New York State Commission to Study, Examine and Investigate State Agencies in Relation to Pari-Mutuel Harness Racing…

Chronological by date of hearing.

This series consists mainly of transcripts of testimony taken at public hearings held by the commission. Witnesses were examined at three sets of hearings conducted for three areas of investigation.

1) Roosevelt Raceway program concession and the interest of sitting Nassau County Judge, Norman F. Lent, a candidate for reelection, in the printing and distribution of the programs. Hearings on this matter were held October 28, 1953 and Judge Lent was among the witnesses.

2) Waste, mismanagement, and diversion of moneys belonging to the Welfare Fund of Local 32-E, Building Service Employees' International Union, and the effects on benefits to union members, many of whom were Yonkers Raceway employees. Hearings on this matter were held December 15-16, 1953.

3) Pari-mutuel harness racing (general investigation). Hearings on this matter were held March 1-6 and 8-12, 1954. Hamilton Fish and Elbridge T. Gerry were among the witnesses appearing.

The series includes the original typed transcripts of the March 1954 hearings; copies of the March hearings with corrections added; and final mimeographed transcripts of all hearings, organized into seven volumes (not bound). The series also contains minutes of private conferences held March 23, 1954 regarding purses and racing dates at downstate tracks.

Additional miscellaneous items filed with this series include reports and studies on finances and stock ownership of harness racing associations; and "reception record," April 29-August 19, 1954, listing names of visitors to the commission's offices, date, time in and out, and sometimes the purpose of the visit.

18761Series 18761, New York State Temporary Commission of Investigation Records of Predecessor Agencies, includes additional copies of printed transcripts of Commission to Investigate Pari-Mutuel Harness Racing public hearings.

Container list is available at the repository.

Volume VII contains a complete list of exhibits and index to witnesses in all public hearings.

Series B1327, Card Indexes to Harness Racing Associations and Stockholders, Witnesses, and Commission Records and Staff, indexes witnesses and exhibits in this series.

Restricted in accordance with Civil Rights Law, Section 73.8, and other statutes. Public hearing transcripts, press releases, published material, and other records that have been previously available to the public are available without restriction. Access to other information is permitted only by permission of the commission or the Governor's office.