Research

Scope and Content Note

The central subject and correspondence files of Nathan Miller document a wide variety of issues addressed by state government in the post-World War I era: reorganization of state government; postwar unemployment and coordination of federal, state, and local response programs; postwar housing shortage and regulation of mortgage interest rates; care and treatment of disabled war veterans and veterans suffering from mental illness; care and treatment of the mentally ill; administration of the Volstead and Mullen-Gage prohibition enforcement acts; milk prices and supply shortages; utility rate regulation and increasing demand for utility service; labor relations and strikes in the railroad, mining, milk, paper, and street railway industries; and the rising crime rate in New York City.

Additional topics documented include the debate over use of the direct primary versus state convention to nominate candidates in statewide and judicial district elections; establishment of the Port of New York Authority; proposed transportation system improvement projects; administration of the New York City transit system and creation of the State Transit Commission; municipal administration of New York City and revision of the city's charter; moral character of motion pictures and creation of the State Motion Picture Commission; anthracite coal shortage brought on by strikes in coal mining and railroad industries; creation of the State Fuel Administration to administer the distribution of limited resources; illegal gambling operations and immoral exhibitions at local and state fairs; Native American land claims; charges of misconduct against local government officials; and the Commission to Examine and Investigate the Management and Affairs of the State Institute of Applied Agriculture at Farmingdale, appointed by Governor Miller under provisions of the Moreland Act.

Miller's subject and correspondence files consist predominantly of original letters and telegrams from public officials and private citizens and organizations; unsigned copies of replies or letters from the governor forwarding correspondence to state or local government officials for action; and copies of state and local government officials' replies to the governor and/or the original correspondents. Additional record types include agency annual and special reports; reports of visits to state mental health institutions; copies of governor's press releases and addresses; copies of legislative bills and resolutions; copies of court documents and exhibits; publications, newspaper clippings, and background materials; and minutes of Moreland Act Commission hearings.