New York State Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate Seditious Activities Correspondence and Administrative Files

Alphabetical by name or topic.

This series consists principally of correspondence between committee members, staff, and investigators relating to the investigation and its management as part of the committee's objective to gather information and evidence about suspected radical groups and individuals.

The correspondence includes letters from applicants seeking employment as investigators or office help, letters from the committee certifying individuals as official committee investigators, and letters from civic groups requesting committee members to speak at meetings. There are letters both from individuals and organizations offering assistance to the committee and from individuals and organizations expressing concern with the validity of the committee's work and showing support for organizations under investigation. In particular, Samuel Untermyer (an attorney of note who became the counsel to the Rand School after the committee raided the school's premises) and New York World publisher Joseph Pulitzer II criticized the committee's work.

The records include correspondence between the committee and detective agencies relating to general procedures and to a small number of specific investigations. A file listing indictments resulting from the committee's investigation is also found. The records also include expense accounts submitted by committee members, staff and investigators, receipts for office supplies, a bibliography of alleged radical publications, and copies of legislative resolutions establishing the committee.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through inter-library loan.

Microfilm: 1 roll; 16 mm.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was originally accessioned as box 2 of old collection #281, accessions -236 and -237.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.