Research: Topics: Business & Labor: The Lusk Committee
The Lusk Committee
L0028. Rand School Seized Files, 1913-1919. 1.4 cubic feet.
Arrangement: Organized into five subseries:
Subseries 1, Subject Files, 1914-1919, 0.5 cubic foot, is arranged alphabetically by topic.
Subseries 2, Photostatically-copied Correspondence, 1914-1919, 0.5 cubic foot, has no apparent order.
Subseries 3, Course Inquiry File, 1913-1915, 0.1 cubic foot, is arranged roughly by date of inquiry.
Subseries 4, Correspondence Course File, 1917-1918, 0.1 cubic foot, has no apparent arrangement.
Subseries 5, Supporters Name File, ca. 1915- 1919, 0.2 cubic foot, is arranged alphabetically by individuals' last names.
The American Socialist Society operated the Rand School of Social Science in New York City. The emphasis of the school's curriculum was on economics and history along with courses on English, public speaking and other practical courses for immigrants. While the Rand School's stated philosophy was to promote the spread of socialism by peaceful means, the committee maintained that it sought the overthrow of the government.
This series consists of material confiscated by the committee in raids on the Rand School in June 1919. The seizures were an attempt to gather evidence to prove the committee's suspicions about the school's revolutionary nature. The material pertains to the school's curriculum, its financial support, and to individuals connected in various ways to the Socialist Party. The Committee attempted to use these and other documents as grounds to revoke the charter of the American Socialist Society to operate the school. The case was eventually dismissed by a New York State Supreme Court Justice due to lack of evidence.
This series contains primarily correspondence, bulletins, lists, and receipts relating to home study courses, lectures, publications, and other activities of the school. There is a small amount of material relating to political and organizational activities of the Socialist Party including minutes of meetings and lists of local organizers within New York and other states. The majority of letters were written by local Socialist Party organizers submitting articles for Rand School publications or requesting speakers for meetings. The records also include several lists of individuals active in local Socialist Party organizations and articles apparently submitted for publication by the Rand School. Some items are faded beyond legibility.
Finding Aids:Folder list.
