Series 1 consists of notes, correspondence, affidavits, and legal records produced during Caldwell’s time in the War Department where he served in the United States Engineer Office, Division of Airport Design and where, as a member of the Civil Service Unit of Local Chapter 205 of the Federation of Architects, Engineers, Chemists and Technicians (FAECT), he alleged discrimination due to his involvement with the union. In 1943 Caldwell was interviewed by the U.S. Army on his political activities and views on Russia and communism (Carton 1, Folder 8).

Caldwell’s involvement in union and political organizations, including the AFL and IAM Committee for Wallace, the Joint Anti-Fascist Committee Refugee Committee (JAFRC), the Oil Workers International Union, and the Independent Progressive Party is documented in the numerous campaign notes and press materials, correspondence, and writings he produced on their behalf. Also included are Caldwell’s notes for a textbook for the University of Illinois (Carton 2, Folder 15) and a novel, The Plan for A New America (Carton 2, Folders 16-23), as well as a collection of union newsletters and news clippings on topics such as the Cold War, Civil Rights, housing and education.