Reuben G. Soderstrom: Difference between revisions

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== Early Life ==

[[File:Soderstrom Family Portrait.jpg|left|thumb|The Soderstrom family, 1904. Standing (from left): Paul, Reuben, and Lafe. Seated: John, Olga, and Anna.]]

Reuben Soderstrom was born on March 10, 1888, on a small farm west of [[Waverly, Minnesota]]. He was the second of six children born to John Frederick Soderstrom and Anna Gustafava Erikson, immigrants from [[Småland|Småland, Sweden]], and [[Jämtland|Jämtland, Sweden]], respectively. John, a  [[Free church|Free Church]] preacher and cobbler by trade, attempted to become a farmer. He leveraged the family’s assets in 1886 to purchase land, seed and equipment. His efforts met with failure, and within ten years the Soderstrom family was mired in debt.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/Olga.pdf|title=Reuben G. Soderstrom|last=Hodgson|first=Olga|publisher=|year=1974|isbn=|___location=Kankakee, IL|pages=3-5}}</ref>

In 1898, John sent ten-year-old Reuben to work for a blacksmith in neighboring Cokato, Minnesota, to pay the family's arrears. Two years later, Reuben traveled alone to the mining town of [[Streator, Illinois]], in search of better wages. He labored on the trolley lines and in the glass factories, which proved formative experiences. “People often ask me what moved him, what things in his life made him choose to devote his life to the Labor Movement,” his sister Olga later wrote. “He knew poverty, firsthand, he experienced child labor. He knew the loneliness of separation from his family at such an early age. These were his formative years, and they were not happy ones."<ref name=":0" />

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Soderstrom soon earned a reputation as organized labor’s strongest advocate in the Illinois House. He authored and shepherded a series of pro-labor bills through the legislature, including the Injunction Limitation Act (1925),<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Streator Honors Soderstrom|last=|first=|date=July 25, 1925|work=Illinois State Federation of Labor Weekly News Letter|access-date=}}</ref> the Anti-"Yellow Dog" Contract Act (1933),<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Corporate Tax Bill is all but Killed by House|last=|first=|date=June 30, 1933|work=The Chicago Tribune|access-date=}}</ref> the One Day Rest in Seven Act (1935),<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Horner Vetoes Teachers' Bill|last=|first=|date=July 9, 1935|work=The Decatur Daily Review|access-date=}}</ref> and the Old Age Pension Act (1935).<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Illinois Belatedly Aids Aged|last=Douglas|first=Paul|date=June 25, 1935|work=The Decatur Herald|access-date=}}</ref> He increased education funding, and helped found the University of Illinois Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, known today as the [https://ler.illinois.edu/ Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations].<ref>{{Cite book|url=|title=Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO|last=Soderstrom|first=Carl|last2=Soderstrom|first2=Robert|last3=Stevens|first3=Chris|last4=Burt|first4=Andrew|publisher=CWS Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-0998257532|volume=2|___location=Peoria, IL|pages=42}}</ref> He also secured favorable amendments to the workmen’s compensation, occupational disease, and pension laws.

In 1923, he led the campaign in Streator against the National Association of Manufacturers' anti-labor “[[American Plan (union negotiations)|American Plan]].” The historically organized city became a central front in the NAM's bid to end unions in America, with Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) chief J.M. Glenn leading the charge. Under his direction, the LaSalle County Sheriff flooded the streets with deputized IMA-funded armed "patrols." While ostensibly charged with keeping the peace, these "imported thugs" were accused of intimidating striking workers and breaking up peaceful demonstrations by force. When Soderstrom and his fellow Labor Council members protested, they were issued injunctions and charged with conspiracy. <ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.fortygavels.com/|title=Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO|last=Soderstrom|first=Carl|last2=Soderstrom|first2=Robert|last3=Stevens|first3=Chris|last4=Burt|first4=Andrew|publisher=CWS Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-0998257532|volume=1|___location=Peoria, IL|pages=165-167}}</ref> While the sanctions and threat of prison were severe, Soderstrom's resistance earned him statewide and national attention. During this course of events he was introduced to American Federation of Labor leader [[Samuel Gompers]], who encouraged him to persevere, counseling him “Young man, you know you can climb the highest mountain if you’ve got the patience to do it one step at a time."<ref>Soderstrom, Reuben. [http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/Reuben_Interview.pdf Interview by Milton Derber.] Transcript, May 23, 1958. University of Illinois Archives. p.13.</ref>

In 1936, Soderstrom threw his full support behind President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin D. Roosevelt.]]. When polling showed FDR losing Illinois to challenger Alfred Landon 52% to 48%, he helped organize an unprecedented rally at the [[Chicago Stadium]] for the President, later dubbed the “Meeting at the Madhouse.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Roosevelt Address Tonight Last Opportunity to Swing Illinois' 29 Votes Into Line|last=Storm|first=Frederick|date=October 14, 1936|work=Oakland Tribune|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Roosevelt Given Tumultuous Reception by Chicago Crowd|last=Storm|first=Frederick|date=October 15, 1936|work=Marshall Evening Chronicle|access-date=}}</ref>  While Roosevelt won Illinois, Soderstrom lost his re-election—a defeat generally attributed to his support for the Democratic President.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.fortygavels.com/|title=Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO|last=Soderstrom|first=Carl|last2=Soderstrom|first2=Robert|last3=Stevens|first3=Chris|last4=Burt|first4=Andrew|publisher=CWS Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-0998257532|volume=2|___location=Peoria, IL|pages=116}}</ref> Though no longer a state representative, Soderstrom continued to serve as President of the ISFL and Illinois AFL-CIO.

From that point forward, he generally pursued the unaffiliated, non-partisan approach favored by AFL founder [[Samuel Gompers]] (popularly known as "elect our friends"), endorsing both Republican and Democratic politicians throughout his tenure. Soderstrom became an advisor to several administrations on both the state and national level. He worked closely with Secretary of Labor [[Frances Perkins]] on President Roosevelt's National Conference on Labor Legislation during the Great Depression and World War II.<ref>Soderstrom, Carl; Soderstrom, Robert; Stevens, Chris; Burt, Andrew (2018). [http://www.fortygavels.com/ ''Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO''.] '''2.''' Peoria, IL: CWS Publishing. pp. 127. {{ISBN|978-0998257532}}.</ref> He focused on workplace and public safety during the Eisenhower administration, joining the President's conference on highway safety during the planning of the nation's interstate system.<ref>Soderstrom, Carl; Soderstrom, Robert; Stevens, Chris; Burt, Andrew (2018). [http://www.fortygavels.com/ ''Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO''.] '''3'''. Peoria, IL: CWS Publishing. pp. 81-82. {{ISBN|978-0998257532}}. </ref> President [[John F. Kennedy]] aggressively sought Soderstrom's endorsement, inviting him to the white house.<ref>Soderstrom, Carl; Soderstrom, Robert; Stevens, Chris; Burt, Andrew (2018). [http://www.fortygavels.com/ ''Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO''.] '''3'''. Peoria, IL: CWS Publishing. pp. 220–223. {{ISBN|978-0998257532}}.</ref> In 1964, President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] became the first U.S. President to address a state labor convention in person at Soderstrom's request.<ref>Soderstrom, Carl; Soderstrom, Robert; Stevens, Chris; Burt, Andrew (2018). [http://www.fortygavels.com/ ''Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO''.] '''3'''. Peoria, IL: CWS Publishing. pp. 234–238. {{ISBN|978-0998257532}}.</ref>

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=== Miners' Crisis ===

In 1930, the Illinois State Federation of Labor (ISFL) faced a crisis when its largest union, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), broke apart under the heavy-handed leadership of [[John L. Lewis|John L. Lewis.]]. ISFL President John Walker, himself a UMWA member, was forced to resign after he and his Progressive Miners of America (PMA) withdrew from the UMWA and claimed to be the “legitimate” miners’ union. As many as 85% of Illinois UMWA miners sided with Walker, and ISFL membership plummeted to under 200,000.<ref>{{Cite book|title=John L Lewis: A Biography|last=Dubofsky|first=Melvyn|last2=Van Tine|first2=Warren|publisher=University of Illinois Press|year=1986|isbn=0-252-01287-9|___location=Urbana IL|pages=116-118}}</ref>  

With no clear successor, the ISFL Executive Committee approached the 42-year-old Soderstrom, hoping his political acumen could help stabilize the crisis. He accepted, and was named interim president, pending a formal vote.<ref>Soderstrom, Reuben. [http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/Reuben_Interview.pdf Interview by Milton Derber]. Transcript, May 23, 1958. University of Illinois Archives. p. 17.</ref>  Soderstrom acted decisively against the PMA (despite his friendship with Walker), refusing to seat them at the 1930 ISFL Convention. The move marginalized the PMA and helped stabilize the UMWA at a critical moment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Labor Convention Bars Insurgent Miner Delegates|last=|first=|date=September 16, 1930|work=Alton Evening Telegraph|access-date=}}</ref>  Soderstrom was formally elected ISFL President soon thereafter.

=== The Great Depression ===

Just as the miners’ crisis began to abate, a larger threat emerged: The Great Depression. By 1933, one out of every four laborers were idle.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Great Depression of the 1930s: Lessons for Today|last=Crafts|first=Nicholas|last2=Fearon|first2=Peterr|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2013|isbn=|___location=Oxford|pages=75, 330}}</ref>  Reuben combated the crisis with a mix of legislation, agitation, and recruitment. He fought for relief legislation, including unemployment insurance and a shorter work week, declaring every laborer had a “right to work which must not be taken away.”<ref>{{Cite book|title=Proceedings of the 1936 Illinois State Federation of Labor Convention|last=|first=|publisher=Illinois State Federation of Labor|year=1936|isbn=|___location=Chicago, IL|pages=22}}</ref>  He strengthened union efforts on the ground, traveling across Illinois to give support to strikes and organizing efforts.<ref>Soderstrom, Reuben Soderstrom. [http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/Reuben_Interview.pdf Interview by Milton Derber]. Transcript, May 23, 1958, University of Illinois Archives. p. 34.</ref>  He also ran a relentless recruitment campaign, focusing not only on unorganized workers, but on established unions not previously affiliated with the ISFL.<ref>Soderstrom, Reuben. “Essay: The Federation Is Growing,” August 1952. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.</ref>  As a result, Soderstrom saw his membership surge despite the Great Depression and the formation of the Congress of Industrial Organization (CIO), a rival organization to Reuben’s American Federation of Labor (AFL).<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Illinois Labor Federation Head Defends His Work|last=|first=|date=August 7, 1941|work=Freeport Journal-Standard|access-date=}}</ref>

Soderstrom also undertook efforts to combat organized crime and its influence on labor. Working closely with [[Chicago Federation of Labor]] President [[John Fitzpatrick (unionist)|John Fitzpatrick]], he sought to identify and arrest "labor racketeers" who falsely claimed to be representatives of organized labor in order to extort illegal "fees" from workers and businesses alike.<ref>Soderstrom, Carl; Soderstrom, Robert; Stevens, Chris; Burt, Andrew (2018). ''Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO''. '''2'''. Peoria, IL: CWS Publishing. pp. 237-238. {{ISBN|978-0998257532}}.</ref> His efforts earned him the ire of Illinois gangsters, who sabotaged his car and attempted to kidnap him.<ref>Hodgson, Olga (1974). ''[http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/Olga.pdf Reuben G. Soderstrom]''. Kankakee, IL. pp. 17.</ref>

=== World War II ===

During World War II, Soderstrom took the lead in helping to organize the home front. He joined and helped enforce organized labor's no-strike pledge within defense industries.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The A. F. of L.: From the Death of Gompers to the Merger|last=Taft|first=Phillip|publisher=Harper & Brothers|year=1959|isbn=|___location=New York, NY|pages=219-220}}</ref> Illinois became a seat of the nation’s wartime manufacturing, producing more than 246,845 planes, 75,000 tanks, 56,696 Navy vessels, 15,454,714 firearms, and over 37,000,000,000 rounds of ammunition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Our Production Miracle is Told|last=|first=|date=March 10, 1945|work=Illinois State Federation of Labor Weekly News Letter|access-date=}}</ref>  Reuben helped oversee these efforts as a member of the War Production Board, the War Manpower Commission, and Illinois State Planning Commission. He placed special emphasis on worker safety, pushing back hard against overwork in the legislature and as a member of the Illinois Health and Safety Committee and the Advisory Committee for Industrial Safety. He raised money for the war, promoting War Bonds and serving on the Federal War Savings Committee. Near the war's end, he helped shape post-war planning efforts as a member of the AFL’s Peace and Postwar Problems Committee.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.fortygavels.com/|title=Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO|last=Soderstrom|first=Carl|last2=Soderstrom|first2=Robert|last3=Stevens|first3=Chris|last4=Burt|first4=Andrew|publisher=CWS Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-0998257532|volume=2|___location=Peoria IL|pages=295}}</ref>

[[File:Reuben Soderstrom with Lyndon Johnson.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Reuben Soderstrom leads President Johnson to the stage at the 1964 Illinois AFL-CIO Convention]]

After the War, Soderstrom advanced labor interests in Illinois at a time when anti-labor sentiment was rising nationwide. He passed pro-labor legislation including affordable housing, increased workmen's compensation and unemployment benefits, as well as the founding of a Labor Institute at the University of Illinois. He also thwarted repeated attempts to pass the model "right to work" legislation that swept through 16 other states. This was accomplished in part through an organized effort to curb strikes within the state and a new political alliance with onetime opponent Governor Green (who was considering running for the Republican Presidential nomination).<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.fortygavels.com|title=Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO|last=Soderstrom|first=Carl|last2=Soderstrom|first2=Robert|last3=Stevens|first3=Chris|last4=Burt|first4=Andrew|publisher=CWS Publishing|year=2018|isbn=978-0998257532|volume=2|___location=Peoria, IL|pages=291, 310, 24, 322}}</ref>

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=== AFL-CIO Merger ===

Soderstrom’s influence continued to expand in the post-war era. As a direct result of his efforts, Illinois was one of the only states not to be consumed by the wave of anti-labor legislation that shook the country in the late 1940s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Green Remains GOP Darkhorse|last=|first=|date=October 17, 1947|work=The Edwardsville Intelligencer|access-date=}}</ref>  Nationally, he exerted influence as Secretary of the AFL’s powerful Resolutions Committee. He gained the personal confidence of national AFL President [[William Green (U.S. labor leader)|William Green]], who repeatedly dispatched Reuben as his personal representative to resolve internal disputes across the country and represent the AFL abroad.<ref>Soderstrom, Reuben, and George Lawson. “Report of Los Angeles Central Labor Council of A.F. of L. Central Labor Committee,” May 1943. [[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]].</ref><ref>Johnson, Stanley. “Soderstrom A Franternal Delegate,” August 1954. [[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum|Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]].</ref>  When [[George Meany]], Green’s successor, began talks with his CIO counterpart to merge the two labor organizations, Soderstrom was one of the handful of leaders—and the only state president—selected to travel to help craft the agreement in Washington, D.C.<ref>Woll, Matthew. “Letter to Reuben Soderstrom,” August 1, 1955. [[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum|Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]].</ref><ref>Soderstrom, Reuben. “Letter to George Meany,” July 25, 1955. [[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum|Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]].</ref>  When his own Illinois State Federation was merged with its CIO counterpart in 1958, Reuben was elected to be the first President of the new Illinois AFL-CIO.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=State AFL-CIO Elects Soderstrom President|last=|first=|date=October 8, 1958|work=The Decatur Herald|access-date=}}</ref>

=== Civil Rights ===

[[File:Reuben Soderstrom MLK 1965.jpg|left|thumb|300x300px|Reuben Soderstrom pinning a medallion on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the 1965 Illinois AFL-CIO Convention]]

In the Civil Rights era, Reuben worked to bring equality into the workplace. He supported the Illinois Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) Act and other legislative efforts to end discrimination.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Fair Employment Passage Bolstered In Springfield|last=Kramp|first=Larry|date=April 11, 1961|work=Freeport Journal-Standard|access-date=}}</ref>  He strongly supported Jewish rights at home and efforts to organize in the nascent nation of Israel, for which he was formally honored by the [[Jewish Labor Committee]] in 1953.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Jewish Labor Unit to Honor Soderstrom|last=|first=|date=March 8, 1953|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|access-date=}}</ref>  When the [[Martin Luther King Jr.|Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]], led a Rally for Civil Rights in Chicago in 1964, Reuben served as an Honorary Chairman, welcoming him to Illinois.<ref>Miller, Jay. “Letter to Reuben Soderstrom,” June 18, 1964. [[Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum|Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library]].</ref>  After the event, Reuben personally invited Dr. King to come and deliver the keynote address at the Illinois AFL-CIO Convention, which he did the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Address of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.|last=|first=|date=December 4, 1965|work=Illinois AFL-CIO News Letter|access-date=}}</ref> Multiple Civil Rights leaders spoke before the Illinois AFL-CIO at Reuben’s request, including Dr. King' successor, the [[Ralph Abernathy|Rev. Dr. Ralph Abernathy]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Address of Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy|last=|first=|date=December 14, 1963|work=Illinois AFL-CIO Weekly News Letter|access-date=}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Address of the Hon. Corneal Davis|last=|first=|date=January 4, 1964|work=Illinois AFL-CIO Weekly News Letter|access-date=}}</ref>

== Family ==

[[File:Reuben and Carl Jr.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Reuben Soderstrom with his grandson, Carl Soderstrom Jr.]]

Soderstrom was the primary provider for his family since childhood and continued to care for his mother until her passing in 1959.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Reuben G. Soderstrom|last=Hodgson|first=Olga|publisher=|year=1974|isbn=|___location=Kankakee, IL|pages=13}}</ref>  He was close to his siblings, especially his sister Olga and brothers Paul and Lafe (whose own career in labor politics was cut short when he was killed by a drunk driver in Chicago in 1940). He married Jeanne Shaw in 1912, and together they had two children — Carl and Rose Jeanne. Carl followed in his father’s footsteps, winning the Illinois House seat his father had held in 1950.  His daughter Jeanne was a teacher and counselor at Streator High School. In 1941, Reuben’s son Carl Soderstrom married Streator native Virginia Merriner. The pair had five children: Carl Jr., Virginia Jeanne, Robert, Jane, and William Reuben.

He was committed to the city of [[Streator, Illinois|Streator]], and chose to commute to his offices in Chicago and Springfield rather than leave his adopted hometown. On September 2, 2012, the city honored him with the dedication of the Reuben G. Soderstrom Statue and Memorial Plaza.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newstrib.com/news/local_news/streator-statue-memorializes-labor-leader/article_b76ab277-b088-57f8-b6bd-a5cdff44a8a4.html|title=Streator Statue Memorializes Labor Leader|last=|first=|date=September 4, 2012|work=News Tribune|access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>

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=== Reuben G. Soderstrom Plaza ===

[[File:Reuben Soderstrom Statue.jpg|thumb|Reuben G. Soderstrom statue in Streator, IL]]

[http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/tributes-plaza.html The Reuben G. Soderstrom Plaza] was dedicated in Streator, Illinois on September 2, 2012. The date, officially proclaimed “Reuben Soderstrom Day” by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, featured a day-long celebration and Labor Day Parade in which Soderstrom was posthumously honored as Grand Marshall.<ref>Quinn, Pat. Illinois Governor’s Proclamation. Signed August 16, 2016.</ref>  The Plaza features a bronze statue of Soderstrom by Peoria sculptor Lonnie Stewart, and is adorned by [http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/downloads/rgs_quotes.pdf 12 plaques] containing selected quotes from Soderstrom. The plaza was built through labor donated by David Raikes and the men and women of Laborers’ Local #393, Bricklayers #6 and #21, Electricians #176, Plumbers #130, Operating Engineers #150, Cement Masons #11 and the Illinois Valley Building Trades. Landscaping was provided by Jeff Berfeld.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/tributes-plaza.html|title=Statue Dedication: Streator Celebrates “Reuben G. Soderstrom Day” In Illinois|last=|first=|date=|website=Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>

=== Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation ===

[http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/ The Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation,], an organization “dedicated to preserving and promoting the work and vision of Illinois AFL-CIO President Reuben G. Soderstrom,” was founded in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/|title=About the Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation|last=|first=|date=|website=The Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>  The foundation hosts an expanding digital archive of textual and audiovisual records, and promotes works and endeavors commemorating the life and legacy of Reuben Soderstrom.

=== Streator Library ===

In 2017, the [[Streator Public Library]], where the unschooled Reuben educated himself as a teenager, received a generous donation from the [http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/tributes-library.html Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation].  The funds are being used to finance an extensive renovation of the library’s reading room.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reubengsoderstromfoundation.com/tributes-library.html|title=Reading Room Dedication|last=|first=|date=|website=The Reuben G. Soderstrom Foundation|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>   

==References==