Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains agendas and minutes from meetings held as part of the War Council's effort to coordinate home front activities throughout the state. The War Council met once or twice a month at the Executive Mansion in Albany to discuss issues relating to new and existing programs and the organization of the State War Council and local War Councils. Prominent business, community, and legislative leaders were members of the War Council, which was chaired by the Governor. These meetings facilitated their efforts to organize the state in a time of crisis.

The agendas contain itemized lists of the topics to be discussed while the minutes outline the discussions as well as the ultimate disposition of the proposals. Topics discussed in the agendas and minutes include: civil defense; gas rationing; transportation; child care; farm labor; efforts of the various State War Council committees; petitions to post properties and close streets; appointments to various committees established by the War Council; allocation of funds to War Council agencies; dispensation orders relaxing certain child labor laws; financial statements of the War Council; changes in personnel in the various local War Councils; salary schedules; establishment of divisions of the State War Council; amendments to War Council orders; abolition of War Council agencies; and resignations.