Zales N. Ecton Papers, 1947-1953

The correspondence was mainly between Senator Ecton, his office staff, and constituents in Montana. The topics ranged from reclamation, communism, atomic energy, and a host of other political concerns. Generally, Ecton responded to each letter, and the response and the original letter are within the same file. The order of this series is chronological and alphabetical within each corresponding year except 1953, where all correspondence is in one file. Also, the correspondence in 1947 does include some correspondence from 1946.

This series covers details regarding Office Personnel and Office Space. Some of the correspondence includes individuals applying for a position on Ecton's staff. Other correspondence is between Ecton and staff members along with correspondence between staff members in Washington D.C. and staff members in Montana. The information encompassing Office Space generally follows the needs of setting up an office--renting and purchasing the necessary items for an office.

This series includes invitations received by Senator Ecton during his term as a federal senator. His constituents in Montana often invited Ecton to attend a variety of functions. Serving in the capacity of a federal senator, Ecton also received many invitations centered around national interests. Those in charge of reclamation projects and military development occasionally asked Ecton to review the progress. Ecton also received an invitation to a dinner sponsored by Albert Einstein in an effort to clear the accusations of the un-American like conduct of Edward U. Condon.

This series is simply a collection of Congressional Records and covers a variety of issues brought before the congress between 1949 and 1952.

This series is a compilation of political issues, ranging from state affairs, national affairs, and international affairs. Some of the files are specific to Ecton's activities in Washington D.C., yet other files include a summary of the Hiss Trial, federal finances, and many other political concerns during Ecton's time in Washington D.C.

This series contains some information regarding the Brannon Plan, and correspondence between Ecton and his constituents related to the Brannon Plan. Additional information discusses natural resources and the importance of natural resources for the future of the country

This series mainly deals with Valley Authorities, including the Missouri Valley Authority and Columbia Valley Authority. Some files include correspondence concerning the Valley Authorities. Valley Authority bills and power utilities are also part of this series along with a statement from Harold Ickes and Floyd Dominy's resume.

This series contains a variety of information dealing with the Republican Party mainly at a National level. Speech material and campaign issues are part of this series, including Ecton's "The Meaning of Things"--a collection of papers written by Ecton, explaining his perspective of the state of affairs. Part of this series also details Republican activity in certain committees, which generally deals with their opposition, the Democrats.

This series generally deals with the Republican Party in Montana and the campaign efforts involving Senator Ecton. Some of the files include information concerning committee members in Montana and their work regarding Ecton's campaign. Other files contain speeches made in Montana during Ecton's visits along with his itinerary. There is also general information regarding advertising and broadcasting.

This series mainly contains a list of individuals, performing various occupations in Montana, such as the sheepmen's' list, physicians' list, etc. Rules of Senate and House for Montana are also part of this series--1933, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1941.

This series mainly contains Mansfield's voting records, remarks, and legislation through 1948-1952. Ecton collected this data in preparation for his campaign against Mansfield in the 1952 election. Mansfield defeated Ecton.

This series includes files pertaining to tubercular Indians and treatment at Galen Hospital. Also in this series are several Bill related to Indian affairs.

This series contains information pertaining to Communism and Socialism. The Republican Party maintained an anti-communism and anti-socialism and most of the information reflects this agenda.

This series includes files regarding Senator McCarthy, Senator Martin, Congressman D'Ewart, and General MacArthur. Each file is specific to the person and contains a variety of information based on their role in the government. For instance, the McCarthy files provide some biographical discussion but also pertain to McCarthy's involvement in the federal government.

This series is a collection of general subject materials put together by Ecton and his staff. It ranges from newspaper clippings, speech material, congressional records, and more.

This series is mainly newspaper clippings, covering a variety of topics. Some of the files are under specific names, but the content within the file is generally a newspaper clipping about the person, such as the Eisenhower file.

This series includes several photographs of Ecton, members of congress, and other events during Ecton's service as a federal senator. The last file contains some information regarding some of the photographs.

This series contains one binder with congressional records for the 1st session of the 81st Congress and eight scrapbooks pertaining to Ecton and his service as a federal senator. Generally, the scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings linked to Ecton or other governmental issues during his time as a senator.