urn:taro:utexas.cah.01282 A Guide to the Milton and Helen Smith Papers, 1878-2002 Original EAD encoding by Catherine Best according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. October 2009 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Smith, Milton and Helen Milton and Helen Smith Papers 1878-2002 (bulk, 1950s-1970s) Materials are written in English. 2003-170 30 feet Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Milton and Helen Smith owned Economy Furniture Incorporated, a furniture manufacturing business in Austin, Texas. Milton’s father and brother started the business in 1930. Milton later became president of the company. The collection consists of personal and business records of the Smiths; correspondence and printed material from organizations including minutes, publications, and reports; and, photographs and sound recordings. Biographical Note

Milton and Helen Smith owned Economy Furniture Incorporated, a furniture manufacturing business in Austin, Texas. Milton’s father and brother started the business in 1930. Milton later became president of the company. Helen managed the plant for three years when Milton was away during World War II. She later held various titles with the company, including personnel manager and vice-president.

Milton and Helen were extremely involved in the Jewish community, including Temple Beth Israel in Austin, and in B’nai B’rith organizations on the district, national, and international levels. They received the Humanitarian Award from B’nai B’rith in 1969. Helen served as president of B’nai B’rith Women International in 1975. Milton was president of B’nai B’rith on the international and district levels in other years.

The Smiths were also active in many other civic and philanthropic endeavors in Austin. Although neither of them graduated from The University of Texas, they gave generously to the school’s academic and athletic programs. Through their Moshana Foundation, they funded scholarships and the purchase of the Literaria Judaica collection at the Humanities Research Center. They were enthusiastic fans of University athletics; Helen corresponded often with the coaches.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of personal and business records of the Smiths; correspondence and printed material from organizations including minutes, publications, and reports; and, photographs and sound recordings.

Personal papers included correspondence, calendars, and clippings from Milton and Helen Smith. Personal correspondence also covers business, Jewish, and civic matters found elsewhere in the collection. Helen was a prolific letter writer in her personal and business life. She kept copies of many of her letters, which are found throughout collection.

Business records (1954-2001) from Economy Furniture and Serta Products include correspondence, clippings, personnel records, financial and legal documents, blueprints, and production records. In 1968, production workers at Economy Furniture went on strike for more than two years. Their cause attracted national attention. Material pertaining to the strike is in the legal and management subseries in this series. This series also contains correspondence with the furniture manufacturers associations and publications from the Research Institute of America. Also included are oral history interviews with Mr. Smith in which he described the history of the company, the furniture business, his family background, and changes he has seen in his lifetime.

Records from Jewish organizations (1878-2002) consist of correspondence and printed material, including minutes, speeches, agendas, directories, pamphlets, and reports from B’nai B’rith organizations, Temple Beth Israel in Austin, and other groups in Austin and in the U. S. The bulk of the records, from B’nai B’rith Women, document Helen’s involvement with the group.

Philanthropy and Civic Involvement (1956-2001) records include correspondence and printed material from Austin-based secular organizations and The University of Texas at Austin.

Photographs are of the Smith family, friends, and acquaintances, including Darrell Royal, Rabbi Israel H. Levinthal, Harry Ransom, Gerald Ford, Leah Rabin, Lyndon Johnson, and Lady Bird Johnson; and of Economy Furniture's employees, products, and buildings.

Arrangement

Papers are arranged into five series.

Series I- Personal Papers of Milton and Helen Smith, 1957-2001 Series II- Jewish Organizations, 1878-2002 Series III- Philanthropy and Civic Involvement, 1956-2001 Series IV- Business Records, 1954-2001 Series V- Photographs, ca. 1930s-2002 Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

Use Restrictions

Most of this collection is stored remotely. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact repository for retrieval.

Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Smith, Milton Theodore Smith, Helen Gross Subjects (Organizations) B'nai B'rith B'nai B'rith Hillel B'nai B'rith International B'nai B'rith Women B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Anti-Defamation League Jewish Women International Texas Hillel (University of Texas) Temple Beth Israel (Austin, Tex.) -- History Subjects Business- Austin, Texas Furniture industry Judaism -- 20th century Jews--Societies, etc. Labor Unions Philanthropy Strikes Preferred Citation

Milton and Helen Smith Collection, 1878-2002, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Catherine Best and Emily Preece, July 2009.

Detailed Description of the Papers Personal Papers of Milton and Helen Smith 2003-170/1 Helen and Milton [assorted correspondence for both] 1957-1962 2003-170/2 Helen Smith, 2003-170/2 Correspondence and printed material, 1965-2001 2003-170/2 Calendars, 1969, 1983-1986, 1988 Milton T. Smith Correspondence, 1957-2003 Residential Papers Cambridge Towers, 1968-1970 Point Venture property, 1972 Sonic boom complaint, 1962 Villa Serena Home Owners’ Association, 1977-2001 Jewish Organizations 2003-170/3 American Israel Public Affairs Committee, 1982-1984 Austin Jewish Community, 1956-1992 B’nai B’rith International Correspondence, 1972-1980 Convention Material, 1978 National Administrative Committee Minutes, 1970, 1972 Budget Report, 1972 Proposed Budgets, 1971, 1972 Board of Governors Agenda, 1969 Correspondence, 1964-1966 Leaders Conference Report, 1970 Minutes of Meetings, 1972, 1977 Commission on Adult Education, 1960-1967 Commission on Citizen, Veterans and Community Affairs, 1976 Commission Israel, 1965-1966 Correspondence and Printed Material, 1963-1997 Constitutions, 1971, 1976 Convention Material, 1957-1958 Department of Tours, 1972-1974 Directories (national and district), 1972-1988 1990-1991 2003-170/4 Financial Reports, 1968, 1972, 1976 Home and Hospital for the Aged, 1962-1964 Institutes of Judaism, 1962-1963 Leo N. Levi Memorial National Arthritis Hospital Correspondence and Printed Material, 1966-1968 Membership and Programs, Dramatic Readings and Notes for Sermons, undated. Planning and Research Correspondence and Printed Material, 1969-1974 Survey- “The Units of B’nai B’rith and B’nai B’rith Women,” 1978 Triennial Conventions Correspondence and Printed Material, 1965-1974 Reports to Triennial Convention, 1968 Correspondence and Minutes, 1971, 1974 2003-170/5 Voice [publication], Correspondence and Printed Material, 1959-1963 Regional/District Budget, 1965-1968 Constitution, 1968 Convention, 1965 Directory, 1977-1978 District 7 Correspondence and Printed Material, 1953-1966 General Correspondence and Printed Material, 1962-1966 Alabama Arkansas Louisiana Mississippi Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Leadership 1963-1964 Membership, 1955-1964 2003-170/8 Newspaper Correspondence, 1957-1958 Procedures, ca. 1960s Speeches [given by Milton Smith], 1965 Texas State Association Correspondence and Printed Material, 1954-1957 Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith National 2003-170/6 Audit Report, 1974 Correspondence and printed material, General, 1979-2001 National Program Committee, 1958-1962 Southwest District Correspondence and Printed Material, 1957-1988 Dinner with the governor, 1963 2003-170/8 B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation National Annual Reports, 1974-1976 Budget, 1969 Correspondence and printed material, 1953-1969 Directories, 1970-1971, 1975-1976 Publications, 1975 B’nai B’rith Women [later named Jewish Women] International Printed Material, 1990 National 2003-170/7 Aids and Speeches [given by Helen Smith], 1952-1976 2003-170/8 Allocations Committee 2003-170/8 Correspondence and printed material, 1964-1973 Biennial Convention, 1976 Book of Reports, 1965 Budget Committee Meeting, 1964 Bulletins, 1963-1965 2003-170/9 Children’s Home in Israel Correspondence and Printed Material, 1969-1973 2003-170/10 Convention, 1965-1966 Constitutions, 1959, 1972 2003-170/9 Correspondence and Printed Material, 1960-1994 2003-170/10 Directories (national and district), 1958-1965, 1971-1991 Executive Board Correspondence and Minutes, 1964-1988 2003-170/11 Manual, 1990-1992 Meeting, 1963 Expenses, 1973 Four Year Plan, 1984 Fund Raising, 1966-1968 Indoctrination, 1960-1962 1960-1962 Jewish Children’s Home Service, 1963-1966 Management Study of the B’nai B’rith Women, 1972 Membership, 1961-1969 National Conference on Youth Correspondence and Printed Material, 1959 Planning Committee, 1971-1973 Policy Handbook, 1960 Reports and Minutes, 1960-1965 Treasurer, 1962-1965 Voice [publication] Correspondence, 1964-1968 District/Regional 2003-170/12 Allocations for District 7, 1967-1969 Austin Chapter, 1962-1963 Board Training, 1984 Bulletins, 1962-1965 Constitution, 1957 Correspondence and Printed Material General, 1961-1969 District 1, 1963-1964 District 2, 1965-1969 District 3, 1963-1964 District 4, 1963-1964 District 5, 1963-1965 District 6, 1963-1969 District 7, 1963-1969 Texas, 1964-1965 District Conventions, 1965, 1971, 1973 Expansion, 1961-1968 Office Advisory, 1963-1964 B’nai B’rith Vocational Service Policy Handbook, 1959 Printed Material, 1959-1960 B’nai B’rith Youth Organization National Correspondence and Printed Material, 1959-1977 2003-170/13 District Correspondence and Printed Material, 1967-1968 Jewish Women International [formerly B’nai B’rith Women] Board Meetings, 1995, 1996, 1999 Correspondence and Printed Material, 1995-2002 Financial Statements, 1994-1995, 1997 Hadassah [Austin Chapter] 1979, 1994 Jewish Children’s Home Service Correspondence, Minutes and Printed Material, 1963-1966 Jewish Community Council of Austin Correspondence and Printed Material, 1956-1992 Long Range Planning Central Committee, 1982, 1986-1987 Jewish Welfare Fund, 1956 National Jewish Hospital at Denver, 1960-1967 Temple Beth Israel, Austin, Texas 110th Anniversary Annual Report, 1998-1999 Building Committee, 1992-199 Budget Committee, 1992-1997 Budget Report and Minutes, 1988 Cantorial Selection Committee, 1993-1997 2003-170/14 Child Development Center, Ad Hoc Committee, 1991-1992 Confirmands Correspondence and printed material, 1878-1986 Confirmation Classes, 1989-1991 Directories Newsletters Ritual Committee, 1987-1995 Sisterhood Handbook, 1976-1977 Special Committee for Hebrew Study at Temple, 1963-1967 Texas Jewish Historical Society, 1990, 1996 World Conference of Jewish Organizations 1976 Annual Report from Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, 1976 Philanthropy and Civic Involvement 2003-170/15 Austin Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Fund, 1959-1964 Austin Housing Authority Lakeside Apartments, 1967 Austin Urban Renewal Agency 1954-1967 Community Council of Austin and Travis County- Hospitals, 1966-1968 Goodwill Industries, 1959-1962 Greater Austin Association “Goals for Austin”, 1967 Human Relations Commission, 1967-1969 Israel Bond Fund, Austin, 1962 KLRN Auction, 1967-1968 KLRU, 9 1988-198 National Wildflower Research Center, 1994-1996 2003-170/16 Texas Fine Arts Association, 1962 Travis County Grand Jury, 1960 Travis County U. S. Savings Bond Drive, 1964 United Fund, 1956, 1968-1969 United Negro College Fund Advisory Board, 1965 United Service Organization, 1955-1956 United Service Organization, 1955-1956 University of Texas Correspondence and printed material, Athletics, 1963-2001 General, 1991-2001 Delta Phi Epsilon/ Tillie Oderholz Trust, 1961-1997 Hillel Texas Correspondence and printed material, 1963-1996 Israel H. Levinthal Scholarship, 1992-2001 Literaria Judaica at the Humanities Harry Ransom Research Center, 1966-1972 Business Records 2003-170/17 Economy Furniture Incorporated Advertising Clippings and correspondence, 1952, 1987-1988 Business Correspondence Applicants, 1963-1969 General, undated, 1957-1966, 1991 B. I. E. Day [Business Industrial Education], 1957-1959 Industrial Cooperative Training (high school), 1966-1972 Labor Reform Act/ House Bill 8410, 1977 Personnel Correspondence, 1954-1962 Right to Work/ House Bill 1374, 1973 2003-170/26 Calendars 1983-1998 Employee Records 2003-170/18 Absentee Reports, 1962-1963, 1973-1982 Employee Lists 2003-170/17 Correspondence and printed material, 1956-1960, 1973-1989 “The Frame Up”, 1955-1968 Job Ads, 1975-1987 Hearing Tests 1974 Insurance Master List, 1982-1987 Work Sheets, 1962-1963 2003-170/27 Life Insurance Enrollment Cards, 1952-1974 Premium Charges, 1968-1975 2003-170/17 Drivers, 1982-1987 Lumber Unloaders, 1963-1964 Master Personnel General Correspondence, 1977-1987 2003-170/19-20 Office Personnel, 1985-2000 Personal Scratch Notes, 1956-1963 Personnel Requests [job postings], 1977 Private Industry Council, 1980-1981 Salary Records and Correspondence, 1954-1962 Safety, 1982-1989 Salesmen, 1977-1986 Time Study, 1987 Union Dues, 1984-1989 United Way Contributions, 1983-1986 Upholsterers International Union 456 Correspondence and printed material, 1972-1984 Vacation Balances, 1982 Equipment, 1958 Financial Reports 2003-170/21 Accounts Receivable [lists of checks], 1972-1978 Balance Sheets, 1951 2003-170/19 History of Company Clippings 1975-1980 2X387d Oral History Mitlon Smith to Thad Sitton interviews Oct. 14, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] Oct. 15, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] Oct. 20, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] Oct. 21, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] Nov. 4, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] Nov. 6, 2003 [2 audiocassette tapes] 2.325/D27d Scrapbook Legal Records 2003-170/22 Incinerator Lawsuit, 1957-1962 Upholsterers’ Strike Agreements between Economy Furniture and the Upholsterers’ International Union of North America, 1971-1985 Correspondence, 1971-1973 Sample Labor Contracts, 1967-1971 Union grievances, 1975 Union Correspondence, Management Consultants George McNew, 1958-1962, 1968 Neal Spelce Associates, 1972 2003-170/25 Research Institute of America Correspondence and printed material, 1962-1984 Publications by topic, 1956-1984 Sales Personnel Relations 2003-170/26 Operations Taxes Personal 2003-170/21 Unions and Strikes Printed Material, 1965-1972 2003-170/23 Physical Plant Boiler from S. S. Hope, 1975-1979, 1996 Blueprints and Fire Protection, 1959-1976 New Building Clippings and correspondence, 1963-1964 Invitation List for Opening, 1964 Security, 1995-2001 Visits, 1967 2003-170/27 Production Furniture Design, Correspondence and printed material, 1959-1960 Labor Cost Sheets, 1982 Production Work Schedules, 1987, 1991 Products, 1981-1982 Proposal for Furnishings, 1960 Sales Analysis, 1983 Upholsterers’ Strike- see Agreements Other Companies 2003-170/24 M-J-S Oil Corporation Correspondence, 1956-1961 Serta (Dormae) Products Correspondence and printed material, 1957-1984 Furniture Market and Associations Chamber of Commerce of the United States Correspondence and printed material, 1958-1960 Dallas Home Furnishing Mart Correspondence, 1959-1966, 1984-1986 Furniture Board of Governors Correspondence, 1965 National Association of Bedding Manufacturers Letter, 1983 National Association of Furniture Manufacturers Correspondence and Printed Material, 1959-1972 National Federation of Independent Business Correspondence and printed material, 1960-1962 Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association, Correspondence and printed material, 1969-1971 Southwestern Furniture Manufacturers Association Correspondence, 1955-1960 Southwestern Furniture Marketing Association Correspondence and printed material, 1960-1965 Texas Furniture Dealers Political Action Group, 1963 Texas Manufacturers Association, 1957-1959 2003-170/28 Photographic Material Smith Family, ca. 1930s-2002 Economy Furniture, ca.1940-1974