The McClellan Committee - Senate Hearings
Senate Hearings on Corruption
Sen. John McClellan
The McClellan Committee opened Senate hearings on 26 February 1957 to investigate corruption, criminal infiltration, and illegal activities in the nation's labor unions. Chaired by Democrat John McClellan, the committee included John F. Kennedy and Barry Goldwater, along with Robert Kennedy as chief counsel. The committee's investigation focused on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamster president Dave Beck, and Beck's successor Jimmy Hoffa. In televised hearings watched by 1.2 million American households, the committee detailed the Teamsters' misuse of union funds and ties to labor racketeers and organized crime.
Prompted by continued reports of malfeasance among union officials and their overflowing treasury coffers, Senator John Little McClellan is appointed by President Eisenhower to investigate racketeering among labor unions. The Attorney General had targeted the Teamsters, which was rife with corruption and had begun to issue subpoenas to any business associates connected with the Teamsters. Roy and Alfons Landa were questioned because of their affiliation with Beck, specifically for assorted transactions, in particular the two loans.
On the afternoon of May 13, 1957 Roy Fruehauf appeared before the accumulated Senators of the McClellan Committee fielding repeated questions by Counsel Robert Kennedy and several other leading Senators for four hours. It is obvious by the questions that Dave Beck is their target, but Roy must serve as the road they travel.
Prompted by continued reports of malfeasance among union officials and their overflowing treasury coffers, Senator John Little McClellan is appointed by President Eisenhower to investigate racketeering among labor unions. The Attorney General had targeted the Teamsters, which was rife with corruption and had begun to issue subpoenas to any business associates connected with the Teamsters. Roy and Alfons Landa were questioned because of their affiliation with Beck, specifically for assorted transactions, in particular the two loans.
On the afternoon of May 13, 1957 Roy Fruehauf appeared before the accumulated Senators of the McClellan Committee fielding repeated questions by Counsel Robert Kennedy and several other leading Senators for four hours. It is obvious by the questions that Dave Beck is their target, but Roy must serve as the road they travel.
Members of the McClellan Committee, J.F. Kennedy & R.F. Kennedy
The testimony is in headlines nationwide. These news articles which shed doubts on the leadership at Fruehauf Trailer Company, provide defensive ammunition for Harvey among family members and in Detroit’s society as he continues to try to justify his actions which have hurt the Company. Art Condon, Beck’s lawyer, had already been questioned by the committee. In his testimony, he implied that Roy and his loan partner Burge Seymour entered into the second loan for $200,000 for the purpose of obtaining favors from Dave Beck on behalf of the Teamsters’ Union. This was later proved untrue.
The Teamster’s Union also protecting themselves from the unflattering headlines about their leader, decide to remove Dave Beck until the trial concludes. James ‘Jimmy’ Hoffa, his second in command, is elevated to the union president’s seat in 1957. This inflames the already, deep seated hatred among the two leaders.
The Teamster’s Union also protecting themselves from the unflattering headlines about their leader, decide to remove Dave Beck until the trial concludes. James ‘Jimmy’ Hoffa, his second in command, is elevated to the union president’s seat in 1957. This inflames the already, deep seated hatred among the two leaders.
Dave Beck, President Teamsters Union
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James Hoffa, President of the Teamster's Union
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While the inquiry led to the conviction of more than twenty individuals including Beck, it failed to convict Hoffa and in fact, strengthened his leadership. The investigation also led to the Teamsters' expulsion from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations in December 1957.
The McClellan Committee's efforts culminated in the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, which established for the first time close regulation of unions by the federal government. The law created requirements for union elections and for annual financial reports to the Labor Department, banned convicted criminals from holding union office, and established union members' rights against coercive labor practices.
The McClellan Committee's efforts culminated in the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, which established for the first time close regulation of unions by the federal government. The law created requirements for union elections and for annual financial reports to the Labor Department, banned convicted criminals from holding union office, and established union members' rights against coercive labor practices.
Smith Miller Toy Trucks play a big role in Teamster history
Toy trucks designed by Fruehauf Trailer Company became a point of controversy and questions. They were supposed to be used for industry promotion. The Union Merchandising Company was run by the son of Dave Beck. The trucks were sold to Teamster drivers, local officials, and business owners...under pressure from the Union. Profits from the sale of the toy trucks were diverted to the pockets of Dave Beck, Jr. and a handful of Beck’s friends and family rather than to the Union’s treasury.
A large number of these toy trucks were produced by the Smith-Miller Toy Company after receiving the design for the truck and trailer from Roy Fruehauf. They were created for distribution during National Truck Week. The trailers bore the name of Fruehauf, while the Teamsters’ Union logos were displayed on the sides of the trailer as well as the doors of the truck. Very few of these original trucks remain in circulation. Most are held in private collections. The actual truck used as an exhibit in the McClellan Hearings can be found at the John F. Kennedy Museum.
The basic truck and trailer design was a favorite of the Smith-Miller company, and was reproduced bearing the logos of numerous companies in the years following the hearings. The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society, with the assistance of toy designer David G. Norman, restored a vintage Smith-Miller and transformed it into the infamous Teamsters’ truck and trailer. It made its debut appearance in August 2015 at the Brooks Truck Show in Brooks, Oregon. These photos show the before and after of this restoration.
A large number of these toy trucks were produced by the Smith-Miller Toy Company after receiving the design for the truck and trailer from Roy Fruehauf. They were created for distribution during National Truck Week. The trailers bore the name of Fruehauf, while the Teamsters’ Union logos were displayed on the sides of the trailer as well as the doors of the truck. Very few of these original trucks remain in circulation. Most are held in private collections. The actual truck used as an exhibit in the McClellan Hearings can be found at the John F. Kennedy Museum.
The basic truck and trailer design was a favorite of the Smith-Miller company, and was reproduced bearing the logos of numerous companies in the years following the hearings. The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society, with the assistance of toy designer David G. Norman, restored a vintage Smith-Miller and transformed it into the infamous Teamsters’ truck and trailer. It made its debut appearance in August 2015 at the Brooks Truck Show in Brooks, Oregon. These photos show the before and after of this restoration.
