The papers of Jack Kroll (1885-1971) span the years 1919-1969, with the bulk of the material from the period 1946-1957. The collection consists of correspondence, speeches, writings, subject files, miscellaneous material, clippings, and a few photographs. The vast majority of the material is related to his duties as a labor organizer and leader. Especially well documented are labor functions in the arena of mid-century American politics. The collection is organized into six series: Correspondence ; Speeches, Articles, and Related Material ; Subject File ; Miscellany ; Clippings ; and Oversize .

Much of the Correspondence contains letters of congratulations and appreciation written to and by Kroll. Except for the period 1926-1933, the letters span the years 1922-1969. In general, they relate to his political tasks or to the honors he received. The earlier correspondence reflects routine organized labor activity, while the later indicates the breadth of Jack Kroll’s political association and influence. Correspondents include Alben William Barkley, Paul H. Douglas, Arthur J. Goldberg, W. Averell Harriman, Hubert H. Humphrey, Harold L. Ickes, Estes Kefauver, Fiorello H. La Guardia, Eugene J. McCarthy, John McCormack, Edward R. Murrow, Walter Reuther, Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adlai Stevenson (1900-1964), Harry S. Truman, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry A. Wallace, and Gerhard Mennen Williams.

The Speeches, Articles, and Related Material file documents Kroll’s thoughts on contemporary political events, their effect on labor, and how labor can influence the political scene. Most of the material in this file consists of speeches by Kroll before various labor groups. These speeches reflect the concerns of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.) Political Action Committee (PAC), organized labor’s political philosophy, and to an extent the views of the Democratic Party. This file also contains a few articles and press releases by Kroll. Notable are a series of newspapers clippings of autobiographical articles entitled “Reflections of a Union Organizer.”

The major portion of the Miscellany contains personal items such as appointment books and itineraries as well as material related to conferences and dinners, public hearings, cards and invitations, certificates, and personal finances. Of special interest is a folder containing memoranda from Kroll’s PAC and AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) days. This material is useful for political analyses and actions of the period. A file of biographical material contains sketches and date lines on Kroll. Also in the Miscellany are scrapbooks of clippings and memorabilia.