Files on the "Union of Russian Workers" (National Archives and Records Administration)

This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://www.foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/submissionDetails?trackingNumber=NARA-NGC-2019-000329&type=request)
* Tracking Number: NARA-NGC-2019-000329
* Requester Name: Liam Knox
* Date Submitted: 03/14/2019
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

A copy of all files concerning the organization "Union of Russian Workers in the United States and Canada," aka "the Union of Russian Workers," from 1905-1925. This was an anarchist organization consisting of working-class Russian emigres to the U.S. which was the target of intensive and at times violent persecution by the FBI and other federal law enforcement organizations during the first Red Scare in 1919.

351 members of the organization were arrested and deported from July, 1918 to June, 1920. I am especially looking for information on these arrests and deportations: any arrest records, accounts of the raids that led to these arrests, legal justifications for their deportation, communications between federal lawn enforcement and these UoRW members' employers, etc.

In addition, I'd like to specifically request files on two of the Union of Russian Workers more prominent members: Peter Bianki and Vladimir "Bill" Shatoff.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Liam Knox

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/national-archives-and-records-administration-129/files-on-the-union-of-russian-workers-national-archives-and-records-administration-70441/?uuid-login=9877ccaa-68ae-4bed-a192-574d24e3ce7c&email=foia%40nara.gov#agency-reply

Dear Mr. Knox:

Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
concerning the Union of Russian Workers to the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA) via the *FOIAOnline* website. We received
your request on March 14, 2019.

This office handles FOIA and Privacy Act requests for the National Archives
and Records Administration's *operational *records (records created by this
agency). Because your *FOIAOnline *request is for records that may be
*archival *records (records that were created by or originated in a
different agency but that may have been transferred to the legal custody of
NARA), we have forwarded it to our *Office of Research Services, Special
Access and FOIA* staff who handle FOIA requests for archival records.

Since the *Office of Research Services, Special Access and FOIA* does not
process FOIA requests through *FOIAOnline*, your request has been removed
from the *FOIAOnline* website and you will be assigned a new tracking
number by that office within the next 20 business days. If you would like
to follow up with that office directly, please contact them at the address
below, or electronically via email.

Special Access and FOIA Staff (RD-F)

8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500

College Park, MD 20740

By phone: 301-837-3190

By fax: 301-837-1864

By email: *specialaccess_foia@nara.gov <specialaccess_foia@nara.gov>*

For your reference, a copy of your request is below.

Please visit our website at *www.archives.gov/foia
<http://www.archives.gov/foia>* for further information about FOIA. On our
main website, www.archives.gov, you can learn more about the resources we
offer to the public, and you can access our online catalog.

Thank you for contacting the National Archives.

Sincerely,
Susan Gillett
Government Information Specialist
Office of General Counsel
National Archives and Records Administration
College Park, MD 20740-6001
301-837-3409
susan.gillett@nara.gov

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <admin@foiaonline.gov>
Date: Thu, Mar 14, 2019 at 7:21 AM
Subject: FOIA Request Deletion: NARA-NGC-2019-000329
To: <susan.gillett@nara.gov>

Below is an export of the submitted request information for the FOIA
request NARA-NGC-2019-000329.

- *Name and Address*
- First Name: Liam
- Middle Initial:
- Last Name: Knox
- Organization:
- Mailing Address Location: United States/U.S. Territories
- Address Line 1: MuckRock News, DEPT MR 70441
- Address Line 2: 411A Highland Ave
- City: Somerville
- State/Province: MA
- Zip/Postal Code: 02144
- *Contact Information*
- E-mail Address: requests@muckrock.com
- Phone Number:
- Fax Number:
- *Agency and Fee Information*
- Assigned Agency: NGC - Office of General Counsel
- Will Pay Up To: $0.00
- *Description*
- To Whom It May Concern: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act,
I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all files concerning the organization "Union of Russian
Workers in the United States and Canada," aka "the Union of Russian
Workers," from 1905-1925. This was an anarchist organization
consisting of
working-class Russian emigres to the U.S. which was the target
of intensive
and at times violent persecution by the FBI and other federal law
enforcement organizations during the first Red Scare in 1919. 351 members
of the organization were arrested and deported from July, 1918 to June,
1920. I am especially looking for information on these arrests and
deportations: any arrest records, accounts of the raids that led to these
arrests, legal justifications for their deportation,
communications between
federal lawn enforcement and these UoRW members' employers, etc. In
addition, I'd like to specifically request files on two of the Union of
Russian Workers more prominent members: Peter Bianki and Vladimir "Bill"
Shatoff. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful
if you would
inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my
request. I would
prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment
if available
or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated
cooperation in
this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request
within 20 business days, as the statute requires. Sincerely, Liam Knox

Upload documents directly:
https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/national-archives-and-records-administration-129/files-on-the-union-of-russian-workers-national-archives-and-records-administration-70441/?uuid-login=9877ccaa-68ae-4bed-a192-574d24e3ce7c&email=foia%40nara.gov#agency-reply
- *Fee Waiver*
- Fee Waiver Requested: Yes
- Fee Waiver Reason: I request that I be properly classified as a
news media requester. I am an editorial intern for MuckRock, and I am
requesting this information in that editorial capacity. MuckRock
is widely
known for its investigative work as well as historical pieces based on
public records requests. Records responsive to this request will
likely be
used as part of a commemorative series of articles on federal
intimidation
of labor organizers and working class leftists, to run this summer around
the 100th anniversary of the Palmer Raids. The requested
documents will be
made available to the general public, and this request is not being made
for commercial purposes.
- *Expedited Processing*
- Expedited Processing Requested: No
- Expedited Processing Reason:

Dear Mr. Knox,

This is in response to your March 14, 2019 Freedom of Information Act
request (RD #60711) concerning "a copy of all files concerning the
organization "Union of Russian Workers..." Your request was received by our
office on March 15, 2019.

We make reasonable efforts to assist researchers with their work. Given the
limitations on staff resources, we do not generally conduct substantive
research in response to requests, except in circumstances where documents
are easily locatable.

Based on your inquiry, we conducted a review of the Department of Justice
General Name Index to Litigation Case Files, in Record Group 60. We were
able to locate two responsive index cards for Union of Russian Workers.
They are attached here, as a reference. You will notice that one of the
index cards specifically mentioned the deportation of members (file number
203557).

The DOJ cases referenced on these index cards are Straight Numerical Files
and Duplex Numeric Files. The numbers on the index cards represent the DOJ
case file number.

The *Straight Numerical Files* comprise the bulk of DOJ general files
created and maintained from 1904-1937. The full body of records is
approximately 6000 containers; however, the material is roughly indexed
among several other series. This series consists of general correspondence
files of both letters received and sent. From 1904 to 1912 these files were
the only Department of Justice central files. The Department of Justice no
longer initiated new Straight Numerical Files after 1914, but documents
were added to some files until 1974. Each case or subject was given a
consecutive number when the first papers on it were filed with no
distinction as to class, nature, or subject.

The *Duplex Numeric cases* represent cases opened after 1914; the system
that is based on a formal, standard set of numerical codes. The primary
numbers (one, two, or three digits) are usually identified with federal
laws or administrative subjects. It is important to note that though NARA
does hold some divisional indexes, locating specific individuals is
difficult due to this arrangement scheme.

The responsive case files, to the extent which they are permanent and in
our custody are open. We would be happy to make them available in our
Textual Research Room here at NARA College Park.

Investigatory case files from this time period are in the custody of the
National Archives at College Park. Records of the Bureau of Investigation
(predecessor of the FBI) are located in Record Group 65: Records of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. The BOI case files c.1908-1922 were
accessioned to the National Archives on microfilm. The microfilm
publication is M1085; we have attached the descriptive pamphlet for your
reference.* Bureau of Investigation *files are arranged in four schemes—the
Bureau Section Files, Mexican Files, Old German Files, Miscellaneous File.
The reels have been made available online via our digital partner, Fold3.
Therefore, we do not make these available for access in our Microfilm
Reading Room. While Fold3 does require a subscription, the site is
available for free at NARA facilities.

We searched the M1085 and located a large file (325570) for the Union of
Russian Workers. The investigation specifically mentions Peter Bianki.
Furthermore, Bill Shatoff appears to be the subject of a smaller file
(202600-387). Please note that there is likely some overlap in these
records, given that the Bureau of Investigation was still a component of
the Department of Justice during this period. For instance, the general
investigation for Union of Russian Workers is a "Bureau Section File,"
while the Shatoff case was assigned a Department of Justice Straight
Numerical File number, as you will notice from duplicate file number on the
DOJ index cards and BOI microfilm (202600).

We do not consider this a denial of your FOIA request. However, if you are
not satisfied with our action on this request, your options for appeal and
dispute resolution are outlined in the attached enclosure.

Sincerely,
--
Haley J Maynard | archivist
Textual Reference
National Archives at College Park, MD

Dear Mr. Knox,

This is a follow up to your recent Freedom of Information Act requests (RD#
60711 and RD# 60712) to the National Archives.

You asked for a waiver of the fees normally charged for providing
researchers with copies of archival records. The fee and fee waiver provisions
of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), however, do not apply to archival
records. The FOIA fee section states that "Nothing in this subparagraph
shall supersede fees chargeable under a statute specifically providing for
setting the level of fees for particular types of records." [5 U.S.C.
552(a)(4)(vi)]. Accordingly, the NARA fee statute, 44 U.S.C. 2116(c), and
implementing regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 1258,, apply exclusively to your
request, under which the National Archives does not waive reproduction
charges for individual requesters. Our inability to grant you the requested
fee waiver does not constitute a denial for the purposes of the FOIA.

Since we did not offer an invoice for responsive files, this is not
applicable to your requests. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
--
Haley J Maynard | archivist
Textual Reference
National Archives at College Park, MD

Dear Mr. Knox,

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Act requests of
March 13-14, 2019. Your requests were received in this office on March 14,
2019 and assigned FOIA case number *RD 60704*.

You requested files related to several topics:

- FBI files on Luigi Galleani from 1911-1921 containing his name or the
name of the newspaper "Cronaca Sovversiva"
- Records related to the "Union of Russian Workers in the United States
and Canada" from 1905-1925, specifically files related to Peter Bianki and
Vladimir "Bill" Shatoff
- United Mine Workers of America or "UMWA" from 1910-1925, specifically
related to the "Ludlow Massacre"

We searched the available FBI index database, but were unable to locate any
FBI case files related to your subjects for the time period you seek.

We did locate one file related to "Communist Infiltration of the United
Mine Workers of America," FBI file 100-HQ-70071, which consists of 9
sections and 11 subsections, totaling approximately 4,500 pages. However,
the earliest records in the file date to 1941, so based on my evaluation,
this file is deemed unresponsive to your request. If you believe that the
file is responsive to your request, please contact this office at
specialaccess_foia@nara.gov within ninety (90) calendar days from the date
of this letter. If we do not hear from you within 90 days, we will
administratively close your case.

The vast majority of records in our custody for your time period of
interest (1905-1925) are already open and available for public viewing in
our research room at the National Archives in College Park, MD.

As Haley Maynard of the Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RDT2)
explained in her March 20, 2019 response to FOIA request RD 60712, the
records of the Bureau of Investigation (FBI's predecessor organization) c.
1908-1922 were accessioned to the National Archives on microfilm as NARA
Microfilm Publication M1085. The records have been digitized by NARA's
partner, Fold3.com, and are available on their website at
https://www.fold3.com/title/74/fbi-case-files. While Fold3 does require a
subscription, the site can be accessed for free at any of NARA's
facilities.

If you have further questions regarding Department of Justice records
dating from 1905-1925, including Bureau of Investigation records, you may
email the Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RDT2) directly at
archives2reference@nara.gov.

This response is not considered a denial of your request under the terms of
the FOIA because we were unable to locate any additional responsive records
using the available FBI index.

You also requested a waiver for reproduction fees ordinarily charged to
researchers. Records transferred to the custody of the National Archives
are exempt from the fee and fee waiver provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act because a fee schedule was in effect prior to enactment.
The applicable section states that “nothing in this subparagraph shall
supersede fees chargeable under a statute specifically providing for
setting the level of fees for particular types of records” (5 U.S.C. 552
(a)(4)(A)(vi)). The relevant fee statute authorizes the National Archives
“to charge a fee for making or authenticating copies or reproductions of
materials transferred to the Archivist’s custody.” (44 U.S.C. 2116(c)). The
inability to grant the requested fee waiver does not constitute a denial
under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.

This concludes the processing of your request. If you have additional
questions concerning your request, please contact me directly at
megan.dwyre@nara.gov or 301-837-0488.

If you are not satisfied with our action on this request, you have the
right to file an administrative appeal within ninety (90) calendar days
from the date of this letter. Appeals must be in writing and may be
delivered by regular U.S. mail or by e-mail. By filing an appeal, you
preserve your rights under the Freedom of Information Act and present the
deciding agency with an opportunity to review your request and reconsider
its decision. If you submit your appeal by regular mail, it should be
addressed to the Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National
Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4200, College
Park, Maryland 20740-6001. Both the letter and envelope should be clearly
marked “FOIA Appeal.” If you submit your appeal by e-mail, please send it
to foia@nara.gov, addressed to the Deputy Archivist, with the words “FOIA
Appeal” in the subject line. Please be certain to explain why you believe
this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information
Act. All communications concerning this request should reference FOIA case
number *RD 60704*.

If you would like the opportunity to discuss our response and attempt to
resolve your dispute without initiating the appeals process, you may
contact our FOIA Public Liaison for assistance:

Accessioned Executive Branch Records – Washington, DC Area
FOIA Requester Service Center: 301-837-3190
FOIA Public Liaison: Martha Wagner Murphy
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 301-837-3270
E-mail: dc.foia.liaison@nara.gov

If you are unable to resolve your dispute through our Public Liaison, the
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) is the federal FOIA
ombudsman. OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between
FOIA requesters and federal agencies. You may contact OGIS at the following
address:

Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2510
College Park, MD 20740-6001
ogis@nara.gov
202-741-5770
1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,

Megan Dwyre
Special Access and FOIA Staff
National Archives at College Park, MD
https://www.archives.gov/research/foia