Draft report file L0034

Draft report file

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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 draft and final versions of the four-volume published report, Revolutionary Radicalism, submitted by the Committee to the New York State Senate in April 1920. The report is an exhaustive account of the Committee's investigations with extensive information on suspected radical organizations active in New York, the United States, and throughout the world. Many of the documents found in other record series of the Committee are published in the final report.

Creator:

New York (State). Legislature. Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate Seditious Activities

Title:

Draft report file

Quantity:

2.4 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1919-1920

Series Number:

L0034

Arrangement

Chronological by date of draft.

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of two typed drafts of the committee's report that was submitted to the State Senate on April 14, 1920. The first draft is a partial copy of the report that contains occasional pencilled additions. The second draft is a near complete typed copy of the report signed by members of the Committee. The drafts do not include the table of contents, index, or illustrative material contained in the published report.

The four-volume published report was entitled Revolutionary Radicalism: Its History, Purpose and Tactics (Albany, 1920) and was issued to recount the committee's investigation into radical activities. The report was compiled largely from secondary sources, but also from the committee's investigations, hearing testimony, and from analyzing a few of the large number of documents seized in raids by the committee. The general introduction to the report summarizes the activities of what the committee saw as the radical movement, outlines the committee's investigation, and reprints remedial legislation proposed by the committee.

Volumes 1 and 2 of the report are entitled, "Revolutionary and Subversive Movements Abroad and at Home" and total 2,008 pages. These volumes detail the development of a range of radical and left wing movements in Europe and their spread to the United States. Some major topics included are Socialism and labor, the Anarchist movement, the Russian Soviet Regime, the Socialist Party of America, revolutionary industrial unionism (particularly the Industrial Workers of the World), and pacifist groups. The report discusses how organizations used propaganda to spread their ideology, particularly within the United States. The report reprints a large number of documents (pamphlets, circulars, and public letters which the groups distributed) pertaining to this radical activity in general, but discuss comparatively little about radical activities in New York State or New York City where the committee concentrated its investigation.

Volumes 3 and 4 of the report are entitled, "Constructive Movements and Measures in America" and total 2,417 pages. This section of the report discusses three main areas: 1) what protective government measures presently exist that affect the spread of radical ideology in New York and the United States (such as New York's criminal anarchy statutes, constitutional protection for freedom of speech, Federal deportation statutes, and United States' recognition of the Russian Soviet Regime); 2) how the industrial system can be changed to eliminate struggles between labor and ownership; and 3) what is the role of immigrant education and citizenship training in stemming the flow of radical ideology. Many relevant documents pertaining to these topics are included.

The largest segment of Volumes 3 and 4 of the report details the activities of government, schools, civic groups, and industry throughout New York and the United States in providing education in American values. Committee recommendations in the report included loyalty oaths for teachers, stricter licensing of schools, and expansion of education for adults and especially for recent immigrants. These recommendations were embodied in legislation submitted to the Senate in March 1920, some of which were passed but later repealed.

Alternate Formats Available

The committee report was published in four volumes as Revolutionary Radicalism (Albany, 1920).

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Volumes 1 and 2 contain a 233-page index. Volumes 3 and 4 contain a short index. A detailed index to the final report is contained in the published report.

Folder list.