New York State War Council Office of Civilian Mobilization Organization and Program Coordination Correspondence File

Arranged by topic.

The correspondence in this series relates to operational plans of the Office of Civilian Mobilization (OCM) and its subordinate divisions (Section of Citizen Morale, Section of Civilian War Services, and the Volunteer Office). The Section of Citizen Morale was responsible for organizing speeches and other activities designed to interpret war plans and democratic principles for the citizens. Programs promoting health, child care, salvage, recreation, and housing were implemented by the Section of Civilian War Services. Registration of volunteers and tabulation of statistics became the main responsibility of the Volunteer Office.

Most of the correspondence details discussions between the director and other leaders of the OCM and the directors of the sections concerning program objectives, events coordination, local development, and cooperation with state agencies. Narrative reports and handbooks that describe the scope and policies of these sub-divisions are also present in the series. The Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's correspondence with private citizens and the OCM provides evidence of how they wanted the OCM to operate.

Other more routine activities such as providing travel vouchers for field representatives, appointing members, training interviewers, and responding to job applicants are also detailed.

For more information see Karl D. Hartzell, The Empire State at War, pp. 133-135.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was originally accessioned as boxes 150 and 159 of old collection #77, accession -71.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.