New York State War Council Dispensation Records and Press Releases

The series consists primarily of records pertaining to the War Council's notification of determination and recommendations for renewal of dispensation orders to hire minors during wartime according to the War Emergency Act. Also included are a significant number of press releases, primarily from the governor, and a smaller amount of organizational correspondence.

Records relating to dispensation orders include reports of summary actions of the council (1943-1945) and interoffice memorandum and correspondence from the Department of Law to the War Council regarding recommendations for renewal of dispensations and copies of notifications of determinations sent to companies requesting dispensations (1944-1945).

Press releases from the governor (1940-1942) pertain to rationing and conservation; civilian defense; emergency planning; physical fitness; farm labor; use of vehicles and speed limits; promotion of the war abroad; and planning for selective service. These are arranged in reverse chronological order and there is a partial index in the fore of this group for releases dated December 1941 through May 1942. A smaller number of press releases of the War Council (1943) pertain to child care and council activities to provide for women working in war industries.

Also included is correspondence to Henry B. Kraft of the War Council on matters relating to the council's physical fitness committees (1944-1945).

A4310Series A4310, Organizational Letters and Releases Presenting Issues and Guidelines, contains additional press releases and related issue files

A4280Series A4280, Recommendations for Labor Dispensation for Minors, contains records of the Council's War Emergency Dispensation Committee.

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.