Description
Reverend Wendell L. Miller was pastor
of the University Methodist Church, Los Angeles. He became involved in local politics when
gambling and prostitution began edging toward the area surrounding the University of
Southern California (USC) campus. Miller founded the Citizens Independent Vice Investigating
Committee (C.I.V.I.C.), which also campaigned against crime and corruption in City Hall,
ultimately resulting in the recall of Mayor Frank L. Shaw. The collection documents Miller's
involvement with C.I.V.I.C., and includes announcements, bulletins, correspondence,
newspaper clippings, news releases, pamphlets, radio addresses, speeches, statements, and
related items. There is also a small amount of material documenting Rev. Miller's anti-war
activities including letters from Japanese Americans sent to internment camps during World
War II.
Background
Reverend Wendell L. Miller, pastor of the University Methodist Church, Los Angeles, was
born in Albian, Nebraska on April 16, 1902. After graduating from Albian High School, Miller
attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1927, with an A.B. degree in
Psychology. Miller and his wife, Thelma, moved to Los Angeles when Miller enrolled in an
M.A. program at the University of Southern California. He graduated in 1932, and his first
ministry was in Los Angeles Harbor where he worked to serve the needs of unemployed dock
workers.
Restrictions
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright
status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected
by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the
written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Availability
The collection is open for research use.