Guide to the Graham Arthur Barden Papers, 1934-1960
Collection Overview
The Graham Arthur Barden Papers consist of the office files of Democratic Congressman Barden from his first election to Congress in 1934 through his retirement in 1960. Correspondence, public statements, and miscellaneous Items relate to his service as a member and then chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. His interest in matters concerning his constituents in the Third District of North Carolina is reflected throughout the collection.
Congressman Barden left his successor, Congressman David Newton Henderson, many papers about ongoing business, especially local projects. These papers came to the library in the Henderson Papers where they are filed, Consult the Inventory of the David N. Henderson Papers for this material that dates prior to 1961 when Henderson took office. The Barden material dates as early as 1930.
The Graham Arthur Barden Papers span Barden's political career from 1933 through his retirement in 1960. There is little material for 1933-1934. Scattered Items pertain to Barden's work in the North Carolina General Assembly and papers for 1934 deal chiefly with his successful campaign in North Carolina's Third Congressional District for the United States Congress. The papers from 1935 through 1960 form a comprehensive record of Barden's congressional activities. To facilitate the use of the collection, the Barden Papers have been arranged in the following series:
I. Subject Files
II. Education and labor
III General Legislation
IV. Correspondence
V. Personal
For more detailed information on the arrangement and content of each series, refer to the Series Descriptions and Container Listing which follow.
The Barden Papers consist in part of correspondence exchanged between Barden and other committee members, legislators, and officials of government agencies. Educators, labor leaders, businessmen, and prominent North Carolinians also communicated with Barden. A large category contains numerous letters from constituents in the Third District of North Carolina who wrote concerning local projects, employment prospects, veteran's benefits, and issues immediately affecting them. There is also a Quantity of "pressure mail" urging Barden to support or oppose certain legislation. Although this type of correspondence is often short and repetitive, it represents a broad geographical area outside of Barden's district and include letters providing comment ranging from the highly articulate to the semi-literate on issues of the day
In addition to correspondence, the Barden Papers contain typescripts and drafts of speeches, legal briefs, and reports. There is also printed material related to the development of various bills, including reports, hearings and confidential committee prints. Many such Items are public documents and have been retained because of the legislative history they reveal, because they have immediate relation to the collection, or because they contain corrections or marginalia written by Barden. Other government documents, however, such as final or complete copies of committee hearings and reports or documents sent to Barden as a courtesy, have been removed since they pertain only tangentially to the collection. A researcher may therefore wish to consult appropriate printed government documents located elsewhere in the Perkins Library.
Many printed Items that Barden collected for research for committee work or accumulated for general information have also been retained. Labor, education, and other partisan groups furnished many of these Items. The papers also contain clippings and some photographs, mainly of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Goldsboro, North Carolina.
As a whole, the Barden Collection illustrates legislative trends, particularly in education and labor, from the Depression to the Kennedy years, and the role that Barden played as a member and chairman of an important House Committee. Major issues include federal aid to education, labor-management relations, labor standards, and minimum wage legislation,
Coverage for legislation considered by committees other than Education and Labor is uneven and is likely to reflect Barden's own interests or viewpoints. Since Barden continually tried to serve his constituents, for example agriculture information is more abundant than foreign policy material. The Third District was largely rural, and agriculture, fishing, and related industries were important to the District, as were lumbering, preliminary processing of tobacco, and some furniture manufacturing. Barden was also instrumental in the establishment and development of several military installations in his district, including Camp Lejeune Marine Base and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. These activities, as well as other issues of national importance, are reflected in the materials filed under General Legislation and in the Third District Projects and Constituent Concerns files.
Since Barden was consistently unopposed in congressional elections there is little campaign material, Family and exclusively personal material is also rare.
A note on Processing: The five series roughly parallel the arrangement of the tiles as they came from Barden's office, with some consolidation of smaller units, particularly in Series I, the Subject Series.
Certain Items or groups of material were not retained. These include duplicates standard and repetitive responses to pressure mail, and ephemeral material or papers pertaining to ordinary facilitative processes.
Samples from other categories were retained on the following basis:
1. Veteran's files - "C" names retained
2. Employment files - "C" names retained
3. Service Academy Appointments - General files and "C" names retained
4. Post Office - Morehead City files and files for county seats in district retained
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Graham Arthur Barden Papers, 1934-1960
- Creator
- Barden, Graham Arthur, 1896-1967
- Extent
- ca. 264,515 Items; 357 Boxes
- Repository
- Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, please consult the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Material deals with general agricultural matters rather than specific crops, Much of the correspondence concerns Department of Agriculture regulations. Various Departmental reports are included.
Early correspondence concerns the location of Army airports for national defense, Later material deals with Federal Aeronautics Administration allocations to North Carolina, rumors of airports to be built in Barden's district by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, and proposed air service to the district by national airlines.
Correspondence revolves around Barden's attempts to assist wives and relatives of soldiers of the Third District in getting monthly allotments from the soldiers and the Federal government.
Material refers to Barden's ancestry.
This folder contains a copy of Barden's article, Our Unsolved Labor Problems, which appeared in U. S. A., February, 1953, and letters thanking him for complimentary copies sent to friends and colleagues.
Most of this correspondence deals with patronage on the beach erosion project.
Correspondence concerning Barden's efforts to help his constituents determine whether or not family and friends in the Armed Forces were alive.
Material refers to the closing of Protestant churches in Italy (Church of Christ) and Spain (Southern Baptist Mission).
Information concerns the attempts by several Third District churches to rent or buy U. S. military base land for their use.
This section includes a Raleigh-Durham Airport brief presented to the Civil Aeronautics Board in 1958 and information relating to airport projects under the Airport Program of the CAA.
Included are reports of the North Carolina Council on Civil Defense.
This segment contains a May, 1944 , report by the CSC on the militarization of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS)
Most of the correspondence deals with coal shortages and Barden's efforts to increase the quotas of towns in his district.
Correspondence relates mainly to Barden's attempts to assist Third District members of the Coast Guard in obtaining transfers to the North Carolina area. Other information of a more general nature on the Coast Guard is also contained in these folders.
Material concerns the erection of memorials to Confederate soldiers and Robert E. Lee at Arlington National Cemetery.
Much of this material deals with Federal government contracts
Letters from people Barden considered crackpots.
Early correspondence deals with the location of the camp, and the establishment of a white camp before a colored one; later correspondence focuses on the attempt to complete the project which was interrupted by the war.
Bulk of material on new directives by the Department concerning the movement of household goods of servicemen, and the awarding of that business to moving companies. Also includes correspondence on other defense contracts.
Early material includes information on finances, the activities of the Democratic National Committee Women's Division, and a report of The Cooperative Committee for 1936-1937 . Material of 1940 's concerns the meeting of the Democratic Caucus of the 80th Congress. Later material concerns both national and state matters. National matters include: statements by the Democratic Advisory Council on important issues, Democratic Fact Sheet on Eisenhower-Nixon fiscal policy, and much material on 1960 Presidential Campaign (both nomination and election).
State material deals with the activities of the N. C. Democratic Club of Washington, fund raising, and getting out the Democratic vote.
Most material concerns Veterans Administration loans and policy statements; a few Small Business Administration loans.
Most material deals with FSA statistics and constituents' problems with the FSA. 1943 investigative report of FSA by Rep. Harold Cooley.
Most material focuses on applications for radio and television station permits. 1954-1957 contains material on the Channel 5 controversy between WRAL and WPTF.
Pamphlet (24pp.) on architectural modernization; pamphlet (24pp.) on How to Have the Home You Want. 1939 - information on the investigation of the FHA in N. C.; Barden's views on the FHA. Statistics on FHA loans in N. C. March, 1940 - letter to Barden about Charles Laban Abernethy.
One case involves the need in Shelby, N. C., for more natural gas from Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. through the FPC
Address by FTC Commissioner Ewin L. Davis - The Federal Trade Commission and Its Relation to Agriculture.
Lists of approved FWA projects for North Carolina; information on miscellaneous FWA projects which do not have separate folders.
Material concerns a shortage of nitrogen used in making fertilizer.
Correspondence concerning efforts to establish branches in Rose Hill and Vanceboro through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
Correspondence related to Federal and state policies on the stocking of ponds through governmental assistance, the menhaden fishing industry, Pivers Island Federal Research Laboratory and the marine exhibit at Morehead City.
Correspondence concerns how North Carolina can meet the qualifications for the Federal Flood Insurance Program.
Correspondence focuses on pros and cons of fluoridation; also 17 pamphlets from the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association in favor of fluoridation.
Bulk of correspondence deals with rationing of gasoline and Barden's efforts to assist his constituents.
Includes several bulletins from Lindsay Warren, Comptroller General and former Congressman from N. C.
Correspondence deals with attempts by GI's to get loans, problems with lending institutions and the Veterans Administration June-July, 1951 - several letters concern drinking at a Veteran Colored School.
3 pamphlets: Goldsboro, Welcome to Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, Industrial Survey.
Correspondence deals with the sale of the Health Center building by the Federal Works Agency to Wayne County.
Correspondence concerns needed expansion of the hospital because of its use by persons associated with Seymour Johnson Air Base.
Correspondence focuses on a proposal to build a Cooperative Grain Storage Facility at Faison, N.C
Correspondence deals with the acquisition of a government building to be used as the Havelock town hall
Includes information on seamen's benefits through the Public Health Service and 1956 statistics on Old Age and Survivor's Insurance by state or by county in North Carolina.
Bulk of material consists of clippings on the strike from N. C. newspapers: also copies of letters to Governor Hodges protesting use of National Guard, his reply and related statements: and several letters from the Textile Workers Union of America.
Correspondence concerns the purchase of the old Holly Ridge School building by the Holly Ridge Baptist Church.
Correspondence revolves around Barden's attempts to assist constituents obtain loans from HOLC.
Includes Federal Housing Administration, National Housing Agency, and Public Housing Administration. Correspondence deals mainly with Barden's efforts to help constituents with loans and to aid Third District towns gain Federal assistance for housing shortages created by nearby military bases.
Protects from N. C. insurance companies concerning decisions by the Army and Air Force to become self-insurers. Internal Revenue Service, 1959-1960 Most correspondence deals with IRS rules concerning extensions for filing.
Most correspondence concerns fees and commercial facilities on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Correspondence concerns efforts to obtain funds to build a new courthouse in Jones County.
Correspondence centers on efforts to establish a labor camp at Bayboro, N. C.
Material concerns designating the library at New Bern a government documents depository for the Third District.
Includes lists of books lent by LC to Barden's staff.
Material concerns centers for the War Department to buy food and goods for various military camps.
Material discusses ways the Federal government could aid fishermen and oystermen.
Correspondence concerns crisis in the dairy industry caused by high costs, and low prices imposed by the Office of Price Administrations
Includes 1957report of the North Carolina Salt Marsh Mosquito Study Commission.
Material includes Federal assistance to National Guard to build armories, discussion over size and status of NG, and 1957 controversy caused by Sec. of Defense Wilson's statement referring to the NG as draft dodging business.
Includes pictures of proposed Clingman's Dome tower in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Correspondence related to Barden's efforts to serve as an intermediary between his constituents and various Federal agencies concerned with all aspects of World War II.
Material includes photographs of armory dedication with Barden present
Material reflects Barden's efforts to aid constituents in their dealings with OPM and OPM regulations.
Correspondence concerns fuel shortages in the Third District.
Barden assists elderly in obtaining assistance from the Federal government.
Correspondence concerns a private bill to allow compensation to oyster farmers for the killing of oysters caused by the discharge of sewerage and waste from military bases.
Penderlea was a homesteading project in which Barden was greatly interested. Material includes 1935 financial records, and a pamphlet, Southern Rural Life- The Problem, The Solution, as well as correspondence on the project and its problems.
Correspondence reflects Barden's efforts to assist potato farmers in their dealings with the Federal government in such matters as production and transportation.
Samples of letters mailed to Third District residents offering various publications for their use.
Includes letters of recommendation for blacks and whites
Most of correspondence deals with Barden's aid to Third District communities in helping them to get electricity. Includes maps and statistics. Some excellent letters (especially 1955 ) on Barden's dealings with REA and various power corporations, including Carolina Power and Light Company and Tarheel Electric Membership Association. 1954--progress report on REA in N. C. 1957-- pamphlet, Facts about Four County Electric Membership Corporation.
Letters of application for the position of secretary to Barden, 1939 --most of correspondence concerns Tom McGee's heart attack and recovery, Some correspondence between Barden and McGee about Third District matters.
1941--essay on Benjamin Franklin and the Jews, 1954-1960 includes much printed material--speeches and essays--opposing racial integration, with some hate literature against the blacks. Barden shows no hesitancy to express his views, opposing integration and Federal interference in public (i.e. state-controlled) schools. 1955--reprint of Frank Porter Graham article from Virginia Quarterly Review on segregation, autographed with a personal note to Barden.
Most correspondence deals with attempts to obtain agricultural deferments for draftees.
Barden assists constituents in dealing with Social Security regulations and eligibility requirements.
Correspondence and resolutions reflecting public opinion on a national health insurance plan.
Correspondence shows Barden's assistance to constituents having problems with governmental red tape. Some material concerns tobacco acreage allotments.
Material includes annual reports of the Lower Neuse Conservation District (1952) and the Southeastern Soil Conservation District (1953, 1959 )
Material relating to governmental rationing of sugar and constituents' problems in dealing with the regulations.
Barden aids constituents in obtaining surplus government property (e.g. land, buildings, and goods).
Material includes report ( February 1957) entitled Supplemental Cotton Textile Tariff Study.
Correspondence generally reflects Barden's assistance to Third District constituents in dealing with governmental regulations concerning such matters as tobacco acreage allotments transportation, and marketing.
Material concerns developing and maintaining tobacco markets at New Bern, Wallace, and Goldsboro.
Correspondence deals with constituents' attempts to purchase trucks and the restrictions on such purchases imposed by the Federal government during World War II.
Correspondence concerns attempts to develop Tryon Palace as an historic site. Efforts were later halted by World War II.
Letters in May, 1952, concern the Voice of America and its connections with F. E. Carlyle's political campaign.
Correspondence generally concerns Barden's aid to veterans in obtaining duplicate discharge certificates and his assistance to local communities in scheduling Army units (e.g. bands, airplanes) for special celebrations.
Material includes booklet and addresses: Comprehensive Pollution Abatement Plan for the Cape Fear River Basin, Federal Encroachment on State Water Rights (an address by Clarence A. Davis, former Solicitor and Under Secretary of the Interior), and State Versus Federal Water Rights (an address by Burnham Enersen).
Material includes notices of the passage of Third District projects and miscellaneous correspondence concerning various projects. October 7, 1935--outline of the Federal Writers Project. February, 1936--list of WPA projects for the Third District with their costs, descriptions, and sponsor's justifications.
Notebook, 29 pp. with maps of Goldsboro and the air base. Correspondence about establishment, expansion, and maintenance of the base