EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S FILES, 1912-1958

Summary: Administrative files of the Executive Secretary who was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the League as well as being involved in all aspects of its work. Chiefly consists of correspondence (grouped as Executive Committee, General, Membership and National League) and supporting materials with several folders of reports and one folder of speeches. The supporting materials include photocopies of newspaper clippings, lists of Board members, programs, questionnaires, surveys, publications, reports, minutes, notes, legislation, memoranda, and newsletters.

The Executive Committee correspondence (1931-1958) primarily concerns nominations to and resignations from the Executive Board and Executive Committee, as well as correspondence about raising money, the organization of the Annual Meeting, the administration of the Consumers League office in Newark, attendance at hearings, distribution of publications and plans to celebrate League anniversaries. Of particular interest are a letter about the relationship between the Consumers League and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey and a discussion of the impact of war on Consumers League programs. Also includes newspaper clippings about potential Board members.

The General Correspondence from 1912-1914 concerns speaking engagements, a membership and fund-raising drive, and the campaign for early Christmas shopping. Also includes correspondence with local Consumers League branches such as Elizabeth, Morristown, and Montclair, primarily about membership and fund-raising. Correspondence from the 1930s includes discussion of night work, migratory labor and child labor legislation. Of particular interest are studies of piece-work in the women's dress industry and of the number of African Americans employed in hospitals. Also includes copies of letters sent to state legislators and officials, and letters from other organizations asking the League to co-sponsor legislation.

The Membership Correspondence (1940-1957) primarily consists of letters asking people and organizations to join Consumers League, correspondence with other state leagues about people who have moved, and correspondence about raising money.

The National Correspondence (1935-1942) consists of correspondence with the National Consumers' League. During this period the headquarters of the National League were in New York City and it had close relations with the New Jersey League. Includes advice, correspondence asking about events in New Jersey, as well as notices sent out to all state leagues about dues and the Annual Convention. Reports sent by the New Jersey League to the National give a summary of what the New Jersey League was doing. Also includes discussion of legislation which affected more than one state.

The Reports (1914-1915, 1921-1935 and 1939-1942) were read by the Executive Secretary at the quarterly Executive Board and Annual Meetings of the League. They give detailed summaries of the League's work during each time period.