Lee J. Adamson (1906-?) was a certified public accountant, conservative activist, speaker and writer. The collection includes correspondence, articles and essays, editorial letter, speeches and writings by others, subject files and mailing lists. There also includes free-standing volumes and a package with posters and a certificate award.
Repository:
University of Oregon Libraries Special Collections & University Archives
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Lee J. Adamson, Bellingham Washington certified public accountant, conservative activist, speaker, and writer, was born December 21, 1906 in Seneca, Kansas. In 1919, his parents move their family to a homestead in the Shoshone Basin in northwest Wyoming. Adamson attended the University of Wyoming for tow years as a engineering student before transferring to the University of Washington where he receive his BA degree in education in 1929, with a concentration in economics.
In 1933, Adamson accepted active duty under his Reserve commission as camp officer, and later camp commander, with the Civilian Conservation Corps. After he left the Corps in 1937, he undertook several jobs until 1946 when he opened an office as a public accountant in Bellingham, Washington. In 1951, Adamson qualified as a certified public accountant. He sold his practice in 1966 and subsequently engaged in a limited accounting practice.
Adamson was active in a number of professional and civic organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Accounting Association, the Committee on Pan-American Policy, and American for Constitutional Action. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Washington State Committee for Voluntary Unionism, Inc., and as a trustee for the Committee for Voluntary Unionism, Inc. In addition, Adamson was an organizer and secretary for the Citizens Defense Fund, which was formed to raise funds for those "patriots" who had become involved in litigation. As a member of the John Birch Society from 1959 to 1967, Adamson served as volunteer coordinator and section leader in Bellingham, Washington.
Adamson's writing we numerous and varied. He wrote a periodic commentary about national and international affairs titled "Liberty Line" which was published in Rank and File (Portland, Ore.). He also frequently submitted editorials that appeared in such newspapers as the Borger (Texas) News-Harold and the Manchester (New Hampshire) Union Leader, as well as other newspapers and journals. He co-authored the article, " Punched Card Accounting for Small Business," (Journal of Accountancy, December, 1961) and the handbook Accountants' Data Processing Services (Ronald Press Company, 1964). In addition, Adamson edited two books, Vietnam: An Eyewitness Account (1964) and Techniques of Soviet Propaganda (1965), and a pamphlet entitled "Embassies of Subversion" (February, 1965), all of which were written by Madame Suzanne Labin, founder and president of the International Conference of Political Warfare.
Further biographical information about Lee J. Adamson is not available.
Content Description
The Adamson Papers largely contain correspondence, writings, and subject files. The bulk of the papers consists of correspondence which includes approximately 10,000 incoming and outgoing letters, memoranda, and notes. Arranged chronologically, the correspondence spans from 1954 to 1969, with a concentration in the years between 1960 and 1967. Much of the correspondence concerns the national and international issues of the 1960s, such as the conflict of Vietnam, civil rights, and Soviet-American relations. A great deal of the correspondence is about conservative and anti-communist individuals and activities. Among those individuals represented in the collections are Pedro A. del Valle, William E. Fort, Jr., Phyllis Schlafly, and Robert Welch.
In addition, Adamson corresponded with several Washington State and national politicians including Jack Westland and Warren G. Magnuson. A number of civic organizations also are represented in the correspondence such as the John Birch Society, the Church League of America, Housewives Organized for Better Living, and Mothers' Crusade for Victory over Communism. Letters from Madame Suzanne Labin (a French socialist and anti-communist) and Bryton Barron mainly concern the editing and publication of Labin's manuscripts regarding Vietnam and communist activities in the United States and around the world. Very little is revealed about Adamson's personal life in the correspondence.
Many of Adamson's writings are contained in the papers. About 1,00 articles and essays, including the "Liberty Line" commentaries, are arranged alphabetically by title. A partial list of these writings is filed in the first folder of the series. The writings chiefly concern the administrations of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, United States' involvement in Southeast Asia, race relations, urban upheaval, and various social and political issues and personalities. Untitled items, rough drafts, and notes follow the titled items. Editorial letters written by Adamson between 1959 and 1968 are arranged chronologically and follow his other writings.
Adamson's papers also include manuscripts of speeches and writings by other individuals. About 1, 500 items, mainly written during the 1960s are arranged alphabetically by the authors' last manes and then by titles. The subjects coverd are similar in nature to those discussed in Adamson's writings. Among the many authors represented are: Betty Ann Dobisah (a John Birch Society member), Suzanne Labin, Phyllis Schlafly, and Lawrence Timbers.
The subject files, for the most part, have retained the original folder titles assigned by Adamson. Arranged alphabetically by title, they contain general reference materials about individuals, organizations, and diverse subjects ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to South Africa. Correspondence in the subject files was removed to the general correspondence series.
Other material in Adamson's papers includes mailing lists, photographs, broadsides, and graphic charts concerning the Liberty Amendment and taxes. The photographs included several pictures of Adamson, Eric D. Butler (an Australian writer and speaker), Suzanne Labin, Jack Matcalf with his family, and others. The broadsides concern the Liberty Amendment, anti-communism, and other conservative issues. Researchers should note that the photographs have been removed to the Photograph Collection as PH066 and the broadsides have been removed to the Broadside Collection.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Collection is open to the public.
Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room.
Restrictions on Use :
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation :
[Identification of item], Lee J. Adamson Papers, Coll. 086, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
Collection is organized into the following series:
Biographical Material
Correspondence
Articles and Essays
Editorial Letters
Speeches and Writings by others
Subject Files
Mailing Lists
Oversized
Acquisition Information :
Gift of Lee J. Adamson in 1981.
Processing Note :
Collection processed by Cynthia Crouch, Manuscripts Processor, January 1985.
Separated Materials :
Photographs in this collection are stored separately under call number PH066.
Broadsides in this collection are stored separately in the Broadsides Collection.
Am I Afraid of Freedom; Appeal; Betrayal in Saigon and Political Morality; Bridge Builders
24
2
"Can Check 'War by Amateurs,'" Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader
November 3, 1966
24
"Charge 'Chickenshop," The Freedom Press
September 22, 1965
24
Cold Colonialism; Conflict's Cockpit...A Book Review of 'The Battle for Rhodesia,'" California; Mining Journal
June 1967
24
"Conservatives Win in Seattle: the King County Republican Convention"; Yakima Eagle
June 1, 1966
24
The Council Speaks; The Defeatist Coalition; "Embargo on Friends; Trade with Enemies," The Freedom Press
End the Cold War?
November 17, 1966
24
3
"Federal Officials Incite With Enemies," Yakima Eagle
June 1, 1966
24
Female Fraud
May 19, 1967
24
Freeways of Freedom
July 14, 1966
24
Fundamental Fallacy
Match 20, 1967
24
Golden Rope; "Good Samaritan's Reward," Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader
June 4, 1965
24
Hatchet Man for New Tong
April 19, 1969
24
Hilarious Hokus-Pokus
May 19, 1966
24
"Hits History Twist," The Freedom Press
August 20, 1965
24
How Much Power Should Government Rightfully Have to Enter Your Home; for the Purpose of Investigating You, Seizing Your Property or Arresting; You?
It's Not That Time Again...
July 15, 1966
24
4
" Joy to the World," Tonasket Tribune
Kiss of Death; The Liberty Amendment
December 23, 1965
24
5
Liberty Line
25
1
Liberty Line
25
2
Liberty Line
25
3
Liberty Line
25
4
Liberty Line
25
5
Liberty Line (documentation)
25
6
Liberty Line (documentation)
25
7
Liberty Line (subscription orders)
25
8
"The Lodge Appointment to Saigon-- Gargantuan Goof," The Wonderer
July 22, 1965
25
Looking Ahead with ISI; "LBJ and the Red-Dominated OAU," The Independent American
July 1966-August 1966
25
"LBJ Misses Red Trade: No Time for Service Mothers," The Freedom Press
October 12, 1966
25
"McNamara Ouster Seen as Imperative," The Freedom Press
March 15, 1966; May Day-1962
25
"The 'Mellowing' Monster," The Independent American
January 31, 1966
25
"Miscalculation in Vietnam," The Freedom Press
December 30, 1965
25
"No Time for Expediency," Christian Economics
December 14, 1965
25
"No Time to Lose," The Freedom Press
One Million Candlelight
September 29, 1965
25
9
Our Faded Flag; Paralytic Power; The Robin Hood Freeway; Sample Provision, Valuation Formula and Buy & Sell Agreement: Closely Held Corporation; "Sees Why Losing: Cowardly Capitalists," The Freedom Press, January 31, 1966; Social Education and Action; "South Africa's Vital Task, Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader, October 20, 1969; Statement of Strategy
25
10
Stuart Oles: Tacoma
May 31, 1967
25
Tax Trickery; Teapot Trickery; "That Deceptive Federal Budget," The Freedom Press
June 17, 1966
25
This is National Security?; Twenty Questions?; Unprincipled Unreliability; Washington Republicans and Voluntary Unionism; "What Do We Wait For?" Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader
July 15, 1965
25
Who's Conspiring?
May 19, 1969
25
"Why Not Win in Vietnam?" Intelligence Survey
November 1966
25
Women Fight communism; "You Are An American," Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader
The American Legion; Arlington House, Publishers; Asian Speakers Bureau; Bealle, Morris A.; Billings, Tom
26
12
Birtwistle, Colonel O.G.; Blazey, A. G.; Brandt, E. J.; Brown, Leslie; Butler, Eric D.; Christian Crusade Communications Dept.; The Conservative Party Club of Flushing; Coughlin, William .
26
13
Crabtree, Ray; Cropper, R. C.; Davis, Mrs. M. V.; De Courcy, John; De Ganahl, Frank; Dempsey, Colonel Richard W.
26
14
Dies, Martin; Dobiash, Betty Ann
26
15
Dobiash, Betty Ann
27
1
Dobiash, Betty Ann
27
2
Dobiash, Betty Ann; Douglass, Sam S.; Faber, Dorothy A.
27
3
Faber, Dorothy A.; The Fair Play Committee; Fikes, Homer; Fitzhugh, Ed; Ford, James H.; Free Pacific Association; Fritts, Bill; Goldwater, Barry; Goodloe, William C.; Greyling, Theo; Hance, Myrtle; Hansen, Robert; Harrity, Harry L.
27
4
Harmon, Charles M.; Hill, Merritt D.; Holden, Ashley E.; Holliday, Don; Hoover, J. Edgar
27
5
Hosmer, Craig; Huxley-Blythe, P. J.; Ingram, T. Robert; Jackson, Henry M.
27
6
Jaffe Michael D.; The John Birch Society; Johnson, T.; Kaul, Arthur A.; Kennedy, Harold W.; Koen, Albert T.; Kyle, C. Fain
27
7
Labin, Suzanne
27
8
Labin, Suzanne
27
9
Labin, Suzanne
27
10
Labin, Suzanne
27
11
Labin, Suzanne
27
12
Labin, Suzanne
27
14
Labin, Suzanne
28
1
Labin, Suzanne
28
2
Labin, Suzanne
28
3
Labin, Suzanne
28
4
Labin, Suzanne
28
5
Labin, Suzanne
28
10
La Follette, John T.; Lambie, William K.; Lane, L. A.; Lewis, Robert W.; Loeffler, Ted; Lord, Harold; Lydon, James
28
11
Lyons, Daniel
29
1
McAlister, Alexander Worth Jr.; McDowell, Arthur G.; McMath, Sidney S.; Marshall, S. L. A.; Mason, H. Norton; Matthews, J. B.
29
2
Mayne, Jack; Mezvinsky, Norton; Miller, Manuel and Lucille; Miller, Paul; Miller, Thomas; Minh, Ho Chi
Senate Internal Security Subcommittee continued; Sharma, I. C.; Sherer, Samuel A.; Smith, Luther A.; Snohomish County Republican Party; Sollitt, Kenneth W.; Spratlen, Thaddeus H.; SPX Research Associates
29
11
Stellwagon, Florence M.; Strube, W. P. Jr.; Strudza, Michel; Sullivan, William C.; Taylor, Bruce; Thieme, R. B. Jr.; Thomas, Frank
29
12
Thurmond, Strom; Timbers, Lawrence; Todd, Arthur; Ullmer, Fred; Vincent, John
29
13
Walker, Edwin A.; Wall, William A.; Walters, Henry J.; The Washington State University Transcription Service; Whittaker, Charles E.; Woodbury, David O.; Young, Patricia
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Corporate Names :
Mothers' Crusade for Victory over Communism
Geographical Names :
Bellingham (Wash.)--Politics and government
United States--Politics and government--1945-1989
Washington (State)--Politics and government--1951-
Subject Terms :
Accountants--Washington (State)
Accounting
Anti-communist movements--United States
Conservatism--United States
Conservatives--United States
Political activists--Washington (State)
Propaganda, Anti-communist
Right and left (Political science)
World politics--1945-1989
Other Creators :
Barron, Bryton, 1898-
( contributor)
Del Valle, Pedro A. (Pedro Augusto), 1893-1978
( contributor)