Guide to the Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers 1943-1958
Cage 224

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Creator
Holmes, Otis Halbert
Title
Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers
ID
Cage 224
Date [inclusive]
1943-1958
Extent
16 containers., 8 linear feet of shelf space.
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Correspondence, notes, memoranda, news releases, printed materials and other papers re: Post Office patronage, 1943-1958; public works, 1954-1958; sponsored bills, 1954-1958; school districts, 1954-1958; and Veterans Administration claims, 1943-1958.

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 224, Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes Papers. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

O. H. (Hal) Holmes was born at Cresco, Iowa on February 22, 1902. He was educated at Whitman College at Walla Walla, and Columbia University in 1928 to 1929, then returned to Washington to become a member of the Central Washington State College faculty, where he was employed until 1940. At that time, he became a wheat and livestock rancher in the Ellensburg area. Holmes was elected to Congress in 1942 and served successively until his retirement in 1958. During his congressional career he served on the Ways and Means, Irrigation and Reclamation, Public Lands, Indian Affairs, and Pension committees.

Holmes is the grandson of Dudley Chase Haskell, Republican member of Congress from Kansas from 1876 to 1883.

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Scope and Content

These are the only extant congressional papers of Representative Holmes.

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Arrangement

The arrangement is that of Holmes' subject-based filing system. There are five series, the titles of which largely describe the contents. These series are 1: Post Office, 2: Irrigation and Power, 3: Bills, 4: Schools, and 5: Veterans Administration Claims. Series 2, 3, & 4 cover the period from 1954-1958, while series 1 & 5 cover Holmes' entire tenure as Congressman. The user is reminded that this is but a portion of the original Holmes papers, most of which were destroyed by Representative Holmes.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2012

http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research use.

Custodial History

The collection consists of the papers which Holmes passed to Mrs. May in 1959 when she succeeded him as 4th District Representative.

Acquisition Information

This collection of congressional papers of Otis Halbert (Hal) Holmes, Republication Member of Congress for 4th District of the State of Washington from 1943 to 1958, was acquired by the Washington State University Library from Mrs. Catherine May Bedell in 1971.

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Related Materials

Related Material

Some of Congressman Holmes' papers were incorporated into the files of his successor, Mrs. Catherine May, and may be found in the collection of her papers (Cage 304).

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Names and Subjects

Corporate Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • United States. Congress. House
  • United States--Politics and government--1933-1953 -- Sources
  • United States--Politics and government--1953-1961 -- Sources

Occupation(s)

  • Legislators--United States--Correspondence
  • Legislators--United States--Archives

Personal Name(s)

Creator(s) :
  • Holmes, Otis Halbert, 1902- --Archives
Donor(s) :
  • Bedell, Catherine May. waps

Subject(s)

  • Government and Politics
  • Irrigation
  • Washington (State)

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Detailed Description of Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: Post Office 1943-1958 
box

Adrian - Coulee City 

 1

Dayton - Goodnoe Hills 

 2

Goose Prairie - Lowden 

 3

Lyle - Palouse 

 4

Pasco - Ritzville 

 5

Ronald - Tekoa 

 6

Thornton - Waitsburg 

 7

Walla Walla - Zillah 

 8

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Series 2: Irrigation and Power 1954-1958 

 1954-1956 
box

Bonneville, Chief Joseph, Columbia Basin Plan, Columbia Basin Project, Columbia River, Connell and Mesa Areas, Grand Coulee, Hells Canyon 

 9

Ice Harbor, John Day, Kennewick, Kittitas District of Yakima Project, Klickitat Project, Mabton and Satus 4, McNary, Priest Rapids, Quincy, Satus 3, Snake River, The Dallas, Touchet River, Walla Walla River 

 10

Wapato, Yakima River 

 11

 1957-1958 
box

Bonneville, Chief Joseph, Columbia Basin Plan, Columbia Basin Project, Columbia River, Esquatizel Canyon, Grand Coulee 

 11

Ice Harbor, John Day, Kennewick, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lower Monumental Dam, Mabton-Satus 4 Unit, McNary, Palouse River (Colfax Flood Control Project), Priest Rapids, Roza, Snake River, The Dallas, Touchet River (Dayton Irrigation and Flood Control Project), Walla Walla River, Wapato, Yakima River, Zintel Canyon. 

 12

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Series 3: Bills 

84th Congress 
box

H. R. 8945 Kittitas Division, Yakima Project 

 13

H. R. 9178 Amend Internal Revenue Code for amortization of grain storage facilities. 

 13

H. R. 7483 For the Relief of Adel Kamal 

 13

85th Congress 
box

H. R. 1938 To increase certain annuities, civil retired employees 

 13

H. R. 2549 Enlarge Whitman National Monument 

 13

H. R. 5127 Authorize sale of wheat for feeding purposes 

 13

H. R. 5128 Exempt wheat production 

 13

H. R. 5410 Provide for aid, Control of mosquitoes 

 13

H. R. 5474 For the relief of Grant County School District, Warden 

 13

H. R. 5668 For the Relief of Quincy School District #144 

 13

H. R. 6366 Kittitas Reclamation District, Yakima Project 

 13

H. R. 7157 Boundary between Washington and Oregon 

 13

H. R. 7395 Credit for rental payments, Richland 

 13

H. R. 9078 To retain National Grange Building 

 13

H. R. 7995 Sell McNary Dam land to Port of Walla Walla 

 13

H. R. 2649 For the Relief of Jesse Blake 

 13

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Series 4: Schools 1954-1958 
box

Benton City - Yakima 

 14

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Series 5: Veterans Administration Claims 1943-1958 
box

A - K 

 15

L - Z 

 16

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