|
| Affiliation | Socialist |
|
| |
1961-01-01 |
|
|
| Name | Carl Brannin |
| Address |
, Texas , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
September 22, 1888
|
| Died | June 16, 1985
(96 years)
|
| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | Thomas Walker
Nov 16, 2012 03:10pm |
| Tags |
Married - ACLU - NAACP - Unitarian - Straight -
|
| Info | BRANNIN, CARL PHILIP (1888–1985). Carl Philip Brannin, social reformer and journalist, was born in Cisco, Texas, on September 22, 1888, the second son of seven children born to Lewis E. and Catherine (Bacon) Brannin. After graduating as valedictorian from Cisco High School, he enrolled at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University), became editor of the student newspaper, took part in his first protest when students demonstrated against the college president, and in 1909 graduated with a bachelor of science degree in textile engineering.
Brannin took a job as an apprentice at a textile mill in Dallas but found the work unsatisfactory. He then sold life insurance and real estate, both similarly unfulfilling. In 1911 he read a book that greatly influenced not only him but an entire generation of reformers–Henry George's Progress and Poverty. This work inspired in Brannin a lifelong zeal to improve conditions in society through political and economic reform. After finding work as a desk clerk at the Dallas YMCA, he began organizing classes to study George's single-tax theory, the socialism of Upton Sinclair, and the social gospel of Walter Rauschenbusch. His energy led him into other activities at the YMCA as well, especially that of helping young people find employment in the city.
In 1914 he accepted an offer from Rev. Herbert S. Bigelow in Cincinnati to become his assistant at the nondenominational People's Church, where Brannin edited a weekly paper, the People's Press. As editor he advocated a single tax, pacifism, civil liberties, old-age pensions, and unemployment insurance. He arranged for a variety of speakers on these and other topics, and became secretary and organizer of the People's Power League, a lobby group.
On March 2, 1918, he married Laura Haeckle of Cincinnati, herself a dedicated reformist whom Brannin met at the People's Church. The couple involved themselves in social activism in a number of cities over the next fifteen years before settling permanently in Dallas in 1933. These cities included Kansas City, Missouri, where Brannin joined a group of socialists that included Earl Browder in opposing American involvement in World War I; Washington, D.C., where Brannin worked as a publicist for the Plumb Plan and from where he traveled through the East to seek support for public ownership of the railroads; and Seattle, Washington, where the couple worked at odd jobs for two years and associated with the radical community. Meanwhile, oil had been discovered on a small, generally worthless peanut farm left to Brannin ten years earlier by his aunt. The income derived did not represent a fortune, but for years it provided the Brannins with a steady, moderate source of income that freed them from the daily job of earning a living and permitted them to travel widely.
During a three-month trip to Mexico in 1922 Brannin began what became a long-time association with the Federated Press, a labor news service. In the San Francisco area he worked for a while as assistant editor of Labor Unity. In 1925 the Brannins toured Europe and the Soviet Union, making contact with radicals wherever they went. Afterwards the couple returned once more to Seattle, where Brannin became director of Seattle Labor College. In 1933 they moved with their adopted son, Robert, to Dallas. There they continued for the next several decades to involve themselves on a grass-roots level with causes and politics. They joined the Socialist party, and in 1936 Brannin was the party's unsuccessful nominee for governor. He became state secretary of the party and was involved especially in efforts to organize labor. In 1938 he resigned this post; thereafter the Brannins aligned themselves with the liberal side of the Democratic party in Texas.
The Brannins joined the First Unitarian Church in Dallas in 1947. During the 1950s and 1960s their attention turned more and more to the civil rights movement. Brannin became a member of the executive committee of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The couple participated in efforts in Dallas to desegregate various facilities, often joining picket lines when they were in their seventies.
Laura Brannin died of cancer in 1965. Brannin continued to speak for liberal causes before local government bodies, to work with the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (the founder of which, Roger Baldwin, was an old friend), to write letters to editors on current topics, and to join antiwar picket lines as well as desegregation efforts. On March 18, 1977, Brannin was honored at an appreciation dinner at Eastfield College, Dallas, sponsored by a wide range of friends. He died on June 16, 1985.
Carl Brannin’s affiliation and leadership in the Seattle Labor College, ACLU, and Unemployed Citizens’ League led to improvements for the unemployed, workers and non-workers alike during the Great Depression. As editor of Vanguard, his ideas and teachings for reform fell into the hands of many throughout Seattle, creating an air for change. On September 22, 1888 in Cisco, Texas, Carl Brannin, a devoted social activist and talented journalist, was born. Brannin’s contribution to political and social reform impacted several large cities across America; his influence did not fail to reach Washington. Carl Brannin began his lifelong struggle for social justice and perfected his journalistic abilities while attending the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
Soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from Texas A&M, Brannin stumbled upon a novel that would inspire him to take an active role as a political and social reformer. Progress and Poverty,writtenby the economist Henry George, discussed a single-tax theory and stressed the importance of cooperation and social responsibility (deFord 5). In addition to Henry George, other socially conscious authors like Upton Sinclair, Walter Rauschenbusch and Charles M. Sheldon inspired Brannin. In 1914, after being involved in community welfare programs in Dallas, Texas, he accepted a job as the assistant to the reverend of the People’s Church in Cincinnati. While working for the Missouri Land and Labor League, Brannin met Laura Haeckl (deFord 16). Their shared passion for the common good connected them instantly and the couple wed in 1918.
A year after the wedding, Carl accepted the position of organizer and publicist for the Plumb Plan League, an organization who advocated public ownership of railroads. In 1920, the League relocated the Brannins to the progressive city of Seattle, Washington to endorse the organizations campaign. While in Seattle, Brannin struggled to find a steady job because of the skyrocketing unemployment rates caused by the economic depression. Despite his failed jobs, Brannin became acquainted with the radical communities within the city. In their spare time, the couple took part in political activism, such as rallies and strikes across Seattle. After two years of unsuccessful job-hunting, Brannin received good news from Texas - oil had been discovered on a small farm that had been passed down to Carl from his aunt. This discovery provided the couple with a steady income that allowed them to travel within the nation and abroad.
After extensive traveling, the Brannins returned to Seattle in 1925 and adopted a son, Robert Brannin. Following the couple’s return, Carl turned his attention to the labor and radical movements within the city. He became involved in the Seattle Labor College, a school that educated workers on current issues of economics and the working-class, advocated better working conditions for laborers and created solidarity among workers. (Eigner). Brannin participation at the Labor College included holding lectures and debates. Eventually, he became director of the college’s Open Forum and, ultimately, the director of the college. In January 1930, the Seattle Labor College began publishing The Vanguard, a progressive newspaper that became an educational instrument for, and the voice of, unemployed workers. The Vanguard, which Brannin founded and edited, was used as a platform for the Seattle Labor College, the United Citizens League and the local Socialist Party (Eigner). In 1931, Brannin played a key role in developing a Washington chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which was founded to defend the constitutional rights of citizens.
In addition to his work for the Seattle Labor College and ACLU, Brannin also co-founded the Unemployed Citizens League of King County with J.F. Cronnin and Hulet M. Wells, friends and fellow activists. The League worked to achieve political representation and relief for unemployed citizens from local governments and promoted self-help among members. In 1933, the UCL, in collaboration with other organizations, organized several marches to Olympia, Washington to demand relief for the starving, unemployment insurance and free utilities. The marches proved successful. After gaining national attention and becoming a powerful political force, the UCL began to segregate into a Socialist and Communist faction. In response to this political rivalry within the organization, Brannin gave his resignation as executive secretary of the United Citizens League of Seattle in 1932.
Carl and Laura Brannin’s life in Seattle came to an end in March of 1933; the family decided to return to Dallas, Texas. Although the couple left Seattle, they did not leave their fervor for reform behind. Both continued to participate actively in politics and the civil rights movement, as “crusaders for the common good” (deFord iii). After Laura died of cancer in 1965, Carl did not cease in his service to his community until his death on June 16, 1985. -- Dana Mason
[Link] [Link] |
 | BOOKS |
 |
|
| Title |
Purchase |
Contributor |
|
| Start Date |
End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
|
|
