The Crusades of Cesar Chavez

by Miriam Pawel

  7 his application Cesar Chavez Navy record, NARA

  8 honorably discharged Ibid.

  9 Helen and Cesar Helen Chavez interview, JEL, Folder 173; Rose, “Women in the United Farm Workers”

  10 they were married Marriage certificate, Reno County Clerk

  11 $1.50 an hour Hernandez interview

  Chapter 3

  Sources: Spanish Mission Band and McDonnell papers; Ross Papers; Pitti, Ph.D. thesis; So Shall Ye Reap; author interviews with McDonnell, Gallegos, Anderson, Librado Chavez Jr., and Cox.

  1 147,000 Mexicans “Spanish Speaking Migrants in the Archdiocese of San Francisco,” and “Report of the Missionary Apostolate, Pastoral Care of Spanish-Speaking People,” AASF, Box A67

  2 “Mitty saw the wisdom” Duggan autobiography, FMDP

  3 to celebrate mass Leo Maher to McDonnell, Jan. 6, 1951, AASF, Box A67

  4 unorthodox tactics Report of Spanish Mission Band, Sep. 7, 1950, AASF, Box A67

  5 paid a call Ross diary, Ross Papers, Box 31, Folder 8

  6 “Am I needed?” Ibid.

  7 agreed to return Ibid. Whether Chavez ducked Ross that first night is unclear. In later years, he told an exaggerated version of the story. Richard and Helen Chavez both recounted that Cesar was skeptical of Ross initially, so it’s possible Cesar’s doubts as well as the late hour contributed to the cancellation of the first scheduled meeting. But the widely reported story about Cesar hiding for several nights from Ross is apocryphal.

  8 dozen family members Richard Chavez, JEL, Box 5 Folder 176

  9 “Chavez has real push” Ross diary, Jun. 9, 1958, Ross Papers, Box 31, Folder 8

  10 two important qualities Ross, JEL, Box 6, Folder 196

  11 Chavez later recalled Taylor, “Chavez and the Farm Workers,” 81

  12 “time for action” Address to the Catholic Council for the Spanish Speaking meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Apr. 1958, McDonnell archives, Box 10

  Chapter 4

  Sources: Chavez and Ross daily activity reports; Ross Papers; Ross interviews with Levy; author interviews with McDonnell and Gallegos.

  1 Cesar dropped her off Ross, Apr. 4, 1969, JEL, Box 6, Folder 196

  2 “question of power” Ibid.

  3 “make up my mind” Chavez, JEL, Box 2, Folder 141

  4 linoleum-floored front room Gallegos interview

  5 “not good at speeches” “The Saga of Sal Si Puedes,” 1953; Ross Papers, Box 22, Folder 15

  6 four thousand new voters Ross to California Federation for Civic Unity, Nov. 17, 1952, CFCU Papers, Box 3, Folder 10, Bancroft Library

  7 “most discouraging” “GOP Poll Check for Illiteracy Brings Protest,” San Jose Mercury News, Nov. 5, 1952

  8 “the potential leaders” Ross, n.d., IAF UIC, Box 12, Folder 189

  9 “I share your feeling” Alinsky to Ross, Aug. 5, 1953, IAF UIC, Box 47, Folder 459

  10 “nothing I’d like better” “Cesar Tries his Wings,” Ross Papers, Box 20, Folder 17

  11 Alinsky hired Chavez Ross to Chavez, Mar. 2, 1954, OOP1 Box 2, Folder 3

  12 “one of the things he learned” Ross, May 28, 1969, JEL, Box 6, Folder 196

  13 “man of sound principles” McDonnell, Jun. 21, 1954, OOP1 Box 2, Folder 4

  14 made front-page news Madera Tribune, Jul. 14, 1954

  15 “going from door-to-door” Ross to Chavez, Jul. 23, 1954, OOP1, Box 2, Folder 4

  16 “interested in the Mexican vote” Chavez to Ross, Aug. 20, 1954, ROSS, Box 1, Folder 4

  17 “tamales and buñuelos” Chavez to Ross, Dec. 21, 1954, ROSS, Box 1, Folder 7

  18 Ross admonished Ross to Chavez, Apr. 6, 1955, OOP1 Box 2, Folder 6

  19 demanded to know Chavez to Ross, May 15, 1955, ROSS Box 1, Folder 12

  20 thought of Ross Linda Chavez, Paradigm Production transcript, FMDP

  21 “were you on a diet” Alinsky to Chavez, Sep. 9, 1955, OOP1, Box 2, Folder 7

  22 “feel like God” “Cesar Tries His Wings”

  Chapter 5

  Sources: Unless otherwise indicated, all details are from daily entries from Chavez journals/activity reports in 1956 in Ross collection, Wayne State, Box 1, Folders 18 thru 44, and Box 2, Folders 1 thru 6.

  1 described a scenario Minutes of Jul. 1955 CSO convention, Ross Papers, Box 11, Folder 10

  2 Alinsky observed Alinsky to Ross, Nov. 20, 1962, IAF Austin, Box 559, Ross folder

  3 “It’s a big problem” Chavez report, Mar. 26, 1956, ROSS, Box 1, Folder 26

  4 sold nine thousand tickets Carl Tjerandsen notes, ESF, Box 33, Folder 4

  5 “picked up ducks” Ross diary, Ross Papers, Box 30, Folder 2

  6 “the Christmas tree sale” Chavez report, Dec.3–24, 1956, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 6

  Chapter 6

  Sources: Chavez and Ross activity reports; IAF archives in Chicago and Austin; Emil Schwarzhaupt Foundation archives; United Packinghouse Workers papers; author interviews with Gallegos, Margaret Govea, and Gilbert Padilla.

  1 “people do it themselves” Chavez report, Jan. 29, 1957, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 9; Ross report, Feb. 26, 1957, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 13

  2 “starting from the top” “Report of CSO Training,” Bashford, Jan. 6–Feb. 14, 1958, ESF, Box 30, Folder 9

  3 “plenty of time” Cassen, Jul. 6–Aug. 10, 1958, IAF UIC, Box 17, Folder 249

  4 “No one was told” Lundgren, n.d., IAF UIC, Box 17, Folder 249

  5 “I recall one night” Alberts, IAF UIC, Box 17, Folder 249

  6 fifty-thousand-mile mark Chavez diary, OOP 1, Box 4, Folder 1

  7 “People would come first” Chavez interview on FMDP at http://www.farmworkermovement.com/media/oral_history/swf/chavezintervieworgan.swf; for another version of the story, see Matthiessen, “Cesar Chavez,” New Yorker, Jun. 21, 1968

  8 “flat broke” Chavez report, Mar. 15, 1957, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 14

  9 “this damn issue” Chavez report, Apr. 5, 1957, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 16

  10 “mad at the world” Tape of Dec. 1971 conference at La Paz, UFWA

  11 “for the privilege[d] few” Chavez report, Mar. 22–24, 1957, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 15

  12 “adventurous thinking” IAF 1957–58 annual report, ESF, Box 30, Folder 3

  13 “your salary increase” Alinsky to Chavez, Apr. 19, 1957, OOP 1, Box 2, Folder 10

  14 lowered salaries Clive Knowles to Ralph Helstein, Jan. 30, 1959, UPWA, Office of the President, Box 143, Folder 15

  15 had a deal Ross report, Aug. 17, 1958, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 41

  16 “my big mouth” Ross to Tony Rios, Aug. 3, 1958, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 41

  Chapter 7

  Sources: Details from Chavez daily activity reports; Fred Ross Papers; UPWA Archives; ESF Archives; IAF Archives, Chicago; U.S. Department of Labor archives; Oxnard Press-Courier.

  1 number of Mexicans employed “Foreign Labor Plan Abuse May Kill It, Farmers Told,” Oxnard Press-Courier, Jan. 15, 1959

  2 “whole day was spoiled” Chavez report, Oct. 17, 1958, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 45

  3 “the most important thing” Chavez report, Sep. 29, 1958, ROSS, 2, Folder 43

  4 bracero program The series of laws passed between 1942 and 1964 are collectively referred to as the bracero program. Many recent works have raised questions as to whether there was ever a labor shortage, even during the war. See, for example, Mitchell, They Saved the Crops.

  5 should shun a program “The Braceros Must Go,” Monitor, Jul. 29, 1960

  6 “unspeakable cruelty” Reuther to Meany, Nov. 10, 1958, UPWA, Office of the President, Box 143, Folder 15

  7 dramatic impact A.J. Norton to Glenn Brockway, Oct. 17, 1955, U.S. Dept. of Labor Archives, RG 174

  8 alarming wage discrepancy Jan. 30, 1958, testimony, citing “Domestic and Imported Workers in Harvest Labor, Santa Clara County, California, 1954” by Varden Fuller, John W. Mamer, and George L. Viles, UPWA, Office of the President, Box 143, Folder 15

  9 house meetings in 1957 Chavez report, Mar. 25, 1957,
ROSS, Box 2, Folder 15

  10 “looks almost impossible” Chavez report, Dec. 12, 1958, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 48

  11 “Application For Work” Ross Papers, Box 10, Folder 4

  12 Romulo Campos Chavez report, Dec. 29, 1958, ROSS, Box 2, Folder 49

  13 “a dastardly thing!” Oxnard Press-Courier, Jan. 15, 1959

  14 Zamora admitted George Duemler to Kenneth Robertson, May 28, 1959, Dept. of Labor Archives, RG 174

  15 “come back tomorrow” Chavez report, Jan. 19, 1958, Ross papers, Box 11, Folder 5

  16 a subsequent inquiry Kenneth Robertson to Albert Misler, Feb. 15, 1960, Dept. of Labor archives, RG 174

  17 “I have no work” Ross papers, Box 11, Folder 5

  18 two hundred farmworkers Ross diary, Feb. 26, 1959, Ross Papers, Box 5, Folder 18

  19 “living as no American should” Mitchell address, Feb. 23, 1959, McDonnell papers

  20 front-page reports “Abuse of Braceros Charged,” Oxnard Press-Courier, Jan. 19, 1959

  21 “Called Cesar” Ross Papers, Box 5, Folder 18

  22 “six months of Headaches” Chavez to Ross, May 23, 1959, Ross Papers, Box 11, Folder 12

  23 “I’ll go at it alone” Chavez to Ross, May 7, 1959, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 3

  24 “some of the small things” Chavez reports, Apr. 1–3, 1959, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 3

  25 “life long desire” IAF annual report, 1959, ESF, Box 30, Folder 4

  Chapter 8

  Sources: Chavez-Ross correspondence; minutes of CSO meetings; McDonnell Papers; author interviews with Gallegos, Hartmire, Anderson, Carhart, and McDonnell.

  1 close to arranging Alinsky to Helstein, Sep. 15 and Oct. 6, 1959, UPWA, Office of the President, Box 143, Folder 15

  2 didn’t bother making friends Fernando Chavez essay, http://www.voxxi.com/cesar-chavez-son-fernando-leader/

  3 “scared stiff” Chavez to Gallegos, May 24, 1960, and Jun. 2, 1960, Gallegos papers

  4 voter registration campaign Report on voter registration, ESF, Box 30, Folder 8

  5 “a real fire-brand” Ross to Alinsky, Mar. 10, 1960, Ross Papers, Box 2, Folder 3

  6 “never be used again” Transcript of Chavez talk, Oct. 4, 1971, La Paz, Hartmire papers

  7 passed a resolution Minutes of CSO Executive board, Jul. 21–22, 1961, Gallegos papers

  8 a workable deal Chavez to Ross, Jul. 18, 1961, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 4

  9 “I personally can’t see” Chavez to Louis Zarate, Aug. 3, 1961, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 4

  10 commitments from 650 Minutes of Nov. 17–18, 1961, CSO Executive committee meeting, Gallegos Papers

  11 worth $3 billion Thompson, “AWOC”

  12 by-laws spelled out Copy of by-laws in possession of author

  13 “one remaining blot” Jan. 8, 1959, meeting at AFL-CIO headquarters, UPWA, Office of the President, Box 143, Folder 15

  14 group was disbanded McDonnell to San Diego Bishop Charles Buddy, Jun. 11, 1961, AASF, Box A67

  15 “who is going to help” Chavez to Ross, Aug. 15, 1961, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 4

  16 “Oxnard is the place” Chavez to Ross, Dec. 28, 1961, Ross Papers, Box 2, Folder 8

  17 “my latest dreams” Chavez to Ross, Jan. 25, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 5

  18 Rios came charging Gallegos interview

  19 “charity organization” Minutes from CSO Executive Board, Jul. 21–22, 1962, Gallegos Papers

  20 he was resigning Minutes from CSO board meeting, Mar. 16–18, 1962, Gallegos Papers

  21 “lost arms and feet” Carhart to Hartmire, Mar. 19, 1962, NFWM, Box 45, Folder 15

  Chapter 9

  Sources: Ross-Chavez letters; Chavez-Huerta letters; Manuel Chavez interviewed by Levy and Ross; NFWA papers; author interviews with Anna Chavez, Hartmire, Orendain, and Padilla.

  1 took pictures Photo archives, Reuther Library

  2 arrived on April 23 Chavez to Ross, Apr. 26, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 5

  3 “somebody had to do something” Rose, “Women in the United Farm Workers”

  4 “one place not to start” Chavez to Ross, Apr. 26, 1962

  5 “Cheque or no cheque” Chavez to Ross, May 2, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 6

  6 “In your opinion” NFWM, Box 45, Folder 15

  7 “take advantage of whatever publicity” Chavez to Ross, May 2, 1962

  8 “wants very badly to find out” Chavez to Ross, Jun. 13, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 7

  9 “the true workers” Chavez to Ross, Aug. 7, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 9

  10 “again become slaves” Chavez to Ross, Aug. 28, 1962, Ibid.

  11 “this is a movement” Chavez to Ross, Aug. 7, 1962, Ibid.

  12 offered financial support Chavez to Hartmire, Jul. 31, 1962, NFWM, Box 45, Folder 15

  13 focus on the older children Rose, “Women in the United Farm Workers”

  14 “his first big money” Chavez to Ross, Jul. 3, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 9

  15 “if you did the begging” Chavez to Ross, May 16, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 6

  16 outlined Chavez’s plan Ross to Alinsky, Apr. 7, 1962, Ross Papers, Box 2, Folder 3

  17 “Heard about your project” Abe Chavez to Cesar Chavez, May 20, 1962, NFWA, Box 7, Folder 19

  18 “Talk about being hungry” Chavez to Ross, Jun. 19, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 7

  19 “isolate the atom” Chavez to Ross, Jul. 11, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 8

  20 “All is not well” Chavez to Ross, Jun. 19, 1962

  21 blow-by-blow account Ross to Chavez, Jul. 9, 1962, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 13

  22 “sacrifice the workers” Chavez to Ross, May 2, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 6

  23 “conducting a little survey” Chavez to Ross, May 22, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 6

  24 “Check the letterhead” Chavez to Ross, Sep. 18, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 10

  25 working as a salesman Manuel Chavez in JEL, Box 5, Folder 173 and Ross Tapes, FMDP

  26 “this sounds crazy” Chavez to Huerta, Sep. 17, 1962, JEL, Box 18, Folder 378

  27 “inspire the workers” Chavez to Ross, Sep. 18, 1962

  28 “10 fingers crossed” Ross to Chavez, Sep. 21, 1962, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 13

  29 “striking gabachos” Ross to Chavez, Sep. 25, 1962, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 13

  30 gathered at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday Agenda, minutes, NFWA, Box 3, Folder 8

  31 idea of an eagle Chavez to Ross, Mar. 11, 1963, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 11

  32 “fantastically wonderful job” Ross to Chavez, Oct. 3, 1962, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 13

  33 “go down in California history” ROSS, Box 3, Folder 10

  Chapter 10

  Sources: Chavez-Ross letters; Chavez-Huerta letters; NFWA minutes and newsletters; Chavez interviews in Ross Tapes; author interviews with Esher, Goepel, Hartmire, Orendain, and Miller.

  1 “nation of Mexicans” Huerta, Apr. 6, 1969, JEL, Box 5, Folder 183

  2 started college TAY, Box 9, Folder 2; Huerta autobiography, DH, Box 1, Folder 5

  3 “deserve the recriminations” Huerta to Chavez, Feb. 29, 1964, NFWA, Box 2, Folder 13

  4 “quiet long suffering type” Huerta to Chavez, n.d., NFWA, Box 2, Folder 13

  5 “Get out!” Chavez in Ross Tapes

  6 “I am game” Huerta to Chavez, n.d., late 1964, NFWA, Box 2, Folder 13

  7 second convention Minutes, Jan. 20, 1963, NFWA, Box 5, Folder 28

  8 “Padilla was my discovery” Chavez in JEL, Box 1, Folder 133

  9 “the same mistake twice” Chavez to Ross, Dec. 14, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 10

  10 “the risky part” Chavez to Huerta, Jan. 24, 1963, JEL, Box 18, Folder 378

  11 “Let’s face it” Newsletter, Oct. 18, 1962, NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8

  12 “gut tearing fear” Chavez to Huerta, Feb. 22, 1963, JEL, Box 18, Folder 378

  13 signed an agreement Chavez to Huerta, Mar. 9, 1963, JEL, Box 18, Folder 378

  14 Richard’s house Richard Chavez interviews in JEL and Ross Tapes; mortgage records, Kern
County Recorders Office, tape of Feb. 1976 NEB, UFWA

  15 association’s annual meeting newsletter, Feb. 4, 1964, NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8

  16 “develop the newspaper” Chavez to David Burciaga, Jul. 26, 1963, Burciaga papers, Wayne State

  17 “help with your newspaper” Esher to Chavez, Nov. 11, 1964, NFWA, Box 8, Folder 4

  18 “The meaning is ill-bred” Chavez to Ross, Mar. 23, 1965, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 12

  19 “I liked the general tone” Abe Chavez to Cesar Chavez, NFWA, Box 7, Folder 14

  20 his first office News release, “Office Opens,” NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8

  21 “Manny the Mostest” Chavez to Ross, Oct. 18, 1962, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 10

  22 Manuel bragged Manuel Chavez in JEL, Box 5, Folder 173

  23 Manuel was arrested Manuel Chavez arrest record and probation report, in possession of author

  24 doubled its income Jan. 3, 1966, Form 1024 Tax Exemption application, JEL Folder 410

  25 “The most exciting thing” Chavez to Ross, Mar. 23, 1965, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 12

  26 “the watch makers” Drake manuscript, in JEL, Folder 387

  27 swear on a crucifix Chavez notes, minutes of meetings Apr. 11 and 20, 1963, NFWA, Box 11, Folder 13

  28 declared El Malcriado El Malcriado, May 1965

  29 “Urban support” Miller to Friends of SNCC, Aug. 18, 1965, NFWA, Box 13, Folder 22

  30 “mass movement of farm workers” Leaflet in NFWA, Box 12, Folder 9

  31 “a strike that had much success” El Malcriado, May 1965

  32 “a pretty narrow squeak” Ross to Chavez, Aug. 17, 1965, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 13

  33 “giving a lot of thought” Chavez to Ross, May 21, 1964, ROSS, Box 3, Folder 12

  34 “too much democracy” Ross to Chavez, Aug. 17, 1965, NFWA Box 12, Folder 13

  Chapter 11

  Sources: NFWA Papers; Farm Labor Collection; Ross Tapes; Ganz, Why David Sometimes Wins; author interviews with Adair, Cannon, Esher, Goepel, Ganz, Havens, Medina, Murguia, and Valdez.

  1 “All I could think” Dunne, Delano, 79

  2 he addressed the workers Agenda for meeting, Sep. 16, 1965, and Chavez notes, NFWA, Box 13, Folder 20

  3 said a Hail Mary Goepel interview