Series Part II, I: General Correspondence, 1946-1951

Series

Call Number: MS 628, Series Part II, I

Scope and Contents

Although, this series contains little official Bowles correspondence as Governor it is a rich source for his political activities while out of office. There is extensive correspondence on the "dump-Truman" movement, Bowles' criticism of Truman's foreign and domestic policies, his work for the United Nations, and his strong connection with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, with members of the Americans for Democratic Action, and with organized labor. There is also much material on Connecticut state politics. Note, for example, files on labor organizations, on political leaders like John Bailey and William Patterson, and on pollster Elmo Roper. Through Secretary of State George C. Marshall, through William Benton (for a time Assistant Secretary of State), and other officials (note the correspondence from Frank Howley of the American Military Government in Berlin), Bowles kept in touch with national and foreign policy.

Bowles maintained his correspondence with former and active OPA personnel as they moved into new positions after the end of OPA in 1946-1947. Examples include the files of R.R.R. Brooks, Bice Clemow, Philip Coombs, Max McCullough, Everett Reimer, Roderick Riley (especially on the death of OPA), U.S. Government: Department of Commerce, Economic Stabilization Agency, and Donald Wallace, among others.

General Correspondence also includes correspondence about Bowles' nomination and confirmation as Ambassador to India and Nepal, and important correspondence about recruiting personnel for India, as well as letters of congratulation.

The scant amount of Bowles' gubernatorial correspondence consists chiefly of small Connecticut state agencies file, a Connecticut mayors file, and some correspondence with officials and heads of state commissions filed by name. For correspondence on the state housing program, see the files of Philip Coombs, Bernard Loshbough, the Syracuse Housing Authority, Carroll Shanks, Nathan Straus, U.S. Government: Office of Housing Expediter, and, Housing and Home Finance Agency. For information on the National Guard, see U.S. Government: Department of Defense. On civil rights, see NAACP, Leverett Saltonstall, U.S. Government: Department of Defense, and Frances Williams.

The files of Charles Sawyer, Oscar Ewing, Maurice Tobin, and U.S. Government: General Services Administration provide material on development and employment. For correspondence on the Commission on State Government Organization, see the files of Carter Atkins, James G. Rogers, Jr., and Frederick Shuckman.

In the Connecticut State Library's small collection of Bowles' gubernatorial papers (composed chiefly of files of state agencies, boards and commissions), the files of the State Housing Authority in particular appear to be substantial and include correspondence of the State Housing Authority Administrator, Bernard Loshbough, reports, and press releases. For a listing of these files, see the Appendix at the end of Part II.

The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by name of the individual or organization. "Correspondence of Others," multiple recipient letters and a few unidentified letters are filed at the end of the alphabetical listing. The correspondence appears to be incomplete and has some gaps, especially for Bowles' 1949-1950 period as governor. The correspondence about political appointments and job applications, in Part II, Series II., may contain additional correspondence with individuals active in Connecticut politics, which has not always been cross-referenced.

Dates

1946-1951

Physical Description

(21 boxes)

Conditions Governing Access

From the Collection: Boxes 220-223, which contain constituent correspondence, are restricted until 2035 Jan 1.

The transcript of the oral history interview with Douglas Bennet, Jr. in Box 399b is closed until the deed of gift is secured from Bennet.

Box 408, which contains restricted personal and financial papers is closed until 2025 Jan 1.

Box 409, which contains audio tapes of oral history interviews with Bowles's associates, is not open to researchers.

Original audiotapes, videotapes, and motion picture films, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or pay for the creation of a use copy, retained by the repository, if none exist.