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Arthur Preis (1911-1964), labor organizer, author, and historian, was born in Philadelphia and educated at the University of Pennsylvania and Ohio State University. In 1933 he organized the National Unemployed League. He was an early member of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, which group formed the American Workers Party and merged with the Communist League of America. He later was a member of the national committee of the Socialist Workers Party. He was on the staff of The Militant (New York) from 1940, and wrote a series of articles on the history of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which he later expanded into a book, Labor's Giant Step (N.Y., 1964).
The collection includes manuscripts, records of The Militant, correspondence, and miscellaneous items.
The manuscripts are divided into six sections: book manuscript, articles and other manuscripts by Preis, article manuscripts by other authors, print material, pamphlets and manuscripts of articles in the International Socialist Review. The book manuscript is of "Labor's Giant Step." Articles and other manuscripts by Preis and other authors include titles such as "Political Follies of 1950" and "The Present Situation in the Trade Union Movement." The print material includes articles from the The Fourth International, and the pamphlets include "Jobs for all" and "Welfare State or Socialism." There are also manuscripts for International Socialist Review including "How the Miners Won" and "American Labor--Fact and Fiction."
There are also records of The Militant including eight issues dating 1853-1864, mark-up and style sheets, and Martha Gray cartoons dating 1943-1945.
Miscellaneous items include Preis's commemorative address by Ted Selander, a photograph of Preis, and an obituary and article.
Correspondence, 1938-1964, is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Correspondents include Comrades of Allentown, George Breitman, Cara Cook, James P. Cannon, Farrell Dobbs, Ross Dowson, Joe and Reba Hansen, Harry Howe, Jack Maloney, Jean Simon, W.F. Ward, and Beverly Wulp.