TYPED LETTER SIGNED by WILLIAM J. RONAN as Secretary to Governor Nelson Rockefeller regarding the processing of civil service examinations.

Ronan, William J. (1912-2014). The architect and first chairman of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Published by Albany, New York, July 16, 1963., 1963

About this Item

Albany, New York, July 16, 1963., 1963. Fine. - One-and-a-quarter page, consisting of over 270 words typed on two 11 inch high by 8-1/2 inch wide sheets, the first being on "State of New York Executive Chambers" stationery with a vignette of New York's seal at the top. Responding to an inquiry by Herb Saltford, William J. Ronan, who was then Governor Rockefeller's secretary, explains how the state processes civil services examinations :It is assumed that the examination you took on March twenty-third was for the position of Assistant Business Manager at the Dutchess County Community College." "In order to insure fair competitive conditions for all candidates, typing papers are rated manually which takes somewhat longer than machine scoring." He goes on to explain the process in detail. Signed "William J. Ronan". Folded for mailing, else fine. After serving as Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller's secretary and adviser, William J. Ronan (1912-2014) engineered the State takeover of the Long Island Rail Road and outmaneuvered Robert Moses to takeover the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and the New York City Transit Authority in 1968 creating the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Ronan's influence was so fully encompassing that critics referred to the authority as the "Wholly Ronan Empire". Inheriting the chronic problems that plagued the transit system, Ronan drew the ire of commuters, even receiving death threats requiring a security detail after Subway fares were first increased. With a degree in agriculture from Cornell, Poughkeepsie's historian Herb Saltford was Superintendent of Parks from 1965 to 1971.

Seller Inventory # 100166

Bibliographic Details

• Title: TYPED LETTER SIGNED by WILLIAM J. RONAN as Secretary to Governor Nelson Rockefeller regarding the processing of civil service examinations.
• Publisher: Albany, New York, July 16, 1963.
• Publication Date: 1963
• Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Americana