Finding Aid to the Earl Noldin Papers

Finding aid prepared by Labor Archives and Research Center staff.
Labor Archives and Research Center
San Francisco State University
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA, 94132-1722
(415) 405-5571
larc@sfsu.edu
2013


Title: Earl Noldin papers
Creator: Noldin, Earl
Date (bulk): 1947-1967
Date (inclusive): 1917-1971
Collection number: larc.ms.0034
Accession number: 1987/069
Extent: 0.25 cubic ft. (1 box, 1 scrapbook)
Repository: Labor Archives and Research Center
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
San Francisco State University
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
(415) 405-5571
larc@sfsu.edu
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English.
Abstract: The Earl Noldin Papers contain material documenting Noldin's activity within the rail unions, and his work as an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.). Types of material include personal and union-related correspondence including letters between Noldin and a prison inmate, Dan Crombie; union card and dues books; a large scrapbook of articles written by Noldin for the I.W.W. newspaper Industrial Worker; an incomplete set of United Railroad Operating Crafts (UROC) newsletters; and photographs. The earliest correspondence is dated 1917; more recent materials include correspondence dated 1967 and newsletters and clippings from the late 1960s to 1971, with the bulk of the material from the years 1943-1967.
Location: Materials are available onsite.

Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives and Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Labor Archives and Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Availability

Collection is open for research.

Separated Materials

A sample ballot, dated November 6, 1928, listing the Socialist Party slate (including Upton Sinclair) has been added to the Poster Collection.
Nine newspapers have been added to the Newspaper Collection: five issues of The Industrial Worker, January 1, 1934, September 4, 1948, September 25, 1948, January 23, 1953, and May 2, 1960; El Mundo, February through March 1931; U.R.O.C. Facts, February 20, 1955; Switchmen's Edition of Labor, July 4, 1964; and Labor, January 13, 1973.
Books and pamphlets removed from the collection: Leontyev, A. Work Under Capitalism and Socialism. New York: International Publishers, 1942. Added to reference book collection.
Industrial Workers of the World. "What is the I.W.W.?" Undated. Added to print file.
Railroad Workers Joint Action Committee. "What Next For Railroad Labor". 1945. Added to print file.
Six black and white photographs have been added to the Photograph Collection: Gremio Unido de Alijadores S. Coerl Building, Mexico, undated. School operated by Gremio Unido de Alijadores S. Coerl, Mexico, undated. Gremio Unido de Alijadores S. Coerl band, Mexico, undated. Noldin in office (Railworkers Industrial Union, No. 520?) with unidentified woman, undated. Western Pacific train, 1952. Southern Pacific train, 1952.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Earl Noldin Papers, larc.ms.0034, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

Acquisition

The papers of Earl Noldin were donated by Richard Ellington on June 4, 1987. Ellington received the papers from Anna Smith, a friend of Noldin, who died in 1985.

Processing Information

Processed by Suzanne Forsyth, June 1987.

Biography

Earl (Emil Raymond) Noldin (1893-1979) was a railroad worker active in various railroad unions. He was also an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.), and wrote for the organization's newspaper, Industrial Worker. Noldin died in Berkeley, California.

Scope and Contents

The Earl Noldin Papers contain material documenting Noldin's activity within the rail unions, and his work as an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.). Types of material include personal and union-related correspondence including letters between Noldin and a prison inmate, Dan Crombie; union card and dues books; a large scrapbook of articles written by Noldin for the I.W.W. newspaper Industrial Worker; an incomplete set of United Railroad Operating Crafts (UROC) newsletters; and photographs. The earliest correspondence is dated 1917; more recent materials include correspondence dated 1967 and newsletters and clippings from the late 1960s to 1971, with the bulk of the material from the years 1943-1967.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Industrial Workers of the World.
United Railroad Operating Crafts.
Railroads--Employees--Labor unions--United States.

 

Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 1

1917-1920

Box 1, Folder 2

1943-1963

Box 1, Folder 3

Regarding termination from Western Pacific Railroad Co. for non-compliance with their union shop agreement 1954

Box 1, Folder 4

Correspondence with Dan Crombie 1964-1967

Box 1, Folder 5

Notebook pages of definitions, poems and sayings undated

Box 1, Folder 6

Railroad Employee's Seniority and Time Book; Railroad Employee's guild card; dues books 1946, 1951, 1959, undated

Box 1, Folder 7

United Railroad Operating Crafts (U.R.O.C.) newsletters 1954 October 15-1955 April 15

Box 1, Folder 8

Song lyrics undated

Box 1, Folder 9

Newspaper clippings 1955-1971

Box 1, Folder 10

Newsletters of atheist societies: Freethinkers of America; Society of Separation; Americans United for Separation 1967-1971

Oversize-box 1

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings of articles by Noldin published in Industrial Worker