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Guide to the Port of Sacramento records: additions, 1916-2003
MSS 1996/17
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Table of contents
Title: Port of Sacramento records: additions
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 1996/17
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.0 Linear feet
(4 record cartons)
Date (inclusive): 1916-2003
Abstract: The collection consists of files documenting the construction projects, legislative issues, convention and financial aspects
of the Port of Sacramento. It also includes publications, pamphlets, and other ephemera generated by the Market Department
to promote the vision and goals of the port district.Shortly after receiving the Port of Sacramento donation, a volunteer
student intern began processing the collection but ended his internship before completing the project. Ms. White provided
a preliminary inventory for patron use, but did not reassign the project until she was certain the next processor would complete
the project. The current processor completed this project in the spring of 1996. The preparer gratefully acknowledges the
help of several individuals in the completion of this inventory: Melvin Shore, who proofread the background information and
appendices; Robert Watson, who supplied information about the Port of Sacramento; and Rexford Sherman, who supplied information
about the AAPA.
creator:
Shore, Melvin
The records were originally collected and maintained by the Sacramento-Yolo Port Authority, before being donated to the Department
of Special Collections and University Archives in 1996.
In December 2003, a student assistant and the Manuscripts Librarian created a folder listing of the additional 5 linear feet
of papers donated by Melvin Shore in 1996.
See also the Port of Sacramento records, 1916-1991 (MSS 1986/02).
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Melvin Shore donated this material in August 1996 and June 2003.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
The records are divided into three Subgroups: the Sacramento-Yolo Port District records, the American Association of Port
Authorities records, and Non-Paper records.
The Sacramento-Yolo Port District records consist of eight series as follows: 1. Historical records, 2. Financial records,
3. Reports and Studies, 4. Employment files, 5. Operations files, 6. Marketing files, 7. Port Director's Office files, and
8. U.S. Port Systems Advocates files.
Series 1: Historical Records, 1916-2003. This series contains a comprehensive history of the Port of Sacramento written by
Melvin Shore, a brief history written in 1963, and historical materials relating to state and federal legislation approving
creation of the Port.
Series 2: Accounting Files, 1932-1986. The accounting files contain annual reports, financial statements, and budget files
relating to port construction funds, wharf and pier construction, maintenance and operations. Also included are tax records,
insurance coverage details, capital investment accounts, income and expenditure records, audit reports, and bond reports.
Series 3: Reports and Studies, 1925-1985. This series consists of reports, studies and analyses prepared by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and various engineering companies that contracted with the Port of Sacramento before and after it opened.
Some of the firms include
A.F. Benscheidt, who performed wharf section and water system analyses, a study relating to coconut oil and tallow plant requirements and
a marina site study;
Swan,
Wooster Engineering, who provided studies for wood chip handling, bulk handling and storage facilities, and a bagging facility for bulk material;
Bank of American who performed economic studies; and
SWINC Engineering, who provided studies for additional bulk storage facilities and a pneumatic shiploader. Many of the reports and studies
contain blueprints and drawings. Five
Port Plans by Melvin Shore are contained in this series as well. The Port Plan provides a history and philosophies of the Port; an overview
of its cargoes, operations and financial status; projections and recommendations for future development.
Series 4. Employment Files, 1962-1986. The Employment files are comprised of contracts and Memorandum of Understanding between
the Port of Sacramento and various unions such as the teamsters, longshoremen, port police officers, engineers and scientists,
and Laborers International Union. Other materials relating to employment include an employee handbook, directory and benefit
information. Melvin Shore's
Memorandum to All Employees (1965-1986) and the
Port Employee Newsletter (PEN) are also contained in this series.
Series 5. Operations Files, 1961-1986. The correspondence, proposals and contracts in this series document the Port's physical
plant, its clientele, and the types of material entering, leaving and being stored at the Port. Specifically, information
about the numerous facilities and lease negotiations for some of those facilities are contained in the Operations Files as
well as information regarding the import, export and storage of materials coming into the port, such as clay, grain, automobiles,
liquids, cement, lumber, soda ash, woodchips, almonds, and other dry bulk goods. The client files contain the director's research
material and correspondence with potential customers in such countries as Hong Kong, Europe, New Zealand, and other Asian
countries as well as established clients.
Series 6. Marketing Files, 1962-1991. This series is comprised of announcements, flyers, brochures, clippings and other marketing
material that targets clients, potential customers and the general public. The publications include copies of the
Sacramento Report,
Sacramento Coal Port folio,
Portfolio and
Seaways. Also included is promotional material about specific Port facilities and material handling; for example, dry bulk storage
facilities, coal for exporting, and soda ash export.
Series 7. Port Director's Office Files, 1964-1998. The Port Director's Office files contain correspondence, operating plans,
local cooperation agreements, administrative directives, policies and regulations, as well as lectures and speeches of Melvin
Shore. A large portion of this series consists of Melvin Shore's Memos to the [Port] Commission where he would provide details
about contract negotiations, facility developments, financial information, employment issues, public relation events, recommendations,
and general updates. Also included is
Commodore Advisory news briefs that address information about the commissioners and major developments at the Port. The
Advisory was disseminated by the commissioners to Port Commodores, an honorary group of community members appointed by the commission.
Newsletters, bulletins, reports, and a membership directory from the Permanent International Association of Navigational Congresses
(PIANC) are included in this series.
Series 8. U.S. Port Systems Advocates, 1949-1985. This series contains material from the U.S. Port Systems Advocates, a group
comprised of Port Directors from across the nation that address federal legislation affecting ports. The records include correspondence
between members as well as members of congress. Also included are meeting minutes, newsletters, lists of member ports, and
Congressional Records of the proceedings and debates of the 97th Congress.
The American Association of Port Authorities records consist of two series: 1. General files, and 2. U.S. Legislative Policy
Council.
Series 1. General Files, 1969-1984 The general files include the organization's bylaws, financial records, proceedings of
the annual meeting, minutes from the Board of Directors meetings and Executive Committee meetings, correspondence, memos,
committee reports, draft resolutions, and an AAPA Handbook.
Series 2. U.S. Legislative Policy Council The U.S. Legislative Policy Council is a standing committee of the AAPA charged
with reviewing the legislation and governmental relations program of the Association. In addition, it provides the AAPA President
guidance in carrying out the policies of the Association. Records in this series include copies of Bills (H.R. 2630, 6829,
7179, S. 1182), meeting agendas and minutes, legislative summaries, and correspondence.
The Non-Paper records consists of three series: 1. Business cards, 2. Artifacts, 3. Photographs.
Series 1. Business cards. Melvin Shore collected the business cards of colleagues, business associates, contractors, vendors,
clients and potential customers from around the world. Each card is dated and many have been annotated by Mr. Shore.
Series 2. Artifacts. Most of the artifacts are replica of historic California coins used as promotional items by the Port.
Other promotional items include slides strips of the Port with accompanying slide viewers and a world timetable slide chart.
Series 3. Photographs. The small collection of photographs is comprised of color and black and white images of the Port of
Sacramento facilities in 1966-1967, the bulk facility in 1974, and the chip facility in 1974.
Sacramento-Yolo Port District:
In the spring of 1946, the 79th Congress approved public law No. 525 which authorized the construction of the Sacramento Deep
Water Ship Channel Project. On 24 July 1946, President Harry Truman signed the bill into law. The same day the act became
law, Roy G. Deary, president of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, appointed a port district organization committtee. On
15 April 1947, voters in Sacramento County and Supervisorial District No. 1 approved the creation of the Sacramento-Yolo Port
District. The Harbors and Navigation Code, SEctions 6800-6963 (Chapter 2) set forth the policy-making powers of the five-member
port commission, comprised of two commissioners appointed by the Sacramento Board of Supervisors, two by the Sacramento City
council, and one by the Yolo county Board of Supervisors.
Prior to the opening fo the port in 1963, the district actively raised revenue through bond sales. On November 1947, the district
authorized the sale of a bond issuance of $3,750,000 to construct necessary port facilities. In 1961 the district authorized
the sale of another general obligation bond, totaling $9,850,000, which the voters again approved. By the end of 1992, the
port commission increased from five to seven members in response to demands from the city of west Sacramento, which incorporated
in 1987. Appointments were as follows: The Sacramento City Council and the Sacramento Board of Supervisors appoint two port
commissioners each and one jointly; West Sacramento's City Council and Yolo County's Board of Supervisors each appoint one
commissioner.
American Association of Port Authorities:
In December 1912, a small circle of port managers convened in New York to promote the exchange of port information and to
develop uniform methods of administration. The eleven representatives in attendance approved the proposal of one official,
Calvin Tomkins, to create a permanent association of U.S. Port Authorities, thus founding the National Association of Port
Authorities. During the third annual convention at Baltimore (1914), the officers changed the name of the organization to
the American Association of Port Authorities. In 1930 the association incorporated. When Sacramento Port Director Melvin Shore
chaired the AAPA in 1983, the association represented a total of 189 Deep Water agencies in the United States, Canada, Latin
America, and the Caribbean.
Through committees the AAPA has been able to advance federal legislation favorable to port management interests. A major success
of the AAPA was the passage by Congress of the Foreign Trade Zone Act of 1934, which attracted foreign shippers by exempting
manufacturers from duty charges and taxes until their products left the zone of United State markets. Beginning with three
permanent standing committees in 1918, the number of AAPA committees had grown to over twenty by 1982.
Melvin Shore:
Melvin Shore was born in Montreal, Canada in 1924 and raised in New York City. During the Second World War he served in the
U.S. Air Force, where he received training as a bombardier, navigator, and a B-29 flight engineer. He joined the Port of Sacramento
as an "Engineer aide to the Port Director" in 1949, when the port was still an alfalfa field. He remained at the port, during
both the construction and operational phases, for a total of 37 years before retiring in June 1986. From 1963 until 1986,
Shore served as the port's director, replacing William G. Stone in October 1963.
He also represented the South Pacific Region on the Steering Committee of the U.S. Port System Advocates. He was president
of at least three associations, to wit, the Sacramento section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the California
Association of Port Authorities, and the Northern California Ports and Terminals Bureau (later called the Golden Gate Ports
Association). In addition, he also served as a board member of various associations, programs, and businesses, including the
Pacific Coast Association Port Authorities, the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, the Sacramento Valley
Bank, and the Port of Sacramento Japanese Language School, the latter that he founded for the benefit of the children of Japanese
businessmen assigned to Sacramento.
Port Directors:
Stone, William G. -- 1947 to 1963 Shore, Melvin -- 1963 to 1986 Clark, Dennis G. -- 1986 to 1989 Sulpizio, John -- 1990 (Interim
Director) Vernon, Mike -- 1990 to 1995 Sulpizio, John -- 1995 to present
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 1996/17, Port of Sacramento records: additions, Department of
Special Collections and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Shore, Melvin
American Association of Port Authorities
Port districts--California.
Port of Sacramento (Sacramento, Calif.)