, UT.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #128 Lapine, OR.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #129 Pennhurst, Spring City, PA.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #130 Pownal, ME.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #131 Cherokee, IO.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #132 Laurel, MD.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #134 Belden, CA.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #135 Germfask.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #136 Skillman, NJ.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #140 Jaundice Unit, Philadelphia, PA.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Camp #140 New Haven, CT.
Box DG 008: 8
Camp #148 Minersville, CA.
Box DG 008: 8
Scope and Contents

[2 folders]

Constitution, mailing lists, and miscellaneous.
Box DG 008: 9
Minutes of meetings.
Box DG 008: 9
Correspondence.
Box DG 008: 9
Financial records.
Box DG 008: 9
News releases.
Box DG 008: 9
Reports from camps.
Box DG 008: 9
Special camp affairs.
Box DG 008: 9

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