Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers, 1943-1958

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Holmes, Otis Halbert
Title
Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers
Dates
1943-1958 (inclusive)
Quantity
16 containers., (8 linear feet of shelf space.)
Collection Number
Cage 224
Summary
Correspondence, notes, memoranda, news releases, printed materials and other papers re: Post Office patronage, 1943-1958; public works, 1954-1958; sponsored bills, 1954-1958; school districts, 1954-1958; and Veterans Administration claims, 1943-1958.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

O. H. (Hal) Holmes was born at Cresco, Iowa on February 22, 1902. He was educated at Whitman College at Walla Walla, and Columbia University in 1928 to 1929, then returned to Washington to become a member of the Central Washington State College faculty, where he was employed until 1940. At that time, he became a wheat and livestock rancher in the Ellensburg area. Holmes was elected to Congress in 1942 and served successively until his retirement in 1958. During his congressional career he served on the Ways and Means, Irrigation and Reclamation, Public Lands, Indian Affairs, and Pension committees.

Holmes is the grandson of Dudley Chase Haskell, Republican member of Congress from Kansas from 1876 to 1883.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These are the only extant congressional papers of Representative Holmes.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 224, Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The arrangement is that of Holmes' subject-based filing system. There are five series, the titles of which largely describe the contents. These series are 1: Post Office, 2: Irrigation and Power, 3: Bills, 4: Schools, and 5: Veterans Administration Claims. Series 2, 3, & 4 cover the period from 1954-1958, while series 1 & 5 cover Holmes' entire tenure as Congressman. The user is reminded that this is but a portion of the original Holmes papers, most of which were destroyed by Representative Holmes.

Custodial History

The collection consists of the papers which Holmes passed to Mrs. May in 1959 when she succeeded him as 4th District Representative.

Acquisition Information

This collection of congressional papers of Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes, Republication Member of Congress for 4th District of the State of Washington from 1943 to 1958, was acquired by the Washington State University Library from Mrs. Catherine May Bedell in 1971.

Related Materials

Some of Congressman Holmes' papers were incorporated into the files of his successor, Mrs. Catherine May, and may be found in the collection of her papers (Cage 304).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Post Office, 1943-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Adrian - Coulee City
2
Dayton - Goodnoe Hills
3
Goose Prairie - Lowden
4
Lyle - Palouse
5
Pasco - Ritzville
6
Ronald - Tekoa
7
Thornton - Waitsburg
8
Walla Walla - Zillah

Series 2: Irrigation and Power, 1954-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
1954-1956
Box
9
Bonneville, Chief Joseph, Columbia Basin Plan, Columbia Basin Project, Columbia River, Connell and Mesa Areas, Grand Coulee, Hells Canyon
10
Ice Harbor, John Day, Kennewick, Kittitas District of Yakima Project, Klickitat Project, Mabton and Satus 4, McNary, Priest Rapids, Quincy, Satus 3, Snake River, The Dallas, Touchet River, Walla Walla River
11
Wapato, Yakima River
1957-1958
Box
11
Bonneville, Chief Joseph, Columbia Basin Plan, Columbia Basin Project, Columbia River, Esquatizel Canyon, Grand Coulee
12
Ice Harbor, John Day, Kennewick, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lower Monumental Dam, Mabton-Satus 4 Unit, McNary, Palouse River (Colfax Flood Control Project), Priest Rapids, Roza, Snake River, The Dallas, Touchet River (Dayton Irrigation and Flood Control Project), Walla Walla River, Wapato, Yakima River, Zintel Canyon.

Series 3: BillsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
84th Congress
Box
13
H. R. 8945 Kittitas Division, Yakima Project
13
H. R. 9178 Amend Internal Revenue Code for amortization of grain storage facilities.
13
H. R. 7483 For the Relief of Adel Kamal
85th Congress
Box
13
H. R. 1938 To increase certain annuities, civil retired employees
13
H. R. 2549 Enlarge Whitman National Monument
13
H. R. 5127 Authorize sale of wheat for feeding purposes
13
H. R. 5128 Exempt wheat production
13
H. R. 5410 Provide for aid, Control of mosquitoes
13
H. R. 5474 For the relief of Grant County School District, Warden
13
H. R. 5668 For the Relief of Quincy School District #144
13
H. R. 6366 Kittitas Reclamation District, Yakima Project
13
H. R. 7157 Boundary between Washington and Oregon
13
H. R. 7395 Credit for rental payments, Richland
13
H. R. 9078 To retain National Grange Building
13
H. R. 7995 Sell McNary Dam land to Port of Walla Walla
13
H. R. 2649 For the Relief of Jesse Blake

Series 4: Schools, 1954-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
14
Benton City - Yakima

Series 5: Veterans Administration Claims, 1943-1958Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
15
A - K
16
L - Z

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Bedell, Catherine May. waps (donor)
  • Holmes, Otis Halbert, 1902- --Archives (creator)

Corporate Names

  • United States--Politics and government--1933-1953 -- Sources
  • United States--Politics and government--1953-1961 -- Sources
  • United States. Congress. House

Occupations

  • Legislators--United States--Archives
  • Legislators--United States--Correspondence