This collection is stored offsite. Please allow 3-5
business days for retrieval.
Alberta Slavin donated her papers to the Western Historical Manuscript
Collection in increments from November 22, 1977 to May 21, 1982. She has
been active in consumer affairs and citizen campaigns since 1965 when she
helped form Save Our Symphony (SOS), a campaign to keep the symphony in St.
Louis. In 1967 she founded and headed Housewives Elect Lower Prices (HELP),
a consumer advocate group that surveyed and published food prices in St.
Louis area retail stores for nine years. The group also worked on legislation
to ban non-returnable containers and participated in meat boycotts in April
1973.
In 1970 Alberta Slavin founded the Utility Consumers Council of Missouri (UCCM) and became its first president. UCCM helped make public utilities more responsive to complaints by publishing service errors and offering testimony at public hearings to curtail utility rate increases, a goal shared by Slavin in her unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor in 1976. In 1974, UCCM helped gain for consumers the right to use telephone equipment not manufactured by Southwestern Bell. Slavin resigned from UUCM in June 1977. From 1974-1976 Slavin served as national vice president of the National Consumers Congress, an association of consumer groups resulting from the 1973 meat boycotts. She also served as a member of the Consumer Affairs Advisory of the Federal Energy Administration from 1976 to 1980 and as president of the Committee for Environmental Information from 1972 to 1977.
In July 1977 Governor Joseph Teasdale appointed Slavin to the Missouri Public Service Committee. As a commissioner issues. She was appointed chair of the commission. As a commissioner, she worked to curb utility rate increases and championed pro-consumer issues. Slavin was appointed chair of the commission in 1979 and removed as chair by Governor Christopher Bond in January, 1981. She resigned shortly thereafter.
She was hired as a consumer editor and reporter by KMOX-TV.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Alberta Slavin's papers of 1965-1978 document her involvement with the Clayton School District, the Clayton sales tax controversy and other personal campaigns; the founding of Save Our Symphony; the work of Housewives Elect Lower Prices, the Utility Consumers Council of Missouri, and the National Consumers Congress; the 1976 Lieutenant Governor campaign and Slavin's term on the Missouri Public Service Commission.
Included with the collection are public reports, correspondence, speeches, histories, mailing lists, newsletters, press releases, questionnaires, survey sheets, tax and grant documents, public testimony, memoranda, publications, campaign literature, newsclippings, position papers, photographs, and statistical information.
The collection is divided into eight series: (1) personal files; (2) Save Our Symphony; (3) Housewives Elect Lower Prices; (4) Utility Consumers Council of Missouri; (5) National Consumers Congress; (6) Lieutenant\Governor campaign; (7) Missouri Public Service Commission; (8) Tapes.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
SERIES 1-Personal Files, 1967-1978 Folders 1-13
The personal files series includes memoranda, correspondence, public plans and reports and speeches. Subject headings arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 2-Save Our Symphony, 1965-1976, Folders 14-22
The Save Our Symphony series include articles of incorporation, bylaws, correspondence, minutes, progress reports, and notes, Subject headings arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 3-Housewives Elect Lower Prices, 1967-1976, Folders 23-150
The bulk of the Housewives Elect Lower Prices series consists of survey sheets and tallies from St. Louis area grocery stores. The series also includes correspondence, histories, mailing lists, newsletters, press releases, questionnaires, and reports. Subject headings arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 4-Utility Consumers Council of Missouri, 1970-1977, Folders 151-205
This series includes grant documents, correspondence, press releases, progress reports, conference and seminar material, public testimony, and memoranda. Subject headings arranged alphabetically under the following sub-series: Organizational, 1970-1977; and subjects, 1970-1977.
SERIES 5-National Consumers Congress, 1971-1976, Folders 206-211
Includes correspondence, reports, memoranda and publications. Subject headings arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 6-Lieutenant Governor Campaign, 1976, Folders 212-237
Includes campaign literature, strategy notes, correspondence, and endorsements. Subject headings arranged chronologically.
SERIES 7-Missouri Public Service Commission, 1977-1980, Microfilm rolls 1-10
Microfilm reproduction of holdings of the Missouri State Archives of material documenting Alberta Slavin's term on the commission. Loosely organized alphabetically.
SERIES 8-Tapes
Series includes three recording of radio programs concerning Alberta Slavin. Arranged Chronologically.
FOLDER LIST
BOX 1 (040669)
SERIES 1 - PERSONAL FILES
1. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 1977
2. Clayton Master Plan, n.d.
3. Clayton Sales Tax, 1969
4. Clayton School District, 1969-1970
5. Meramec School PTA, 1971-1972
6. Personal Correspondence, 1967-1968
7. Personal Correspondence, 1972-1973
8. Personal Correspondence, 1976-1978
9. Prairie Trek, 1973
10. Proposition 1, 1976-1977
11. Speeches Correspondence, 1972-1977
12. State Energy Conservation Plan, 1977
13. Worker Ethics, 1978
SERIES 2 - SAVE OUR SYMPHONY
BOX 2 (40670)
14. ByLaws, Articles of Incorporation, Tax Status, 1966
15. Correspondence, 1965
16. Correspondence, 1966
17. Correspondence, 1967
18. Correspondence, 1968
19. Correspondence, 1969-1970
20. Living With the Arts Conference, 1969
21. Minutes and Progress Reports, 1965-1969
22. Notes and Unfinished Business, n.d. c. 1966
SERIES 3 - HOUSEWIVES ELECT LOWER PRICES
23. Correspondence, 1967-1976
24. Federal Trade Commission Food Survey Statement, 1973
25. Food Price Correspondence, 1967-1970
26. Food Survey Sheet Tallies, 1968
27. Histories, c. 1969
28. Item Pricing Bill Correspondence, 1976-1977
29. Kroger Price Control, 1975
30. Mailing List. n.d.
31. Newsletters, 1970-1972
32. Newsletters, 1970-1972
33. Newsletters, 1973-1976
34. Press Releases and Editorials, 1968-1969
35. Price Control Information, 1971
36. Recycling Questionnaire, 1973
37. Reports, 1965
38. Reports, 1968
39. Reports, 1968
40. Reports, 1969
41. Reports, 1970
42. Returnables, Correspondence, 1970-1972
43. Soft Drink Increase, Correspondence, 1972
44. Statements, 1967-1968
45. Statistics, Store Surveys, 1968-1970
BOX 3 (40671)
46. Survey Sheets, A&P, October-December, 1967
47. Survey Sheets, Kroger, October-December, 1967
48. Survey Sheets, National, October-December, 1967
49. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, October-December, 1967
50. Survey Sheets, Independents, October-December, 1967
51. Survey Sheets, A&P, January-March, 1968
52. Survey Sheets, David and Goliath, January-March, 1968
53. Survey Sheets, IGA, January-March, 1968
54. Survey Sheets, National, January-March, 1968
55. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, January-March, 1968
56. Survey Sheets, Kroger, January-March, 1969
57. Survey Sheets, A&P, April-May, 1968
58. Survey Sheets, IGA, April-May, 1968
59. Survey Sheets, Kroger, April-May, 1968
60. Survey Sheets, National, April-May, 1968
61. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, April-May,1968
62. Survey Sheets, Independents, April-May, 1968
63. Survey Sheets, A&P, June-September, 1968
64. Survey Sheets, Kroger, June-September, 1968
65. Survey Sheets, National, June-September, 1968
66. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, June-September, 1968
67. Survey Sheets, Independents, June-September, 1968
68. Survey Sheets, A&P, October-December, 1968
69. Survey Sheets, Kroger, October-December, 1968
70. Survey Sheets, National, October-December, 1968
71. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, October-December, 1968
72. Survey Sheets, Independents, October-December, 1968
73. Survey Sheets, A&P, January-March, 1969
74. Survey Sheets, Kroger, January-March, 1969
75. Survey Sheets, National, January-March, 1969
76. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettenforf's, January-March, 1969
77. Survey Sheets, Independents, January-March, 1969
BOX 4 (40706)
78. Survey Sheets, A&P, April-June, 1969
79. Survey Sheets, Kroger, April-June, 1969
80. Survey Sheets, National, April-June, 1969
81. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, April-June, 1969
82. Survey Sheets, Independents, April-June, 1969
83. Survey Sheets, A&P, September-December, 1969
84. Survey Sheets, Kroger, September-December, 1969
85. Survey Sheets, National, September-December, 1969
86. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, September-December, 1969
87. Survey Sheets, Independents, September-December, 1969
88. Survey Sheets, Advertised Specials, Dec. 1969-Jan. 1970
89. Survey Sheets, Advertised Specials, March, 1970
90. Survey Sheets, A&P, January-March, 1970
91. Survey Sheets, Kroger, January, 1970
92. Survey Sheets, National, January-March, 1970
93. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, January-March, 1970
94. Survey Sheets, Independents, January-March, 1970
95. Survey Sheets, Advertised Specials, May 1970
96. Survey Sheets, A&P, May 1970
97. Survey Sheets, Kroger, May-June 1970
98. Survey Sheets, National, May-June 1970
99. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, May-June 1970
100. Survey Sheets, Independents, May-June 1970
101. Survey Sheets, A&P, September-December, 1970
102. Survey Sheets, Kroger, September-December, 1970
103. Survey Sheets, National, September-December, 1970
104. Survey Sheets, Schnucks-Bettendorf's, September-December, 1970
105. Survey Sheets, Independents, September-December, 1970
106. Survey Sheets, A&P, March-June, 1971
107. Survey Sheets, Kroger, March-June, 1971
108. Survey Sheets, National, March-June, 1971
109. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, March-June, 1971
110. Survey Sheets, Independents, March-June, 1971
111. Survey Sheets, A&P, Oct. 1971-Jan. 1972
112. Survey Sheets, National, Oct. 1971-Jan. 1972
113. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, Oct. 1971-Jan. 1972
114. Survey Sheets, Independents, October-November 1971
115. Survey Sheets, Kroger, Oct. 1971-Jan. 1972
116. Survey Sheets, Independents, January 1972
117. Survey Sheets, A&P, April-June, 1972
118. Survey Sheets, Kroger, April-June, 1972
119. Survey Sheets, National, April-June, 1972
120. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, April-June, 1972
121. Survey Sheets, Independents, April-June, 1972
BOX 5 (40782)
122. Survey Sheets, A&P, June-August, 1973
123. Survey Sheets, Kroger, March-August, 1973
124. Survey Sheets, National, March-August, 1973
125. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, March-August, 1973
126. Survey Sheets, Independents, March-August, 1973
127. Survey Sheets, Independents, June-August, 1973
128. Survey Sheets, A&P, September, 1973
129. Survey Sheets, Kroger, September, 1973
130. Survey Sheets, National, September, 1973
131. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, September, 1973
132. Survey Sheets, Independents, September, 1973
133. Survey Sheets, A&P, 1974
134. Survey Sheets, Kroger, 1974
135. Survey Sheets, National, 1974
136. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, 1974
137. Survey Sheets, Independents, 1974
138. Survey Sheets, A&P, May-June, 1975
139. Survey Sheets, Kroger, May-June, 1975
140. Survey Sheets, National, May-June, 1975
141. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, May-June, 1975
142. Survey Sheets, Independents, May-June, 1975
143. Survey Sheets, A&P, October, 1975
144. Survey Sheets, Kroger, October, 1975
145. Survey Sheets, National, October, 1975
146. Survey Sheets, Schnucks, October, 1975
147. Survey Sheets, Independents, October, 1975
148. Survey Sheets, A&P, Feb.-April, 1976
149. Survey Sheets, Kroger, February, 1976
150. Survey Sheets, National, Schnucks, Independents, Feb. 1976
SERIES 4: UTILITY CONSUMERS COUNCIL OF MISSOURI
151. Application for Federal Assistance, 1975
152. Correspondence, 1971-1973
153. Correspondence, 1974-1975
154. Correspondence, 1976
155. Correspondence, 1977
156. Fund Raising, 1975-1977
157. Internal Revenue Service, 1974-1977
158. Minigrant, 1974
159. Press Releases, 1970-1972
160. Progress Reports, 1970-1975
BOX 6 (40787)
161. Air Bags, 1976
162. Billing Practices, 1975
163. Computing Bills, 1971
164. Continental Power Day, 1971
165. Deposits for Service, 1971-1972
166. Energy Conservation and Public Policy Conference, 1976
167. Energy Crisis Seminar, 1974
168. Energy Exposition, 1977
169. Energy Related Correspondence, 1973
170. Equal Time Correspondence, 1971-1975
171. Federal Energy Administration, 1975
172. Gas Leak Correspondence, 1970-1973
173. Gross Receipts Tax, 1971
174. "Kill-A-Watt" Correspondence, 1972-1977
175. Laclede Gas, General, 1970-1975
176. Laclede Gas Rate Case, 1976-1977
177. Lehr Campaign for State Auditor, 1974
178. Missouri Committee for the Humanities Grant, 1973-1975
179. Missouri Energy Agency, 1976
180. Natural Gas Correspondence, 1974-1976
181. PBX Tariffs, 1975
182. Public Service Commission Appointment of Stephen Jones, 1975
183. Public Service Commission Audit, 1975
184. Public Service Commission, General, 1970-1971
185. St. Louis County Water Company, Complaints, 1969-1977
186. Sewers, 1971
187. Southwestern Bell, Complaints, 1970-1977
BOX 7(40788)
188. Southwestern Bell, Cost of Service, 1975-1977
189. Southwestern Bell, Cost of Service, Briefs, 1977
190. Southwestern Bell, Cost of Service Testimony, 1977
191. Southwestern Bell, General, 1970-1977
192. Southwestern Bell, Private Equipment, Testimony, 1974
193. Southwestern Bell, Rate Increase, 1976
194. Southwestern Bell, Special Assembly Tariffs, 1975
195. Symington Energy Hearings and Testimony, 1973
196. Union Electric, Complaints, 1970-1977
197. Union Electric, General, 1970-1977
198. Union Electric Rate Case, 1971-1977
BOX 8 (040789)
199. Union Electric Rate Case, 1972
200. Union Electric Research and Development Surcharge, 1972
201. Union Electric Stockholders Challenge, 1972
202. Use of Yellow Pages Survey, n.d.
203. Utilities Conservatoion Action Now Workshop, 1975-1976
204. Utilities Consumers Complaint Office Suggestion, 1974
205. Yellow Page Inquiry Correspondence, 1971-1972
SERIES 5: NATIONAL CONSUMERS CONGRESS
206. Correspondence, 1971-1976
207. Memoranda, 1973-1974
208. Memoranda, 1974
209. Memoranda, 1974-1976
210. Memoranda, 1976-1977
211. Publications, 1975-1976
SERIES 6: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN
212. Campaign Literature, 1976
213. Campaign Strategy, 1976
214. Campaign Workers, 1976
215. Correspondence, 1976
216. Endorsements, 1976
BOX 9 (040790)
217. Legal Correspondence, 1976
218. Legal Papers, 1976
219. Newsclippings, 1976
220. Notes, 1976
221. Photographs, 1976
222. Position Papers, 1976
223. Public Statement Before the Federal Energy Agency, 1976
224. Publicity and Releases, 1976
225. Scheduling, 1976
226. Speeches, 1976
227. Vote Count, 1976
SERIES 7: MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Roll 1. Administrative Files, ACORN-PURBA, 1977-1980
2. Administrative Files, PURBA-Scrapbook Material, 1977-1980
3. Interoffice Memoranda, 1977-1980
4. Interoffice Memoranda, 1977-1980
5. General Correspondence, 1977-1980
6. Utilities Correspondence, 1978-1979
7, Personal Correspondence, 1977-1980
8. Personal Correspondence, 1977-1980
9. Case Files, 1979-1980
10. Case Files, 1979
SERIES 8: AUDIO TAPES
T696 Intermission Facets, "Is Culture Possible in Missouri", Panel discussion with Missouri Arts Council Director, Clark Mitze, Greater St. Louis Arts and Education Council Director Michael Newton and Save Our Symphony Committee Chairman, Alberta Slavin, broadcast on KFUO, October 6, 1966.
T697 Interview with Reverend Sam Soule about the Missouri Public Service Commission and Southwestern Bell broadcast on KTTS-FM, April 27, 1980.
INDEX
Animals, Treatment of, f. 1
A&P Grocery Store, f. 23-150
Callaway Nuclear Plant, f. 12, 166-169, Rolls 1-10
Clayton School District, f. 2
Clayton, Missouri, f. 2-4
Conservation, f. 174, 203
Consumerism, f. 1-237
Economic Boycotts, f. 23-150
Energy, f. 166-169
Energy Conservation, f. 12, 166-169
Equal Time, f. 170
Greater St. Louis Arts and Education Council, T696
Grocery Stores, f. 23-150
Housewives Elect Lower Prices, f. 23-150
Jones, Steven, f. 182
"Kill-A-Watt", f. 174
Kroger Grocery Store, f. 23-150
Laclede Gas, f. 172, 175, 176
Lehr, George, f. 177
Living With the Arts Conference, f. 20
Meramec School, f. 5
Missouri Arts Council, T696
Missouri Committee for the Humanities, f. 178
Missouri Energy Agency, f. 179
Missouri Public Service Commission, f. 182-184, Rolls, 1-10
National Consumers Congress, f. 206-211
National Food Stores, f. 23-150
Natural Gas, f. 180
Nuclear Power, Rolls 1-10
Price Control, f. 23-150
Proposition One, f. 10
Recycling, f. 36, 42
St. Louis County Water Company, f. 185
St. Louis Symphony, f. 14-22, T696
Save Our Symphony, f. 14-22, T696
Schnucks Grocery Store, f. 23-150
Sewers, f. 186
Slavin, Alberta
Southwestern Bell Telephone, f. 187-195
Union Electric, f. 196-201
Utility Consumer Council of Missouri, f. 151-205
Yellow Pages, f. 202, 205
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
ONE UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143
FAX: (314) 516-5853
whmc@umsl.edu