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Guide to the Harry Steinmetz Papers
MS-0305
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Collection Title: Harry Steinmetz Papers
Dates: 1917-1986
Identification: MS-0305
Creator:
Steinmetz, Harry C.
Physical Description: 23.75 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Harry Steinmetz was a professor of Psychology at San Diego State College from 1930 until 1954. His career was subject to controversy,
as he was dismissed from his teaching position on grounds of insubordination and subversion stemming from allegations of Communist
affiliation. California law was significantly altered for the purpose of expediting his dismissal.
A Seattle native, Steinmetz received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Purdue University, his masters from the University
of Maryland, and his PhD from UC Berkeley. He began teaching at San Diego State College in 1930, serving as an associate professor
of Psychology, and sat as chairman of the department for several years.
Though it was well known that Steinmetz held liberal political views, he became more conspicuous once faculty members became
aware of his political involvement outside of campus. In 1935, Steinmetz unsuccessfully ran for mayor on a Socialistic platform
and held high offices in local labor organizations. His position as an educator caused some to become suspicious of him in
the conservative political climate after WWII. The first formal action taken against Steinmetz came from San Diego County
Posts of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans Association. His influential position at the University gave
these organizations reason to believe that he could coerce impressionable students into adopting Communist values.
San Diego's post-war conservativism and strong ties to the military influenced the public's willingness to embrace an intolerance
of non-conformity. Though Steinmetz was unthreatened by legal action at this point, local newspapers and media portrayed the
professor in a suspicious light; associating him with Communist organizations and institutions. This attention was eventually
enforced by legislative action made by state Senator Fred H. Kraft of San Diego. The senator was once a part of the California
Legislature's Investigating Committee on Un-American Activities, and he created a bill that would have provided for the "dismissal
of employees of state colleges" by expanding "unprofessional conduct" to include "persistent active participation in public
meetings conducted or sponsored by a communist front organization," and "willful advocacy of communism, either on or off campus."
Further, it allowed dismissal proceedings to be initiated by anybody who wished to file a complaint. This proposal was vetoed
by Governor Earl Warren, yet the anti-Communist sentiment permeating the country set the stage for further legal action against
the professor.
On March 26, 1953, Steinmetz received a subpoena from the House Un-American Activities Committee, chaired by Congressman Harold
Velde, and was required to appear before the committee. As Steinmetz once held a position with the American Federation of
Teachers, he was questioned as to whether or not there had been any Communist infiltration of the organization. As the professor
wished to protect himself from self-incrimination, he invoked the Fifth Amendment, creating an even greater air of suspicion
surrounding his involvement with the Communist party.
Breaking what had been several months of silence, Steinmetz gave a vehement speech before 300 students, speaking out against
the methods and purpose of the questioning committee. The speech was met with rancorous reactions from several prominent community
members; many of which called for San Diego State College to dismiss the professor. Finally, on February 5, 1954, Steinmetz
was fired from San Diego State College. He spent two years in appeals, where his lawyers challenged the constitutionality
of the Luckel Act, which incorporated many of Senator Kraft's early proposals. The courts contended that although Steinmetz
may have not been a threat to national security, he was definitely guilty in terms of his subversion of students. It was not
until 1968 that the Luckel Act was ruled as unconstitutional, when it was too late for the professor.
Steinmetz spent the rest of his working career "hiding out," though he did continue to be active in left-wing causes. He practiced
psychology in San Diego and Los Angeles, and lived in Europe, Canada, Michigan, and Georgia. He returned to SDSC in the late
60's, eventually receiving the title of Professor Emeritus. Steinmetz died on February 15, 1982 at the age of 82.
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
San Diego State University -- Faculty -- Biography -- Sources
Personal Papers
Publications
United States -- Social conditions -- 20th century -- Sources
Steinmetz, Harry C. -- Archives
Communism
World politics -- 20th century -- Sources
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
This collection is open for research.
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Harry Steinmetz Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library
and Information Access, San Diego State University.
I. Personal Papers
II. Correspondence
III. Education and Social Awareness Groups
IV. Various Articles and Newspapers
V. Periodicals
VI. Oversized Materials
VII. Miscellaneous
The collection focuses primarily on international foreign relations from a social and political perspective. The time period
for this material starts in the early 1900’s and extends until the late 1980’s.
The collection is divided into seven series. Each series is further divided into local, regional, national and international
sections.