Scope and Content Note
The papers of Raymond Clapper (1892-1944) span the years 1908-1962, with the bulk from 1913 to 1944. The collection consists of diaries, letters, memoranda, biographical material, speeches and writings, printed matter, radio scripts, notes, and research and reference material relating primarily to Clapper's career as a journalist. The papers are organized in six series: Personal File ; Correspondence ; Biographical File ; Article, Book, and Speech File ; Miscellany ; and Reference File . The largest portion is comprised of reference material focusing on the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the New Deal, and World War II.
Important in the collection is material relating to Clapper's book, Racketeering in Washington, an account of graft in governmental departments and agencies, and correspondence between Clapper and H. L. Mencken, editor of the American Mercury, in relation to an article by Clapper on prohibition in Washington, D. C., entitled "Happy Days," published in the American Mercury in January 1927.
Prominent topics in the Reference File include political elections between World War I and World War II, journalism during the interwar period, censorship, presidential administrations from Warren G. Harding through Franklin D. Roosevelt, neutrality and foreign relations with Japan and Germany, the Supreme Court, labor, and the New Deal.
Correspondents include Edward W. Barrett, Arthur Capper. George A. Carlin, Herbert David Croly, Charles H. Getts, Roy Wilson Howard, Alfred M. Landon, H. L. Mencken, William Allen White, and Wendell L. Willkie.