Rainey, Homer Price (1896-1985), Papers, 1919-1952 (C32)

23.4 linear feet, 3 oversize volumes, 77 audio cassettes, 1 record

INTRODUCTION

The personal papers and correspondence of Rainey cover his career as an educator; his directorship of the American Youth Commission; the struggle for academic freedom at the University of Texas; his campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Texas; and the administration of Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri. The scrapbooks contain news clippings, articles, and family genealogy.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Homer P. Rainey Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Rainey on 23 July 1952 (Accession No. 3141).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Homer Price Rainey was born in Clarksville, Texas, on 19 January 1896 to Edward and Jenny Price Rainey. He received his A.B. from Austin College in Austin, Texas in 1919, his A.M. from Chicago University in 1923, and his Ph.D. from Chicago University in 1924.

He was a professor of education at Austin College from 1919 to 1922, professor of education at the University of Oregon from 1924 to 1927, president of Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana from 1927 to 1931, and president of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania from 1931 to 1935. From 1935 to 1939 he was director of the American Youth Commission of the American Council on education.

He became president of the University of Texas in Austin in 1939 and remained there until 1944 when he was fired after charging that the Texas Board of Regents had attempted to limit academic freedom at the school. He ran as a Democrat for Texas governor in 1946 but was defeated in a runoff.

From 1947 to 1952 Rainey was president of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After that he went to the University of Colorado as a professor of education in 1956. He retired from the university and was named professor emeritus.

Rainey married Mildred Collins in 1920. They had two daughters, Helen and Lenora. Rainey died in 1985.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Homer P. Rainey Papers are arranged into a rough chronological order that follows his career. Each section is designated by the university or organization with which he was associated at the time. Within each section material is arranged alphabetically by subject. More complete descriptions of the material are found in the folder list.

The papers also include three scrapbooks of news clippings and audio cassettes of a radio program that Rainey did while in Texas. The cassettes were made from records, which were discarded after duplication.

FOLDER LIST

Early Years

f. 1Austin College, 1919. Yearbook, The Chromoscope, includes a section on the graduating senior class of which Rainey was a member receiving an A.B. degree in English.
f. 2-10University of Chicago, Autumn 1922 to January 1924. Class notes taken by Rainey in his university courses and themes and term papers.
f. 11-17University of Minnesota Papers, Summer Session, 1932. Notes for courses "History of American Education," "Public School Finance," taught by Rainey.
f. 18-35University of Oregon, Education Affairs, September 1924-July 1927. Requests regarding school systems and school laws; publications on education.
f. 36-37University of Oregon, Personal Correspondence and Papers, December 1924-July 1927. Personal business accounts, tax receipts and assessments, expense accounts, insurance, stock investments.
f. 38-46University of Oregon, Speeches, Articles, Lecture, and Class Notes, September 1922-July 1927.
f. 47-48Franklin College, Bulletins, October 1929-June 1931.
f. 49-51Franklin College, General Correspondence and Papers.
f. 52-62Franklin College, Personal Papers and Correspondence, October 1927-October 1931.
f. 63-80Franklin College, Speeches and Articles.

Bucknell University

f. 81-93American Baptist Home Mission Society. Correspondence: the mission society's plans and meetings, reports on denominational objectives, missions finance, its committee on education in United States, the Department of Missions finance, its committee on education in United States, the Department of Missions in Latin America, the education of American ministers, board minutes, letters, and annual meeting reports.
f. 94-99Applications and Recommendations
f. 100-106Assembly Talks. Speeches that Dr. Rainey gave to the assemblies at Bucknell. Based on Bible scriptures. Subjects deal with the concepts of the true, the good, and the beautiful; the nature of man; the preparation and training for successful living the "Good Life;" the significant contribution of religion in man's life; and various other themes on religion, and higher education, and social, economic, and political aspects of our national life.
f. 107-111Baptist Young People's Union of America, February 1932-July 1933
f. 112-113Boy Scouts of America, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, December 1931-March 1933
f. 114-119Board of Trustees, June 1931-December 1938.
f. 120-124Treasurer's Reports. For the fiscal periods ending 30 June 1935-30 June 1939.
f. 125-135Bulletins. Various bulletins, periodicals, pamphlets, articles, addresses and programs
f. 136-141Congratulations, June 1931-April 1933. On being elected to the presidency of Bucknell University and regrets over his leaving Franklin College.
f. 142-179Education, June 1931-August 1936. Correspondence and papers: the establishment of a Bucknell Junior College at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Material college course outlines. The liberal arts college movement. Curriculum schedules for the junior college, and the small college. History of education in the United States report on college administrative organization.
f. 180-204General Correspondence, June 1931-December 1935.
f. 205-208Invitations, July 1931-June 1935.
f. 209-211National Commission on Church-Related Colleges, November 1933-April 1935. Correspondence, meetings and plans of the commission.
f. 212-220Personal and Business Papers, April 1931-September 1935.
f. 221-229Correspondence and Papers, June 1931-September 1935
f. 230-232Save the Children Fund, 1932.
f. 233-250Speeches and Notes, 1930-1935.

American Youth Commission

f. 251-258Correspondence, October 1935-May 1939.
f. 259-261Appointment Schedules, 1936-1938.
f. 262-264Baptist Church and School Affairs, September 1935-December 1939. Invitations to annual church meetings to speak at various Baptist church functions and youth groups.
f. 265-267Bulletins, November 1935-April 1939. Various bulletins
f. 268-269Congratulations, September 1935-March 1936. Rainey's appointment as Director of the American Youth Commission..
f. 270-302Correspondence with Bucknell, July 1939-November 1939. Correspondence with presidents, faculty, and Board of Trustees and friends interested in Bucknell University while Mr. Rainey was in Washington.
f. 303-306General Correspondence, October 1935-June 1939.
f. 307-320Personal Correspondence, September 1935-June 1939.
f. 321-334Personal Business Papers, July 1935-June 1939.
f. 335-408Speeches and Articles, July 1935-May 1939. See folder 335 for a dated listing (incomplete) of speech and article titles.
f. 409-417University of Texas Correspondence, March 1937-August 1939. Rainey's candidacy for president of the University of Texas.
f. 418-420White House Correspondence, October 1935-May 1939. With Eleanor Roosevelt and her secretary Malvina Scheider pertaining to appointments, invitations, recommendations, and discussion of A.Y.C. problems, reports, projects, and the article, "Youth Tell Their Story," by Homer P. Rainey.

University of Texas

f. 421-449Administrative Papers, December 1938-March 1945. Rainey's acceptance of presidency, inaugural plans and program, student admissions to University of Texas, faculty reception plans and minutes, P.W.A. dormitory projects, R.O.T.C. and program at University of Texas, minutes of Board of Directors, business research, extension division, medical school history, inspection and plans, and Education Reorganization Plans. Statements of Rainey's to the Board of Regents, report to the faculty over the controversy, "Future Development of the University of Texas," policies for a first class university, and legislature support of University activities, and much miscellaneous material pertaining to his administration.
f. 450-477Applications and Recommendations, January 1939-January 1945.
f. 478-486Army Talks, August 1944-December 1945. Orientation fact sheet, numbers 1-99.
f. 487-489Baseball, July 1939-May 1940. Correspondence and papers in conjunction with his inauguration as president of Texas University, Dr. Rainey was to be officially released from the Houston Buffs, a team for which he had played in his youth. Before a player can be officially released, other ball clubs in the league can claim a player by waiver. The Shreveport, Louisiana, club did this, but finally withdrew their claim on Dr. Rainey. On August 12, 1939, Dr. Rainey pitched to the first batter of the Fort Worth team. Afterwards he received a gold-plated release card from the Houston club.
f. 490-494Bucknell Correspondence, May 1939-April 1942.
f. 495-562Bulletins, December 1935-November 1946. Miscellaneous bulletins.
f. 563-612Congratulations, January 1938-September 1944. Congratulations on the presidency of the University of Texas.
f. 613-710Controversy, General, January 1942-May 1946. Correspondence, articles, pamphlets on the principle phases of the controversy:
1.Disagreement over the Chairmanship of the Athletic Council, 1939-1944. Dolley, J.C.; Weinert, H.H.
2.Proposed dismissals from the faculty. (June 1940) Bedichek, Roy; Kidd, R.J.; Stark, Lutcher; Parten, J.R.; Branson, Fred; Montgomery, Robert H.
3.The Medical School Controversy. See separate category "Medical School Controversy."
4.The case of the dismissed economic instructors, March 1942. Wendell Gordon, Fagg Foster, W.N. Peach, Karl Hoblitzelle, Ralph Himstead, Executive Secretary American Association of University Professors, Judge T.W. Davidson,
5.Denial of research grants. Sacco-Vanzeetti case, June 1942-September 1944.
6.Strickland's efforts to abolish tenure rule, January 1943. Judge D.F. Strickland.
7.Banning of Dos Passos' United States of America "The Big Money," January 1943. Regents Orville Bullington and D. Woodward.
8.Removal of A.L. Brandon, Director of Public Relations.
9.Regents' criticism of Rainey's speeches, June 1943.
10.Dismissal of Rainey, November 1, 1944. Regents John L. Bickett, H.H. Weinert, Don J. Harrison, Orville Bullington, Mrs. I.D. Fairchild.
11.Dr. T.S. Painter, appointed acting president of the University, November 1944.
12.Student demonstrations, November 1944.
13.Senate Committee investigation, November 1944. Robert Lee Bobbitt.
14.Faculty petition for reinstatement of Rainey, January 1945. John McCurdy and Mac Wallace.
15.Woodward's statement, why he voted against the reinstatement of Rainey as president of the University of Texas, January 26, 1945. Judge Albert W. Johnson.
16.Resignation of Vice-President Burdine, January 1945. Governor Lee O'Daniel.
17.Cartoon. Dr. Rainey being questioned by Board of Regents.
See also in this collection:
  • University of Texas
    • College Administration
    • Medical School
    • General Faculty Meeting Minutes
    • Board of Regents Meeting Minutes
  • Gubernatorial Campaign
    • Ku Klux Klan
    • Political Papers and Correspondence
f. 711-713Controversy, Accrediting Association, October 1943-June 1946. Correspondence in reference to committee conferences, investigations, and reports concerning the controversy at the University of Texas from the following organizations and persons:
  • Academic Council of the National Federation for Constitutional Liberties
  • Ralph E. Himstead, American Association of University Professors
  • E.D. Whittlesey, American College Publicity Association
  • Dean M.C. Hundtley, Southern University Conference of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
  • H.L. Donovan, President of the University of Kentucky
  • Arthur L. Brandon
  • Theophilus S. Painter
  • H.C. Parmelee
  • J. Hillis Miller
  • Judge Albert Wm. Johnson
  • Regent Dudley K. Woodward
f. 714-721Controversy, Educator's Correspondence, March 1944-January 1945. From educators in the state and the nation expressing opinions on various phases of the Texas University Controversy.
f. 722Controversy, Governor's Correspondence, October 1944-January 1945.
f. 723Controversy, Newspapermen's Correspondence, August-November 1944.
f. 724-733Controversy, Servicemen Correspondence, August 1944-January 1944. Former students at the University of Texas favoring Rainey in his stand with the Board of Regents.
f. 734-742Controversy, Staff Correspondence, September 1944-December 1944. Expressions of regret, sympathy, admiration, appreciation and congratulation on Rainey's stand in the controversy.
f. 743-760Controversy, Resolutions, October 1944-January 1945. Correspondence and signed resolutions from schools, libraries, student organizations, faculty members, ex-students and professional men, in support of Rainey's condemnation of the Board of Regents for dismissing him, and advocating his reinstatement as president of the University, and for the appointment of a new Board of Regents.
f. 761-770Crozer Theological Seminary Papers, June 1939-October 1944.
f. 771-805Education, March 1936-1945.
f. 806-881General Correspondence, April 1938-February 1945.
f. 882-897General Faculty Minutes, October 1944-March 1946.
f. 898-902Hi-Y Club, April 1940-September 1942.
f. 903-955Invitations, January 1938-February 1945.
f. 956-978Medical School, October 1939-December 1944.
f. 979-1054Minutes of the Board of Regents, February 1939-January 1946.
f. 1055-1090Personal Business Papers, March 1933-December 1946
f. 1091-1133Personal Correspondence, January 1939-January 1945.
f. 1134-1137Political Issues, February 1939-1944. Information regarding state, national and international political issues of the day.
f. 1139-1159Religious Affairs, January 1939-February 1945. Invitations to make speeches for Baptist Student Convention, Salvation Army, Pastor's and Layman's Conference of Texas Baptists, colleges in Georgia, Christ Church in New York City, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Allen Day Dinner. Requests to write articles for the Baptist Student and Allied Youth, radio speech for the Baptist Hour, "Youth Facing the New Day." Announcements of meetings of the Executive Board of the Texas Baptist General Convention.
f. 1160-1177Speeches and Articles, December 1938-February 1945.
f. 1178-1180Town and Gown Club, October 1942-March 1944.
f. 1181-1188University Club Papers, September 1939-April 1944.
f. 1189-1193University Development Board, January-March 1939.
f. 1194-1203White House Conference, Children in a Democracy, 1940-1943.
f. 1204-1229Woman's Foundation, May 1942-July 1946. The purpose of the foundation was to study problems of the American Home and Woman and to disseminate knowledge of tested solutions of such problems.

Gubernatorial Campaign

f. 1230-1232American Council on Education, April 1945-February 1946. Correspondence, notices of meetings and discussion of business. Report on "Basic Principles of Religion and Public Education." Memorandum on "Community Tensions," by Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America.
f. 1233-1329Correspondence and Papers, January 1945-December 1946. Reports on existing conditions at the University of Texas. Status of the University with regard to school accrediting associations. Public opinion poll reports. Arrangements for radio time. Organizing young Democratic group. Discussion and advice on political issues: the poll tax question, Dos Passos U.S.A., academic freedom in Texas, the Negro problem, farm road development, gas and oil tax, and liquor tax. Affidavits attesting to the falsity of campaign accusations brought against Rainey. Condolences at Rainey's loss of the primary election. Letters of thanks from Rainey to supporters of campaign. Appointment to presidency of Stephens College. Summons for Rainey to testify in the Reynolds vs. Cobbs case.
f. 1330-1339Campaign Finances, May 1945-January 1947.
f. 1340-1370Speeches and Articles January 1945-September 1946.
f. 1371-1373Federal Communications and Interstate Commerce Commissions, February 1945-July 1946. Rainey's petition filed with the Federal Communications Commission charging the Texas Quality Network with monopolistic and discriminatory actions with regard to his applications for radio time for campaign speeches during the gubernatorial campaign. Also statements (1946) by Arne C. Wiprud, Wendell Berge, both of the Anti-trust Division of the Department of Justice, before the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce concerning the Bulwinkle Bill, House Bill 2536.
f. 1374-1411General Correspondence, January 1945-December 1946.
f. 1412-1422Invitations February 1945-December 1946
f. 1423-1424Ku Klux Klan, August 1946. Radio addresses for and by Rainey accusing his opponent, Buford Jester, of support by the big money interests of Texas and Wall Street. Question raised as to whether Jester was ever a Klansman. Threatening letter from the K.K.K. Letter from J.H. Ridlehuber to the wife of James E. Ferguson telling of Jester's membership in the Klan.
f. 1425-1451Personal Correspondence, January 1945-December 1946.
f. 1452-1453Public Opinion Poll, January 1945-November 1945. Correspondence from Texas Political Research Institute relative to the public polling of opinion on Democratic primary candidates for Governor of Texas. Final report on newspaper poll, tabulation on San Antonio poll, final report on postcard poll. Characteristics of the methods used to determine the representatives of poll.
f. 1454-1457Recommendations, February 1945-November 1946. Written by Rainey for his friends for positions in university, college, and government work. Some are written to Rainey concerning applicants at the University of Texas.
f. 1458-1526"Religion and Life" Radio Talks, August 1945-March 1946. Program was sponsored by the Jacques Power Saw Company of Denison, Texas. These addresses consider the practical, economic, social, and political problems in relation to the Christian concept and doctrine. Analysis of Texas state finances per capita income, health and education expenditures. The unemployment problem and its Christian solution. The application of science to social science problems. New concepts of thinking in education and politics. The role of religious education and the work of the United Nations. Problems and aids to agriculture in Texas, (Bulwinkle Bill and farmers). Further development in the South. O.P.A. and price controls, Texas natural resources.
f. 1527-1534Southern Education Foundation, January 1945-November 1946. Newspaper article describing activities of Jeanes Teachers who operate under the foundation. Financial statements, proposed programs, by-laws of the foundation. Notices and minutes of meetings, news of personnel. Arthur D. Wright, president of Southern Educational Foundation.

Stephens College

f. 1535-1548Administrative Affairs, August 1945-February 1952.
f. 1549-1554Administration Dispute. Letters from "patrons," members of the Board of Trustees, and the Stephens Advisory Committee inquiring into Rainey's political background and affiliations, PAC and CIO, participation in his Texas gubernatorial campaign, his economic, political and social view points, his position on the Negro problem. Letters discussing the causes, and forces behind the move to fire Rainey. An analysis of the problem by Dr. W.W. Charters. Advice to Rainey on possible approaches to a solution of the problem from his supporters on the Board, certain alumni and others.
f. 1555-1558Alumnae Associations, March 1947-June 1952. Congratulations on his appointment. Alumni Association plans, officers, and the dispute over the 1952 election. References to the administrative dispute between Rainey and some of the Trustees. Partisan activities on the part of some alumnae officers, for or against Rainey.
f. 1559-1560Appointment Schedules, September 1947-April 1951
f. 1561-1564Bulletins, 1948-1952
f. 1565-1576Congratulations, January 1946-May 1947..
f. 1577-1583Correspondence, January 1947-March 1952.
f. 1584-1588Employment Correspondence, November 1946-June 1952. Inquiries from teachers concerning possible employment as instructors at the College. Requests for employment recommendations from former students and friends.
f. 1589-1603General Correspondence, December 1946-April 1952. Letters of welcome to Columbia, the Save the Children Fund, meetings of Allied Youth, the Council Against Intolerance in America, his winning the Thomas Jefferson Prize, the Civil Rights Congress, the National Conference on Family Relations, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the Camp Fire Girls. Letters asking for contributions and advice; and from him expressing thanks for gifts.
f. 1604-1628Inauguration, October 1948-December 1948. Letters and messages of congratulation to Dr. Rainey and to Stephens from colleges, universities, and other organizations and friends all over the country.
f. 1623-1628Invitations, December 1946-May 1952.
f. 1629-1647Personal Correspondence, November 1946-June 1952.
f. 1648-1652Religious Affairs, January 1947-April 1952. Correspondence of the following organizations:
  • Allied Youth
  • Church Pace Union
  • Methodist Church Board of Temperance
  • Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, Department of Christian Social Relations
  • National Conference of Christians and Jews
  • Southern Baptist Convention
  • Institute on Religion in State Universities (University of Minnesota)
  • National Council of the Churches of Christ
  • Student YWCA, Conference on Religion in Higher Education
  • The Metropolitan Church Federation of St. Louis
  • The Christian Student Congregation (Columbia, Missouri)
  • American Baptist Convention Board of Education
  • article, "The Church and Human Rights."
  • See also: Stephens College, Education
f. 1653-1663Speeches and Addresses, February 1947-May 1952.
f. 1664-1682Student Correspondence, July 1947-July 1951. Between Dr. Raney and his students, mostly after their graduation.

Miscellaneous

f. 1685-1693Miscellaneous papers, n.d. Articles or speeches
f. 1694-1700Photographs of Dr. Homer P. Rainey, family and friends. Personal pictures, commencements and church scenes, University of Texas settings.
f. 1701-1964Newspaper Clippings, April 1927-January 1951. Collected by or for Rainey covering the whole of his academic and professional career.

Scrapbooks, 1927-1951

v. 11927-1951: Newspaper articles and pictures about Rainey's career at Franklin College, Bucknell University, American Youth Commission, and his inauguration at University of Texas. Article by Rainey, "What is the Matter with College?" Family genealogical chart, inauguration bulletin from Bucknell University, invitations, program of inauguration at University of Texas, and Life magazine: "Youth Problem," June 6, 1938.
v. 2Clippings, December 29, 1938-January 8, 1939, collected by the Student Clipping Bureau, University of Texas, that tell of Rainey's acceptance of the presidency of the university.
v. 3"The State and Public Education" scrapbook with clippings of the inauguration of Rainey as president of the University of Texas, December 9, 1939. Prepared by the Department of Public Relations, Student Clipping Bureau, University of Texas.

Audio Visual

a.c. 1-51"Religion in Life," a radio program sponsored by Jaques Power Saw Company, Denison, Texas. Tapes of programs done by Rainey between September 1945 and May 1946. See also f. 1458-1526. Missing programs include number 11, 67-106, 117-126, 133-1`40, 149-210, 215, and 216.
a.c. 52-76Radio endorsements, speeches, programs, and advertisements made during Rainey's campaign for governor of Texas. Most of these recordings were made during August 1946. Endorsements given by James V. Allred, Mrs. I.D. Fairchild, Joseph A. Barton, Jerry Sadler, L.A. Woods, Edgar L. Ball, and others.
a.c. 77Greetings from women in China and Italy on Rainey's inauguration as president of Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, and miscellaneous excerpts from other materials.
rec. 1"Ten Million Silent Americans," 28 April 1946. This item was too warped to copy onto a cassette and has been retained in record form.

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at The State Historical Society of Missouri-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.