K. Ross Toole Archives
The Mike Mansfield Papers: Series Notes
Series III: House: Montana Files, 1942-1952 (17 linear ft.)
This series contains information relating to Montana projects and concerns while Mansfield was a member of the House of Representatives. The files include material linked to legislation and more general information relating to constituent concerns and federal policies and works projects affecting Montana. The folders usually contain information of specific interest groups in the state. A single file typically has letters, legislation, reports, and newspaper clippings relevant to an interest group and spanning the whole era in which Mansfield was in the House. The majority of the material focuses on either Montana interest groups or public works projects. In addition to these two categories, folders relate to specific businesses, government agencies, and issues in Montana. Many folders have copies of any legislation that a particular group expressed interest in or concern about. Besides copies of bills, there are numerous reports from various federal agencies with information about mining, airports, dams, flood control, labor, and agriculture. The extent of specific files is a gauge of the importance of various groups and issues in Montana. For example, the Bureau of Reclamation's flood control work on the Flathead River occupies an entire box, while the West Yellowstone Airport folder contains only a few letters from constituents and the Department of Commerce. Groups like the Montana Woolgrowers Association, the Montana Farmer's Union, and the Mining Association of Montana have thick files filled with letters from members advocating support of their groups. Public works also receive support from constituents, and there are numerous letters urging Mansfield's backing for legislation and appropriations of federal projects.
The series is rounded out with newsletters and policy directives from interest groups. There are letters from Congressional colleagues, cabinet members, and various other officials from both the federal and Montana government. Of particular interest are letters from Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes on mining policy. There are copies of Mansfield's press releases and newspaper clippings submitted by constituents in almost every folder, providing a gauge of public opinion on a range of issues. Blueprints, photographs, petitions, and telegrams are present as well. Much of the material here relates to material in other series, including Legislation, Projects, Federal Agencies, and Case Mail. Since this series is relatively short, it may be a good starting point in a search for materials and topics that may appear in several places in the collection. The folders are organized neither alphabetically nor chronologically; folder titles are the best guide to material in the series.
See a sample document from this series: Letters exchanged by Mansfield and Douglas Gold of Browning, Montana, on the issues of oil and mineral rights for the Blackfeet tribe:
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Last Updated: 07 June 2002.