Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Osborne, Lithgow and New York (State). Crime Commission
- Extent:
- 1.25 linear feet and 3 boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); New York State Crime Commission records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Background
- Scope and Content:
These records were used in the investigation of waterfront crime, 1952-1953, including research, drafts and published reports of the recommendations of the Crime Commission, correspondence and memorandums, charts and financial statements, newspaper clippings, Acts pertaining to and resulting from the work of the Crime Commission; notes and transcripts of public hearing testimony, including three volumes of Ogdensburg Public Hearings held at Canton, N.Y., July 18-20, 1951.
- Biographical / Historical:
The New York State Crime Commission was appointed by Governor Dewey in 1951 to investigate and report on the relationship between organized crime and units of government and to recommend measured for the improvement of law enforcement in the state. Pervasive corruption on the waterfront in the Port of New York-New Jersey was documented by public hearings held by the Commission with the assistance of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Council. Chairman of the Crime Commission from 1951 to 1953 was Judge Joseph Meyer Proskauer (1877-1971) and Chief Counsel was John Marshall Harlan (1899-1971). In August 1953, New York and New Jersey created the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.
The New York State Crime Commission Records document the Commission's activities from its inception in 1951 and fall into four series: Correspondence, Manuscripts Research papers and documents and Publications.
- Acquisition information:
Source of acquisition--Osborne, Lithgow. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/29/1953. Accession number--M-53-12-29.
Two boxes of collection received December 29, 1953. A further accession (3 volumes) received January 14, 1960. Donated by Lithgow Osborne, a member of the Commission.
- Processing information:
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/1989.
Processed in 1955, 1960 by RBML staff. Reprocessed Cristine Lovelace 3/5/2005.
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into 4 series.
- Accruals:
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); New York State Crime Commission records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
6th Floor East Butler Library535 West 114th St.New York, NY 10027, United States
- CONTACT:
-
(212) 854-5590rbml@library.columbia.edu