Subpoena issued to the College Teachers Union
Item
Che People of the State of New York
Ga: COLLEGE TEACHERS UNION LOCAL 537 ; :
by Robert K. Speer, President Ze kee al.
oe Greeting:
WE COMMAND YOU, That all and singular business and excuses being laid aside, you appear and
attend before the JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, or a subcommittee thereof, at Room 1204, No. 165 Broadway,
in the Borough of Manhattan, City and County of New York, onthe 31st day of January
1941, at three o’clock in the after noon, to testify and give evidence in a certain inquiry
and investigation into the Educational System of the State of New York, and other matters, now being con-
ducted pursuant to the provisions of a Joint Resolution of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New
York, adopted by said Senate and Assembly on January 8, 1941; and that you bring with you, and produce
at the time and place aforesaid
“1. All original membership records of your:organization from its in-
ception to the presents;
z.. All original minutes and minute books of your organization and
the various divisions and chapters thereof, and their res»ective
executive boards, managing bodies and ‘representative bodies;
3. All financial records, books of account, checkbooks, check stubs,
cancelled vouchers, expense accounts, bills, cash vouchers,
salary records, records of receipts and’disbursements, auditors!
statements and financial reports from the inception of your or-
ganization to date;
now in your custody, and all other papers, records, writings and evidences which you have in your custody or
control concerning the premises; and for a failure to attend, you will be punished as for contempt.
WITNESS, Hon. Frederic R. Coudert, Jr., Vice-Chairman of said JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
TO INVESTIGATE THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, as aforesaid, at
the offices of said Committee, in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, this Puipwa day of
January nihee
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SD
By__ JTC Cri.
Vice-Chairman
Paul Windels,
Counsel,
Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate the
Edycational System of the State of New York,
Room 1204,
No. 165 Broadway,
New York City.
Ga: COLLEGE TEACHERS UNION LOCAL 537 ; :
by Robert K. Speer, President Ze kee al.
oe Greeting:
WE COMMAND YOU, That all and singular business and excuses being laid aside, you appear and
attend before the JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, or a subcommittee thereof, at Room 1204, No. 165 Broadway,
in the Borough of Manhattan, City and County of New York, onthe 31st day of January
1941, at three o’clock in the after noon, to testify and give evidence in a certain inquiry
and investigation into the Educational System of the State of New York, and other matters, now being con-
ducted pursuant to the provisions of a Joint Resolution of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New
York, adopted by said Senate and Assembly on January 8, 1941; and that you bring with you, and produce
at the time and place aforesaid
“1. All original membership records of your:organization from its in-
ception to the presents;
z.. All original minutes and minute books of your organization and
the various divisions and chapters thereof, and their res»ective
executive boards, managing bodies and ‘representative bodies;
3. All financial records, books of account, checkbooks, check stubs,
cancelled vouchers, expense accounts, bills, cash vouchers,
salary records, records of receipts and’disbursements, auditors!
statements and financial reports from the inception of your or-
ganization to date;
now in your custody, and all other papers, records, writings and evidences which you have in your custody or
control concerning the premises; and for a failure to attend, you will be punished as for contempt.
WITNESS, Hon. Frederic R. Coudert, Jr., Vice-Chairman of said JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
TO INVESTIGATE THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, as aforesaid, at
the offices of said Committee, in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, this Puipwa day of
January nihee
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SD
By__ JTC Cri.
Vice-Chairman
Paul Windels,
Counsel,
Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate the
Edycational System of the State of New York,
Room 1204,
No. 165 Broadway,
New York City.
Title
Subpoena issued to the College Teachers Union
Description
This is the subpoena that was issued to the College Teachers Union on January 27, 1941. Commanding the union's presence at a January 31st hearing before the Rapp-Coudert Committee, the document requests extensive union membership records, meeting minutes, and financial records.
The Rapp-Coudert Committee was a New York State initiative organized in June 1940 to investigate and identify "subversive activities" and persons in New York's public schools and colleges. Several teachers' unions were targeted in the initial stages of the state's investigation as their membership rolls comprised progressive activists, many with alleged Communist ties. City College, in particular, became a target of the committee with dozens of faculty and staff called to public and private hearings.
The Rapp-Coudert Committee was a New York State initiative organized in June 1940 to investigate and identify "subversive activities" and persons in New York's public schools and colleges. Several teachers' unions were targeted in the initial stages of the state's investigation as their membership rolls comprised progressive activists, many with alleged Communist ties. City College, in particular, became a target of the committee with dozens of faculty and staff called to public and private hearings.
Contributor
Smith, Carol
Creator
Coudert, Frederic R.
Date
January 27, 1941
Rights
Copyrighted
Source
New York State Archives
Original Format
Correspondence
Coudert, Frederic R. Letter. “Subpoena Issued to the College Teachers Union.”, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/888