Mar 20 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2697 -
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Sale 2697 - Lot 259

Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
(LABOR.) An experiment in industrial democracy: memoranda to the "Colored House of Representatives" at the American Zinc Company. 18 items sleeved in one binder; generally minor wear. Mascot, TN, 1919-1920
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The American Zinc Company was located in Mascot, TN., not far northeast of Knoxville. In 1919 they launched an experiment in workplace democracy. Their workers had the opportunity to vote on formal representatives. From a segregated staff of 866, they chose "29 white representatives and 14 colored representatives" (see Knoxville Journal and Tribune, 22 June 1919).

Dr. John General King (1865-1941) was a teacher in the company's school, per the 1920 census. Although he was listed as white in the census records from 1900 to 1940, he was appointed as Secretary of the mine's Colored House of Representatives. This collection consists of 10 typed memoranda, mostly addressed to King as secretary. One letter explains: "Your motion of last week, with reference to having a mule in . . . No. Two Mine, was discussed by the Senate. . . . It would not be practicable to purchase a mule for this place. Consequently nothing will be done. In regard to the motion to keep tracks in better condition, will say that we are doing all possible to get tracks in better shape. Much can be done along this line by the men themselves." Another addresses a suggestion "for increasing the wages of Rope Riders," which was also shot down. A radical suggestion that all workers share equally in dividends regardless of earnings was being taken under advisement by the Executive Committee. Other memoranda suggest ways to rid the mines of flies, and announce plans for the "colored games and amusements" at the mine's Independence Day celebration: races, contests for "most popular young lady," "man with largest family," and "ugliest man on grounds," and a tug of war.

Most of the memoranda are accompanied by their original envelopes addressed to Dr. King; one of them is addressed to C.C. Mattison, who served as Chairman of the Colored House of Representatives. One of the envelopes is a pictorial cover depicting "Section of Colored Camp, Mascot, Tenn."

Also included are 4 handwritten receipts for purchases made by King at the mine's company store, 1920; a pamphlet by Samuel W. Osgood titled "Zinc Mining in Tennessee"; and 2 Real Photo postcards. One shows a mine building, and the other shows "Uncle Charlie Matteson."

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