Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WaShinat()n
~meraency
[?elief
A dmini§tr-ati()11
RECORD GROUP 55
ADMINISTRATION
1933 1937
STATE OF WASHINGTON
John D. Spellman. Governor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORY OF THE
UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
AGRICULTURE
CHILD WELFARE
UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
OLD-AGE SECURITY
CONCLUSION
I believe you have come pte pared to carry out your part of
this great responsibility. Fo~ my part, I pledge that p~rsonal
emotions and partisan politics will not be permitted to confuse
and retard fhe executive busines-s of the Commonwealth. I pledge
that I will neither claim credit for myself nor take unfair
advantage for my party for those things that-are accomplished
with your cooperation.
VII
Every effort was made when arranging the W.E.R.A. files to keep them in
their original order (provenance). As the fi1,~'f themselves were extensively
cross-indexed, these references and or.:j.gin,a;j. .file titles .were kept intact.
In a few instances a slight add'Uion ·to the file title was made to clarify
the contents. For example, "Confidential Exchange..H now also reads "Christ ...
mas Baskets".
The dates of this collection range from 1919-1940, but the vast majority
of files fall between 1933-1937. This period covers two different adminis-
trations·; W.E.R.A. and the Department of Public Welfare. Therefore, each
file has been dated with the month and year of the earliest and latest entry,
to assist the researcher in placing tne material with the correct organization.
The fiscal year at this time was from April 1st to March 31st and most of the
files in this collection follow the same pattern.
Several abbreviations are used repeatedly throughout the collection. These
abbreviations and meanings are;
C.C.C. CIVILAIN CONSERVATION CORPS
C.W.A. CIVIL WORKS AUTHORITY
E.R.C. EMERGENCY RELIEF COMMISSION
F.E.R.A. FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
N.R.A. NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION
N.R.S. NATIONAL RE-EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
R.F.C. RECONSTRUCTION FINANCE CORPORATION
W.E.R.A. WASHINGTON EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
W.P.A. WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
These abbreviations also are the beginning for several sets of file titles. It
may be helpful for the researcher to check all possibilities to gain the hest
possible information,
In a few cases files w~re combined when they were the same type of material
i.e, correspondence, covering more than one time period. The different time
periods_ are noted on the file and in the guide. and they are seperated 'tvithin
the file by a sheet "f.acid~free paper.
In archival collections, telegrams a~e usually combined with bulletins,
correspondence and memorandums under the series- title of correspondence.
In this collec.tion telegrams are a seperate series because the original filing
system had been set up in that manner,
According to information found at the State Archives, dated 8/28/52, the
Surplus Commodity Corporation records found in this collection are only a sampl-
ing of papers, which were sa.ved from this program for research interest.
In some of the files of the !'I.E.R.A. 1 found information that may be of
interest to a researcher, that was not oDvious from· the file title. These find-
ings are noted in the crass-reference section, located at the end of this guide.
One additional comment J the pee>ple struggling to make a living during this
time had great faith in the government's ability to help them with the pressing
problems of the times. They frequently wrote letters directly to the President
or Fi.rst ·Lady asking for help. These letters can open the eyes of someone who
does not realize the absolute depravation the country was facing. The letters of
complaint also make clear the desperation and need people were experiencing try-
ing to find Work and support thems-elves and tneir families t Reading even a small
portion.of these letters gives tue reader insight to the feelings, and frustra-
tions citi.zens were experiencing tue the. 1930 t s. It has given me new respect for
those people I know who lived through "The Great Depression".
Karen H " Morris
September 1982
1
13 cubic feet
13 cubic feet
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
Within this series reports have occasionally been included with the correspondence,
in each case this is noted in the listing.
BOX 28 BULLETIN, J.JHY COUNTIES MUST SUPPLY DIRECT RELIEF, AUG/OCT n.d.
BULL IT , MRS. SCOTT, SEATTLE, MEMBER OF COMMISSION 2/33-5/35
"c" MISCELLANEOUS 3/33-3/34,
3/34-3/35,
12/36-1/37
CANDEE, F.L., FORMS n.d.
CANDEE, F.L. 4/34-6/34
CHAMBERLIN, GEORGE C., SENATOR, STATE OF WASHINGTON 1/33-3/34
CHANDLER, ELRERT M. 2/34
CHILDREN'S ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL 3/35
CIVIL WORKS BULLETINS 11/33-12/33
CLARK, IRVING M., STATE INVESTIGATOR, SELF-HELP AND BARTER 1/33-4/34
COFFMAN, MISS GRACE M., TACOMA PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING ASS'N 9/33
COLE, GEORGE 5/34
COLE, MEL 5/34-3/35
COLE, ROY C. 2/27
COLLEGE OF PUGET SOUND 1/35-3/35
14
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
1. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, c'ontinued
2. CORRESPONDENCE, continued
3. TELEGRAMS 1933-1935
3 cubic feet
3. TELEGRAMS, continued
3. TELEGRAMS, continued
4. COUNTIES 1930-1937
11 cubic feet
4. COUNTIES, continued
4. COUNTIES, continued
4. COUNTIES, continued
4. COUNTIES, continued
BOX 72 OKANOGAN, LOCAL WORK REI, lEF ACTI VITIES SUMMAI:Y 11/33/11--]4
PACIFIC, BROWN, BETTY, RELIEF SUPERVISOR 3/33-6/33
PACIFIC, COMPLAINTS 10/33-3/3l,
PACIFIC, COMPLAINTS, HIDEXED, 25-1 TO 25-25 1/34-3/34
PACIFIC, CORRESPONDENCE 5/36-12/37
PACIFIC, FIELD REPORTS 3/33-1/34
PACIFIC, LOCAL I/ORK RELIEF ACTIVITIES SUMMARY 11/33-11/34
PE~fD 01'.ElLLE. COMPLAINTS 1/34
PEND OREILLE, COMPLAINTS. INDEXl'D. 26-1 Te 26-25 1/34-3/34
PEND OF.EILLE, CORRESPONDENCE 7/%-12/36
PEND OREILLE. FIELD REPORTS 5/33-3/34
PEND OREIHE. LOCAL WORK RELIEF ACTIVITIES SUMNARY 11/33-11/3
PEND 0ll.1lJI.],l';. REID, AVIS I . 3/33-8/33
FIEl(CE, APPLICATION FOR I,ORK RELIET LAIlOR 11/33
PIERCE, J-lllI>Lgl'n,~ ~ HO~1EMAKERS GLUE 9/33
"rEHCE, BUDGET. WELFARE CASES 10/33
PIERCE, COMPLAINTS 12/33-·1/34
PIERCE. COMPLAINTS, INll)<;}'l'D, 27-1 TO 27-25 1/34-3/34
4. COUNTIES, continued
4. COUNTIES, continued
7 cubic feet
6. RELIEF 1933-1935
6. RELIEF, continued
1 cubic foot
8. C.W.A •
• 5 c'ubic feet
8. C.W.A., continued
7 cubic feet
BOX 109 DISTRICT i" LEWIS COUNTY, ALLEN, MARY ALSTON, SUPERVISOR 4/34-11/34
DISTRICT 4, LEWIS COUNTY, COMPLAINTS 4/34-3/35
DISTRICT 4, LEWIS COUNTY, GENERAL 4/34-4/35
DISTRICT 4, LEWIS COUNTY, NILKES, MISS MABEL, RELIEF SUPER-
VISOR 11/34-1/35
DISTRICT 4, MEDICAL CARE 1/35-3/35
DISTRICT 4, PACIFIC COUNTY, COMPLAINTS 4/34-3/35
DISTRICT 4, PACIFIC COUNTY, GEI'ERAL 4/34-4/35
DISTRICT 4, PACIFIC COUNTY, THO"IAS, MI SS GERTRUDE, SUPER-
VISOR 4/34-12/34
44
.5 cubic feet
.5 cubic feet
This series of files contains House and Senate Bills, and laws pertaining
to relief in Washington.
1 cubic foot
The files in the series are made up of: bulletins, correspondence, enroll-
mertt, a handbook for selecting men for projects, quotas and reports. They outline
the C.C.C. work in Washington State.
1. 5 cubic feet
.5 cubic feet
CROSS INDEX
CROSS-INDEX CONTINUED
EMPLOYMENT, SEE:
APPLICATION BLANK BOX 1
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS J "A" -"WI! t "X rr • "y" , "X" BOX 6,
BOX 7,
BOX 8
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION INFORMATION BOX 9
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS ,PLANNING BOARD BOX 9
EMPLOYMENT FILE, INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERVIEWERS BOX 9
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN SURVEY BOX 34
EMERGENCY RELIEF COMMISSION eE,R,C,), SEE:
BAKER, FRANK S, CHAIRMAN E,R,C, BOX 27
BULLITT, MRS, SCOTT, MEMBER OF COMMISSION BOX 28
FOISIE, FRANK R, E.R.C, MEMBER, SEATTLE BOX 33
EXTENSION WORKERS, SEE:
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT,
EFFIE I. RAITT BOX 50
FARM DEBT, SEE:
AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL BOX 1
FARM/GARDEN PROJECTS, SEE:
AIRPORT FARM PR03ECT, KING COUNTY BOX 82
FARMERS, LEADING IN STATE, SEE:
U,S, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BOX 50
FEE SCHEDULE, LABOR AND INDUSTRIES, SEE:
PIERCE, DENTAL; NEIlICAL BOX 73
MEDICAL RELIEF-REPORT ON COST BOX 88
F.E.R.A., SEE:
APPLICATIONS OF GOVERNOR BOX 1
BULLETINS, F.• E.R,A, BOX 4
CONFERENCE OF DIRECTORS BOX 5
APPLICATION FOR F,E.R.A. FUNDS, PLAN FOR ADMINISTRATION
OF RELIEF PROGRAM IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BOX 9
FORESTRY, SEE:
CONFERENCE, FORESTRY AND FEDERAL TRANSIENT SERVICE BOX 28
FORMS, SEE:
CANDEE, F.K., FORMS, BUDGETS BOX 28
KING: FORMS-BLANK BOX 68
PIERCE: FORMS-BLANK BOX 74
SAN JUAN; FORMS-BLANK BOX 74
THURSTON: FORMS-BLANK BOX 77
FUNDS, SEE:
TRANSFER OF FUNDS BOX 24
APPLICATION FOR ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS BOX 1
E.R.C. ALLOTMENT FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND BOX 9
E.R.C. ALLOTMENT OF WELFARE FUNDS BOX 9
E.R.C. APPLICATION FOR F.E.K.A. FUNDS BOX 9
E.R.C. PERSONS REPORTED, APPROVED, FUNDS REQUESTED, AP-
PROVED, GRANTED BOX 10
E.R.C. RECONSTRUCTION FINANCE CORPORATION, FUNDS REQUESTED
GRANTED BOX 11
E,R.C. STATE FUNDS TRANSFER BOX 11
MARTIN, CLARENCE D. GOVERNOR, APPLICATION FOR FUNDS BOX 16
TRUST FUNDS BOX 24
W.E.R.A. ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS BOX 25
GARDENS AND SEEDS, SEE:
LEONARD, L.Y., . BOX 36
59
CROSS-INDEX CONTINUED
CROSS-INDEX CONTINUED
,CROSS-INDEX CONTINUED
RESOLUTIONS, SEE:
AMERICAN LEGION RESOLUTION RE: ENDORSING SEATTLE VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE BOX 1
E.R.C. CERTIFIED COpy OF RESOLUTION RE: CONSTRUCTION OF
BRIDGE OVER DECEPTION PASS BOX 9
E.R.C. RESOLTTION RE: TRAVELING EXPENSES BOX 11
E.R.C. RESOLUTION OF STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RE:
REPORTS OF W.E.R.A. BOX 11
RURAL REHABILITATlON, SliE:
ACRICULTURAL AnVl SOllY COUNCIl. BOX
SALARIES, SEE:
E.R.C. ANALYSTS OF DUTIES OF STAFF, WITH SALARIES BOX 9
SELF -HELP, SEE:
APPLICATION OF r.oVERNOR BOX 1
E.R.C. LEGAL AIDE, FREE BOX 10
JOINT COMMITTEE ON SELF-HELP BOX 14
CLARK, IRVING M, STATE INVESTIGATOR, 'SELF-HELP AND BARTER BOX 28
CONFERENCE, SELF-HELP COOPERATIVE GROUPS, OLYMPIA BOX 28
BAKER, FRANK S., LETTER TO COUNTY WELFARE BOARDS RE:
ASSISTING APPLICANTS FOR RELIEF THROUGH SELF-HELP PROGRAM BOX 27
BAKER, JACOB, F.E,R.A., SELF-HELP AND BARTER BOX 27
COOPERATIVE SELF-HELP BOX ll7
SOCIAL WORKERS, WITH TRAINING, SEE:
APPLICATION BLANK BOX 1
SOCIAL WORKERS, WITHOUT TRAINING, SEE:
APPLICATION 1ll.ANK J\OX
STAFl' DUTIES, SEE:
E.R.C. ANALYSIS OF DUTIES OF STAFF, WITH SALARIES BOX 9
STATE WATER SUPPLY A1ID CONTROLS SURVEY CHART, SEE:
UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF, McDONALD AND MAGNUSON BOX 49
STATISTICS, SEE:
MONTHLY REPORT STATISTICS BOX 16
MONTHLY REPORT STATISTICS, ANALYSIS OF RELIEF BOX 1p
MONTHLY REPORT STATISTICS OPERATIONS BOX 16
MONTHLY REPORT STATISTICS PERCENTAGE OF PopmATION ON
RELIEF BOX 16
E,R.C, DAILY STATISTICAL REPORT, 'DISTRICT 1 TO 23 BOX 9
SUBSISTANCE HOMESTEADS, SliE:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, SUBSISTANCE HOMESTEADS BOX 51
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SEE:
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE, STATE BOX 19
TRANSIENT, SEE:
AMYES, J.P., MALFEASANCE OF OFFICE BOX 1
CONFERENCE, FORESTRY AND FEDERAL TRANSIENT SERVICE BOX 28
TRANSIENT DEPARTMENT REVOl.VING FUND, SEE:
AMYES, J. P ., MALFEASANCE 'JF OFFICE BOX 1
UNEMPLOYMENT, SEE:
PLANES FOR RELIEVING UNEMPLOYNENT SUBNITTED BY FASHING-
TON STATE RESIDENTS BOX 18
REPORT, BREADWINNERS BOX 20
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEE:
CHARTS, INllliX OF EN1'l.OYNENT, EARNINGS, J. A. RAOENAKER l\OX Y
VOCATIONAl. REllAE II. T,[,ATION, SEE:
APPLICATlON FOR 1'.E.R.A. FUNDS, PLAN FOR ADNINISTRATION
WASHINGTON RURAL REHABILITATION CORPORATION, SEE:
LANNING, FLORENCE'N BOX 86
62
CROSS-INDEX CONTINUED