{"value"=>"<p>The Mayor's Billboard Advertising Commission was established under William Jay Gaynor (1849-1913), elected as Mayor of New York City, in 1909. Gaynor was supported by Tammany in his election but his reform-minded program lost him Tammany support. Gaynor appointed Bard and several others to the Commission. \" The mandate of the Commission was to look into advertising in New York City by means of billboards, sky-signs, and \"kindred devices. \" Bard was appointed Secretary of the Commission.</p> <p>Mayor Gaynor died before the Commission completed their work. The final result was submitted to the next mayor, Ardolph Kline. The report was entitled \"Report of the Mayor's Billboard Advertising Commission of the City of New York. \" There was a tremendous demand for the report after it was published from city agencies, organizations, and individuals.</p> <p>This series, Mayor's Bill-Board Advertising Commission, 1912-1914, spans the two years of the Commission's existence. The documentation includes the original certificate appointing Bard to the Commission (signed and sealed by Mayor Gaynor), and the minutes of the Commission. The series also contains transcripts of the public hearings held by the Commission, correspondence, financial information, list of names to whom the report was sent, and Bard's notes. Two annotated copies of the report are located in box 144.</p>"}