Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains press releases, bulletins, telegrams, radio address transcripts, correspondence, and meeting minutes released by Governor Herbert H. Lehman's office to the media in order to inform the public of War Council activities. The records illustrate the Governor's involvement in many aspects of these activities.

Issues covered included: production rates; appointments to the War Council; wartime housing; security; agriculture; labor disputes and strikes; civil defense (including fire defense, auxiliary police, and aircraft warning units); scrap metal drives; tire and gasoline shortages; venereal disease prevention programs; labor shortages; savings bonds; physical fitness; and training programs.

Specifically mentioned are the reduction of bridge tolls and the adoption of a single license plate requirement. Messages to the legislature and letters to local war councils are also included. The series also contains releases from the State Defense Council, the War Council's predecessor.