Donald J. Sterling collection on the Velde Committee

Collection

Identifier: Mss2883

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of documents related to Velde Committee hearings in Portland, Oregon, in June 1954. The documents were gathered by Donald Sterling Jr., who covered the hearings for the Oregon Journal newspaper in Portland, according to a 1989 note from Sterling in the collection. Among the materials in the collection are: a booklet, "Rules of Procedure: Committee on Un-American Activities," 1953; an open letter by Reed College Professor Stanley Moore; the prepared text of a speech to be given in Portland by Rep. Harold H. Velde; a statement by Reed College professor Leonard Marsak; a signed statement from seven attorneys supporting the right to decline to testify; a statement by the American Veterans Committee concerning the testimony of Robert Canon during the hearings; and typescript quotes by Howard Morgan of the Democratic Party of Oregon.

Dates

Creation: 1953-1989
Creation: Majority of material found within 1954

Creator

Sterling, Donald J., 1927- (Compiler, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical note

The Velde Committee, or Committee on Un-American Activities, met in Portland, Oregon in June 1954 to investigate the political affiliations of three Reed College professors, who refused to answer questions put to them by the committee.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Velde Committee, or Committee on Un-American Activities, met in Portland, Oregon, in June 1954 to investigate the political affiliations of three Reed College professors, who refused to answer questions put to them by the committee. Collection consists of documents gathered by Donald Sterling Jr., who covered the hearings for the Oregon Journal newspaper. Among the materials in the collection are an open letter by Reed College Professor Stanley Moore; the prepared text of a speech to be given in Portland by Rep. Harold H. Velde; a statement by Reed College professor Leonard Marsak; and a signed statement from seven attorneys supporting the right to decline to testify.