Lee Pressman about IWO Legal Status, July 1948
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- Title (English):
- Lee Pressman about IWO Legal Status, July 1948
- Collection:
- International Workers’ Order (IWO) and Jewish People's Fraternal Order (JPFO)
- Set:
- Cold War
- Creator:
- Pressman, Lee, 1906-1969
- Organization:
- International Workers Order
- Date:
- 1948-07-22
- Coordinates:
- 40.73591,-73.99406
- Latitude:
- 40.73591
- Longitude:
- -73.99406
- Location:
- New York, New York, United States
- ID Number:
- 5276b17f13_02
- File Name:
- 5276b17f13_02.pdf
- Address (creator):
- 80 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
- Transcription:
- Bx21 Legal Pressman [pencilled in]; H#18 [red pencil]
- Work Type:
- law (discipline)
memorandums
historical figures
communism
insurance
political ideologies and attitudes
organization files
legal documents
circular letters
legislation (legal concepts) - Subject:
- Cold War- Red Scare, First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, IWO Legal Issues
Communism
IWO JPFO Organizational History
IWO JPFO- Reports
Political
Membership- Benefits, Insurance, Political Issues
Fraternal Orders- Lodges, Activities
Anti-Ordn Campaign - Description:
- 4 Pages. Translated Summary: Analyzes "The Present Status of the IWO as a Fraternal Benefits Society Under State Laws." Legal letter from IWO General Counsel (Lee Pressman) regarding the impact of the IWO being placed on the Attorney General's Red List on November 24, 1947. Describes the campaign against the IWO, legislative changes and impact in states in which it is licensed as an insurer. Describes the impact of the Ober Law in Maryland as "witch hunting" since the IWO does not advocate for the overthrow of the U.S. government. Calls on IWO and progressive organizations to organize against such bills on civil liberties and free speech grounds.
- Notes:
- The campaign ensued once the IWO was put on the Attorney General's Subversive Organizations List in November 1947; the list (aka the Red List) was published in March 1948. Letter written a year before the Smith Act convictions in the Dennis case.
The Jewish People’s Fraternal Order was the largest ‘national’ section of the International Workers Order (IWO) which focused on cultural awareness and celebration, mutual support especially in health insurance coverage, and anti-fascist activities. The IWO also gave particular emphasis to supporting the rights and interests of African Americans. Documents include language and representations which comprise the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that Cornell University or its staff endorse or approve of negative representations or stereotypes presented. - Cite As:
- International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University
- Archival Collection:
- International Workers Order (IWO) Records, 1915-2002 (KCL05276)
- Box:
- 17
- Folder:
- 13
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- The copyright status and copyright owners of most of the images in the International Workers Order (IWO) Records Collection (Kheel Center #5276) are unknown. This material was digitized from physical holdings by Cornell University Library in 2016, with funding from an Arts and Sciences Grant to Jonathan Boyarin. Documents include language and representations which comprise the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that Cornell University or its staff endorse or approve of negative representations or stereotypes presented. Cornell is providing access to the materials as a digital aggregate under an assertion of fair use for non-commercial educational use. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Cornell would like to learn more about items in the collection and to hear from individuals or institutions that have any additional information as to rights holders. Please contact the Kheel Center at kheel_center@cornell.edu