New York State War Council Organizational Letters and Releases Presenting Issues and Guidelines

Chronological by release date.

The New York State Council of Defense was established by Governor Herbert H. Lehman to prepare the State for war. The Governor was not the council's chairman in name only; his involvement influenced the organization and direction of the State Council of Defense. This series contains letters and other enclosures sent out by the council that reflect those issues that Governor Lehman or Lieutenant Governor Charles Poletti, the State Defense Coordinator, emphasized to the members of the State Council of Defense and local defense councils.

Issues presented include: social issues (e.g., adequate health, recreational and housing facilities for workers); civil defense (e.g., priorities system, auxiliary fire and police corps); organization (e.g., appointments, announcements, notices, staffing); and conservation (e.g., collection of scrap aluminum and other metals).

These files also include copies of resolutions that address social, economic, and civil defense issues, and bulletins that address issues such as effective organization of local defense councils, civil defense, gasoline conservation, and emergency medical measures for civilian defense. Also included are lists that note the members of the State War Council, local war councils, and other county and city officials as of 1942.

B1536Series B1536, Dispensation records and press releases, contains additional press releases and related issue files.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was originally accessioned as part of old collection #77, accession -71.

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