Negro Labor Committee records

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id: 4475
origination: Negro Labor Committee
date statement: 1925-1969
key date: 1925
identifier (local_mss): 20747
org unit: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
call number: Sc Micro R 1165
b-number: b11868609
total components: 599
total series: 0
max depth: 5
boost queries: (none)
component layout: Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields: false
Extended Navigation: false
created: 2013-04-01 15:05:03 UTC
updated: 2026-02-09 20:52:45 UTC
status note: Access to this collection is via microfilm reels. To request the microfilm reels from this collection, please click on the value in the Call Number field above to visit the catalog record, then click on the Request for onsite use button(s) to make your request(s).
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unitid: {"value"=>"Sc Micro R 1165", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"20747", "type"=>"local_mss"}
unitdate: {"type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1925/1969", "value"=>"1925-1969"}
date_inclusive_start: 1925
date_inclusive_end: 1969
keydate: 1925
date_start: 1925
date_end: 1969
unittitle: {"value"=>"Negro Labor Committee records"}
physdesc: {"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"14.6 lin ft."}], "supress_display"=>true}

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"17 microfilm reels"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository: {"value"=>"The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division. <div class=\"address\"> Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801</div>"}
abstract: {"value"=>"Records of the Negro Labor Committee encompassing historical and activity records, general subject and activity files, records of affiliated unions and locals, and personal files of Frank R. Crosswaith. Historical and activity files include records of predecessor organizations of the Committee, the Trade Union Committee for Organizing Negro Workers, 1925, and the Harlem Labor Committee, 1934, and items summarizing the Committee's general interests and activities from its founding in 1935 to 1969. Records contain general correspondence, minutes, committee reports, financial records, form letters, and related materials. General subject and activity files of the Committee include material on conferences and conventions in which the Committee participated, documents relating to activities and special projects of the Committee such as the Harlem Labor Center, Scholarship Benefit Fund, Negro Labor Committee-U.S.A., anniversary journals, and the proposed March on Washington in 1943. Also, minutes of the Negro Labor Assembly, of which the Committee was an integral part, and press releases of the Negro Labor News Service, 1935-1951. In addition, the collection contains files from the individual unions which were affiliated with the Committee and which joined in many of its projects, programs, and activities. Files present a cross section of the progressive labor movement in New York City during the 1930s and 1940s."}
langmaterial: {"value"=>"Materials in English"}
prefercite: {"value"=>"Negro Labor Committee records, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library"}
origination: {"value"=>"Negro Labor Committee", "type"=>"corpname"}
bioghist: {"value"=>"The formation of the Negro Labor Committee on July 20, 1935 was a major breakthrough in the black man's struggle to involve him in the labor movement and to bring organized labor to the realization that its aspirations could only be achieved by giving equal consideration to all workers regardless of race, creed or color. In 1925, Frank R. Crosswaith and a number of other labor leaders founded the Trade Union Committee for Organizing Negro Workers with the goal of encouraging the organization of black workers into unions. Later in 1934, a number of the same leaders, with the active support of the Socialist Party, founded the Harlem Labor Committee with somewhat the same objective. The First Negro Labor Conference was called together under the auspices of the Harlem Labor Committee and was composed of black and white elected delegates from 110 progressive labor unions. The purpose of the Conference was to consider the economic plight of the black worker and to develop a program of action calculated to aid him in securing better-paid jobs than the more or less menial jobs (dish washer, porter, cook) to which tradition had long confined black people following the abolition of slavery. A second objective of the Conference was to remove the serious threat which the unorganized black worker represented to the organized labor movement. The Conference elected a committee of 25 members who proceeded to establish a functioning Negro Labor Committee and to map out a program of action. The Committee was headed by Frank R. Crosswaith as Chairman. Other officers were Vice Chairmen A. Philip Randolph (Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters), Thomas Young (Building Service Employees Union), Julius Hochman (ILGWU), Abraham Miller (Amalgamated Clothing Workers), and Morris Feinstone (United Hebrew Trades), Treasurer, Philip Kapp (Joint Board, Dressmakers Union), Financial Secretary, Winifred Gittens (ILGWU), and Organizer Noah A. Walter Jr. (Laundry Workers Union). One of the Committee's first projects was the establishment of the Harlem Labor Center, \"Labor's Home in Harlem\", at 312 West 125th Street. The Center was dedicated on December 15, 1935 and its opening was accompanied by an intensive campaign of education and organization. The founders of the Negro Labor Committee did not claim credit for anything original in their action for: .... We recall with pride that other minority groups in the world of work when faced with problems similar to the problems the Negro workers now face adopted identical methods of meeting and solving their problems.... The Negro worker has been referred to as the 'Scab of America'.... While the facts do not wholly justify this appellation, nevertheless, it is true that in every major industrial struggle in the U. S. within the last two decades, the Negro worker has played a vital, if not always complimentary role. Unfortunately, organized labor in too many instances, both by sins of omission and commission, has driven the Negro worker into the open and welcome arms of the employers with the result that the Negro has developed an unfriendly attitude toward the labor movement and a corresponding affection for the employers of labor. .... in spite of some fine resolutions and official pronouncements on the subject there are still unions that either openly bar Negro workers from membership through clauses in their Constitutions, bylaws or rituals, and that covertly discriminate against the Negro worker by practices more eloquent and effective than pronouncements, resolutions, or Constitutions can ever be. In dealing with the double dilemma of the black worker the Negro Labor Committee sought to organize unorganized black workers and to break down the barriers within the existing labor movement. It sought the affiliation of additional unions and locals with or without black membership in order to provide for the broadest possible participation in its work and to insure the maintenance of the Harlem Labor Center as the home of legitimate labor movement among black and white workers in Harlem. The Committee also lent its support to unions engaged in organization and strike activities among black workers, as well as established a Negro Labor News Service which disseminated information on events about or relating to black labor throughout the country. During the 1930s and '40s the Negro Labor Committee played a key role in expanding the ranks of organized black labor and overcoming barriers within the labor movement itself. At its height the Committee represented over a quarter million black and white workers and was widely acknowledged and respected as the voice of black labor. The Committee sponsored conferences, trained organizers, and carried out highly publicized campaigns against discriminatory practices both in labor and in management, and successfully led the fight against Communist efforts to use black labor problems as vehicles toward its own ends. FRANK R. CROSSWAITH, 1892-1965 Biographical Sketch Frank R. Crosswaith, founder and long time Chairman of the Negro Labor Committee was born in Fredericksted, St. Croix, and Virgin Islands on July 16, 1892. While still in his teens he moved to New York City and served in the United States Navy. He aspired to eventually become a lawyer, however his involvement in the labor and socialist movements in Harlem cost him his job. With the aid of a scholarship he enrolled at the Rand School of Social Sciences instead. After graduation his involvement in the labor and socialist movements increased as he became a lecturer for the school, a socialist organizer and lecturer for the League for Industrial Democracy, and later a national organizer for the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Contending that the problems of black people were kindred to those of all working people, and that the aspiration of labor could only be achieved by giving equal consideration to all workers regardless of race, creed, or color, Crosswaith soon gained widespread recognition as an outstanding speaker and proponent for the cause of all oppressed people. His stance as an uncompromising foe of communism earned him the proud distinction of being its number 1 target. He argued quite effectively that communism was merely using the grievances of black people for political propaganda. The Ku Klux Klan openly threatened Crosswaith for charging them with the infamous race riot among the sharecroppers in Elaine, Arkansas. He was likewise attacked by anti-labor employers for his opposition to their attempts to use black workers as pawns to thwart the efforts of organized labor. Nevertheless, even those who disagreed with his bitter, though eloquent criticisms of the blemishes of American democracy respected him for his ideals and unswerving devotion to black people and working peoples everywhere. He brought to the surface the ugly sores of racial prejudice, political opportunism, and economic barbarism which were hampering the achievement of constructive progress for Negro civil rights. Crosswaith was also an effective labor organizer. He helped to organize the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, elevator operators, elevator constructors, mechanics, barbers, laundry workers, moving picture operators, grocery clerks, dining car employees, drug clerks, and many other laborers. Crosswaith is perhaps best remembered for his work with the Negro Labor Committee. In 1925 he established the Trade Union Committee for Organizing Negro Workers and later the Harlem Labor Committee with the cooperation of a number of labor and liberal leaders. In July, 1935 a conference of black and white elected delegates was called which expanded and enlarged upon the work of the Trade Union Committee and the Harlem Labor Committee and formed the Negro Labor Committee with Frank Crosswaith as Chairman. Over the next three decades he led the Committee in its continuing struggle to organize black workers; to integrate them into the mainstream of organized labor; and to enlist organized labor in the black struggle for equal rights. Crosswaith wrote a regular column Looking around and Beyond, which discussed problems related to black labor and appeared in several black newspapers from 1939-1943. He also served as the first labor member of the New York City Housing Authority, a post to which he was appointed by Mayor LaGuardia and re-appointed by Mayors O'Dwyer, Impelliteri, and Wagner. At a testimonial dinner in honor of his 70th Birthday, Crosswaith was cited as \"the pioneer veteran, champion of labor and loyal public servant who has devoted his life to the economic and social welfare of all workers. Male and female workers of America - Negro, white and all races have drawn strength and inspiration from the fervor and passion of Frank R. Crosswaith's lifelong devotion to the cause of labor\". CHRONOLOGY <ul class=\"chronlist\"> <li class=\"chronitem\"> July 16, 1892Born in Fredericksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1915Married Alma E. Besard of Charleston, S. C.</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1925Co-founded the Trade Union Committee for Organizing Negro Workers</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> August 25, 1925Co-founder and general organizer of Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1934Candidate for Congress, 21st Congressional District, New York</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> July 20, 1935Co-founder and Chairman of the Negro Labor Committee</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1935Established the Negro Labor News Service</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1936Co-author with Alfred Baker Lewis of \"True Freedom for Negro and White Labor\"</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1937Co-founder of the Negro Labor Assembly</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1938Candidate for Congress, 21st Congressional District, New York</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1939Candidate for City Council (New York)</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1939-1943Authored columns Looking Around and Beyond</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1941Appointed to Selective Service Board #76</li> <li class=\"chronitem\">Member of A. Philip Randolph's March on Washington Committee</li> <li class=\"chronitem\">Broadcast half-hour regular programs on WEVD</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1942Appointed to the New York City Housing Authority by Mayor LaGuardia</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1945Co-founder of the Liberal Party</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1946Re-appointed to NYC Housing Authority</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1951Testimonial Dinner given in Crosswaith's Honor (Proceeds turned over to Frank R. Crosswaith Labor Education Fund</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1952Co-founder of the Negro Labor Committee, U. S. A.</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> July 16, 1957Testimonial Dinner honoring 65th birthday</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> December 8, 196270th birthday reception</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> 1963Helped organize March on Washington</li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> June 18, 1965Died</li></ul>"}
custodhist: {"value"=>"The non-current records of the Negro Labor Committee were transferred to the Schomburg Center by the Negro Labor Committee in 1971. They include the office files of the Committee itself and the personal papers of Frank R. Crosswaith, founder and long time Chairman of the Committee."}
scopecontent: {"value"=>"The Negro Labor Committee Records consists of the complete non-current office files of the Negro Labor Committee and personal papers of Frank R. Crosswaith. They were transferred to the Schomburg Collection for processing and preservation by the Committee in 1971. The records are divided into two major series, each with a number of sub-series. The series are: Office Files of the Negro Labor Committee and the Personal Files of Frank R. Crosswaith, founder and longtime Chairman of the Committee."}
arrangement: {"value"=>"Records organized into two series: I Office Files of the Negro Labor Committee; and II Personal Files of Frank R. Crosswaith"}
acqinfo: {"value"=>"Donated by Robert Russell, President of the Negro Labor Committee, 1994-03-25"}
separatedmaterial: {"value"=>"Transferred to Schomburg Photographs and Prints Division (March 1994): One box of photographs"}
processinfo: {"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"Processed by Stanton F. Biddle and Paul Williams with the assistance of New York Urban Corps Interns Claire Harley and Reginald Culpepper, 1971."}
altformavail: {"value"=>"Collection available on microfilm; Scholarly Resources, Inc"}
relatedmaterial: {"value"=>"Related collections housed in the Manuscripts, Archive and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Frank R. Crosswaith Papers Richard Parrish Papers Richard Parrish Papers (Additions)"}
note: {"value"=>"Additional papers pertaining to the Negro Labor Committee and Frank Crosswaith are in the Frank Crosswaith Papers"}

{"value"=>"Sc MG 17"}

{"value"=>"\"Manuscript Collections from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Guide to the Scholarly Resources Microfilm Edition.\" Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources, Inc., 1995"}
extent_statement: 14.6 linear feet; 17 microfilm reels

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Negro Labor Committee records

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