New York State War Council Governor's Correspondence with Citizens on War Issues

Alphabetical by last name of correspondent.

As titular head of the War Council, the Governor oversaw its operations, appointed administrators, and presided at selected meetings. Because of this high profile, many citizens wrote to the Governor requesting assistance with war-related issues and problems, and he responded as part of his role as the liaison between the public and the government.

This series contains correspondence from citizens from around the state concerning: complaints of favoritism on draft boards; requests for exemptions from rationing; offers to volunteer for the armed services or home front activities, usually the draft board; suggestions for wartime procedures such as civil defense; other matters relating to home front activities; and requests for aid with family members' military concerns (leave, promotions, assignments, etc.)

A copy of the Governor's (or an assistant's) reply often is attached to the correspondence. Because draft board appointments were handled by mayors and county judges, the governor politely referred the many correspondents requesting appointments to draft boards to write to those officials. Also, tracking sheets listing correspondents' names and, infrequently, tracking responses (how routed, etc.), are found within each folder. The file intermixes letters addressed to Governors Herbert H. Lehman and Thomas E. Dewey (who took office in 1943).

This series was originally accessioned as boxes 251, 252, 253, and part of 250 of old collection #77, accession -71.

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