Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains materials gathered by the committee, known as the "Lockwood Committee" for chairman Charles C. Lockwood, in its investigation to determine the causes of the high cost of housing. It contains account and ledger books, correspondence, minute books, and profit/cost analysis reports of insurance companies, banks, trade unions, construction companies, and other organizations involved in the housing industry. The committee examined these groups to determine if collusion of any kind was artificially raising housing costs.

The items document a wide range of housing construction activity: banks' mortgage financing, insurance companies' investments in housing, and trade unions' contract bidding practices. The committee examined these items primarily during meetings, though some were used in the trial of Building Trades Council officers. Some items found were labelled "Material Not Useful" by the committee.