New York State Consumer Counsel to the Governor Subject and Correspondence Files

Alphabetical.

Dr. Persia Campbell, a former professor of economics at Queens College, was appointed Consumer Counsel by Governor W. Averell Harriman on January 19, 1955. For many years, Dr. Campbell had been supporting the interests of consumers as an advisor for New York City and the Federal Government and in her association with non-governmental consumer organizations and activities. Her many activities included the directorship of Consumer Services for the New York Civil Defense Voluntary Organization during the early part of World War II and later membership on the Consumers' Advisory Committee of the President's Council on Economic Advisors.

The primary function of the Consumer Counsel was to advise the Governor on matters affecting the consumer interest from a consumer point of view; to support and coordinate the consumer services being carried out by various state departments and agencies and to define and represent the consumer interest before these state departments and agencies; to assist all efforts to increase the competence of the public as consumers; and to protect consumers from fraud and misrepresentation through cooperation with mass media and communication and cooperation with private groups and organizations.

This series consists of letters received and copies of letters sent, memoranda, reports, press releases, pamphlets, periodicals, lists, bulletins, clippings, complaints, inquiries, notes, questionnaires, statements, statistics, and other records pertaining to the activities of the Consumer Counsel and her staff. Also included are memos from Joseph Persico to Dr. Campbell relating to a variety of consumer topics. Records relate to such subjects as: aging, credit sales, food additives, funeral costs, purchasing and maintenance of homes, Long Island Railroad fares, milk marketing, television servicing, trading stamps, and wage assignments.

Folder list.

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in August 2011.

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