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The "Petrillo Controversy" (12), 1930-1987, covers the American Federation of Musicians ban on broadcasting from (as well as teaching or performing at) Interlochen. It begins with overview accounts of the controversy and surviving documents on Maddy's earlier dealings with the musicians union. For the origins of the controversy, researchers will also want to check Subject Maddy "Music Education" under "Music Educators National Conference."

Correspondence, testimony, notes, and newspaper articles document Maddy's efforts to lift the ban. The correspondence includes exchanges with many Congressmen, especially members of the Michigan delegation (particularly Senator Arthur Vandenberg and Congressman Albert Engel). Maddy also dealt extensively with Congressmen Clarence Lea of California and Carroll Kearns of Pennsylvania. Former Governor Wilber Brucker of Michigan, served as Maddy's legal counsel on the issue during the early 1950's.

Because of bulk, the correspondence is sometimes separated into special (Maddy) and general files. The former includes individuals of particular importance on the issue, to the Camp or in society, while the latter contains general support letters (which often include responses from Congressmen). Researchers interested in the efforts to lift the ban should also consult the Giddings and Tremaine correspondence in Chronological Camp files, 1935-1966.

The final portion on the Petrillo controversy deals with its settlement and the Camp's subsequent relations with the American Federation of Musicians and other unions, especially the United Automobile Workers. On the resolution of the controversy, researchers will also want to consult Post-Maddy Administrators Gillis.