Series 5: Government (G), 1916, 1924-1937

Contained in 15 boxes and arranged in chronological order within each major subdivision, the fifth series, Government (G), encompasses the varied problems with which the government grappled during the period Brandeis served as a Supreme Court Justice. Incoming correspondence predominates.

Here is found material on President Wilson's appointment of Brandeis and Brandeis' subsequent refusal to serve on the Mexican Border Dispute Commission in 1916; several folders on unemployment; correspondence with Norman Hapgood and his brother, William, concerning the Columbia Converse Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, a family business, which pioneered in employee profit-sharing and management; correspondence proposing cures for the depression; material on republishing several of Brandeis's books: Business--A Profession, The Curse of Bigness, and Other People's Money; and several folders containing reactions to President Franklin Roosevelt's Supreme Court reorganization proposal of 1937. The Felix Frankfurter correspondence here has been arranged as nearly as possible in chronological order since many of the letters lack complete dates.

Reel 62 Government 1916, 1924-1930

Series 5, Government, begins with letters from concerned individuals, like Henry Bruere, on the Mexican border situation of 1916 and President Wilson's unsuccessful attempt to appoint Brandeis to the settlement Commission. Reports and materials on unemployment published in Paul Kellogg's The Survey, and correspondence from Max Lowenthal, secretary to the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, end this reel. (Boxes G 1, 2-1a)

Reel 63 Government 1929-1933

Correspondence and progress reports from the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, especially concerned with prohibition enforcement, continues on this reel. It includes incoming correspondence from Max Lowenthal and proposed legislation to improve the enforcement of criminal laws in the United States. There is also correspondence concerning the reissue of Brandeis' books, Other People's Money and Business--A Profession, and the assignment of royalties; a speech on unemployment by Gifford Pinchot, Governor of Pennsylvania; correspondence with Norman and William Hapgood on the management of their family business, the Columbia Conserve Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana; and incoming letters with remedies for the depression. Major correspondents found on this reel are Louis B. Wehle, Felix Frankfurter, and David Lawrence. (Boxes G 2-1b/2, 3, 4, 5-1/3b)

Reel 64 Government 1932-1935

Reel 64 continues with incoming suggestions on how to end the Depression. Correspondents here include E. G. Howes and Morris L Cooke. Other subjects discussed on this reel are: possible appointments in the Roosevelt administration; letters from Felix Frankfurter and copies of letters to Frankfurter for Brandeis' consideration; continued updating by Norman and William Hapgood on the affairs of their family business, the Columbia Conserve Company; letters from Paul and Elizabeth Rauschenbush, Paul Kellogg, William L. Stoddard, and Lincoln Filene on the current uses of an early Brandeis plan of a federal unemployment insurance tax; plus further correspondence on the reissue of Brandeis' book, Other People's Money. Correspondents include William A. Sutherland, Robert N. Miller, David E. Lilienthal, Bruce Bliven, Bernard Flexner, and Herbert Croly. (Boxes G 5-3c, 6, 7, 8-1a/1b)

Reel 65 Government 1934-1935

Reel 65 contains correspondence and news clippings on several of the issues that the Roosevelt administration faced in 1934 and 1935. Topics include the possible appointment of Joseph P. Kennedy to the Securities and Exchange Commission; a proposal to regularly publish the administrative rules and regulations of the Federal government; and remedies for the Depression. Additional correspondence with William and Norman Hapgood about the problems of their family business, the Columbia Conserve Co. and handwritten letters from Felix Frankfurter are also found here. Correspondents of note include Max Lowenthal, Amos Pinchot, A. Lincoln Filene, Isador Lubin, and Daniel Roper. (Boxes G 8-1c/2, 9, 10-1a/1b)

Reel 66 Government 1934-1936

Reel 66 contains incoming correspondence discussing the problems of the Roosevelt administration in 1935 and 1936, as well as commenting on numerous Supreme Court decisions during those years, notably the one striking down the NRA. Of special interest is a letter (July 4, 1935) from Louis B. Wehle, Brandeis' nephew, describing his visit with President Roosevelt, and a draft from Lincoln Filene (July 7, 1935), of a study on the postal savings system. Additional correspondence with the Hapgood brothers on their family business, and reports, letters, and news clippings from Lincoln Filene and others on the progress of unemployment compensation legislation are also found. Major correspondents are Gilbert Montague, Richard Neuberger, Paul and Elizabeth Brandeis Rauschenbush, Paul Kellogg, Jacob Billikopf, Isador Lubin, Representative Samuel B. Pettengill of Indiana, and Roger Sherman Hoar. (Boxes G 10-1c/2, 11, 12-1a/1c)

Reel 67 Government 1936-1937

Letters to Brandeis from concerned citizens commenting on national economic problems and on the likelihood of Franklin Roosevelt's reelection in 1936 begin reel 67. Additional correspondence and progress reports on Norman and William Hapgood's Columbia Conserve Company; and newspaper clippings, handouts, and correspondence discussing Franklin Roosevelt's court reorganization plans dominate the balance of material. Also found are copies of the proposed legislation on the president's plan. Correspondents include Emanual H. Licht, George W. Anderson, Frank Gannett, Amos Pinchot, and Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts. (Boxes G 12-1d/2, 13, 14-1a/1c)

Reel 68 Government 1937-1938

Reel 68 begins with additional letters to Brandeis on President Roosevelt's court proposal, with support for both sides of the issue, in addition to alternative proposals. Series 5, Government, ends on this reel with three folders of correspondence commenting on such issues as the economy, taxation, labor legislation, and several petitions for Brandeis' help with personal legal matters. (Boxes G 14-1d/1g, 15)