V. CORRESPONDENCE AND MEMORANDA FILES OF PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT LES FINNEGAN,, 1949-1955, 1956-1959, 1960-1966

Grouped in three chronological sequences: 1949-1955, 1956-1959, and 1960-1966. For the first sequence, correspondence files are arranged chronologically by month and year and precede inclusive memoranda files for the respective year. In the second sequence both correspondence and memoranda are interfiled by month and year. One inclusive correspondence and memoranda file covers the period 1960 to 1966, overlapping with Paul Jennings' tenure as IUE President.

Contains correspondence and memorandums files generated by Les Finnegan, executive (research) assistant and principal speech writer for IUE President James B. Carey from 1949 to 1965. Finnegan also served as an executive assistant to Paul Jennings from 1965-1966. The bulk of this series consists of Finnegan's and Carey's outgoing correspondence (carbon copies) and staff memoranda for the years 1950-1958, interfiled with a smaller quantity of incoming letters, telegrams, reports, and leaflets. Finnegan answered much of Carey's incoming correspondence, thus, his office maintained office copies of the outgoing letters that he drafted for Carey's signature. A smaller portion of Secretary-Treasurer Albin Hartnett's administrative correspondence is also contained within the series.

Though neither an elected officer, nor clearly defined staff position, the executive assistant wielded much influence over the administration of union affairs. Beyond his value as a researcher and speech writer, Finnegan functioned as Carey's "eyes and ears," assessing and analyzing reports from the IUE department heads, district offices, field representatives, and business agents. He monitored the constant flow of information and requests filtering into the international office, prioritized Carey's work and travel schedule, and informed him of those matters necessitating prompt action by the IUE President.

The predominate subject content of Finnegan's early correspondence files (particularly for the period 1950-1952) pertains to the IUE's preoccupation with its rival--the United Electrical, Radio, and Machinery Workers of America (UERMWA, later shortened to UE)-- and efforts to publicly discredit the union and its officers as communist-dominated. Finnegan collated information from various government agencies (Atomic Energy Commission), congressional and senate staffs (HUAC and the Humphrey Committee), journalists, and labor (CIO) sources concerning the alleged radical and communist background of UE officers, staff, and organizers.

Finnegan maintained biographical dossiers on UE members and charted their alleged affiliation with the Communist Party of American (CPUSA) and suspected "front organizations." He disseminated this information to IUE district offices, field representatives, and local unions for use in organizing campaigns and elections. In turn, they forwarded him newspaper clippings on local developments in the IUE/UE struggle, anti-IUE leaflets, and reported on the movements of UE organizers. Finnegan's correspondence files also document his orchestration of publicity and the use of various media to enhance the image of the IUE as a bastion of anti-communist liberalism. He drafted Carey's speeches and statements, wrote periodical articles and press copy for the IUE-CIO News and other newspapers, and assisted in the preparation and distribution of organization campaign literature.

For the period 1956 to 1959, Finnegan's correspondence and memoranda files reveal less involvement in research and organizational activities, and greater interest in the administrative details of the President's office. Finnegan handled written requests for research information and IUE publications from locals, other unions, academicians, students, and congressional staff members. His involvement in the daily administration of IUE affairs can be gleaned from his memoranda to various IUE officers, department heads, and staff. Major topics include: the status of ongoing organization campaigns, preparation of releases and bulletins, the assignment of officers, field representatives, staff and organizers, and scheduling and arrangements for Carey's speaking engagements, radio broadcasts, and television appearances. Particularly insightful is Finnegan's memorandums file (1960-1966) documenting his role in assisting the transition period of Paul Jennings' presidency following the fractious IUE election of 1964. Finnegan outlined a "Proposed Action Program" to guide Jennings in the early stages of his union presidency.