Archives West Finding Aid

The papers consist of correspondence; political and legal writings, including diaries and legal opinions; reports; and other papers, primarily from Hamley's career in Seattle and Olympia, 1933-1956.

Included in his personal papers is a 700-page typed diary covering Hamley's 1935-36 years on the Seattle City Council and his work on Langlie's 1938 campaign for mayor. The Langlie subgroup contains political correspondence with Langlie when Hamley was in Grand Coulee as well as Langlie speeches, some of which were drafted by Hamley. The New Order of Cincinnatus subgroup contains earlier material such as minutes and publications from the organization's campaigns for municipal reform in Seattle, 1933-1938.

Hamley's personal papers include a subject series, 'Unitarian file.' Although much of the content, 1951-55, consists of mimeographed writings from the Unitarian national office, it also reflects Hamley's search for a Unitarian group with whom he could worship in the Olympia area and the establishment of such a group there. Also documented are arrangements for a 1955 visit by a British Unitarian clergyman with a strong interest in criminal justice.

The subgroup Washington Educational Television Committee shows the work of this statewide group in early planning efforts for a non-commercial educational television system. As chair, Hamley received much commentary on draft recommendations and accumulated considerable material, especially from national regional bodies, on the topic. No minutes of meetings are included. The committee completed its report in 1954.

The subgroup Washington Governor's Lumber Fact Finding Panel includes Hamley's correspondence as chair of this seven-member board in 1954 as well as documents and transcripts from the formal hearings. The panel completed its work in late December, recommending a wage increase but a smaller one than requested by the CIO woodworkers union.

The subgroup National Association of Railroad and Utilities Commissioners dates from Hamley's earlier career as attorney for this body in Washington, D.C. The bulk of this subgroup was created during the latter part of Hamley's service, 1947-1949, during which he was general solicitor. Much content is mimeographed bulletins to state commissions, together with Hamley's or the assistant solicitor's testimony to Congressional committees on proposed legislation affecting transportation. An earlier portion consists of pleadings by Hamley on cases about freight rates before the Interstate Commerce Commission. One large pamphlet-bound folder of correspondence and invitations in the NARUC subgroup was created after Hamley returned to the state of Washington. Much correspondence in it, however, is between Hamley and his former deputy and other professional colleagues.

The Washington Supreme Court subgroup contains opinions, apparently drafted by Hamley before the justices discussed the cases. Of particular significance are notes Hamley kept on cases heard by the court, 1949-1956. On printed forms he briefly noted the positions of his fellow judges and himself on each case. Also included are typed drafts and handwritten notes on some cases.

The subgroup New Order of Cincinnatus documents that municipal reform group's activities, 1934-1938, and Hamley's role in this non-partisan movement. He was active in it when he ran for city council; thus it includes his campaign speeches as well as those he wrote for Arthur Langlie. Also included is a small bit of ephemera from the more militant opposing organization, the Washington Commonwealth Federation. An open reel tape contained an interview by then graduate student George Scott with Hamley in 1963, but a note on the tape box states that the tape is largely blank. Scrapbooks at the end of the papers also document the New Order of Cincinnatus.

The last listed subgroup consists of only one folder from the period in 1938 when Hamley headed the Seattle Water Department. It consists mainly of his memos to Langlie about various municipal issues in Seattle, especially the street railway system.