May to September, 1935, 1935

Correspondence during may Concerns the Controversy within the AAA over Section 7a of the Cotton Contract; see especially a letter from Norman Thomas describing his recent conversation with President Roosevelt on this subject (May 8). There is an exchange of letters with union lawyer CT Carpenter and the ACLU on the advisability of further legal action against Arkansas planters to counter eviction of tenants. The STFU experienced troubles within the ranks of its own leadership and was forced to expel both WH Stultz and J.O. Green. On the expulsions, see the injunction obtained against Stultz (June 17), an affidavit sworn by Stultz affirming his dire poverty (June 27) and the Constitution of Green's Fascist-style "Tenant Farmers' and Labors' Patriotic Union" (July 19). There is also an interesting communication from the Alabama Share Croppers Union on Green's attempt to subvert their strike. The papers for September include press releases, leaflets, etc. relating to the strike of cotton pickers called by the union in eastern Arkansas.