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Bertram B. Moss practiced law for over forty years at the firm of Haas, Leffmann & Moss. His clients included the Association for the Jewish Blind and the Self-Help Home for the Aged. Active in Chicago's Democratic Party, Moss served as precinct captain and later as Alderman of the 5th Ward from 1943 to 1947. Moss sought improvements in local infrastructure in the Hyde Park neighborhood, especially housing, and fought to improve the quality of public schools. Moss lost his reelection bid for Alderman in 1947 to the Republican candidate, Robert E. Merriam, who was then Director of the Metropolitan Housing Council. Merriam accused Moss of seeking to remove rent controls and prevent free and equal access to public housing. Notably, Moss appeared on WBKB in 1947 as part of Chicago's first paid political telecast. Bob Elson, announcer for Channel 4, conducted an unscripted interview of Alderman Moss on a set featuring a fireplace and easy chairs. Moss answered questions about temporary housing for veterans on the University of Chicago campus and the then new 55th street bus line. Bertram B. Moss was married to Hanna (nee Posner) and had two children. He died in Winnetka, Illinois, at the age of 84 in 1988.
The Bertram Moss Papers include correspondence, memoranda, notes, speeches, reports, photographs, certificates, programs, clippings, published articles, newsletters, flyers, brochures, pamphlets, articles of incorporation, legal documents, maps, political advertisements and campaign literature. Some U.S. Government and City of Chicago documents are also included. Much of the Bertram Moss Papers consists of material related to major controversies and issues during his time in office as Alderman of the 5th Ward. Regarding schools, these papers include correspondence and other materials produced by the National Education Association, Education Committee of the City Club of Chicago, Chicago Teachers' Federation, Chicago South Side Zonta Club, Citizens Schools Committee, the Pilgrim Fellowship of Chicago and other organizations. Regarding housing in Chicago, materials from the Chicago Conference on Home Front Unity Housing Commission, Women's Joint Committee on Adequate Housing, Metropolitan Housing Council, New York City Dept. of Parks, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Trailer Coach Manufacturers Association, Veterans Housing Conference, the Equitable Life Insurance Society of the United States, and the Chicago Association of Commerce among others are included. The Bertram B. Moss Papers have been divided into three series: I. General, II. Sequential Files, and III. Campaign Material.
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Bertram Moss papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago
The General Series includes correspondence, memoranda, notes, speeches, reports, photographs, certificates, programs, clippings, published articles, newsletters, flyers, brochures, pamphlets, articles of incorporation, legal documents, maps, political advertisements and campaign literature, and government documents.
The Sequential Files Series consists of clippings, programs, photographs, correspondence, ribbons, tickets, badges, bulletins, brochures, issues of the Scroll, and commemorative material from American Airlines. Theses files are maintained in the original order as received with all contents transferred to acid-free paper folders.
The Campaign Material Series consists of clippings, correspondence, notes, photographs, flyers, an excerpt from the Chicago City Council record, and a Lions Club bulletin. Theses files are maintained in the original order as received with all contents transferred to acid-free paper folders.