Frederick G. Hamley Papers, 1934-1956

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hamley, Frederick G. (Frederick George), 1903-1975
Title
Frederick G. Hamley Papers
Dates
1934-1956 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.83 cubic ft.
Collection Number
0405 (Accession No. 0405-001)
Summary
Correspondence, legal and political papers of an attorney, Seattle city councilman, member and chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, and justice of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Lawyer, public official, judge. Born in Seattle in 1903, Frederick G. Hamley graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1932. While in private practice in Seattle, he became active in city politics as a member of the municipal good-government organization, the New Order of Cincinnatus. With support from the Cincinnatus movement he was elected to the Seattle City Council. He served from 1935 to 1938 along with his close friend, Arthur B. Langlie. In June, 1938, he went from the city council to an administrative post, superintendent of the Seattle Water Department and chairman of the Board of Public Works. He held these positions for only a couple of months.

Hamley functioned as a political adviser to Langlie, mayor of Seattle, 1938-1941, and governor of Washington State, 1941-44, 1949-1957. From August, 1938, through 1940 Hamley worked as an attorney for the Bureau of Reclamation in Grand Coulee, Washington. In 1941 he joined newly elected Governor Langlie in Olympia as his personal legal adviser, then served in various administrative positions, but mainly as director of the Washington Department of Public Service (later known as the State Department of Public Utilities).

In 1943 he moved to Washington, D.C. to become assistant general solicitor of the National Association of Railroad and Utilities Commissioners, and from 1944 to 1949 he served as general solicitor. Hamley returned to Olympia, Washington, in September, 1949, when Governor Langlie appointed him to the Washington State Supreme Court. He served on the court from then until 1956; in 1955 and 1956 he was chief justice.

In 1954, while living in Washington State, Hamley held civic leadership positions. Governor Langlie invited him to serve on his statewide committee on educational television; the committee elected Hamley its chair. Later that year, after a wage dispute led to a long strike in the timber industry, Governor Langlie, with concurrence of Oregon Governor Paul Patterson, appointed Hamley to chair the Governors' Lumber Fact Finding Board.

In 1956 Hamley was appointed by President Eisenhower to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco and served actively until 1971, when he went on senior status. He died in San Francisco in 1975.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

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.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Accessions were acquired in 1963, 1970, and 1975 from Hamley and his wife.

Processing Note

The collection is a merger of Accession nos. 405-1, 1498, and 405-3.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Personal PapersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Incoming Letters
Box/Folder
1/1
Cramer, Justus F.
1949-1953
1/2
A-C, Miscellaneous
1949-1954
1/3
Hoover, J. Edgar
1950-1951
1/4-5
D-M, Miscellaneous
1949-1954
1/6
Roberts, Austin L., Jr.
1952-1953
1/7
Rosellini, Hugh J.
1952, 1954
1/8-9
N-V, Miscellaneous
1949-1954
1/10
White, E. Lawrence
1951-1954
1/11
Whitney, William F.
1954
1/12
W-Z, Miscellaneous
1949-1954
Box/Folder
1/13-18
Outgoing Letters
1949-1954
2/1
General Correspondence: Concerning Appointment to Washington Supreme Court
1949
2/2
General Correspondence: Concerning Court Photograph
1951
2/3-6
Seattle City Council Diaries
650 p.
1935-1936
2/7
Diary of Langlie's Campaign
50 p.
1938
3/1
Writings
1955
3/2
Writings of Others
undated
3/3
Legislation
1950-1953
3/4
Memorandum Concerning Court Cases of Others
1950, 1952
3/5
Copy of Stock Certificate
undated
3/6
Personal Data on Law Clerk Applicants
undated
3/7
Notes
undated
3/8
Clippings
1952
3/9
Ephemera
undated
Subject Series
Box/Folder
3/10
Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)
1949-1954
3/11
Council for Old People
1949
3/12-15
Unitarian File
1951-1955

Washington. Governor. Educational Television Committee.Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/16-17
General Correspondence
1954-1956
4/1-2
Working Papers
1954
4/3-8
Reports
1952-1954
5/1-3
Writings of Others
1952-1954
5/4
Handbook
1953
5/5
Survey
1953
5/6
Recommendations
undated
5/7
Resolutions
1953
5/8
Legislation
undated
5/9
News Releases
1953-1954
5/10-13
Newsletters
1953-1954
5/14
Lists
1954
5/15
Notes
undated
5/16
Clippings
1955
5/17
Ephemera
undated

Washington. Governor. Fact Finding Committee on the Pacific Northwest Lumber StrikeReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/18
General Correspondence
1954
6/1-2
Reports
1954
6/3-5
Exhibits of Union
1954
6/6-9
Exhibits of Employers
1954
7/1-2
Rebuttal of Union
1954
7/3
Reply Brief of Employers
1954
7/4
Answers of Union
1954
Unfoldered
Transcripts of Committee Hearings
Oct.-Dec.,1954
8/1
List
undated
8/2
Notes
undated
8/3
Clippings
1954
8/4
Ephemera
1954

National Association of Railroad and Utilities CommissionersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
9/1-2
General Correspondence
1949-1950
Correspondence Regarding
Box/Folder
9/3
Invitations
1949-1950
9/4
Nuremburg Film
1949
9/5
Speaking Engagements
1949-1950
Box/Folder
9/6
Minutes of Executive Committee
1954
9-10
Bulletins
1947-1949
10/1-4
Statements Before Committees of Congress
1947-1949
10/5
Pleadings
1945-1947
11/1-3
Oral Arguments
1945-1957
11/4-7
Unprinted Briefs
1940-1948

Washington. Supreme CourtReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
12/1-13
Draft Opinions
Sept., 1949-Sept., 1953
13/1-8
Draft Opinions
Jan., 1954-May, 1956
13/9
Opinions
1949-1956
13/10-11
Notes on Cases
Sept., 1949-Jan., 1950
14/1-6
Notes on Cases
June, 1950-June, 1951
15/1-4
Notes on Cases
Nov., 1951-Nov., 1952
16/1-8
Notes on Cases
May, 1953-May, 1956

Langlie, Arthur B.Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
17/1-6
General Correspondence
240 items
1938-1949
17/7-8
Speeches of Langlie
80 items
1941-1952

New Order of Cincinnatus, SeattleReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
18/1
Historical Data
undated
18/2
Bylaws
undated
18/3-5
General Correspondence
1934-1937
Minutes
Box/Folder
18/6-8
General Meetings
1934-1936
18/9-10
Executive Board
1934-1936
18/11
1934 Convention
1934
Box/Folder
18/12
Financial Records
1935
18/13-14
Speeches and Writings
1934-1936
18/15
Recommendations to the City Council
1935-1938
Newsletters and Bulletins
Box/Folder
18/16-17
Cincinnatus Newsletter
1937-1938
18/18
Cincinnatus Bulletin
1935-1936
18/19
Cincinnatus Weekly
1936
18/20
Electric Fist
1933-1934
18/21
New Order of Cincinnatus
1935
18/22
Commonwealth Messenger
1936
Box/Folder
18/23-28
Campaign Literature
1934-1938
18/29
Lists
1933
18/30
Notes
undated
18/31
Interview
1963
Box
19
Scrapbooks
2 volumes
1934-1936

Seattle Public Works DepartmentReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
18/32
General Correspondence
1938

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • City council members--Washington (State)--Archives
  • City councils--Washington (State)
  • Courts of last resort--Washington (State)
  • Courts--Washington (State)
  • Judges--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Lawyers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Municipal government--Washington (State)
  • Pacific Northwest Lumber Strike, 1954
  • Public service commissions--United States
  • Public utilities--United States
  • Strikes and lockouts--Lumber trade--Washington (State)
  • Television in education--Washington (State)

Personal Names

  • Hamley, Frederick G. (Frederick George), 1903-1975--Archives
  • Langlie, Arthur B. (Arthur Bernard), 1900-1966

Corporate Names

  • International Woodworkers of America
  • National Association of Railroad and Utilities Commissioners
  • New Order of Cincinnatus
  • Seattle (Wash.). City Council
  • Washington (State). Governor's Lumber Fact Finding Panel
  • Washington (State). Supreme Court
  • Washington State Educational Television Commission

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government
  • Washington (State)--Politics and government

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)