Series II. Manhattan Borough Presidency, 1923-1945, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series consists of documents related to Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s tenure as Manhattan Borough President, which lasted from 1941-1945. These include campaign materials, related correspondence (including communication with various influential politicians such as Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Robert Moses), construction plans, speeches (many on Jewish topics or for Jewish audiences), financial reports, Board of Estimate meeting minutes, and memorabilia from New York City events, including a 1945 dinner honoring then-general Dwight D. Eisenhower. The series also contains photographs, clippings, and scrapbooks. Much of the material is about World War II and post-war construction works, including the construction of the East River Drive (FDR) and the proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway (LOMEX), which was never built.
Arrangement
The documents remain almost entirely in their original subject folders, though many of the folders were previously unlabeled and titles were primarily devised by the processing archivist, with the exception of the folders containing Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s speeches and his plans for the arterial highway bill, which retain original labels. Items of other formats, including print matter, newspaper clippings, photographs, and oversized posters, are listed at the end of the series.
Congratulations on Nomination, 1941, inclusive
Campaign Materials (Folder 1 of 2), 1941, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Election materials from 1941 campaign for Manhattan Borough Presidency, including biographies, press releases, and a Speaker's Handbook re: La Guardia Administration accomplishments, among other documents.
Campaign Materials (Folder 2 of 2), 1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Campaign materials from failed 1945 campaign for re-election to office of Manhattan Borough President, including campaign song, list of construction works, endorsements, and remarks.
Misc. Manhattan Borough Presidency Documents, 1941-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes information about East River Drive opening ceremonies, plans for other post-war construction works, Manhattan Borough President ID badge, memo of understanding with Terminal Market of New York related to improvements in the Washington Wholesale Market, and correspondence from Mayor La Guardia, as well as a clipping on Thomas Dewey's campaign for the U.S. Presidency.
Honorary Dinner Memorabilia (Folder 1 of 2), 1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Documents from 1945 dinner honoring General Dwight D. Eisenhower, including telegram from Marie La Guardia, Mayor La Guardia's wife, inviting Mabel Nathan, Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s wife, to a luncheon with the women of General Eisenhower's party, flowers from the table decoration, and a picture of General Eisenhower with Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. in the background. Also contains a letter from Charles C. Burlingham.
Honorary Dinner Memorabilia (Folder 2 of 2), 1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Programs and other mementos from 1945 dinners honoring General Jonathan M. Wainwright and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, including a photograph of Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. on a dais with various important New York State politicians (such as Governor Thomas Dewey). Also includes a parking map from Navy Day.
Arterial Highway Bill, 1941-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes tense correspondence between Edgar J. Nathan, Jr., Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, Robert Moses, and other important New York City officials regarding a disagreement over control of post-war highway construction works.
Proposed Lower Manhattan Crosstown Express Highway (Folder 1 of 2), 1943
Scope and Contents
Contains book of plans drafted by Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. for Lower Manhattan Crosstown Express Highway (LOMEX).
Proposed Lower Manhattan Crosstown Express Highway (Folder 2 of 2), 1943-1944, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains papers previously enclosed within Folder 18 book, including correspondence between Edgar Jr . Nathan and various important New York officials (Mayor LaGuardia, Governor Thomas Dewey, Robert Moses) as well as plans for crosstown expressway.
East River Drive Books, 1940-1942, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains 1940 book on East River Drive plans and a 1942 booklet commemorating the Opening of East River Drive and Commercial Marginal Way.
Post-War Construction Print Matter, 1942-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes, among other documents, the proposed post-war works program published by the City Planning Commission; a booklet on the Parks Department's proposed reconstruction of Battery Park; the Parks Department's report on scheduling of postwar improvements; Nathan's white paper "Plan to Alleviate Traffic Congestion in Midtown Manhattan"; and the Manhattan Borough Works' illustrated description of the new municipal asphalt plant.
New York Advancing: Victory Edition, 1945
Scope and Contents
Book on accomplishments of Mayor La Guardia's tenure, signed by Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. and contains much information about post-war construction in New York City.
Board of Estimate Minutes and Other Documents (Folder 1 of 2), 1943, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains binder labeled "The Committee on Grievances: Bar Association," but documents inside are entirely related to 1943 Board of Estimate meetings.
Board of Estimate Minutes and Other Documents (Folder 2 of 2), 1944, inclusive
Borough of Manhattan Fiscal Reports (Folder 1 of 5), 1941-1942, inclusive
Borough of Manhattan Fiscal Reports (4 folders of 5), 1942-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The fifth folder holds the Borough President's financial report for 1944-45.
Speeches—Home (3 folders of 5), 1942-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Many speeches written for Manhattan Borough Presidency events, but also many written for Jewish audiences or with Jewish themes.
Speeches—Home (Folder 4 of 5), 1925-1944, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains speech materials, including drafts of jokes and Jewish articles. Also contains copies of articles written by Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. on post-war construction.
Speeches—Home (Folder 5 of 5), 1923-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Clippings, mostly featuring Judaism.
Speeches (4 folders), 1942-1944, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Folder 12 contains speeches and articles written in support of Governor Thomas E. Dewey's presidential campaign against Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Reference Letters (2 folders), 1940-1945, inclusive
Photographs, 1941-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes photos of Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. with various other men, including New York Secretary of State Thomas J. Curran. Also includes photos of Edgar J. Nathan, Jr. giving gifts to Jewish orphans and changing a Broadway street sign to say "Bondway" in honor of the third war loan drive.
Clippings (5 folders), 1941-1945, inclusive
Language of Materials
Oversize Washington Eagle Clipping on Endorsements, 1941
2 Oversize Campaign Posters, c. 1941-1946, inclusive
Scrapbooks (2 volumes of 5), 1941-1943, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contain clippings, dinner programs, photos, and other assorted documents from Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s tenure as Manhattan Borough President.
Scrapbooks (3 volumes of 5), 1944-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contain clippings, dinner programs, photos, and other assorted documents from Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s tenure as Manhattan Borough President.
Meeting Attendance and Voting Records (Flat Box), 1941-1945, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains log of attendence and voting records for all borough presidents at joint meetings during Edgar J. Nathan, Jr.'s tenure.