New England Watch and Ward Society

Variant names

Biographical notes:

1878 New England Society for the Suppression of Vice formed. 1882 Henry Chase chosen as first full agent, first office opens at 68 Eliot Street. 1884 Society incorporated. 1891 Name changed to New England Watch and Ward Society. 1906 J. Frank Chase chosen as Executive Secretary to replace Henry Chase. 1920 Prohibition begins. 1926 H.L. Mencken arrested in Boston for selling his magazine American Mercury to J. Frank Chase in the famous "Hatrack" incident. Federal Court enjoins NEWWS for two years from threatening news dealers. 1927 Charles S. Bodwell chosen as Executive Secretary following the death of J. Frank Chase. 1933 Prohibition ends; the Howard Theater, a burlesque house in Boston, is closed due to the work of the NEWWS. 1941 Louis J. Croteau chosen as Executive Secretary following the death of Charles S. Bodwell. 1948 Dwight S. Strong chosen as Executive Secretary following the death of Louis J. Croteau. 1957 Society changes name to New England Citizens Crime Commission. 1967 Society changes name to Massachusetts Council on Crime and Correction. 1975 Society merges with the Massachusetts Correctional Association (which was organized originally under the name of Massachusetts Prison Association by the same founders of the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice in 1889) and changes name to the Crime and Justice Foundation. Present address: 95 Berkeley Street, Second Floor, Boston, MA (617) 426-9800.

From the guide to the Records, 1918-1957, (Harvard Law School Library, Harvard University.)