Inventory of the David Donald (Don) Mulford Papers

Archives Staff and Melissa Larson
California State Archives
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
© 2010
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the David Donald (Don) Mulford Papers

Collection number: LP393

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Archives Staff and Melissa Larson
Date Completed:
February 2009
Encoded by:
Michelle Wallen
© 2010 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: David Donald (Don) Mulford papers
Dates: 1934-1976
Collection number: LP393
Creator: Mulford, David Donald (Don)
Collection Size: 18 cubic feet
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Don Mulford Papers consist of 18 cubic feet of textual records covering the years 1934-1976.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Administrative Information

Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], David Donald (Don) Mulford Papers, LP393:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition Information

The California State Archives acquired the David Donald (Don) Mulford Papers following his final term in the California Legislature.

Biography

David Donald (Don) Mulford, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1957 to 1970. He was first elected in 1957 in a special election to fill the unexpired term of Judge Thomas Caldecott. From 1957 to 1961, he represented Assembly District 18 in Alameda County, which covered the Albany-Berkeley area. Following redistricting in 1962, he represented the 16th District which included parts of Berkeley, Oakland, and all of Piedmont.
Don Mulford was born on August 27, 1915 in Oakland. He attended Oakland public schools and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with an A.B. degree. From 1940 to 1946 he served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer and was active in World War II. In 1946, upon leaving the Army, he worked in the San Francisco and West Coast office of the Music Corporation of America as a manager. In 1953, he started his own insurance company called the Don Mulford Company, Insurance Brokers that he kept until the early 1960s when he became a partner in the insurance brokerage firm of Mulford, Poulton and Orr in Oakland. He was husband to the former Virginia Adams and father to David, Donna, Patty, and Donny. The family resided in Piedmont.
Mulford was active in his community. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, an active member of Scottish Rite, Shriners, Elks, and Native Sons of the Golden West. He was also a permanent contributing member of the Shriners Crippled Children's Medical Center of the Easy Bay and a member of the Guardsmen, Commonwealth Club, Press Club, and Union League Club. Additionally, Mulford was active in the Boy Scouts of America and served as Vice President of the Council of Dad's Club. He was a holder of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Outstanding Citizen Award and was awarded the American Legion Citation of Meritorious Service. He was a life member of the University of California Alumni Society and a member of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity.
Mulford was elected Chairman of the Minority Caucus in 1963, a position he held until January 1969, when Republicans became the majority party in the Assembly. He continued as Majority Caucus Chairman until the end of his term in 1970. Mulford authored legislation preserving open space in the Berkeley Hills and legislation designed to preserve Lake Tahoe. He was the principal architect of the Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act that was designed to combat air pollution. The California Wildlife Federation named Mulford "Air Conservationist of the Year" in 1967. Mulford also authored the bill making it a felony to attack peace officers and authored the bill to assist University and State College authorities in removing non-student protestors from campuses of higher education institutions. He is also the author of the Mulford Act (AB 1591, 1967) that prohibits unauthorized persons from carrying loaded firearms on public streets, in public places, and in areas where it is illegal to fire a gun.
According to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks), Mulford served on the following committees:

California State Assembly, 1957-1970

  • Standing Committees
  • Finance and Insurance, 1958
  • Government Organization, 1958-1968
  • Public Health, 1958-1968
  • Revenue and Taxation, 1959-1964
  • Military and Veterans Affairs, 1961
  • Government Efficiency and Economy, 1963-1966
  • Ways and Means, 1965-1970
  • Legislative Representation, 1968
  • Intergovernmental Relations, 1969-1970
  • Urban Affairs and Housing, 1969

Scope and Content

The Don Mulford Papers consist of 18 cubic feet of textual records covering the years 1934-1976. The collection is organized into 20 series: Mulford's Bill Files, Other Legislator's Bill Files, Subject Files, University of California Files, University of California Subject Files, University of California General Correspondence, University of California Free Speech Movement Correspondence, University of California Publications, University of California News Clippings, Campaign Files, Chronological Correspondence Files, Press Release Files, Mulford's "Sacramento Reports" Files, Caucus Files, Speech Files, Operating Engineers Union Number 3 Files, News Clippings, Publications, Mulford Personal File, and Photographs.
As Chairman of the Assembly Republican Caucus from 1963-1970, Don Mulford's papers provide insight into the Republican leadership of the 1960s. Contained throughout the Subject Files, Campaign Files, Correspondence, Caucus Files, and Release Files are Mulford's interactions and dealings with members of the Legislature and the public concerning carrying out the Republican agenda. Also found in the Subject Files are articles related to Jesse Unruh, Democratic Speaker of the Assembly from 1962-1968, who Mulford publicly clashed with on legislative and administrative issues.
With the University of California at Berkeley in his district, Don Mulford was known for legislation concerning the university, especially in the areas of crime. He is well known for having authored the legislation that allowed officers to remove non-student and violent protestors from college campuses. While that particular legislation was not kept in his bill files, information regarding his involvement in the University can be found in the 6 series of University of California Files. Mulford was also involved in the removal of U.C. President Clark Kerr in 1967, which can be found in the "University of California Subject Files - Kerr, Clark".
The papers also detail the 1967 Mulford Act, which prohibited unauthorized persons from carrying loaded firearms on public streets, in public places, and in areas where it is illegal to fire a gun. These records are found in the Bill Files, in the 1967 session under AB1591 and also in the Subject Files under Gun Control.
Along with Republican Leadership and U.C. Berkeley affairs, the Don Mulford Papers are a good resource in researching many controversial issues of the 1960s such as communism, civil unrest, and civil rights. Mulford was also very active in conservation efforts of areas such as Lake Tahoe and the Torrey Pines State Reserve and concerned with air and water pollution.

Arrangement

The David Donald (Don) Mulford Papers are arranged into twenty series.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Mulford, David Donald
Gun control
Civil rights

Related Material

David Donald Mulford, Oral History Interview, Conducted 1988 and 1989 by Timothy P. Fong and Ann Lage, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, for the California State Archives State Government Oral History Program.

LP393:1-35

Series 1  Bill Files 1961-1970

Physical Description: 35 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session and numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

Bill files created by Don Mulford may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence, committee statements, and other information. Major topics found throughout the series include the environment, firearms (including the 1967 Mulford Act AB1591), marriage counseling, BART, and legislation relating to the University of California.
1961: AB787 (3ff) LP393:1-3
1963: AB8-AB2374; ACR14-ACR102; HR72-HR561 (4ff) LP393:4-7
1964: AB48X, HR44-HR199 (2ff) LP393:8-9
1965: AB2093-AB3216 (2ff) LP393:10-11
1967: AB665-AB2469 (5ff) LP393:12-16
1968: AB255-AB1131 (3ff) LP393:17-19
1969: AB292-AB2036 (1ff) LP393:20
1970: AB271-AB2330; ACR151-ACR; HR122-HR210 (15ff) LP393:21-35
LP393:36-71

Series 2  Other Legislators' Bill Files 1957-1970

Physical Description: 36 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by legislative session and numerically by bill number.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of bill files that Mulford created and maintained for bills introduced by other legislators. Documents in this series may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, editorials and newspaper clippings, correspondence from his constituents, committee statements, and other information. The series contains a wide range of topics that were of concern to his constituents including environmental issues, education, taxation, transportation, and retirement.
1969: AB2-AB2070; HR33 (14ff) LP393:36-49
1970: AB6-AB1764 (20ff) LP393:50-69
1970: SB66-SB959 (2ff) LP393:70-71
LP393:72-241

Series 3  Subject Files 1957-1970

Physical Description: 170 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Scope and Content Note

The Subject Files include publications, background information, studies, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. Some topics of interest to Don Mulford were communism, crime, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Gun Control (see also AB1591 in the 1967 Bill Files), Marriage Counseling, and Taxes. Mulford compiled a sizable amount of newspaper clippings regarding Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh (1962-1968). He also collected the former legislator and prominent Republican, Caspar Weinberger's "California Commentary" columns.
A list of subject headings is available in Appendix A of the master finding aid at the California State Archives.
LP393:242-245

Series 4  University of California Files 1957-1970

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged into two sub-series: (a) general, and (b) Mulford's Personal Record

Scope and Content Note

The series contains 3 file folders of general information Don Mulford collected regarding matters of the University of California system and U.C. Berkeley in particular. Topics represented in the files include budget matters, campus unrest, academic issues, and other information regarding the politics of the University System. This series also contains Don Mulford's self-authored record of his contributions to the UC system.
LP393:246-256

Series 5  University of California Subject Files 1962-1969

Physical Description: 11 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Scope and Content Note

University of California Subject Files contain background information, studies, correspondence and newspaper clippings. The files relate to such issues as the Boalt Hall Student Association; Mulford's involvement with the Board of Education Development; news clippings and press releases regarding UCLA professor Angela Davis; news clippings and correspondence related to President Clark Kerr; Mulford's statement on minority enrollment; meeting minutes and correspondence with the Regents of the University of California; fliers and pamphlets from Student and Faculty strikes; and numerous records from the Vietnam Day Committee, a left-wing, anti-war coalition formed in Berkeley.
LP393:257-259

Series 6  University of California General Correspondence 1962-1970

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Roughly arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

The series contains both incoming and outgoing correspondence between Don Mulford and University of California personnel as well as other legislators regarding University policies and other important events and issues during this tumultuous era for the university.
LP393:260-262

Series 7  Free Speech Movement Correspondence 1964-1965

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Roughly arranged chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

The University of California Free Speech Movement Correspondence files contain incoming and outgoing correspondence between Mulford and his constituents related to the student movement on the Berkeley campus.
LP393:263

Series 8  University of California Publications 1959-1969

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged by topic.

Scope and Content Note

The University of California Publications includes publications both from and about the University of California. Topics include education training, public surveys, the U.C. Regents, miscellaneous bulletins, a report on campus disturbances, and other topics regarding the university.
LP393:264-279

Series 9  University of California News Clippings 1957-1970

Physical Description: 16 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

The University of California News Clippings contain a significant amount of newspaper clippings from several California newspapers relating to major issues the University of California was facing in the 1960s. Specific issues covered include campus unrest, controversial campus policy, and other headlining events that took place during the 1960s.
LP393:280-297

Series 10  Campaign Files 1958-1970

Physical Description: 18 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by campaign year.

Scope and Content Note

The Campaign Files reflect Mulford's successful campaigns in 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, and his defeat in 1970. Files from his first campaigns (1958-1964) are smaller in scope and contain items such as resumes, plans of actions, election forecasts, campaign statements, endorsements, public opinion surveys, Republican Central Committee correspondence, and campaign materials. The series contains a greater volume of records from Mulford's 1966 and 1968 campaigns and includes precinct committee files, endorsements, dear friend cards, the proposed reapportionment of California Congressional Districts in 1967, statistics, correspondence, news clippings, and disputes with his opponents (Edward Ardzooni in 1966 and Ken Meade in 1968). Mulford's 1970 campaign files contains several press releases from his campaign headquarters along with strategies and campaign materials. This series also contains campaign files for Richard Nixon's presidential 1960 and 1968 campaigns and Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign. The Presidential Campaign files include documents from the 1960 Republican Convention in Chicago, which Mulford attended as a Delegate. Finally, there is 1 file folder of Other Campaign files that includes campaign fliers and brochures from various campaigns Mulford may have been tied to.
LP393:298-352

Series 11  Chronological Correspondence 1966-1970

Physical Description: 55 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by month.

Scope and Content Note

The series includes outgoing correspondence from Mulford's office to his constituents. This includes responses to letters, birthday wishes, congratulations, sympathy notes, etc.
LP393:353-354

Series 12  Press Releases 1963-1970

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by release date.

Scope and Content Note

The series contains Don Mulford's press releases in 1963, 1968, 1969 and 1970 from his Sacramento office. Also contained in the files are some press releases from his District Office in 1970. The press releases often announced and describe Mulford's legislation.
LP393:355-356

Series 13  Sacramento Reports 1963-1970

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by release date.

Scope and Content Note

The Sacramento Reports reported Don Mulford's opinion on major legislative issues of the time including the California budget and legislation that directly affected his constituents such as conservation, education, and crime. The series contains records from 1963, 1968, 1969 and 1970.
LP393:357-366

Series 14  Caucus Files 1963-1970

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

The Caucus Files contain memoranda, minutes, agendas, press releases, press conference reports, other reports, and Caucus correspondence. Mulford was elected Chairman of the Assembly Republican Caucus in 1963 and remained until 1970.
LP393:367-368

Series 15  Speech Files 1961-1969

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged into two sub-series: (a) Mulford Speeches, and (b) Other Collected Speeches

Scope and Content Note

The Speech Files include both speeches given by Mulford and speeches he collected from others such as J. Edgar Hoover, Ben Peery, and Robert A. Scalapino. Of Mulford's speeches, some are written in full, some are drafts, and some are just cue cards with bullet points. Some topics in the series include speeches on civil rights issues, environmental issues, and his account of Assembly lockdown on July 30, 1963.
LP393:369-377

Series 16  News Clippings 1962-1970

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

The series includes newspaper and periodical clippings from 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1970 and 1971 and two file folders labeled "Special Clippings" which were clippings of special interest to Mulford. Though he retained several news clippings that can be found throughout the entire collection, the News Clippings series contains the reprints Mulford saved regarding issues directly related to his legislation. A majority of the clippings mention his name specifically, though some are just relative to his key concerns some of which include the environment, civil unrest, education, marriage counseling, and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).
LP393:378-387

Series 17  Operating Engineers Union Number 3 Files 1971-1976

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged by topic.

Scope and Content Note

Topics include correspondence, court hearings, affirmative action meetings, compliance monitor reports, and Joint Apprenticeship Committee agendas and minutes. After leaving the Legislature, Don Mulford was the Director in Community Relations for the Operating Engineers and Participating Employers Pre-Apprentice, Apprentice and Journeymen Affirmative Action Training Fund.
LP393:388-399

Series 18  Publications 1959-1976

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Scope and Content Note

Publications include journals, periodicals, newspapers, and magazines. Topics include controversial issues (such as communism and civil rights), education, environment, Legislative hearings, Legislative Reapportionment, Oakland-related publications, rapid transit, the Republican Party, and veterans affairs.
LP393:400

Series 19  Mulford Personal File 1934-1970

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Roughly arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Mulford's Personal Files include documents relating to his personal life. Included in the series is information on personal scandals he dealt with such as the controversial Lurie Foundation Scholarship his son was granted; the lawsuit he won against his opponent in the 1957 special election, William McKibben; and issues regarding the value of his home. Also in the file are awards that were given to Mulford such as the 1970 City of Hope Man of the Year Award and the Community Salute to Don Mulford. The file contains some personal letters received while serving in the military during World War II and class notes from his political science course taken from UC Berkeley in 1934.
LP393:401-402

Series 20  Photographs 1957-1970

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by subject title.

Scope and Content Note

Photographs include Don Mulford's professional photo, family photos from 1958-1970, and other personal photos. In 1969, Mulford requested photos from Republican Governors in other states. As a result, this file contains the formal photographs of 28 Republican Governors in 1969.