Descriptive Summary
Wacker, BenBen Wacker CollectionJuly 1948 to June 19651950’sMaterials are
in English.MSS 211 lin. ft.: 1 document box
Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public
Library Scope and ContentsThis collection contains numerous letters written to Ben Wacker from Texas political figures. These letters generally contain information on the recipients views concerning anti-communism, international relations and Texas water policy. Little can be determined from this collection about the life of Ben Wacker.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by document type. The first series contains correspondence from Price Daniel, Lyndon B. Johnson, W.R. Pogue, Allan Shivers, and others. The second series contains newsletters relating the candidacy and appointment of Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.
- Series 1: Correspondence
- Series 2: Newsletters
Access Restrictions
None.
Use Restrictions
None.
Preferred Citation
Ben Wacker Collection. Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston
Public Library.
Acquisition Information
Donated by: Ben Wacker, September 13, 1976.
Processing Information
Processed by: Charles Stephenson,
completed June 2, 2006.
Index Terms
SubjectsPolitical parties Politics & international relations World affairs
Correspondents
Daniel, Price
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
Jones, Jesse H. (Jesse Holman), 1874-1956
Pogue, William R.
Shivers, Allan, 1907-
Detailed DescriptionSeries 1: Correspondence11Price Daniel Correspondence, 1952-1963Letter: Introduction of General Eisenhower; radio broadcast by Price Daniel, 10/21/1952Letter: Presidential Race, 10/28/1952Letter: Election, 11/12/1952Letter: Intention to register as a Democrat, 11/24/1952Letter: intention to rejoin Daniel Family when Congress adjourns, 7/29/1953Letter: views on Russian privileges in United States and outlawing Communist Party in the United States, 11/13/1953Letter: “Common sense” program of our Nation’s financial recovery, 11/3/1953
Letter: The President’s legislative proposals, 1/11/1954Letter: War in Indo-China, 4/14/1954Letter: Dispute between Senator McCarthy and Secretary of the Army Stevens;
General Chenault and Indo-China situation, 5/4/1954
Letter: Narcotics investigation; encouragement to enter Governor’s race, 1/16/1956
Letter: Presidential veto of Harris-Fulbright Bill; intention to enter Governor’s race, 3/2/1956Letter: thanks for support in Governor’s race, 3/27/1956Newsletter to Friends and Supporters in his race for governor, 6/6/1956Letter of appreciation; 7/7/1956Letter: Explanation of his position on States’ rights and conservatives remaining in Democratic Party, 10/8/1956Letter: suggestion for water pipeline and a hand-written note,
3/25/1957Letter: Tidelands issue,
5/29/1958Letter: from John Goldman, Administrative Assistant to Governor Daniel on water resources and issuance of State bonds, 7/23/1958Christmas card: photograph of Daniel Family standing in front of Governor’s Mansion, Austin, TexasInvitation to Citizens of Austin to attend inaugural festivities, 1/17/1961Invitation to Governor’s inaugural, 1/20/1959Letter: best wishes, 2/27/1963Letter: Resignation from Senate and election of his successor in the Senate, 11/29/1965Christmas greeting from Price Daniel Family with family photograph, 12/19/1965Letter: major water problems and need for corrective legislation, 12/31/196512Lyndon Johnson Correspondence, 1957-1965 Letter: Thanks for the suggestion to the Editor, The Austin-American, Austin, 6/18/1947 Letter: Thanks for offer of services to Economic Cooperation Administration, 4/29/1948 Letter: Letter from Walter Jenkins, Assistant to Lyndon B. Johnson, and application to Economic Cooperation Administration; Johnson’s campaign in Austin, 5/14/1948Letter: Houston Post endorsement, 8/11/1948 Letter: Thanks for letter, 9/9/1948 Letter: Thanks for help during Johnson’s campaign, 9/10/1948 Letter: Democratic Nominee; one man should be declared winner in the election, 10/5/1948Letter: Thanks for campaign assistance, 10/8/1948 Letter: “GI Bill of Rights” and appreciation of suggestions, 10/9/1948 Letter: Request for result of meeting in Temple, Texas, 10/19/1948 Letter: Concerns “matter that needs correcting,” 10/12/1948Letter: Texas State Network; Mr. Truman’s growth of stature, 10/26/1948Letter: Opportunity for overwhelming victory in November, 10/26/1948Letter: Democratic majority, 10/29/1948Letter: Democratic victory, 11/3/1948Letter: General election analysis, 11/9/1948Letter to Lyndon Johnson: Weak top strata governing body, 5/6/1949Letter: Compilation of statements of interest, 3/5/1953Excepts from statements before Senate Democratic Conference by Lyndon Johnson, 1/2/1953Letter: Hope of peace lies in economic and military strength; Soviet plot in regard to Iran; Schedule of radio broadcasts on Texas Radio Stations, 4/27/1953Letter: Management of States’ Rights, 6/9/1953Letter: Korean truce negotiations, 6/26/1953 Letter: Texas water problem; pipeline for water, 7/16/1953 Letter from Arthur C. Perry, Assistant to Senator Johnson; forwarding letter, 8/7/1953 Letter: Break between Red China and the Soviet Union to ease world tensions, 8/10/1953Letter: Texas people’s approval of Senator Johnson, 1/12/1954 Letter: Keeping informed of issues facing people of Texas, 3/16/1954 Letter: Re-election support, 4/22/1954 Letter: Rooting out subversive elements, 5/17/1954Letter: Charges against Senator McCarthy; Select Committee, 11/9/1954Note: Thanks for recovery wishes, 1/27/1955Letter from Arthur C. Perry, Administrative Asst. to Lyndon Johnson: Far East concerns; 2/10/1955 Letter: Letter of thanks 6/14/1955 Letter from Lady Bird Johnson: thanks for message to Lyndon Johnson; 7/9/1955 Letter from Lady Bird Johnson; thanks for letter; 7/25/1955 Letter from Lyndon Johnson: views on political situation; 8/30/1955Letter: Democratic Party in Texas; 11/28/1955 Letter: Letter of thanks; 1/6/1956Letter: Foreign spending; 1/17/1956Holiday greetings from The JohnsonsLetter: Gas bill; State’s Rights; free enterprise; 2/24/1956 Letter: Democratic Nomination ; 3/28/1956 Letter: Letter to State Department; 7/19/1956 Letter: Proposal to send jet planes to Yugoslavia; Letter to Lyndon Johnson from Secretary of State; 7/31/1956 Letter: Suez Canal; 8/13/1956Letter: Recognition of Ben Wacker’s protest of plane shipment to Yugoslavia; 8/17/1956Letter: Congress “working at odds with the Administration” 11/13/1956Letter: Dock strike; 11/26/1956Letter: Concern over events in Europe and Middle East; 12/4/1956 Letter: Firm United States policy in Middle East; 1/4/1957Letter: Study of President Eisenhower’s proposals regarding Middle Eastern policy; 1/7/1957 Letter; Congressional vigilance on the President’s budget; 1/22/1957Holiday greetings from the JohnsonsLetter: Communists in the Middle East; 2/15/1957 Letter: Sir Winston Churchill’s
famous “Iron Curtain” speech in Missouri; 2/20/1957 Letter: The President’s Middle East Policy; 3/12/1957 Letter: Bermuda conference and Vice-President’s trip abroad; 3/29/1957 Letter: Heavy governmental spending and high taxes; cutting budget; Statement by
Lyndon Johnson; 5/3/1957 Letter Land lease on Belton reservoir to Central Texas Area Girl Scouts, 5/18/1957 Letter: National debt; 5/29/1957 Letter: Foreign aid; 4/10/1957Letter: Private Girard; Presidential decision as Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces; 6/17/1957 Letter: World problems; 6/18/1957 Letter: Disarmament; San Antonio speech; 7/9/1957 Letter: Assistance to Mr. and Mrs. Wacker on their case with the Department of the Army; 10/28/1957Letter: Reassignment of Master Sergeant Harry W. Wacker; 12/2/1957 Letter: American troops in Lebanon; 7/22/1958Letter: Partisanship; 1/8/1958 Letter: World peace; 1/9/1958 Letter: Clipping from “Houston Chronicle” 1/17/1958Letter: Federal pay raise legislation; 2/18/1958 Letter: Foreign policy; 7/3/1958 Letter: Friendship; 9/20/1958;Letter: Clipping of honor bestowed upon Lyndon Johnson; 10/23/1958 Letter: Copy of speech given to San Antonio Rotary Club; 11/14/1958 Letter: Communist Party in America; Address to New York State Publishers Association, 2/2/1959Letter: Policies with Soviet Union; 3/7/1959 Holiday greetings from the JohnsonsLetter Policies with Russia; 3/30/1959 Letter: Congressional labor legislation; Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959; 7/20/1959 Letter: Congressional cut for Mutual Security over four-year period; 7/31/1959 Letter: Strike newsletter; 8/6/1959Letter: Pecan trees 3” to 60’ in diameter; copy of a letter from Secretary of the Interior to Senator Johnson;10/12/1960 Letter: Lend-lease debt settlement; 2/19/1960Letter: Message of sympathy from the Vice-President; 2/28/1961 Letter: Official contact; 7/28/1961Letter Stories about Speaker Sam Rayburn in Houston Press; 11/22/1961Letter: William S. White column; 12/21/1961 Letter: Letter of thanks for “observations and suggestions; 2/22/1962 Letter: Bashir Ahmed editorial from Houston Chronicle; 3/30/1962Letter: Sassafras roots; drinking sassafras tea as a spring tonic; 4/30/1962 Letter: Sassafras roots; note from Bill Porterfield; 5/20/1962 Letter: Letter to Houston Chronicle by Miss Dorothy Bristow; 5/28/1962 Letter: Coffee at Rice Hotel; 8/22/1963 Thank you card; Presidential electionLetter of thanks : Johnson’s 30th wedding anniversary; 12/9/1964Letter: Thanks from Presidential Secretary; 2/2/1965Letter: Presidential visit to congratulate the Astronauts; 6/19/1965 Letter: Newspaper Article; LBJ in Amazing Lead.; 2/7/1965Letter: Letter of thanks on complex and vital issues; 9/22/1964 13Ben Wacker Personal Correspondence, 1948-1964Letter from Drew Pearson; 7/23/1948Letter to John D. Rockefeller: Rockefeller’s donation to United Nations Organization; Powered Politicians; War; Faded dateLetter from Oscar Holcombe, Mayor: investigation for L. D. Morrison, Chief of Police; 11/28/1952 Letter from Alan Davidson, Private Secretary to British Ambassador: Reception of letter; 12/15/1952 Letter from John Connally: service to people of Texas; 2/18/1953 Letter from Harry J. O’Connell, Executive Secretary to New York Governor Dewey; 2/23/1953 Letter of appreciation from Jesse Jones; 7/21/1953 Letter from Thomas E Stephens, Secretary to the President of the United States; 8/14/1953Letter from Assistant to the President of the United States: United Nations General Assembly; 12/21/1953 Letter from Roy Hofheinz: Crime; Chief of Police L. D. Morrison; 12/10/1953Letter from John Connally: World Situation ; France and Indo-China; Failure to ratify the E. D. C. Treaty for defense of Western Europe; 6/14/1954 Letter from R. E. Smith: Thanks for his interest; 11/22/1954 Letter from Jarrard Secrest; Dormant bond fund bill; 2/23/1955 Letter from Hall E. Timanus: State Democratic Executive Committee meeting, Rice Hotel; 3/19/1956 Letter from Sam Rayburn: Lyndon Johnson, Presidential Candidate; 12/18/1956 Letter from W. A. Parish; Insect control; Bird and Bee Life; 9/3/1957 Letter from Alfred Wacker, Gersbach-Wacker Company: local watershed; Orval Faubus; Racial problems; Republicans; 10/8/1957 Letter from Mrs M. C. Collins, Secretary to Mr. Parish: letter to Mr. W. A. Parish; 10/14/1957 Letter from Jane M. Lagler, Clerk to the Speak, House of Representatives: Dedication of Sam Rayburn Library; 10/18/1957 Letter from W. A. Parish: Mr. T. A. Standish, Superintendent of Research Department;
10/22/1957Letter from Homer Thornberry, House of Representatives: claim of Mr. Method J. Lett; 10/23/1957 Letter from Henry Ford: Walter Reuther letter; 10/28/1957 Letter from Oscar Holcombe: Support for mayor; Window sticker; 11/2/1957 Letter from J. K. Knight, Bartlett, Texas: Billie Stockton, Colorado School of Correction; 11/13/1957 Letter from Cousin Annie: Names of the Koebelins; 12/20/1957 Letter from Billy Stockton, Colorado School of Corrections; 12/31/1957Letter from Leslie E. Moore: return of closing fee of $1; 1/18/1958 Letter from James G. Donovan: Continuation of Fulton Lewis, Jr., news program; 1/20/1958Letter from W. V. Houston, President, Rice Institute; 1/21/1958Letter from Bernard M. Baruch: Restriction of atomic energy for peaceful purposes; 2/15/1958Letter from W. D. Bedell, Asst. Executive Editor, The Houston Post; 2/22/1958 Letter from Kay Gorman, Isaac Insurance Agency; 3/11/1958 Letter from T. A. Standish, Supt., Rate & Research Dept.; 3/13/1958Letter from George Fuermann, The Houston Post; 4/4/1958 Letter from H. A. Harrell, Local Federal Savings & Loan Assn: Address of Dr. W. I. Huddle; 4/9/1958Letter from Cecil Harris, The Gersbach-Wacker Company: 4/16/1958 Letter from J. Edgar Hoover, United States Department of Justice: Hoover’s book, “Masters of Deceit”; 5/19/1958 Letter from Max E. Peck, Rice Hotel: stationery and discourteous employee; 5/28/1958 Letter from Preston: Newspaper article on Lyndon Johnson by Drew Pearson; discovery of oil in La Salle County; 8/23/1958 Letter from Billy Stockton: letter of thanks and a request for a loan; 9/4/1958 Letter from George Carmack, The Houston Press: Letter from Paul Boesch; 11/20/1958 Letter from Senator John F. Kennedy: Thanks for support; 1/17/1961 Invitation to the inaugural of John F. Kennedy, President of the United States and Lyndon Baines Johnson, Vice President of the United States; 1/20/1961 Letter from J. F. Schafly, Jr.: Attachment: Report of the American Bar Association Special Committee on Communist Strategy, Tactics and Objectives; 3/23/1960 Letter from Leonard Baca: Land values; 10/20/1960 Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Baca: Land values; 10/18/1960 Letter to Dave Shanks: Dam on the Colorado River; 10/10/1960 Letter from Rep. Albert Thomas: Columbus Bend Dam Project; Congressional control of spending; 6/30/1961Letter from Alfred Wacker, Vice-President, The Gersbach-Wacker Company:
Dam on Colorado River; watershed and floods; R. E. A.;
7/8/1961Letter from Selma: personal note; 7/9/1961 Letter from Ann Landers: Letter of thanks; (date missing) Letter from Mildred and Leonard Baca: Efforts to stop dam at Langforth; 1/13/1962 Letter from Joe Weingarten: Institute for World Peace; 1/1962 Note from Rep. Albert Thomas: Armed strength; Space Laboratory and Harris County; 1/3/1962 Letter from Senator John G. Tower, 2/22/1962 : John Birch Society; Entry in Congressional Record on Robert Welch, 2/6/1962 Letter from Governor John Connally: Columbus Bend Dam; 1/28/1963 Personal letter from Selma; 7/10/1963Letter from George Carmack, The Houston Post; President Johnson’s barbecue for German Chancelor; 1/7/1964Letter from George Carmack, The Houston Press; Note of thanks;4/8/1964 Note of appreciation from George Fuermann, The Houston Post; 12/30/1964Note of appreciation from family of General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur; 4/21/1964 14W. R. Pogue Correspondence, 1959Letter: Washington problems; 1/31/1959 Letter: Thanks for views; 2/11/1959 Letter: Movement to elect Lyndon Johnson President of the United States; 2/20/1957 Letter: Welcoming suggestions; 2/21/1959 Letter: Governmental problems; Foreign aid program; Government spending; 2/24/1959 Letter: Houston Chronicle editorial on governmental control; 3/4/1959 Letter: Article by Fulton Lewis, Jr. on wheat allotment; farmers balancing production; 3/5/1959 Letter: Fair exchange; 3/13/1959 15Allan Shivers Correspondence, 1952Letter: Letter of appreciation for support; 9/20/1952 Letter: Presidential campaign; 11/28/1952Letter: Conservation and irrigation; 4/24/1953 Letter: Water conservation; 7/2/1953 Letter: Water Resources Committee; Senator Dorsey Hardeman; 10/14/1953Letter: Duval County; 2/11/1954Letter: Board of Water Engineers; 3/8/1954 Letter: Judge Woodrow Laughlin’s removal and his successor; 3/23/1954Letter: Duval County; Judge A. S. Broadfoot citizens’ rights; 4/12/1954 Letter: Board of Water Engineers; 3/8/1954 Letter: Land Commissioner: Earl Rudder; 1/12/1955 Letter: Segregation in public schools; State Legislature; Texas Education Agency; 6/8/1954 Letter: Campaign for Governor; 7/14/1954 Letter: Letter of thanks; Campaign for Governor; 8/8/1954 Letter: Governor of Texas; 6/29/1955 Letter: Political situation; 12/13/1955Letter: Democratic Party in middle-of-the-road; Tidelands Issue; State Democratic Executive Committee; 3/16/1956 Letter: Constitutional Government and states’ rights; 5/2/1956 Letter: Centralized government; 2/29/1956 Letter: Precinct conventions; 5/23/1956 Letter: Southern Governors Conference; 9/11/1956Letter: Letter of thanks; Country’s welfare; 11/19/1956 Memo from Fred W. Shield, Hugh Prather, Jr. and Weldon Hart: Dallas banquet; 11/26/1956Letter: Tenure in public office; water problem; 12/20/1956 Letter: Senate vacancy; 1/7/1957 Series 2: Newsletters16Newsletters Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, 1953-1959Newsletter: Leadership, President Eisenhower on Appropriation Committee’s foreign policy amendment; Cotton Exports; Oil Imports; Texas Barbecue; Galveston Weather Station; 6/9/1953 Newsletter: Peace Program: Flood Control; Postmaster exams; Texas State Society; 5/1/1953 Newsletter: Accounting of his stewardship to Texans; Problems; Depression; Farm Program; Holiday Greetings; 12/9/1953 Newsletter: New session; Issues; Basic concerns; Poll Tax; Birthday party; Program for America; 1/11/1954 Newsletter: Agriculture and small business; Farm income; Recession; Social Security; News Briefs; 1/26/1954Newsletter: Rain cycle; small dams; Development of water resources; Farm Prices; and support; Subsidies; 4/16/1954 Newsletter: Indo-China; French Foreign Legion; Battle of San Jacinto; Texas water problem 4/24/1954 Newsletter: Texas Water; Upstream dams; Indo-China; Old-Age Assistance; Housing; 5/1/1954Newsletter: Free, representative government; Strong America; Atomic secrets; Armed Forces Day; Prayer; Wind Erosion; Better Highways; 5/8/1954 Newsletter: Indo-China; Prayer; Water; Use of sea-water; Aid for needy; New Federal Buildings; 5/15/1954 Newsletter: Rain in Texas; Reservoir Projects; Dams; Other projects; Canadian River; Upstream Water Control; 5/22/1954 Newsletter: Defense Bill; Air Power; Ships; Men; Training; Munitions cost; Security; Interior Bill; Reciprocal Trade; New construction; 6/19/1954Newsletter: American foreign policy; Guatemalan situation; Communist plans for Western Hemisphere; Organization of American States; 6/26/1954 Letter: Request for advice on Long-range water development; 2/18/1957 Letter and questionnaire requesting personal opinion; 4/10/1957Newsletter: Appropriations; Agriculture Department work-load; 5/8/1957 Newsletter: Dams in Texas; flood control; Dams; 5/22/1957 Newsletter: Foreign Aid Bill; World War II loans; Random notes; 6/5/1957 Newsletter: Flood control; REA Co-ops; 6/19/1957Newsletter: Cost of living; Recurrent floods; Congressional News Notes; 7/3/1957Newsletter: Civil rights; Texas water projects; Federal expenditure for flood control; Weekly Radio Report over Texas radio stations; 7/17/1957 Newsletter: Domestic economy; Space control; Ballistic missiles; 1/8/1958 Newsletter: Agreement between United States and Russia; 1/29/1958 Newsletter: Spirit of America; Russian Sputnik; Outbreaks of Anti-Americanism; Rekindling fires of liberty; 5/21/1958 Newsletter: Water Development of State of Texas; Conservation; Flood control in Texas; 7/9/1958 Newsletter: Labor bill designed to drive racketeers and crooked officials our of the union; Analysis: secret ballot; rigged elections; union operations; union treasuries; financial records; 6/11/1958 Newsletter: American forces sent to Lebanon; Cold War; Reciprocal Trade Agreement Program; Jobs in Texas; 7/16/1958 Newsletter: Soviets; Berlin; ; 3/3/1959 Broadcast over Texas Radio Stations: International affairs; Policies for Survival; 3/8/1959 Newsletter: Berlin crisis; Texas flood control; Livestock losses; Unemployment Study Commission; 4/14/1959 Newsletter: Juvenile delinquency: 5/12/1959 Newsletter: Communist attack; Education; 6/3/1959Newsletter: Industrial markets; Remarks of Hon. George A. Smathers; 9/17/1959 Newsletter: Texas Delegation; Newspaper articles: New York Journal American; The Washington Daily News; and The Evening Star; 9/16/1959