Research


New York State Assistant Secretary for Reports Subject and Correspondence Files


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
This series consists of subject and correspondence files created by Assistant Secretary for Reports to Governor W. Averell Harriman, Daniel P. Moynihan. The records document the two major functions of the Assistant Secretary for Reports: to bring the State Government closer to the people and to keep the Governor informed on the developments and activities within the State departments and agencies. Many files concern the public relations and public informational aspects of New York State government.
Creator:
Title:
Assistant Secretary for Reports subject and correspondence files
Quantity:

7 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:
1955-1958
Series Number:
B2331

Arrangement

Organized into two subseries: Subseries 1: Subject Files and Subseries 2: Correspondence Files. Arrangement is alphabetical by topic or correspondent in each subseries.

Administrative History

In December 1956, Daniel P. Moynihan was appointed to the newly created position of Assistant Secretary for Reports. Mr. Moynihan had been serving in the Governor's Office since January 1, 1955, as the Assistant to the Secretary to the Governor. In July 1958, when Jonathan Bingham, the Secretary to the Governor, was given a leave of absence to run for the New York State Senate, Mr. Moynihan was appointed "Acting" Secretary.

In his position as Assistant Secretary for Reports, Mr. Moynihan had two primary objectives: to bring the State Government closer to the people and to keep the Governor informed on the developments and activities within the State departments and agencies. In carrying out the first of these objectives, Mr. Moynihan initiated projects for postmark advertising and display racks for State publications; encouraged improvement in the quality of State publications; and directed the annual New York Open House Week. And in carrying out his other objectives of keeping the Governor informed about developments within State departments and agencies, he initiated a program whereby each department and agency sent monthly summary reports to the Governor's office.

To facilitate his work, Mr. Moynihan organized and served as the chairman of the Interdepartmental Committee on Publications and Reports - a committee made up of the public information officers of approximately thirty State departments and agencies.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of subject and correspondence files relating to Daniel P. Moynihan's position as Assistant Secretary for Reports to Governor W. Averell Harriman. Some of the correspondence files pertain to personal matters.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Folder list.

Custodial History

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in July 2011.

Access Restrictions

Income tax file in Box 6 is restricted to protect personal privacy.

Access Terms

Personal Name(s):
Corporate Name(s):
Geographic Name(s):
Subject(s):
Genre(s):
Function(s):

Detailed Description

Subseries 1: Subject Files

Dates:
1955-1958
Physical Description:
5 cubic feet

Scope and Content Note:

This subseries consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, publications, press releases, schedules, lists, messages and related records, most of which concern the public relations and public informational aspects of the state government including departmental progress, monthly, and annual reports; civil defense certificates; departmental display racks; postmark plates and meter stamps; speeches of government officials and correspondence; and minutes and reports of the Interdepartmental Committee on Publications and Reports. Also included are such topics as Regents scholarship winners, Democratic State Committee dinners, the Commission for the Preservation of Historic Sites, surplus food and property, and two articles by Governor Harriman, one relating to billboards in the Reporter Magazine and the other relating to the Civil Service for Harper's Magazine.

Arrangement:

Alphabetical.

  

Contents Box

Accretion: B2331-11
Box 1 1
Box 2 2
Box 3 3
Box 4 4
Box 5 5

Subseries 2: Correspondence Files

Dates:
1955-1958
Physical Description:
2 cubic feet

Scope and Content Note:

This subseries consists of letters received, including a few enclosures, and copies of letters sent by Moynihan pertaining mainly to personal matters, and invitations for various public and private events.

Arrangement:

Alphabetical.

  

Contents Box

Accretion: B2331-11
Box 6 6
Box 7 7