Guide to the John E. Moss papers, 1953-1978

Finding aid prepared by Julie Thomas
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
The Library
2000 State University Drive East
Sacramento, CA, 95819-6039
916-278-6144
scua@csus.edu


Title: John E. Moss papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 1977/01
Contributing Institution: California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 522.0 Linear feet (271 record cartons, 153 manuscript boxes and oversize)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1953-1978
Date (inclusive): 1938-1992
Abstract: Congressional records of John E. Moss, the author and sponsor of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The collection (1953-1978) contains correspondence with constituents, government officials, and personal acquaintances; notes; research materials gathered to frame legislation from subcommittee through publication; reports and investigations leading legislation; photographs; scrapbooks; films; awards and certificates.
Language of Materials note: English.
creator: Moss, John E. (John Emerson), 1913-

Biographical/Historical note

In 1948, John E. Moss was elected to the California Assembly to represent the Ninth District. He was re-elected in 1950 and served two terms in all. While a member of the Assembly, he sponsored legislation dealing with public employees, land use, housing, and lobbying. While in the Assembly, Moss served on Education, Civil Service, State Personnel, and many other committees. In 1952, Moss was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Third District, where he served until 1979. Congressman Moss fought for consumer rights, First Amendment issues, and conscientious government. He was the chief sponsor of The Clean Air Act of 1970 and, most notably, the 1966 Federal Freedom of Information Act.

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply. Committee files have been relocated to the National Archives & Records Administration in Washington D.C. Also, 54 folders with classified information were recalled by the National Archives & Records Administration, San Bruno.

Preferred Citation note

[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 1977/01, John E. Moss papers, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.

Processing Information note

The 1977 donation was processed by Richard Lower, Professor of History, California State University, Sacramento and completed in 1982. The 1995 donation was processed by Lisa Prince, History Student, California State University, Sacramento in 2006.

Copyright

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, The 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.

Scope and Content

Series 1. Legislation Files, 1961-1978 (Cartons 1-52) This series contains correspondence with constituents, committees and other members of congress about the activities of various House of Representative committees. The papers are arranged chronologically by Congress and then alphabetically by committee. Committees include the Agricultural Committee, Appropriations, Armed Services, Banking and Currency, Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, Government Operations, House Administration, Interior and Insular Affairs, Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Internal Security, International Relations, Joint Atomic Energy, Joint Printing Committee, Judiciary, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Post Office and Civil Service, Railroads, Rules Committee, Science and Astronautics, Select Committee on Crime, Select Committee on Small Business, Special and Joint Committees, Taxation, Un-American Activities, Veterans Affairs, and Ways and Means. Also contained in this series are copies of the Congessional Record.
Series 2. Legislation Introduced by Moss, 1953-1978 (Cartons 53-73, Box 74) The drafts, clippings, correspondence, and constituent letters relate to legislation introduced to the House by Representative Moss. The records are arranged chronologically by Congress and then numerically by bill number. Also included are “Private Bills” which are bills concerning aid and relief to certain individuals, groups and places.
Series 3. Subject Files, 1941-1978 (Cartons 75-137, Boxes 138-230) The correspondence, clippings, and newsletters in this series are arranged alphabetically by subject and then alphabetically by sub-topic. Many of the records are concerned with major government departments such as the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health, Housing, Interior, Labor and Transportation. Moss’ involvement with independent agencies are reflected in the subject files of the Atomic Energy Commission, Civilian Aeronautics Board, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Reserve, Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, NASA, National Science Foundation, Security Exchange Commission, Small Business Administration, the Smithsonian, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Veterans Administration. Other subjects dealt with include the administration of his office, the armed services - including Viet Nam and the Selective Service, civil rights, crime, disasters, the economy, foreign relations (broken down by countries), highways, the Post Office, public works, taxes, veterans, welfare and the “war on poverty.”
Series 4. California Files, 1960-1978 (Boxes 231-239) Arranged alphabetically by subject, this series contains correspondence between Moss and members of the California State legislature in addition to clippings, reports, and miscellaneous research material about issues relating to California. Topics include California State government, the Chamber of Commerce, California economy, Expo/State Fair, energy, insurance, political affairs, referrals, Sacramento, taxes, water/drought, and general files mainly consisting of correspondence.
Series 5. Personal Files, 1953-1978 (Boxes 240-245) John Moss’ personal files are arranged A-Z by subject (boxes 240-243) and then A-Z by surnames (boxes 243-245). Included in these files are records relating to an accident Moss had in 1964, various appointments from 1968 to 1975, awards, congratulations and condolences, his emergency appendectomy in 1970, the Jewish National Fund, the Johnson administration, mementos, his retirement, the Sacramento Bee and Sacramento Union, subscriptions, and thank-you’s.
Series 6. Congressional Files, 1952-1978
Subseries 1. Political Affairs
Sub-subseries 1. General files (Boxes 246-252) These general files contain correspondence, clippings, reports, studies and promotional material arranged alphabetically by subject. The material covers topics such as appointments to committees and the judiciary as well as correspondence from specific groups such as Americans for Democratic Action, the American Political Science Association, and various California Democratic organizations. The Candidates and Elections files are arranged alphabetically by name of candidate and are comprised of correspondence supporting or opposing political candidates, most of who ran on a national ticket. Also included are requests for Moss to run for governor and senator. The Democratic Party papers reveal Moss’ involvement with democratic caucuses, the Democratic National Committee, task forces, and study groups. Reports, analyses, correspondence and clippings can be found in the Electoral College files in addition to the files relating to voter registration, voter information and voter rights. The Testimonials and Dinners papers are arranged by the date of appearance that Moss appeared.
Sub-subseries 2. District Office, 1959-1978 (Boxes 252-256) The District Office files, arranged alphabetically by subject, contain newsletters, bulletins, correspondence, clippings, mailing lists and rosters relating to California political organizations such as the California Democratic State Central Committee, California Democratic Council, and California Democratic Platform. A large section of this sub-subseries includes material from Moss’ campaigns for congress between 1956 and 1972 and is comprised of correspondence, his voting records, press releases, and letters of endorsement, among others. Also included with these records is Moss responses to constituents in 1973 regarding Watergate and possible impeachment proceedings for Nixon.
Sub-subseries 3. California Delegation, 1959-1978 (Boxes 257-260) Moss’ records from the California Congressional Delegation are arranged chronologically. The records are comprised of correspondence, resolutions, candidate endorsements, and notes from subcommittees dealing with topics such as agriculture, taxes and water resources. Also included are meeting materials that include agendas, minutes and notes from the delegation.
Sub-subseries 4. Reapportionment, 1959-1974 (Boxes 260-262) The reapportionment records are arranged chronologically and contain legal records, correspondence, clippings, reports, and maps pertaining to political redistricting of California.
Sub-subseries 5. Watergate/Nixon, 1973-1974 (Boxes 262-275) Arranged chronologically, topics include Spiro Agnew’s and Richard Nixon’s resignations and secret service protection, as well as Nixon’s impeachment trial and pardon. Type of records include constituent correspondence, replies and legal background notes.
Sub-subseries 6. Campaigns, 1952-1978 (Boxes 276-305) Arranged chronologically. These records are comprised of John Moss’ semi-annual campaign materials from 1952 through 1978 in addition to campaign material from other candidates in California campaigns, the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate and Presidential races. Types of materials include correspondence, congratulatory and thank-you letters, financial statements, campaign worker lists, research material pertaining to campaign issues, speech material, and clippings.
Sub-subseries 7. Individual Voting Records, 1953-1978 (Boxes 305-308) Arranged chronologically by Congress. Contains the individual voting records by roll calls in the U.S. House of Representatives. This sub-subseries also contains the voting records of John Moss by Congress.
Subseries 2. Patronage Files, ca. 1960-1967 (Boxes 308-311) Arranged alphabetically by last name of person. This subseries reflects Moss’ endorsements of people campaigning for various political appointments, attorney’s vying to represent the government in legal proceedings, pages and interns, as well as the judiciary. Also included are letters of support for men seeking to delay induction into the army, especially during the Viet Nam era.
Subseries 3. Political Campaign Files, 1961-1978, Bulk 1972-1978 (Cartons 312-318) Arranged into three categories: Whip Advisory, Democratic Study Group, and Dear Colleague. Within these subjects, the material is arranged in several A to Z runs. The Whip Advisory reports are issued by the House majority whip supporting and disseminating information about specific bills. Moss’ Whip Advisory reports and supporting material are from the 95th Congress and are arranged by topic, such as agriculture; banking, currency and housing; armed services; education and labor; government operations; international relations; interstate and foreign commerce, etc. The Democratic Study Group (DSG) is an ideologically based intra-party caucus that provides material for policy analysis by staff. The records in Moss’ collection consist of background information on the DSG and a compendium of its viewpoints on contemporary political subjects, Also included are record votes for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 93rd to the 95th Congresses; DSG Staff Bulletins, published weekly while Congress is in session as a means of communications between staffs of DSG members and as a vehicle for dissemination of information to assist staff personnel in their work; DSG Legislative Reports, published weekly to provide members with information on each bill scheduled for House Action during the specified week; and last, this section contains DSG Special Reports that are published on an ad hoc basis. The “Dear Colleague” items are requests by other legislators to co-sponsor legislation.
Subseries 4. Public Activities, 1957-1978 (Cartons 318-339) Material is arranged chronologically by formats, which include questionnaires, invitations, thank-you’s, Memos From Moss, press releases, speech files, and statements by Moss.
Subseries 5. Air Force Bases, California, 1957-1978 (Cartons 339-345) The correspondence, clippings, reports and research material in this subseries are divided into three sections: Mather Air Force Base (AFB), Beale AFB and McClellan AFB. Because these Air Force Bases were in his district, Representative Moss dealt with issues such as constituent and community complaints, AFB personnel and union contracts, procurement, and housing.
Subseries 6. Moss vs. Civil Aeronautics Board, 1969-1978 (Cartons 345-352) Between 1969 and 1978, Representative Moss fought the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) over fare increases by major domestic airlines. His complaint also urged the board to establish policies on reasonable rates, determine how best to avoid excessive competition, and determine whether fares should be related to miles or hours traveled. Records include briefs and other legal documents, press releases, speeches, clippings and correspondence.
Subseries 7. General Correspondence, 1961-1978 (Cartons 352-361) The records in this subseries span Moss’ entire career as a Congressman and Box 361 are arranged chronologically into three time periods: 1961 to 1969, 1970 to 1974, and 1975-1978. Within the chronological arrangement, the files are organized alphabetically by the name of the individual or organization who wrote the correspondence and includes the originator’s letter accompanied by Moss’ response. Generally, the correspondence relates to constituents request for Moss’ support or rejection of current or pending legislation, requests and thank you’s for his appearance at an event, or Moss referring the constituent to the appropriate congressman or government agency for response.
Subseries 8. Government Operations Committee, 1957-1978 (Boxes 362-362a) Arranged chronologically from 1957 to 1978, the miscellaneous correspondence, memos, press releases, reports, clippings and hearing transcripts in this subseries relate to issues handled by subcommittees of the Government Operations Committee such as the Donable Property Subcommittee, Legal and Monetary Affairs Subcommittee and Research & Technical Programs Subcommittee. Also included are monthly summaries of the committee and subcommittee activities as well as appropriation requests.
Series 7. Committee on Government Operations. Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Government Information (FOGI), 1914-1976
Subseries 1. FOGI General Subject Files, 1955-1976 (Boxes 363-394) RECALLED BY NARA These records are arranged alphabetically into four time periods: 1955 to 1960, 1961 to 1965, 1965 to1967, and 1968 to 1976. The material from 1955 to 1960 is from the Special Subcommittee on Government Information, which merged with the Subcommittee on Foreign Operation in 1961 to form FOGI. Contained in this subseries are personnel files, correspondence, reports, research material, mailing lists, and clippings covering a variety of topics such as staffing and administrative operations, related subcommittee reports, hearings, publicity, political organizations such as the John Birch Society, labor unions and media associations, travel and entertainment.
Subseries 2. FOGI Alphabetic Files, 1956-1966 (Boxes 395-407) RECALLED BY NARA The records in this subseries are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by the last name of the addressor/addressee. The miscellaneous correspondence and memorandum that comprise these files was sent either by Moss as Chairman or by Samuel Archibald, Moss’ Staff Director, regarding administrative matters, constituent concerns about FOGI issues, and intra-governmental memos. Much of this material is duplicative and is cross-filed in other sections.
Subseries 3. FOGI Chronological Files, 1961-1971 (Boxes 408-418) RECALLED BY NARA Material is arranged chronologically from 1963 to 1966 and another chronological run from 1961 to 1971. In addition to correspondence from constituents regarding FOGI issues, other records found in this subseries is intra-committee and intergovernmental correspondence from Moss and Samuel Archibald, Memorandum for the Record, and Staff Memorandum. As with the FOGI alphabetic files, much of this material is duplicative and is cross-filed in other sections.
Subseries 4. FOGI Procedures, Hearings, Reports, Transcripts and Materials, 1963-1973 (Cartons 419-421) RECALLED BY NARA The hearings, reports, transcripts and other records are arranged chronologically and cover topics such as Viet Nam, Latin America, government information plans and policies, polygraphs, and delinquent international debts owed to the United States.
Subseries 5. FOGI Polygraph Hearings and Materials, 1950-1968 (Cartons 421-424) RECALLED BY NARA The hearings, studies, reports, articles, and questionnaires in this subseries relate to FOGI’s hearings regarding the use of polygraphs as a “lie detector” test. The material is arranged alphabetically by topic.
Subseries 6. FOGI Speech and Invitation Files, 1946-1963 (Boxes 425-430) RECALLED BY NARA Moss’ speeches, addresses and statements as a member of FOGI are arranged chronologically by date of speech. Contained in the invitation files are requests from various public, private and non-profit organizations to speak, appear at conferences, and serve on boards and committees.
Subseries 7. Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and Government Information (FOGI) Files, 1914-1970 (Boxes 431-540) RECALLED BY NARA The papers are arranged alphabetically by seven subgroups which include the General files, the Agency for International Development (AID) files, Department of State files, U.S. Owned Foreign Currencies, Foreign Operations-India, Latin America, and Information Availability files. The general files contain miscellaneous monthly reports to congress, an “A to Z” run from 1963-1965 and general FOGI records pertaining to commerce, foreign aid, housing, Investment Guaranty Program, the State Department and Viet Nam, among others. The Agency for International Development (AID) is a U.S. agency that extends assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. The records in this subgroup cover the period 1961-1965 and are arranged alphabetically by country, agency or program. Topics in the Department of State files include administrative functions, exchange program, Food for Peace, personnel, Peru drought relief, and travel. The U.S. Owned Foreign Currency papers contain memorandum, correspondence, reports and working papers from the Bureau of the Budget, Comptroller General, and the Treasury and covers topics such as foreign legislation and foreign operations. The Foreign Operations India material contains records regarding Agency for International Development, exports, rupees, and materials from a trip in 1963. The Latin America files span the period 1966 to 1968 and are mostly comprised of area studies, arranged alphabetically by country. The largest portion of this subseries is the Information Availability Files, which contains correspondence and research files regarding releasing government information and opening restricted files to the public. The papers are arranged alphabetically by agency and department, such as the Commerce Department, Department of Defense and the General Accounting Office.
Subseries 8. Freedom of Information Act/Legislative Background, 1953-1967 (Boxes 541-555) RECALLED BY NARA The first portion of this subseries is copies of FOIA legislation introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate as well as correspondence, analysis and statements relating to these bills. The legislative files make up the second portion of this subseries, which are unprocessed at this date. The third – and largest portion – is comprised of responses to the Freedom of Information Act of 1963 from various governmental departments and independent agencies. These records are arranged alphabetically by department and agency.
Subseries 9. Response to Freedom of Information Inquiry, 1946-1968 (Boxes 555-567) RECALLED BY NARA Arranged alphabetically by government agency, department, commission, and council among others, these records reflect the responses to the Freedom of Information Inquiry of 1965 which asked about various governmental units’ interpretation and implementation of the Administrative Procedures Act of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 1002).
Series 8. Committee on Government Operations, 1955-1978
Subseries 1. Study on Executive Privilege, 1955-1960 (Boxes 568-569) RECALLED BY NARA Notes and research material of Jacob Scher, chief counsel of the Special Subcommittee on Government Information and “the Nation’s No. 1 expert on the legal problems involved in access to Government information.” In this study, Scher researched the historical and legal background for the use of executive privilege and suggested possible remedies for the “abuse” through congressional action.
Subseries 2. Subcommittee on Government Information and Individual Rights, 1975-1978 (Boxes 570-572) This subcommittee’s reports, memos, correspondence, statements, press releases, and studies pertain to investigations and hearings relating to privacy issues and disclosure of government classified information from agencies such as the FBI, CIA, Justice Department, and Warren Commission. Also included is material regarding the President Paper Act of 1978 and access to presidential records. The papers in this subseries are arranged chronologically from 1975 to 1978.
Subseries 3. Subcommittee on Legislation and National Security, 1975-1978 (Boxes 573-574) The records are arranged chronologically and include memorandum, reports, studies, press releases and correspondence pertaining to investigations and hearings conducted by this subcommittee. Subjects covered include questionable procurement procedures by the military, oversight of military academies, improving internal auditing of the army, and collecting delinquent international debt owed to the United States. A large portion of the records reveal President Carter’s plans to reorganize the federal government, including studies into whether the president has the authority to reorganize government, and specific proposals such as creating a Department of Education that is separate from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and shifting duties away from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Customs Service.
Subseries 4. Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Power, 1961-1969 (Boxes 575-576) This subseries contains the correspondence, memorandum, clippings and reports relating to the investigations and hearings conducted into such subjects as water pollution, power plants, disposal of industrial waste and sewage by federal installations, blackouts, oversight of the Federal Power Commission, water rights at national parks, and a landfill in the Hunting Creek Estuary of the Potomac River.
Subseries 5. Subcommittee on Conservation and Natural Resources, 1969-1974 (Boxes 576-579) This subcommittee was established in February 1969 to examine and study the effectiveness of government operations in meeting and solving the problems of conserving, developing, managing, and utilizing the country’s natural resources and in maintaining and improving the quality of the nation’s environmental and ecological heritage. Much of the work succeeds the functions exercised by the Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Power began in the 90th Congress. The correspondence, reports, articles, transcripts and press releases are arranged alphabetically by topic and include information on the establishment of the Environmental Quality Council in 1969 in addition to industrial waste water disposal, the effects of population growth the environment, San Francisco Bay Area pollution, and the sale of surplus power to consumer-owned electrical companies.
Subseries 6. Special Subcommittee on the Home Loan Bank Board, 1956-1965 (Boxes 579-584) This subcommittee was chaired by Moss and established in 1960 to make a comprehensive inquiry and investigation of the operations of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation and Federal Home Loan Banks. The records are separated into four sections: general administrative papers, reports and speeches which are arranged alphabetically by subject, incoming and outgoing correspondence which is arranged alphabetically by year, chronological files which are duplicates of the outgoing correspondence arranged monthly by year, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board papers which are arranged alphabetically by subject and include budget estimates and studies, a valuation report, and an investigation into the Federal Home Loan Bank of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Series 9. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (IFC)
Subseries 1. General Files, 1963-1972 (Boxes 585-598) RECALLED BY NARA After passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the House rules defined the jurisdiction of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee as follows: Interstate and foreign commerce generally; regulation of interstate and foreign transportation, except transportation by water; regulation of interstate and foreign communications; civil aeronautics; weather bureau; interstate oil compacts; petroleum and natural gas, except on the public lands; securities and exchanges; regulation of interstate transmission of power, except the installation of connections between Government water power projects; railroad labor and railroad retirement and unemployment, except revenue measures relating thereto; public health and quarantine; inland waterways; the Bureau of Standards and the standardization of weights and measures and the metric system. The records in this subseries are arranged alphabetically into three time periods: 1963 to 1965, 1965 to 1967, and 1967 to 1972. Within the time periods, the papers are arranged alphabetically by subcommittee: Communications and Power, Commerce and Finance, Public Health, Transportation, and Special Subcommittee on Investigation. The correspondence, reports, proposals, articles and research material in this subseries addresses constituent complaints and investigations into the television and radio industry, including the Federal Communications Commission and the television rating system as well as transportation industries including airlines, trucking, railroads, and toll roads. Also included are files relating to the bankruptcy and loan agreements of Penn Central Transportation Company and settlement of a railroad strike of 1967.
Subseries 2. Subcommitee on Commerce and Finance, 1969-1974 (Boxes 599-602) RECALLED BY NARA The correspondence, memos, reports, legal documents and articles from this subcommittee which Moss chaired are arranged alphabetically by topic. The records reveal the investigations and hearings into the securities and insurance industries, copper pricing practices, and an Air Force contract with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. A summary of bills referred to the subcommittee is also included in the files.
Subseries 3. Securities Study – Office and Staff Files, 1964-1975 (Boxes 602-605) RECALLED BY NARA These records are comprised of correspondence, memos, legal documents, reports, speeches, statements, press releases, and position papers relating to the hearings and investigations into the securities industry by the Subcommittee on Commerce and Finance. A large portion of the records are correspondence with the Securities Exchange Commission, responses to the report issued as a result of the study, and chronological files from 1971-1975 that contains correspondence and memos.
Subseries 4. Commerce and Finance Securities Investigation Files, 1969-1975 (Box 606-615, Cartons 616-631,Box 631a) RECALLED BY NARA The first two sections of this subseries are arranged into alphabetical runs by subject for the years 1969-1971 and 1971-1975. It contains correspondence, memos, reports and studies, legal documents, press releases, speeches, and articles relating the investigations, hearings and proposed legislation relating to commission rates, the Security and Exchange Commission, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, institutional membership, the New York Stock Exchange and the Investment Co. Act of 1970. The third section is a numerical arrangement of house and senate bills relating to the securities industry. The fourth section is a chronological run of hearing and briefing books between 1971 and 1972 which include letters of invitations to the hearings, listings of panelists and their statements. The last portion contains trade journals of the securities industry as well as reports and studies by or about the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission.
Subseries 5. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, 1975-1978
Sub-subseries 1. Correspondence Files, 1975-1978 (Boxes 632-634) RECALLED BY NARA These records contain the correspondence, memos, committee notices, press releases, administrative reports, and articles of Congressman Moss when he chaired this subcommittee. The material is arranged chronologically and explores the relationship between federal regulators and regulated industries such as the airlines, interstate utilities, railroads, truck lines and broadcasting. Examples of federal regulators are the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Power Commission (FPC), Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Sub-subseries 2. General Files, 1975-1978 (Box 635-637, Cartons 638) RECALLED BY NARA The documents in this sub-subseries are arranged alphabetically by topic and include monthly and quarterly reports to subcommittee members, committee rules, memos regarding proposed legislation and hearings, budgets, travel reports, background research material and press releases. Subjects addressed are consumer products, energy companies, the federal energy policy, anti-trust and anti-competitive regulations, nursing homes, healthcare, Amtrak trains, natural gas, and regulatory reform.
Sub-subseries 3. Legislative Action Files, 1975-1978 (Cartons 638-639) RECALLED BY NARA The records in this sub-subseries were created by Thomas Greene, the counsel to Chairman Moss. Arranged alphabetically by topic, the correspondence, memos, hearing schedules, papers from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), copies of senate and house bills, Congressional Records, case studies, transcripts and background research material relate to legislation concerning consumer advocacy, clean air, congressional rule making, daylight savings time, executive privilege, passive restraints for passengers in automobiles, product safety, wage and price controls.
Sub-subseries 4. Energy Files, 1975-1978 (Cartons 640-647) RECALLED BY NARA As chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, Moss tackled the regulation of the energy industries such as oil, gas and coal at the federal level and in California. The correspondence, memos, reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), press releases, articles, and research materials are separated into two alphabetical categories: general and legislative action files. The general files contain correspondence with the Department of Energy, the Federal Power Commission (FPC), the Federal Energy Administration (FEA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as private companies. The legislative action files contain briefing books, reports, bills, and background research material relating to energy legislation such as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, National Energy Act and Natural Gas Act.
Sub-subseries 5. Healthcare Files, 1975-1978 (Cartons 648-659) RECALLED BY NARA These records are divided into two alphabetical categories of material relating to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) files. The FDA files contain correspondence, memos, reports, and press releases relating to investigations and hearings regarding food regulation, pharmaceuticals, toxic chemicals, contraceptives, and pesticides. The HEW files pertain to the regulation of Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), Medicaid and Medicare, unnecessary surgery, nursing homes and miscellaneous healthcare issues.
Sub-subseries 6. Regulatory Reform, 1972-1978 (Cartons 660-672) RECALLED BY NARA The correspondence, memos, Congressional Records, legal documents, reports, background research material, and clippings in this sub-subseries refer to the subcommittees investigations and hearings into regulatory reform, including upgrading methods of selecting regulators and revision of conflict of interest standards, reforming Congressional oversight, creating mechanisms for more public participation in the regulatory process, and revamping the information gathering authorities of regulatory bodies. Specific agencies identified for regulatory reform were the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission, Federal Power Commission (FPC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Also included with these papers is the Regulatory Reform Report, which is arranged by its seventeen chapters and appendices. Much of the material in this section was amassed by Michael Lemov, chief counsel to the subcommittee.
Sub-subseries 7. Securities, 1975-1978 (Cartons 673-674) RECALLED BY NARA The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation held oversight hearings for the Securities Exchange Commission and investigated miscellaneous complaints about the Securities industry such as bank encroachment on the securities industry, violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Securities Amendment Act of 1975, and the Amendment of the Commodity Exchange Act. Types of materials found in this section are correspondence, memos, reports, legal documents, speeches, articles and press releases. They are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Sub-subseries 8. Briefing Books and Materials, 1975-1978 (Boxes 674-687) RECALLED BY NARA The briefing books and related correspondence, memos, Congressional Research Service papers, press releases, statements, witness lists and hearing notices are from hearings sponsored by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation. The briefing books provide analysis and history of an issue via transcriptions of statements by witnesses and supporting exhibits. The briefing books are for hearings relating to consumer product regulation, the securities and finance industry, food and drug oversight, healthcare issues, and energy.
Sub-subseries 9. Powers of Congress/Legislative Organization, 1975-1976 (Boxes 687) RECALLED BY NARA The correspondence, reports, opinions, fact sheets and articles in this sub-subseries are arranged into three sections. The House of Representatives section includes records regarding appointees to and oversight of regulatory agencies as well as reform of the House of Representatives including opening up the legislative process to public scrutiny and giving junior members more say in the legislative process. The Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee section contains records relating to the make up of house committees, their jurisdiction and rules as impacted by the reorganization of the committees in 1974. The Oversight & Investigation Subcommittee section contains records regarding the administration of oaths during investigations, the authority of the committee, executive privilege, and trade secret protection.
Series 10. Investigative Files of Frank Silbey Frank Silbey joined the office of Congressman Moss in 1972 in the newly created position of congressional investigator where he remained until Moss’ retirement in 1978.
Subseries 1. General Files, 1973-1978 (Boxes 688-691) Arranged alphabetically by subject, the records in this subseries are comprised of correspondence, reports, speeches, articles and reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The material was accrued by Frank Silbey and pertain to oversight of the judiciary as well as investigations into the inception, organization and purpose of federal agencies, bureaus, commissions, other federal bodies such as the Federal Executive Institute, General Printing Office and Secret Service protection. Also included are investigative files of private-sector industries such as the National Football League and cable television.
Subseries 2. Civil Service Investigation Files, 1973-1978 (Cartons 692-710) The first two boxes contain the correspondence, memos, legal documents, reports and articles that reveal Silbey’s investigation into the abuse of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) during the Nixon and Ford administrations. The manipulation of the CSC included violation of personnel laws – including merit review, abuse of the executive appointing authority, and the ensuing destruction of documents to cover up the wrongdoings in order to get civil servants with similar political philosophies of Nixon working for government agencies. Also included is documentation that is critical of the Carter administration’s lack of attention in correcting these abuses. The next box contains correspondence, memos, depositions, press releases and reports relating to investigations of federal agencies, departments, and commissions relating to financial disclosure violations, conflicts of interest, merit system abuses, and/or violations of federal personnel management. Box 695 contains reports from the General Accounting Office (GAO) relating to investigations into violations of financial disclosure, hiring and personnel management systems, computer system procurements, and administrative oversight of federal programs. The remaining boxes contain the reports and documents relating to the Civil Service Commission’s merit review of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program and Labor Management Relations Program at various federal agencies, departments, commissions and the armed services.
Moss’ investigation into the procurement of computers by federal agencies, including FEDNET, and their impact on the privacy of citizens; consumer product safety; energy and the national energy policy, including petroleum reserves and alternate energy sources, and the Nixon presidency.
Subseries 3. Computers/Privacy, 1968-1978 (Boxes 711-716) The correspondence, reports, press releases and news articles in this subseries relate to investigations into the procurement and use of computer systems at various federal agencies that had the potential to abuse the privacy of U.S. citizens vis-à-vis stockpiling personal information without safeguards regarding dissemination of the information. Some of the data processing systems include the Department of Agriculture’s FEDNET, the U.S. Air Force’s Project MAX and the Veteran Administration’s system called TARGET. The potential for abuse by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is also revealed in the records. In addition to privacy concerns, Moss addresses the waste of resources, unplanned procurements, and duplication of efforts that these computer systems incur.
Subseries 4. Consumer Protection (Boxes 716-719)
Subseries 5. Energy (Boxes 719-730)
Subseries 6. Nixon Presidency (Boxes 731-732)
Subseries 7. Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, 1974-1977 (Boxes 733-741) The records in this subseries relate to the period when Moss was a member of this joint committee charged with legislative and oversight responsibilities as “watchdog” of the U.S. atomic energy program in addition to monitoring the classified and declassified activities of the executive agencies including the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) and the Departments of Defense and State, concerning the peaceful and military applications of atomic energy. The correspondence, memos, reports, press releases and articles are arranged alphabetically and touch upon the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor and Solar Energy Research Institute among other topics.
Series 11. Constituent Correspondence, 1961-1968 (Boxes 742-755) These records are comprised of correspondence from constituents and Moss’ replies to various topics in the subject categories of agriculture; commodities; commerce; U.S. defense; the armed services; Health, Education and Welfare; and the Departments of the Interior, Justice, Labor, Post Office, State, and Treasury. The files are divided into two time periods - 1961 to 1964 and 1965 to 1968 – and then alphabetically by subject within each time period.
Series 12. Miscellaneous, 1953-1990 (Cartons 756-759) The boxes of miscellaneous material is arranged alphabetically by subject and includes House reports, publicity documents and press releases, two dissertations on Freedom of Information, campaign notebooks, and government publications.
Series 13. Awards, Cartoons and Photographs (Cartons 760-761) This series contains six original political cartoon drawings, mostly by artist Newton Pratt; framed and unframed photographs of Moss with other politicians – most notably, Harry S. Truman – and community leaders; four framed photographs of the U.S.S. California; and miscellaneous certificates awarded Moss from various organizations.
Series 14. Audio Material (Box 762) Audio cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes and a record album comprise this small series. Included in the audio materials are two interviews with Hubert Humphrey and some conference proceedings.
Series 15. Hearing Transcripts and Reports (Boxes 765-774) RECALLED BY NARA Loosely arranged by Congress, the printed hearing transcripts and reports are mostly from subcommittees of the Committee on Government Operations and Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce which Moss chaired or sat on.

Source of Acquisition

Two donations of the John E. Moss papers were donated to CSUS by John Moss in 1977 and 1995.

Custodial Note

The John E. Moss papers were compiled by John E. Moss.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Moss, John E. (John Emerson), 1913-
California--Politics and government.
California. Legislature. Assembly
Democratic Party--History
Education--California
Lobbyists--California.
Politicians--California
United States. Freedom of Information Act.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

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