Archives of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Abstract
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research was founded in 1946 to conduct academic research into regional economic concerns. The administrative records of the Bureau include reports, computer printouts, book manuscripts, and publications, concerning such subjects as a Maryland tax study, state and local government, conservation, industrial planning and development, and demographic processes.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Archives of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
The University of Maryland Bureau of Business and Economic Research was created in 1946 with the hiring of economist Dr. John Cover to organize and direct the Bureau. Cover headed the BBER until his retirement in 1962. As with similar bureaus in most other major land-grant universities, the BBER has provided academic research into regional economic concerns. The Bureau's stated purpose is to provide research, education, and service to the university and the state. In particular, the BBER's research has focused on the economic, environmental, and fiscal problems facing Maryland and its local governments.
One such study, documented in depth here, was the Maryland Tax Study, a project undertaken at the request of the State of Maryland. The research for this project, led by Dr. Samuel B. Chase, took place in 1963-1964. The final report, published in 1965, provided data and analytic material, while avoiding specific policy recommendations, on projections of Maryland state and local taxes, revenues, and expenditures.
From 1947 to 1961 the Bureau published the quarterly Studies in Business and Economics to disseminate the results of the research. After 1962, the BBER concentrated on supporting research for publication in scholarly journals and monographs. Throughout the Bureau's history, areas of research included state economic development, state and local public finance, and natural resources and the environment. Of particular concern was the environmentally-sound development of the resources of the Chesapeake Bay. Although the Bureau was independent of the various academic departments of the University, its researchers also taught in the Department of Education. At one time, it was part of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The records of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research covers the years 1946 to 1970. The bulk of the material dates from 1953 to 1966. The records include correspondence, memoranda, reports, computer printouts, notes, book chapter drafts, and printed matter. Out of this mateiral two main areas emerge. First, a large body of administrative records deals with the range of activities concerning the operation of the Bureau and its relations with similar organizations. Second, research material covers the projects constituting the core of the Bureau's work. Particularly important are taxes, state and local government, conservation, industrial planning and development and demographic proceseses.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Precise information concerning the donation of the records of the Bureau is not available. It is believed the files were received during the 1970s.
Processing Information
Revised by Thomas L. Edsall, June 1987.
Series I consists of the first set of documents received from the BBER. Rusty staples and paper clips were replaced with plastic clips, materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes, and an inventory was prepared.
Materials in Series II and III arrived with a hodgepodge of labelling apparently added just prior to shipment. All folders remained intact but folder headings were created to systematically reflect folder contents. Paper clips and rusty staples were removed and replaced with plastic clips over acid-free paper strips. All materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Finally, the guide was expanded and reformatted.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Abstract Markup completed by Jennie A. Levine. Full finding aid markup completed by Malissa Ruffner, August 2009.
Arrangement of Collection
The records are divided into three series:
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Maryland Tax Study, 1954-1965 (19.25 linear feet)
Series I contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, chapter drafts, research notes, and computer printouts relating to the preparation of the 1965 Maryland Tax Study. The bulk of the material covers the years 1963 to 1965.
Central to the Tax Study, and thus to the chapter drafts, research notes, and computer printouts, are reports on and projections of state and local government expenditures and revenues. Of particular concern are the various state and local taxes, industrial and demographic trends, and shifts in government spending. In addition, Series I includes material on Director Samuel B. Chase and administrative matters concerning the research project.
Arrangement is by subseries.
Subseries 1.1: Administration and Chapter Drafts, 1959-1965 (1.5 linear feet)
Subseries I includes a number of administrative files, arranged alphabetically, followed by chapter drafts of the book.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bibliography, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence, 1962-1965 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence, 1962-1965 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Director's memos to Committee, 1959-190 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Documents -- Miscellaneous, 1963-1965 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Prospectus, 1963 | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Chapter 1 The Maryland Economy, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Chapter 3 A Survey of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Maryland, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Chapter 5 State and Local Governments of Maryland, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Chapter 5 Expenditure and Revenue Projections, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Chapter 5 Expenditure and Revenue Projections, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Chapter 6 Summary of Expenditure -Revenue Projections, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Chapter 7 Local Government Finances in Maryland, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Chapter 7 Local Government Finances in Maryland, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Chapter 8 An Overall View of the Maryland Tax System, undated | series 1.1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Chapter 9 The Distribution of Tax Burdens on Households by Income Classes, 1964 and undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Chapter 10 The Individual Income Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Chapter 10 The Individual Income Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Chapter 11 Effects of Possible Changes in the Individual Income Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Chapter 12 Retail and Sales Use Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Chapter 13 Property Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Chapter 14 Motor Vehicle Tax, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Chapter 15 Taxes on Alcohol, Tobacco and Horse Racing, undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Chapter 16 Taxes on Business, 1963 and undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Chapter 16 Taxes on Business, 1963 and undated | series 1.1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Chapter 17 The Shared Taxes, undated | series 1.1 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Chapter 18 The Question of Local Sales Taxes, undated | series 1.1 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Chapter 19 Income Tax and Local Finance, undated | series 1.1 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Supplementary Tables, undated | series 1.1 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
Subseries 1.2: Research Notes, 1954-1965 (2.50 linear feet)
Subseries II consists of subject files, also arranged alphabetically, containing the the research material on which the Tax Study was based.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background Data on Maryland, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Baltimore City Tax Study, 1957-1960 | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Beaves Regressions, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Capital Gains, 1960 and undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Capital Gains in Personal Income Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Cigarette Tax Rates, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Commuting Estimates, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Consumer Expenditures, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| County Economic Study, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| County Expenditures-Actual, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| County Expenditures-Estimates, 1960-1963 | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| County Government Finances, undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
| County Questionnaire, 1960 and undated | series 1.2 | box 4 | folder 13 | |
| Debt and Capital Studies, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Direct General Expenditures, 1964 and undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Direct General Expenditures and Projections, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Eckstein-Netzer Expenditure Estimates, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Education, 1959-1961 and undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Employment Projections, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Employment Statistics, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Excise Taxes on Cigarettes and Alcohol, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Exempt Property, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Expenditures, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Expenditure Projections, undated | series 1.2 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
| Farm Taxes, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Federal Tax Percentage of Personal Income, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Fiscal Effort and Capacity, 1965 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Funds Distributed to Subdivisions, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| General Fund Surplus, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Government Expenditures, Selected Years, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| Health, 1960 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
| Highways, 1960-1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Income Distribution, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 9 | |
| Income Level Changes, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 10 | |
| Income Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 11 | |
| Income Tax Projections, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 12 | |
| Income Tax Rate Changes, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 13 | |
| Income and Inheritance Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 14 | |
| Industrial Growth, 1954-1955 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 15 | |
| Insurance Premiums, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 16 | |
| Inter-Industry Study, undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 17 | |
| Local Units Financial Data, 1960-1964 and undated | series 1.2 | box 6 | folder 18 | |
| Manufacturers, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Moore Plan, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Motor Fuel Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| Motor Vehicle Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| Municipalities, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| Municipality and Special Districts Data, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Municipality and Special Districts Data, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| Municipality and Special Districts Data, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 8 | |
| Personal Income, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 9 | |
| Population, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 10 | |
| Population estimate, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 11 | |
| Population Growth by Counties, undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 12 | |
| Population Projections, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 13 | |
| Population Projections, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 14 | |
| Population Projections, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 7 | folder 15 | |
| Projection, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Public Utilities, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Real Property Tax, 1963 and undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Real and Personal Property Assessable Bias, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| Recreations, 1963 | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
| Retail Sales Tax, 1962-1963 | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 6 | |
| Revenue and Expenditures-Baltimore, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 7 | |
| Sales Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 8 | |
| Sales and Property Tax, 1964 | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 9 | |
| Sample Design-Income Tax Returns, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 10 | |
| Sample Program Instructions, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 11 | |
| Shared Tax, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 12 | |
| Sherlow Report, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 13 | |
| State Income Tax Differentials, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 14 | |
| Tax Distribution by Income Class, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 15 | |
| Tax Statistics, undated | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 16 | |
| Welfare, 1964 | series 1.2 | box 8 | folder 17 | |
Subseries 1.3: Program and Printouts, 1963-1964 and undated (15.25 linear feet)
Subseries III is arranged chronologically, when possible, within each printout type.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program, undated | series 1.3 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Regressions, undated | series 1.3 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Rate Structure and Tabulated Sheets, 1964 | series 1.3 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Tabulated Sheets, undated | series 1.3 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Tabulated Sheets, undated | series 1.3 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| Tabulated Sheets, undated | series 1.3 | box 14 | folder 1 | |
| Classified Returns, undated | series 1.3 | box 15 | folder 1 | |
| Classified Returns, undated | series 1.3 | box 16 | folder 1 | |
| Classified Returns, undated | series 1.3 | box 17 | folder 1 | |
| Miscellaneous, 1963 and undated | series 1.3 | box 18 | folder 1 | |
Series 2: Correspondence, 1946-1967 (2.00 linear feet)
Series II contains correspondence relating to the administrative and research concerns of the BBER. The bulk of the material covers the years 1953 to 1966.
Correspondence focuses on the conferences and meetings, recruitment of researchers, fellowships and grants, plans for future publications, and requests (incoming and outgoing) for publications and research materials. Further, the files document the BBER's activity in research relating to conservation, planning and development, parks and recreation. But relatively little material on specific research projects is included.
Arrangement is alphabetical by initial letter of correspondent's name, then chronological. Following the initial alphabet is a second alphabet of individual - or institution-oriented files large enough to warrant individual treatment.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B, 1954-1966 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| B, 1954-1966 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| E, 1955-1965 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| F, 1953-1967 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| F, 1953-1967 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| G, 1963-1966 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| G, 1963-1966 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| H, 1956-1966 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| I, 1956-1964 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| I, 1956-1964 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| J, 1953-1965 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| K, 1954-1966 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| L, 1956-1966 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Mc, 1946-1965 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| M, 1954-1966 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| M, 1954-1966 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| N, 1955-1967 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| O, 1946-1965 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| P, 1948-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| P, 1948-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| R, 1957-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| S, 1949-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| T, 1957-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| U, 1946-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| V, 1950-1964 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| W, 1956-1965 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Y-Z, 1958-1966 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Baltimore Association of Commerce, 1946-1963 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Baltimore Sun, 1946-1959 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Richard W. Case, 1951-1961 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, 1949-1960 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Robert P. Fairbanks, 1964-1965 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Ford Foundation, 1956-1958 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| French-Bray Printing Company, 1948-1960 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Harold A. Knapp, Jr., 1961 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Lucie G. Krassa, 1960-1961 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Maryland -National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 1948-1962 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| National Parks Association, 1959-1961 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| National Planning Association, 1958-1966 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| J. Freeman Pyle, Dean, 1951-1961 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
| Social Science Research Council, 1947-1959 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 13 | |
Series 3: Subject Files, 1947-1970 (1.00 linear foot)
Series III contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, and printed material relating to the BBER's research interests. The bulk of the material covers the years 1953 to 1965.
The key areas covered in the subject files reflect the Bureau's research interests: conservation, local government, population and employment, local industry and agriculture, and energy. Arrangement is alphabetical by subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Energy, 1957-1960 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Baltimore, 1948-1960 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Bureau of Business and Economic Research, 1947-1960 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Camps, 1969-1970 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Conservation, 1956-1961 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Conservation Organizations, 1955-1961 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Conservation-Printed Material, 1956-1961 and undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Conservation-Printed Material, 1956-1961 and undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Crisfield, 1959-1960 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Cumberland, Maryland, 1947-1950 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| District of Columbia, 1950-1962 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Electrical Energy Data, 1947-1963 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Electrical Energy Data, 1947-1963 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Industrial Location, 1949-1959 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 1964 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| NASA, 1966 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Natural Resources, Board of, 1964-1967 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Natural Resources, Board of, 1964-1967 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Planning and Development, 1953-1959 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Planning and Development, 1953-1959 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Population, 1958-1960 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Potomac River Basin, The Corps of Engineers' Plans for Development of, 1964 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Service, 1961-1962 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| State Technical Services, 1964-1966 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Tobacco, 1953-1956 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Transportation, 1957-1960 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Virginia, 1948-1960 | series 3 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
Related Material
Publications issued by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research are located in the University Publications collection in the Archives and Manuscripts Department, cataloged under B12. In addition, there are two small, unprocessed accessions of records from the Bureau.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Taxation -- Maryland -- Archival resources
- University of Maryland, College Park. Bureau of Business and Economic Research -- Archives