Dean Alfange papers

1927-1988

The papers (1927-1988), though sketchy, reflect aspects of Alfange's career as a lawyer and political activist. The bulk of the collection is correspondence, speeches, articles by Alfange and newsclippings dealing with his political activities and with the Greek American community from 1934-1975.

The collection reveals Alfange's involvement and influence in the American Labor Party, the Order of Ahepa and aspects of his work in the political arena between 1940-1980. Presidential correspondence from Hoover and Truman includes letters requesting Alfange's insight into the problems of the immigrant communities, which is also reflected in Alfange's notes dealing with presidential meetings. There is a quantity of information which reveals Alfange's involvement in election campaigning both on a state and nationwide level. There is nothing in the papers which deals with Alfange's private life. The collection gives insight into the political scene in New York during the 1940's, notably the 1942 New York State gubernatorial election and Alfange's efforts in the formation of the Liberal Party. Of special note is Alfange's interest in human rights revealed in his involvement as Vice Chairman of the Emergency Committee to Save the Jewish People of Europe during World War II and his chairmanship of the Committee to Arm the Jewish State.

There is a subgroup of letters in the collection from Alfange's friend (who was sometimes referred to as "Uncle"), Augustus L. Richards. Richards, a retired lawyer and Harvard graduate, reveals in his letters a satiric wit and strong liberal leanings. It is obvious through much of this correspondence that Alfange respected his opinion and political insight.

The Dean Alfange papers are arranged in six series:

• Series I. Correspondence
  1929 - 1988

  Included are personal letters from notables such as Presidents Gerald R. Ford, Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman. Also included are letters from J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Cabot Lodge. Of particular note are Alfange's personal comments and observances from private meetings with Truman.

  NOTE: The Articles and Speeches series contains a letter by Harlan Fiske Stone which accompanied an edited article by Alfange.

  arranged alphabetically

• Series II. Articles and Speeches

  Articles contain assorted writings of Dean Alfange. Included are: "A Liberal Looks At the Jewish State," "The Effect of Prior Imperfect Obligation on the Matter of Preference in Bankruptcy" (includes letter by Harlan Fiske Stone), excerpts from The Supreme Court and the National Will (included are excerpts of reviews of this work), "The Supreme Court Battle in Retrospect," "Toward a New Foreign Policy," "Tribute to the Late President Roosevelt," "The Truman Doctrine in a Coma" and an annotated copy of his court case -- Spyridon Catapodis against Aristotle Socrates Onassis.

  Alfange's speeches include addresses he made at various functions throughout his career. Some of note are: "American Aid to Greece, Is Security Compatible With Liberty" and a radio address delivered June 15, 1941 entitled "A Program For Action". Wartime speeches given by Alfange include many for aid to save the Jewish people of Europe. Included is his speech in 1944 concerning the newly formed Liberal Party. This series also includes articles written by Augustus Richards and one entitled "On Freedom of the Press" which is of unknown authorship.

  Also included are 10 glass phonograph recordings of Alfange delivering some of his more notable speeches. Some included are the speech given to the Emergency Committee to Save the Jews of Europe and a speech given to the Legion for American Unity.

  NOTE: One of Alfange speeches is included in the Ahepa file.

  articles arranged alphabetically; speeches arranged chronologically.

• Series III. Organizations
  1927 - 1970

  Included in this series are papers from various organizations with which Alfange was affliated. These include Ahepa, A.L.P. (American Labor Party), Commission of Critical Choices for Americans, Committee to Arm the Jewish State, Emergency Committee to Save the Jewish People of Europe and the New York State Quarter Horse Commission. Alfange played a prominent role in each of these organizations and the papers contain correspondence, speeches and programs. Of special note are the files from Ahepa, A.L.P. and the Committee to Arm the Jewish State. The Order of Ahepa is an American fraternal organization for those of Greek ancestry, and dedicated to inculcating American values and reverence for the history, culture and traditions of Greece. The file contains issues of the publication Ahepa Bulletin from 1927 - 1929. Also included are programs from the Order of Ahepa convention and works by Dean Alfange at Ahepa functions in his position as Supreme President of Ahepa and later as guest speaker. The A.L.P. files contain press releases and copies of speeches by Dean Alfange as the American Labor Party candidate for Governor. Alfange campaigned as "the only New Deal candidate running for governor." The Committee to Arm the Jewish State was formed after World War II. "Its purpose was not to solicit funds for arms. It created public opinions in support of arming the Jewish people of Palestine and to induce the U. S. government to lift the arms embargo and lend-lease military equipment to the new Jewish state."(Box 3, File #5 : Pamphlet containing statement of goals and purpose). The files contain correspondence, financial information and general information of the organization.

  arranged alphabetically

• Series IV. Election Campaigns
  1952 - 1974

  Contains correspondence, speeches and subject files for both presidential and gubernatorial campaigns from 1952-1976. Of special note is the 1952 Presidential radio address and correspondence from Nelson Rockefeller's Governor's Club.

  arranged chronologically

• Series V. Memorabilia
  1928 - 1957

  Contains photographs, newsclippings and ephemera dealing with Alfange's career. Photographs include 33 photos of Dean Alfange during various moments of his career. Photos deal with mainly 2 topics: the Ahepa trip to Greece during the late 1920's while he was Supreme President of Ahepa and his public career. Newsclippings include articles about Alfange's public life, mainly his involvement in politics and with his affiliation with the Greek community in the United States. Included in the ephemera are political leaflets for his campaign for congress and the gubernatorial election in New York State, as well as other items of memorabilia.

  arranged by form

• Series VI. Augustus L. Richards Correspondence
  1943 - 1951

  Contains letters written by Augustus L. Richards to Dean Alfange concerning matters of political importance. Also included are copies of letters Richards wrote to prominent people in politics and government voicing his opinions on U.S. policy and the international scene. These letters a often in a sarcastic and/or satiric vein and many are extremely humorous.

  arranged chronologically.