Meyer Lissner Papers , 1903-1923 (Inclusive), 1910-1920 (Bulk)
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http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf858006bb No online items Guide to the Meyer Lissner Papers, 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) Department of Special Collections Green Library Stanford University Libraries Stanford, CA 94305-6004 Phone: (650) 725-1022 Email: [email protected] URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc © 1999 The Board of Trustees of Stanford University. All rights reserved. Guide to the Meyer Lissner Special Collections M0070 1 Papers, 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) Guide to the Meyer Lissner Papers , 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) Collection number: M0070 Department of Special Collections and University Archives Stanford University Libraries Stanford, California Contact Information Department of Special Collections Green Library Stanford University Libraries Stanford, CA 94305-6004 Phone: (650) 725-1022 Email: [email protected] URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc Processed by: Patricia J. Palmer Date Completed: 1964 Aug. © 1999 The Board of Trustees of Stanford University. All rights reserved. Descriptive Summary Title: Meyer Lissner Papers , Date (inclusive): 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) Creator: Lissner, Meyer, 1871-1930. Collection number: Special Collections M0070 Extent: 30 linear ft. Repository: Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives. Abstract: Correspondence, legal and financial papers, photographs, clippings and miscellaneous printed material including circulars, new releases, speeches, and political hand bills. The papers are predominantly political with particular emphasis on the non-partisan reform movement in Los Angeles beginning about 1906, the organization of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Republican League (1907), and the Progressive movement especially in California through Hiram Johnson's presidential campaign (1920). Language: English. Access Restrictions None. Publication Rights Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections. Acquisition Information Gift of the Lissner family, 1934, 1963. Preferred Citation: [Identification of item] Meyer Lissner Papers , M0070, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif. Scope and Content Note The Meyer Lissner Papers consist of approximately 40,000 items from 1903 to 1923. Most of the material falls between 1910 and 1920 and is primarily in the form of correspondence. There are also legal and financial papers, pamphlets, clippings, miscellaneous printed matter (form letters, news releases, political hand bills, etc.) and photographs. Guide to the Meyer Lissner Special Collections M0070 2 Papers, 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) The subject matter is almost entirely political. It shows the growth and decline of the Progressive movement, particularly in California; the formation of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Republican League; and the Los Angeles non-partisan reform movement, to name only a few. The correspondence between notable political figures either in the lime-light or behind-the-scenes is very open and frank. Goals, ideals and disappointments are discussed at length, revealing as much about personalities as the times. The letters between Lissner, Hiram Johnson and Chester Rowell are excellent examples. Campaign policies on local, state and national levels is another interesting subject. This material shows the inner workings of a political organization, the tactical maneuvering and the interplay and manipulation of the various participants. A few items may be found of a business or personal nature, relating to the law firm, real estate interests and family. These form a very small percentage and give only a hint of Lissner's private life. Even these usually discuss public issues as well as private affairs. The reference and printed materials cover a variety of subjects in which Lissner was interested. Among these are topics related to the various boards or commissions on which he served, such as the Los Angeles Public Utilities Board and the California Industrial Accident Commission. As editor of the California Outlook, organ of the Progressives in that state, he collected typescripts of articles, news releases and clippings and corresponded with many subscribers, advertisers, trustees and contributors. Other materials show interest in the various clubs, political and social, in which he held membership. But here too the emphasis is political and includes information on public figures, political parties and clubs, the Los Angeles charter revision, the conflict with various newspapers on political matters and the Southern Pacific machine. The correspondents are many and varied, making a complete listing, even of the more important ones, almost impossible. The most important single correspondent for both bulk of material and content is Hiram W. Johnson. Lissner was one of a number of men who pushed Johnson to political prominence and one of the few Progressives who remained loyal after the death of that movement and Johnson's apparent dessertion of its ideals. Related to Johnson's correspondence and important in its own right is the material pertaining to his gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns and particularly his 1920 presidential campaign. A few other important names are: Chester Rowell, Edgar A. Luce, John M. Eshleman, -dwin T. Earl, Francis J. Heney, William D. Stephens, C.C. Young, William Allen White, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert M. LaFollette, Harold L. Ickes and George W. Perkins. The list includes politicians on every level of government, newspapermen and publishers, business and professional men and women, civil servants and civic leaders. Most of these are of particular importance in California, but there are many of national interest and prominence. 1871, June born in San Francisco; son of Louis and Mathilda (Block) Lissner. 16 education: public grammar and high school in Oakland. c. 1886 began successful jewelry and pawnshop business. 1896, married Ermine Greenhood of Okland; three children: Louis Meyer, Jay Greenhood and Aline Mathilda. August 12 1898-1899 Los Angeles Law School. 1899 practiced law in Los Angeles, first 6 years as partner of Edgar W. Camp, later Joseph L. Lewinsohn. 1906 organizer and secretary of Non-Partisan City Central Committee (of Los Angeles). 1906-1910 member of the executive committee of the Municipal League of Los Angeles. (2nd vice president in 1909.) 1907 an organizer of the Lincoln-Roosevelt Republican League in California. (chairman of Los Angeles County Executive Committee 1908, vice president, 1910.) 1907 secretary and organizer of Owens River Campaign Committee. 1907 organizer of City Club of Los Angeles. (member of the Board of Governers, vice president, 1908 and president, 1911.) 1909 president of the Good Government Organization. 1909-1911 organizer and secretary of the Good Government Fund. 1909-1911 member of the executive committee of the Direct Legislation League of California. 1909-1911 president of the Board of Public Utilities, City of Los Angeles. 1909-1916 member of executive committee of National Municipal League, 1909-1916. 1917 vice president of National Municipal League 1910-1916 chairman of California Republican State Central Committee. 1912-1916 member of National Executive Committee, Progressive Party (or Progressive National Com.) 1914-1917 editor of California Outlook 1915-1919 member of California Industrial Accident Commission. and 1928 1921-1925 member of U.S. Shipping Board (resigned 1925.) Guide to the Meyer Lissner Special Collections M0070 3 Papers, 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) 1930, July died. 28 Access Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Anderson, George B. Bancroft, Philip, 1881- Baumgartner, J. P. Chenoweth, L. E. (Lawrence E.) Dickson, E. A. Heney, Francis J., 1859-1937. Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964. Hughes, Charles Evans, 1862-1948. Ickes, Harold L. (Harold LeClair), 1874-1952. Johnson, Hiram Warren, 1866-1945. Kent, William, 1864-1928. Krehbiel, Henry Edward, 1854-1923. La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925. Lewinsohn, Joseph L. Lissner, Meyer, 1871-1930. Luce, Edgar A., 1881- Mc Cabe, Alexander. Nelles, Fred C. Neylan, John Francis, 1885-1960. Older, Fremont, 1856-1935. Otis, Harrison Gray, 1837-1917. Perkins, George W., 1862-1920. Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946. Pope, Arthur Upham, 1881-1969. Robinson, Leo S. Rolph, James. Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Rowell, Chester Harvey, 1867-1948. Russell, Charles Edward, 1860-1941. Shoup, Paul, 1874-1946. Spreckels, Rudolph. Stephens, William D. 1859-1944. Stone, George W. Taft, William h. (William Howard), 1857-1930. Thompson, Newton Wayland, 1882- White, William Allen, 1868-1944. Willard, C. D. Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924. Woodruff, Clinton Rogers, 1868-?. Young, Clement Calhoun, 1869-1947. California Railroad Commission. Hetch Hetchy Reservior (Calif.) League of Nations. Lincoln-Roosevelt Republican League. Guide to the Meyer Lissner Special Collections M0070 4 Papers, 1903-1923 (inclusive), 1910-1920 (bulk) Los Angeles. Progressive Party. Sierra Club. Southern Pacific Company. Title Insurance and Trust Co. (Los Angeles) Ballot. Democratic Party--California. Eight-hour movement. Election law. Elections, nonpartisan. Employer's liability--California. Initiative, Right of.