]> PUBLIC "-//The New York Public Library//TEXT (US::NN::Sc MG 183::Lester A. Walton Papers, 1905-1977)//ENG" "scwalton.xml" Inventory of the Lester A. Walton Papers, 1905-1977 Processed by Janice Quinter; Machine-readable finding aid created by Apex Data Services; revised by Terry Catapano.

Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, April 1999. Revised by Terry Catapano June 2000 Description is in English October 16, 2006 EAD v1.0 finding aid converted to EAD 2002 using UC Berkeley's eadv1to2002.pl perl script. Inventory of the Lester A. Walton Papers, 1905-1977 Sc MG 183 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture The New York Public Library New York, New York Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. New York Public Library. 515 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, NY 10037-1801 (212) 491-2224 scmarbref@nypl.org http://nypl.org/research/sc/scm/marb.html Processed by: Janice Quinter Date Completed: November 1991 Encoded By: Apex Data Services; Terry Catapano

Descriptive Summary Lester A. Walton Papers, 1905-1977 Sc MG 183 Walton, Lester A. 23 boxes (11.2 linear feet The New York Public Library Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture English Administrative Information Source

Gift of Walton Rochester and Marjorie Rochester, 1978 and 1984.

SCM 78-26

SCM 78-30

SCM 84-10

Biography

Lester Aglar Walton, journalist, diplomat and civic leader, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 20, 1882 of working class parents and was a graduate of Sumner High School in St. Louis. He held three honorary degrees: Master of Arts from Lincoln University in Chester, Pa., 1927, LL.D. from Wilberforce University, 1945, and the University of Liberia, 1958. In 1912 he married Gladys Moore, daughter of Fred A. Moore, publisher of the New York Age. They had two daughters.

Walton began his many faceted career as a golf writer on the St. Louis Star. From 1902 to 1906 he was general assignment and court reporter, and as such was the first African American to write for a daily paper in St. Louis. In 1906 he left St. Louis and moved to New York City, and by 1908 he was manager and theatrical editor for the New York Age (1908-1914 and again from 1917-1919). From 1922 to 1931 Walton was a special writer for the New York World. When the World folded he became feature writer for the New York Herald Tribune (1931), but resigned when the newspaper refused to give him a by-line. He returned to the New York Age in 1932 to serve as the newspaper's associate editor. During his journalistic career Walton became interested in world affairs and several of his special writing assignments were abroad. The most noteworthy of these were as news correspondent at the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919 and at sessions of the International Liberian Committee in 1933. Walton also served as arbitrator in a labor relations dispute between the Newspaper Guild of New York and the New York Amsterdam News (1957-1959). He was a member of the Society of the Silurians, an association of journalists.

During the late teens and early 1920's, Walton was active in the entertainment field. He worked as the manager of Harlem's Lafayette Theater from 1914 to 1916 and from 1919 to 1921, and was the dramatic lyricist for the theater. During World War I, as a member of the Military Entertainment Service, he supervised theatricals among African American soldiers. Walton later served as Vice President of the Negro Actor's Guild and in the 1950's was chairman of the Coordinating Council for Negro Performers. This group was dedicated to promoting African Americans in every branch of the entertainment field. During his chairmanship Walton strove for greater integration of African Americans in television and radio. Walton wrote a few songs in his career, commencing in 1905 and ending in 1956 when he wrote a song entitled “Welcome to New York,” dedicated to Mayor Robert F. Wagner. Also, he wrote the song “Jim Crow Has Got to Go,” a rallying song for civil rights workers in the 1950's.

Walton's political career began in 1913 when he launched a movement, with the assistance of the Associated Press, for the spelling of the word Negro with a capital “N.” An active Democrat, he served as director of publicity of the Colored Division of the Democratic National Campaign Committee in 1924, 1928 and 1932.

President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Walton as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Liberia in 1933, a position he held until 1946. Among his accomplishments, he concluded significant treaties between the United States and Liberia, including the terms under which the American government established a United States Army base. Walton also negotiated with the Liberian government for the construction of a port in Monrovia and concluded commerce, navigation and aviation treaties.

As a longstanding member of the Harlem community, Walton sought to make local improvements for African Americans. He was one of the original members of the Commission on Intergroup Relations, a New York City agency founded in 1955 which later (1961) became known as the Commission on Human Rights. Under Mayor Wagner, this Commission worked in the fields of civil rights and civil liberties, especially fair housing practices. Walton retired from this volunteer post in 1964. His death occurred on October 19, 1965. His wife, Gladys, died in approximately 1977.

Scope and Content

The Lester A. Walton Papers date from 1905 to 1977. The papers provide information on his diversified careers in the entertainment field, journalism, as the American ambassador to Liberia from 1935 to 1946, as a commissioner for the New York City Commission on Human Rights from 1956 to 1964, and on various political activities in which he was engaged. Aspects of his personal and family life are represented in the papers as well.

The collection is divided into seven series and seven subseries. The titles and dates are as follows:

Organization

Personal Papers Family Papers 1912-1973 Alma Mater 1940-1965 Financial Records 1920-1977 Certificates 1929-1964 Entertainment Career 1905-1963 Coordinating Council for Negro Performers 1951-1955 Journalistic Career 1913-1965 Newspaper Guild of New York 1957-1961 American Representative to Liberia 1930-1965 General Correspondence 1911-1965 Political Activities and City of New York Affairs 1925-1964 New York City Commission on Human Rights 1955-1965 Printed Matter 1926-1953

Container List Personal Papers Family Papers

Family Papers subseries, 1912-1973 includes biographical material, Walton's marriage certificate and will, and correspondence with family members, including his mother and Walton's sister, Mrs. Lucille Garrett. Gladys Walton's correspondence following the death of her husband is also included.

1 1 Biographical information, 1940-1963 1 2 Biographical information, 1953-1961 1 3 Personal, n.d. 1 4 Marriage certificate, 1912 1 5 Biographical articles, 1926-1965 1 6 Last will and testament of Lester Walton, 1927-1940 1 7 Last will and testament of Olive M. Walton, 1936 1 8 Family correspondence, 1918-1932 1 9 Family correspondence, 1929-1944 1 10 Family correspondence, 1950-1962 1 11 Family correspondence -- Estate of Benjamin A. Walton, Jr., 1944 1 12 Family correspondence -- Death of Olive M. Walton, 1944-1947 1 13 Personal correspondence -- Marriage of Walton's daughter, Gladys, 1937-1938 1 14 Personal correspondence, 1947-1948 1 15 Personal correspondence, 1950-1959 1 16 Personal correspondence, 1952-1959 1 17 Personal correspondence, 1955-1964 2 1 Personal correspondence, Garrett family, 1944-1947 2 2 Personal correspondence, Garrett family, 1950-1951 2 3 Personal correspondence, Garrett family, 1952-1962 2 4 Family greeting cards, 1946-1950 2 5 Lester and Gladys Walton -- 50th wedding anniversary -- Correspondence and news clipping, 1962 2 6 Lester and Gladys Walton -- 50th wedding anniversary -- Letters, 1962 2 7 European trips -- Passenger lists and related information, 1930's 2 8 Correspondence re Walton's death, 1965-1966 2 9 Correspondence -- Disposition of Lester Walton's papers, 1965 2 10 Gladys Walton -- Correspondence, 1966 2 11 Gladys Walton -- Power of attorney, 1972-1973 Alma Mater

Alma Mater subseries, 1940-1965, consists of material from Walton's high school, Sumner High School in St. Louis, and the university which granted him an honorary Master of Arts degree, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Walton maintained a warm relationshi p with his high school and material includes the text of a commencement address he delivered in 1951, correspondence, press releases, programs and news clippings pertaining to the graduation exercise, and a yearbook from 1965. Lincoln University is represented by a history of the school, a newsletter and bulletins.

2 12 Sumner High School -- Correspondence 2 13 Sumner High School -- Commencement programs and texts of address given by Walton, 1947-1951 2 14 Sumner High School -- Printed matter, commencement programs, etc., 1940-1965 2 15 Sumner High School -- News clippings re Walton's commencement address, etc., 1950-1951 2 16 Sumner High School -- Yearbook, 1965 2 17 Lincoln University, 1927, 1951-1955 Financial Records

Financial Records subseries, 1920-1977, consists of correspondence, bank statements, investment papers and related material.

3 1 Financial records, 1920's 3 2 Financial records, 1930's-1945 3 3 Taxes -- Property, Shawneetown, Illinois, 1950-1957 Ampere Bank and Trust Company -- Correspondence 3 4 1944-1945 3 5 1944-1948 3 6 1950 Fidelity Union Trust Company Correspondence 3 7 1950-1955 3 8 1951-1956 3 9 1955-1957 3 10 1956-1963 Financial Records 3 11 1957-1958 3 12 1959-1961 4 1 1959-1961 4 2 1962-1963 4 3 1964 4 4 Financial Records, 1951-1954 4 5 Gladys Walton -- Financial records, 1965 4 6 Gladys Walton -- Financial records, 1966 4 7 Gladys Walton -- Financial Records, 1966-1968 4 8 Gladys Walton -- Financial Records, 1965-1977 Certificates

Certificates subseries, 1929-1964, includes a variety of certificates awarded to Walton such as honorary degrees, college diplomas, and other certificates presented by Liberia, the City of New York, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Certificates, 1929-1964 Entertainment Career

The ENTERTAINMENT CAREER series, 1905-1963, contains music and lyrics for songs written by Walton and a small amount of correspondence pertaining to his years as manager of Harlem's Lafayette Theater. There is also correspondence and printed matter from the Negro Actors Guild of America, in addition to stories, poems and music written by individuals other than Walton, some of whom are not identified.

The Coordinating Council for Negro Performers subseries, 1951-1955, Consists of correspondence Walton wrote as chairman of this organization. The purpose of this Council was to promote African American performers in all aspects of the theatrical profession.

6 1 Music career, 1905 6 2 Correspondence and other material re theatrical career, 1915-1963 6 3 Original lyrics and music written by Walton “When a Woman Will She Will” “All for One, One for All,” 1926 6 4 Correspondence -- Copyright of music, 1945-1953 6 5 Original lyrics written by Walton “Sweet Talkin Man,” “Are You Sure You're Sure,” and “Just What Makes Your Mommy Love You,” ca. 1950 6 6 Correspondence -- Copyright of “When a Woman Will She Will,” 1954 6 7 “Welcome to New York,” 1956 6 8 Negro Actors Guild of America, 1946-1961 6 9 Robert E. Kalaidjian (Columbia Broadcasting System), 1951-1958 6 10 Lawrence W. Lowman (Columbia Broadcasting System), 1951-1956 6 11 Frederick O'Neal, 1959-1962 6 12 Film script -- “Tenth Citizen U.S.A.,” n.d. 6 13 Folk tale, n.d. 6 14 “Poems by a Jamaican,” “Who's Who? A Comedy Crook Sketch,” n.d. 6 15 Music by J. Augustus Smith and Estelle Smith, 1953 6 16 Theatrical career -- Printed matter, 1926-1963 Coordinating Council for Negro Performers 6 17 Constitution and by-laws, ca. 1953 6 18 Correspondence, 1951-1954 6 19 Correspondence, including material re “My Darlin' Aida,” 1951-1954 6 20 Correspondence, 1953 6 21 Correspondence, 1955 6 22 News clippings Journalistic Career

The NEWSPAPER CAREER series, 1913-1965, contains a small amount of correspondence with the New York Age, the New York Amsterdam News, and staff members representing other newspapers. Contained in this series is correspondence regarding capitalizing “N” in the word “Negro,” and a membership roster and printed material from the Society of the Silurians.

The Newspaper Guild of New York subseries, 1957-1961, regards the grievance between the Newspaper Guild of New York and the New York Amsterdam News, for which Walton served as arbitrator. The grievance issue involved the failure of Powell Savory Corporation, publishers of the New York Amsterdam News, to pay wages for eight employees as stated in collective bargaining regulations.

7 1 Correspondence -- New York Age, 1913-1932 7 2 Correspondence, 1920's 7 3 Correspondence, 1917-1935 7 4 Correspondence, 1924-1940 7 5 Correspondence, 1947-1960 7 6 Correspondence, 1960-1961 7 7 Society of the Silurians, 1951-1965 Newspaper Guild of New York Arbitration -- Newspaper Guild of New York vs New York New York Amsterdam News 7 8 1952-1953 7 9 1955-1956 7 10 1956 7 11 1957-1959 7 12 1958-1959 7 13 1959-1961 American Representative to Liberia

The AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE TO LIBERIA series, 1930-1965, consists principally of material generated during Walton's tenure as ambassador, 1935-1946, particularly correspondence, Walton's personal financial papers, invitations to a variety of official and other events, and official addresses Walton delivered. Correspondents include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Liberian presidents Edwin Barclay and William V. S. Tubman, Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Thomas Jesse Jones who was Educational Director of the Phelps Stokes Fund, Henry M. Minton, M.D. of Philadelphia, Herbert Bayard Swope who was executive director of The New York World, and Liberian Entertainments Company which showed films in Liberia. Official correspondence includes comments on the status of the situation in Liberia, economic activity, foreign and commercial relations with Britain, Italian Invasion of Ethiopia, problems with Legation personnel, role of the United States in Liberia, and corruption and incompetency among Liberian officials.

A variety of printed matter also comprises this series, some beyond the 1946 date of Walton's ambassadorship. Included are texts of addresses delivered by presidents of Liberia C. D. B. King and Edwin Barclay, reports, a publicity program and text of Walton's address relating to President Tubman's 1961 visit to the United States, and news clippings pertaining to Liberia published in that country and the United States.

8 1 Americo-Liberian Industrial Company, ca. 1930 8 2 Correspondence -- Political crisis in Liberia and relationship with League of Nations, 1932-1935 8 3 Correspondence -- Walton's appointment as the American minister to Liberia and other matters, 1933-1935 8 4 Correspondence, 1933-1936 8 5 Correspondence, 1935 8 6 Correspondence, 1936 8 7 Biographical information of Malvina Barclay, 1936 8 8 President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936-1943 8 9 Correspondence, 1936-1943 8 10 Correspondence, 1937 8 11 Correspondence, 1937-1942 8 12 Commencement program for Liberia College, 1938 8 13 Correspondence, 1938 8 14 Development of sports in Liberia, 1938 8 15 Correspondence, 1939 8 16 Correspondence, 1939-1943 8 17 Correspondence, 1940-1944 8 18 Correspondence, 1940-1944 8 19 Correspondence, 1940-1944 8 20 Letters to Walton from President Harry Truman, James F. Byrnes, etc. 1940-1946 9 1 Correspondence, Jan. -Feb. 1938 9 2 Correspondence, March-April 1938 9 3 Correspondence, May 1938 9 4 Correspondence, June 1938 9 5 Correspondence, July 1938 9 6 Correspondence, Aug. 1938 9 7 Correspondence, Sept. 1938 9 8 Correspondence, Oct. 1938 9 9 Correspondence, Nov. 1938 9 10 Correspondence, Dec. 1938 9 11 Correspondence, Jan. 1939 9 12 Correspondence, Feb. 1939 9 13 Correspondence, March 1939 9 14 Correspondence, April 1939 9 15 Correspondence, May 1939 10 1 Correspondence, June 1-15, 1939 10 2 Correspondence, June 17-30, 1939 10 3 Correspondence, July 1-14, 1939 10 4 Correspondence, July 18-31, 1939 10 5 Correspondence, July 1-15, 1939 10 6 Correspondence, Aug. 16-31, 1939 10 7 Correspondence, Sept. 1939 10 8 Correspondence, Oct. 1-14, 1939 10 9 Correspondence, Oct. 16-31, 1939 10 10 Correspondence, Nov. 1939 10 11 Correspondence, Dec. 1-15, 1939 10 12 Correspondence, Dec. 16-28, 1939 11 1 Correspondence, 1940 11 2 Correspondence with President Barclay and other officials in Liberia, 1940-1945 11 3 Economic development of Liberia and financial reports, 1943 11 4 Address delivered by Walton at American Independence Day luncheon, 1944 11 5 Annual report -- Financial advisor of Liberia, John A. Dunaway, 1944 11 6 Invitations for events in Liberia, 1944 11 7 Correspondence, 1944-1945 11 8 Correspondence, 1944-1946 11 9 Correspondence, 1944-1946 11 10 Correspondence, 1944-1946 11 11 Memorial service and eulogies for Franklin Roosevelt, 1945 11 12 Correspondence, 1945-1946 11 13 Invitations and menu -- Ball in honor of Walton, 1946 11 14 Liberian Entertainments Company, 1945-1946 11 15 Foreign Service -- Department of State, 1942-1945 11 16 Foreign Service -- Department of State, 1944-1945 11 17 Foreign Service -- Department of State, 1946 11 18 Appointment of African Americans as ambassadors, n.d. 11 19 Addresses re Liberia Inauguration ceremony for Tubman, 1939-1952 11 20 Address re A.M.E. Church in Liberia, 1945 11 21 Commencement Address -- Liberia College, 1945 12 1 Address -- American Independence Day celebration, 1945 12 2 Address -- “Liberia, British West Africa, French West Africa,” 1952 12 3 Correspondence, financial records, 1945 12 2 Correspondence, financial records, 1945 12 3 Correspondence, financial records, 1945 12 4 Correspondence, financial records, 1945 12 5 Correspondence, financial records, 1945 12 6 Correspondence, 1945 12 7 Correspondence, 1945 12 8 Correspondence, 1945 12 9 Correspondence, 1945 12 10 Correspondence, 1945 12 11 Correspondence, 1945 12 12 Correspondence, 1945 12 13 Correspondence, 1945 12 14 Correspondence, 1945 13 1 Correspondence, 1945-1946 13 2 Correspondence, 1945-1946 13 3 Correspondence, 1945-1946 13 4 Correspondence, 1946 13 5 Resolution of appreciation for Walton, 1946 13 6 Report -- Liberian bush schools, n.d. Printed Matter 13 7 Addresses delivered by C.D.B. King, president of Liberia, 1928-1930 13 8 Addresses delivered by Edwin Barclay, president of Liberia, 1931-1933 13 9 Addresses delivered by Edwin Barclay, president of Liberia, 1933 13 10 Remarks on the opening of the American Legation Building, 1941 13 11 Report, “Liberian Borders: Background and Present Status,” ca. 1942 13 12 Publicity and address -- President Tubman's visit to the United States, 1961 13 13 General information re Liberia, n.d. 14 1 Publications re Liberia published in Liberia, 1930-1956 14 2 U.S. Government Publications -- Liberia, 1931-1933 14 3 Report -- “Liberia: Documents Relating to the Plan of Assistance Proposed by the League of Nations,” 1933 14 4 Report -- “Liberia: Documents Relating to the Plan of Assistance Proposed by the League of Nations,” 1933 14 5 Printed opinions -- Liberian Supreme Court, 1934-1935 14 6 Treaties signed by the United States and Liberia, 1940-1941 14 7 Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia, 1944-1945 14 8 Religious missions in Liberia, 1946 14 9 Booklets re President Tubman, n.d. 15 1 News clippings from Liberian newsPapers, 1938-1958 15 2 News clippings -- Liberia, 1930's 15 2 News clippings -- Liberia, 1938-1945 15 3 News clippings -- Liberia, 1940's 15 4 News clippings -- Liberia, 1940's 15 5 News clippings -- Liberia, 1953-1956 15 6 News clippings -- Liberia, 1965 15 7 Scrapbook -- Liberia, 1935-1938 15 8 Scrapbook -- Liberia, 1939-1942 General Correspondence

The GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE series, 1911-1965, for the most part was maintained separately by Walton, hence this order has been kept. There is substantial correspondence pertaining to Liberia following Walton's 1946 resignation, including correspondence with George Padmore, American ambassador to Liberia in the 1950's and Clarence L. Simpson, Vice President of Liberia, 1944-1952, who became Ambassador to the United States in 1952. There is also correspondence relating to newspapers and organizations such as Tuskegee Institute, Universal Negro Improvement Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, African Methodist Episcopal Church and other religious and community groups. A few of Walton's numerous correspondents in this series are Charles C. Huitt, Hulan E. Jack, Henry M. Minton, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., Herbert Bayard Swope and William V. S. Tubman. Correspondence with friends and colleagues and invitations are included in this series. There are also numerous Christmas cards from friends, colleagues and professional associates.

16 1 1915-1919 16 2 1926 16 3 1927-1929 16 4 National Urban League, 1925-1926 16 5 Tuskegee Institute, 1911-1960 16 6 Universal Negro Improvement Association, 1926 16 7 1930-1938 16 8 1931-1934 16 9 A, 1944-1947 16 10 B, 1937-1947 16 11 C, 1944-1948 16 12 D, 1944-1947 16 13 W.E.B. DuBois, 1944-1946 16 14 E - F, 1946-1947 16 15 G, 1944-1947 16 16 H - J, 1932-1947 16 17 K - L, 1944-1947 16 18 M, 1944-1947 16 19 N, 1940-1947 16 20 P, 1944-1949 16 21 Q - R, 1940-1947 16 22 A. Philip Randolph -- Testimonial dinner, 1947 16 23 S, 1938-1947 16 24 S, 1946-1949 16 25 T - V, 1943-1948 16 26 W, 1943-1947 16 27 Y - Z, 1944-1947 16 28 Young Women's Christian Association -- Walton as guest speaker, 1948-1949 16 29 1945 16 30 1947 16 31 1948 16 32 1949 16 33 1949 17 1 A, 1951-1963 17 2 B, 1950-1952 17 3 B, 1950-1952 17 4 B, 1950-1953 17 5 B, 1950-1957 17 6 B, 1951-1952 17 7 B, 1951-1954 17 8 B, 1955-1959 17 9 Rev. Shelton Hale Bishop -- Testimonial luncheon, 1957 17 10 C, 1953-1959 17 11 C, 1954-1964 17 12 D, 1951-1952 17 13 D, 1951-1959 17 14 D, 1952-1957 17 15 Irving Dillard, 1952-1955 17 16 E, 1952-1959 17 17 F, 1951-1959 17 18 G, 1951-1953 17 19 G, 1951-1959 17 20 H, 1950-1954 17 21 H, 1953-1957 17 22 H, 1955-1960 17 23 Charles C. Huitt, 1951-1962 17 24 I, 1950-1959 18 1 J, 1951-1958 18 2 K, 1951-1957 18 3 K, 1951-1959 18 4 L, 1950-1952 18 5 L, 1951-1959 18 6 L, 1953-1958 18 7 Lincoln High School, St. Louis, Mo., 1947-1951 18 8 M, 1951-1958 18 9 M, 1951-1958 18 10 N - P, 1952-1959 18 11 P, 1950-1958 18 12 P, 1952-1958 18 13 R, 1950-1956 18 14 R, 1951-1956 18 15 R, 1951-1960 18 16 S, 1950-1951 18 17 S, 1952-1953 19 1 S, 1953-1954 19 2 S, 1955 19 3 S, 1956 19 4 S, 1957-1959 19 5 T, William Tubman, etc., 1950-1953 19 6 T, William Tubman, etc., 1952-1953 19 7 T, William Tubman, etc., 1953-1964 19 8 Tuskegee Institute -- Address of Dr. Francis G. Peabody, n.d. 19 9 U, 1951-1961 19 10 V, 1951-1955 19 11 W - Z, 1951-1961 19 12 W - Z, 1951-1961 19 13 Correspondence -- Liberia, 1951-1954 19 14 Correspondence -- Liberia, 1960's 19 15 1950 19 16 1950 19 17 1950 19 18 1950 19 19 1960's 19 20 Invitations, 1958 20 Christmas greeting cards, 1926-1961 Political Activities and City of New York Affairs

The Political Activities and City of New York Affairs series 1925-1964, includes an article Walton wrote on capitalizing “N” in the word Negro, press releases and correspondence pertaining to the Atlanta based Commission on Interracial Cooperation, the President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice and material regarding African Americans during World War II, correspondence with New York City's Mayor Robert F. Wagner and Walton's activities in Democratic Party campaigns, which includes substantial correspondence with James A. Farley.

The subseries New York City Commission on Human Rights, 1955-1965, includes records pertaining to the establishment of the Commission, reports, minutes of meetings, press releases, newsletters, and material regarding discrimination in housing, including reports and transcripts of hearings. News clippings deal with Walton's 1965 retirement from the Commission.

21 1 Commission on Interracial Cooperation, 1925 21 2 Minutes of meeting re housing issues in New York City, 1927 21 3 Walton's article re capitalizing “N” in Negro, ca. 1920's-1947 21 4 Democratic Party, 1932-1945 21 5 Democratic Party, 1934-1951 21 6 Democratic Party, 1949-1950 21 7 Democratic Party, 1952-1964 21 8 Democratic Party -- Mayor Vincent R. Impelliteri, 1950-1951 21 9 Democratic Party -- James A. Farley, 1951-1959 21 10 Democratic Party -- Robert F. Wagner, 1944-1955 21 11 Dinner in honor of Mayor Robert F. Wagner, 1957 21 13 President's Committee on Fair Employment Practice -- Blacks during World War II, 1941-1942 21 14 City of New York affairs, 1961-1964 21 15 Address delivered by Walton, “Our Role in World Affairs,” 1949 New York City Commission on Human Rights 21 16 1955-1957 21 17 1956 21 18 1956 21 19 1956 21 20 1956 22 1 New York City Commission on Human Rights, 1956-1959 22 2 Report, “Intergroup Relations Training and Discrimination in Official Agencies of the City of New York,” 1958 22 3 Fair housing practices, 1959 22 4 1960-1961 22 5 By-laws, 1961 22 6-8 Hearings -- Discrimination in Housing, 1961 22 9 Reports -- Education, 1961 22 10 1961-1964 22 11 1962-1964 22 12 Report, “Inquiry into Charges of Racial Bias in the City's Building and Construction Industry,” 1963 22 13 Newsletters, 1962-1965 22 14 Walton's retirement -- Letter, 1964 22 15 Walton's retirement -- News clippings, 1964-1965 22 16 Printed Matter

PRINTED MATTER, 1926-1953 consists of numerous news clippings including articles written by and about Walton, published material regarding World War II, Haile Selassie's visit to New York in 1954, newsletters of civil rights and religious groups, printed matter re race relations, schools, Walton's home town of St. Louis, Missouri, United Nations reports and fraternal organizations. There is also material regarding African countries other than Liberia. Note that printed matter concerned with Liberia has been placed in the series “American Representative to Liberia.”

23 1 News clippings including articles written by Walton, 1920's 23 2 News clippings re Walton, 1940's 23 3 Articles written by Walton, ca. 1952 23 4 News clippings re Walton, 1953 23 5 News clippings re Walton, 1953 23 6 Publications, “Your St. Louis and Mine,” n.d. Separation Record

The following items were removed from:

Name of Collection/Papers Lester A. Walton Papers

Accession Number SCM 78-26, SCM 78-30, SCM 84-10

Donor: Walton Rochester and Marjorie Rochester

Date received: May 1978, June 1978, July 1984

Date transferred: 1980, April 26, 1991

The item(s) listed below have been sent to the division indicated, either to be retained or disposed of there. Any items that should receive special disposition are clearly marked.

Schomburg Library:

1 box of books, periodicals

Schomburg Art and Artifacts Division:

1 fiber bag made in Liberia, ca. 1930's

Walton's Liberian stamp collection on air mail envelops

1 fan from undertaken/embalmer

Schomburg Photographs and Print Division:

5 Abs of photographs

Accessioned by: Janice Quinter

Date: 4/26/91