In the Age of Steel: Oral Histories from Bethlehem Pennsylvania -- James L. Shearer

Annotation James L. Shearer (ca. 1913-July 29, 1987), born in Milton, Pennsylvania, was married to Ruth Shearer, née McGraw. He served as assistant to the Registrar at Lehigh University from 1939 to 1941 and then worked for Bethlehem Steel from 1941 to 1973, primarily in the Personnel Division. In this interview he discusses his blue-collar work at Bethlehem Steel, employment of women during World War II, dealing with deferments during the Korean War, unemployment compensation, working with various state legislators to influence unemployment compensation legislation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the implementation of affirmative action. This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted by Lehigh University students and faculty from 1974 through 1977 focusing on retired Bethlehem Steel workers, business people, and the heirs of industrial magnates. The project was co-sponsored by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, who provided contact information for retired steel workers. An oral history interview is an act of memory and hence both highly selective and highly subjective. While it accurately reflects what a narrator remembers (or chooses to tell) of his or her experience and viewpoints, it may not accurately represent what actually transpired or what another person may have experienced. As such users should subject interviews to the same degree of critical scrutiny they would any other historical source.