Wartime petroleum production records

The series consists of copies of press releases, limitations orders, certificates and directives, preference ratings and conservation orders, and hearing testimony and statements issued by the Office of Petroleum Coordinator for the National Defense. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Harold l. Ickes was the petroleum coordinator, for whom Ralph K. Davies was appointed as acting coordinator. Also included is one print copy of the minutes of a December 8, 1941 meeting of the Petroleum Industry Council for National Defense, pertaining to formation of the council. These copies were apparently kept by the Geological Survey for research and statistical purposes.

Press releases are the bulk of the series. They contain information on appointments to subcommittees and industry district committees; progress on activities to aid in transport (primarily railway), production, and supply of fuel oil, gasoline and petroleum products; statements of Ickes and Davies before the U.S. Special Committee to Investigate Gasoline and Fuel Oil Shortages (1941); and weekly regional reports on inventories of crude oil, gasoline, and fuel oils.

Records were transferred from the office of Robert Fakindiny on September 30, 1985. This accession resulted from a project undertaken by Archives staff in 1997 to accession or reintegrate estrayed or unidentified records.

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