Through the Eyes of Memphis Media: Shifting Perceptions of Organized Labor in Boss Crump’s Memphis Troy A. Hallsell By the 1930s Edward Hull Crump secured political control over Memphis and Shelby County. He was the son of a Confederate army officer and planter who died during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. 1 As such, Crump grew up within the remnants of the planter class and brought the plantation mentality with him to Memphis. He opposed “radical” ideas such as a closed shop and collective bargaining. He also staunchly opposed the unionization of municipal employees since this directly affected his patronage and political organization. In 1929 the Chamber of Commerce declared Memphis a non-labor town and northern businesses were drawn to the Bluff City because of its inexpensive utilities, low tax rates, and cheap labor. However, after Congress passed the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) and the National Labor Review Act (NLRA), the Memphis business community was in an uproar. 2 The Commercial Appeal sided with business which believed these acts were “a prelude to anarchy” and suggested they would inspire organized labor to engage in more strikes. 3 The 1930s was an unprecedented time for organized labor in Memphis. Following the passage of the NIRA and the NLRA, labor organization began on a large scale. The Appeal and the Press Scimitar, Memphis’s largest newspapers, covered these events extensively. Each newspaper presented the news in a manner that spoke to their readerships. © West Tennessee Historical Society Papers, vol. LXXIV (2020) WTHSP 2020 6/25/21 11:34 AM Page 24