LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE FILES,, 1951-1965.
Dates
- 1951-1965.
Scope and Contents
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE FILES includes the set of files designated as such and maintained in HAW's office in the first half of the 1960s. Though uncertain, these appear to be central background reference files for HAW's legislative assistants during that period, principally ArDee Ames, but also Robert (Bob) Barrie, Wallace (Wally) Edgerton, and Larry Feldman.
The bulk of the series consists of reference material, especially printed matter, from think tanks and trade/industry associations and other interest groups. A few examples of groups well-represented in the series include American Enterprise Association, Institute for Rapid Transit, Regional Plan Association (NY-NJ-CT area), American Institute of Planners, American Municipal Association, National Highway Users Conference, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and Nature Conservancy. Speeches, position papers, and analyses from these organizations or their representatives are in the series. The series also includes many background documents from the Library of Congress's Legislative Reference Service and the Research Division of the Democratic National Committee. Government publications and clippings are in the series, though much of this material was removed during processing (see Appraisal and Discard section below).
The series includes some working files on legislative matters, especially those related to highways, mass transportation, and open space initiatives. Significant correspondence can be found for many of the subjects. Some HAW speeches, statements, press releases, etc., often with contextual documents, are in the series. HAW's voting record from his House years is in the series.
The most extensive material can be found for "metropolitan affairs," including mass transportation and open space. Much of the rich material in these subject areas concern New Jersey, including commuter railroads in the Camden and metropolitan New York areas and the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway Township. Secretary of the Interior Udall's 1961 correspondence to HAW confirming support for creating a recreation area from the military base at Sandy Hook is in the series. Other significant New Jersey-centered material includes meeting notes and correspondence regarding the cranberry industry's response to the government's announcement of health concerns with the berry; a reminiscence by a Garfield minister of his participation in an African-American voter registration drive/demonstration in Hattiesburg, MS (1962); analyses of minimum wage proposals on business, including NJ breweries; Raritan River flood control proposals (1963-64), and material on the jetport proposals. The series includes photos of storm damage in Brigantine (1964) and Hudson & Manhattan Railroad stations in Jersey City (1960-61).
Other substantive material in the series includes leadership newsletters and quorum call duty and floor manager schedules for the 1964 Civil Rights Act debate; civil defense fallout shelter proposals; materials on "Operation Abolition," an effort to terminate the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC); correspondence from Linus Pauling regarding his appearance at a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security; and position statements from contending groups over development at Breezy Point, NY. The series also includes extensive financial and other data from the 1950s regarding the Beaver Elkhorn Water District in Kentucky; this material appears to have been sent to HAW by the District's Newark-based bond dealer and creditor committee attorney in an attempt to acquire Accelerated Public Works (APW) funding.
Language of Materials
Undetermined .
Physical Description
(18.5 cubic feet)
Arrangement
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE FILES is arranged alphabetically by subject which, although found in some disorder by the archivist, appears to have been the original order.
The bulk of the series consists of material found by the archivist in well-labeled folders which clearly were part of the original files. The series also includes material added by the archivist. This added material was found loose, in unlabeled folders, or in folders labeled somewhat inconsistently from the others. In all cases, though, the subject, type, and location of the material in relation to the well-labeled folders suggested to the archivist that the material was likely to have been part of the original legislative reference files, or at least had a close connection to them in HAW's office. Folder descriptions in [brackets] indicate descriptions impsed by the archivist for the materials found loose or in unlabeled folders. Words added to the original folder descriptions by the archivist for clarification or consistency in arrangement are also in [brackets].
The date range used in the Container List was based on a skim of the folder contents. Therefore, there may be documents dated earlier or later in the folders.
Appraisal and Discard Information
The legislative reference files originally amounted to approximately 27 cubic feet of material. During processing, approximately 10 cubic feet of material was either discarded or sent to the Special Collections and University Archives' bibliographer for disposition.
Reference folders consisting only of government publications were generally discarded. Government publications were retained when found in context with other material (press releases, speeches, correspondence, etc.) or other reference matter.
Newsprint clippings, whether loose or glued or stapled to paper backing, were generally discarded. Nevertheless, newsprint clippings were retained if they were particularly on point for context for other material in a folder, or if they were centered on HAW or his key legislative efforts (e.g., HAW mass transit legislation-related editorials, etc.).
Part of the New Brunswick Special Collections Repository