New York State Counsel to the Governor Power Authority Contract Records

Statement on Language

Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.

Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This series consists of copies of proposed and accepted contracts and other records, generated by the Counsel to Governor W. Averell Harriman, documenting the sale of St. Lawrence power by the New York State Power Authority. The Counsel to the Governor was responsible for clearing all contracts, as to content and form, which required the Governor's signature. Approximately half of the records in the series relate to contracts with the Reynolds Metals Company and the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.
Title
Power Authority contract records
Quantity
3.75 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
B2340
Creator
Arrangement

Numerical by contract number.

Administrative History

Governor W. Averell Harriman chose Judge Daniel Gutman, President Justice of the Municipal Court of New York, as his counsel. Mr. Gutman, a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and an Assistant District Attorney of Kings County, served in the New York State Assembly from 1938 to 1939 and the New York State Senate from 1939 to 1943. In 1943, he was elected as a Justice of the Municipal Court and in February 1954, he was appointed President Justice.

The duties of the Counsel to the Governor included clearing and making recommendations on proposed legislation; acting as a liaison between the Governor's Office and the State Legislature; negotiating interstate or international agreements; clearing all contracts, as to content and form, which required the Governor's signature (Power Authority contracts, etc.); making recommendations on all appointments to the judiciary; acting as a liaison between the Governor and all investigative bodies; making recommendations on applications for pardons and clemency; and advising the Governor on many policy and program matters.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of correspondence, memoranda, telegrams, statements, petitions, reports, hearings, clippings, copies of proposed and accepted contracts, and formal statements of approval of the contracts for the sale of St. Lawrence power by the New York State Power Authority. Approximately half of the records relate to the contracts with the Reynolds Metals Company and the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.

B2339Series B2339, Construction progress photographs and

B2334Series B2334, Authorities subject files, contain related records on the State Power Authority.

Other Finding Aids

Index providing contract number with corresponding company or organization is available.

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 November 2011.

Access Restrictions

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

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