Guide to Federal Records

Records of the National Production Authority [NPA]


(Record Group 277)
1941-53 (bulk 1950-53)
548 cu. ft.

Overview of Records Locations

Table of Contents

  • 277.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
  • 277.2 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL PRODUCTION AUTHORITY 1941-53 250 lin. ft.
  • 277.2.1 Records of the Office of the Administrator
  • 277.2.2 Records of the Office of the Executive Secretary
  • 277.2.3 Records of the Office of the Assistant Administrator for Administration
  • 277.2.4 Records relating to the Defense Production Administration (DPA)
  • 277.2.5 Other records
  • 277.3 RECORDS OF NPA BUREAUS 1941-53 214 lin. ft.
  • 277.3.1 Records of the Chemical, Rubber, and Forest Products Bureau
  • 277.3.2 Records of the Industrial and Agricultural Equipment Bureau
  • 277.3.3 Records of the Policy Coordination Bureau
  • 277.4 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
  • 277.5 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL) 1952 1 item

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277.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Established: In the Department of Commerce by Department Order 123, September 11, 1950, under authority of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (64 Stat. 798), September 8, 1950, and EO 10161, September 9, 1950.

Functions: Developed and promoted production and supply of materials and facilities necessary for military defense. Determined that needs of the civilian economy were adequately represented in the defense effort. Ensured that small businesses were participating in defense contracts.

Abolished: By Department Order 152, October 1, 1953.

Successor Agencies: Business and Defense Services Administration (1953-70); Bureau of Domestic Commerce (1970-72); Domestic and International Business Administration (1972-77); Industry and Trade Administration (1977-80); and International Trade Administration (1980- ), all in the Department of Commerce.

Related Records: Record copies of publications of the National Production Authority in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government.

Subject Access Terms: Korean War agency.

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277.2 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL PRODUCTION AUTHORITY
1941-53
250 lin. ft.

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277.2.1 Records of the Office of the Administrator

Textual Records: Records relating to NPA activities and policies with regard to the allocation of scarce commodities, 1950-53. Subject files of special assistants to the administrator, 1950- 53. Appeals Board case files, 1951-53, with a related index. Case records and subject files of the Office of the Chief Hearing Commissioner, 1951-53. Records of the Office of Public Information, consisting of general correspondence, subject files of assistants, and compliance and enforcement case files of the Compliance Division, 1950-53.

Motion Pictures (1 reel): The Impact of the Steel Strike, produced by the Office of Public Information, 1952.

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277.2.2 Records of the Office of the Executive Secretary

Textual Records: Files relating to the operations review program, 1951-53. Historical reports on defense production, including reports on specific industries, products, metals, and other commodities; on general programs and policies relating to mobilization and production; and on the organization and activities of NPA, 1951-53.

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277.2.3 Records of the Office of the Assistant Administrator for
Administration

Textual Records: Administrative orders and instructions of the Administrative Coordination Branch, Budget and Management Division, 1950-53. Files of the Office of Industry advisory committees, relating to committee meetings, 1950-53. Records of the Office of Small Business, relating to production equipment in small plant modernization, 1950-52. Case files of the Tax Amortization Division, Facilities and Construction Bureau, 1950- 51.

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277.2.4 Records relating to the Defense Production Administration
(DPA)

Textual Records: DPA planning and programming records, 1952. NPA records arranged and maintained by the Executive Secretary of the DPA, including copies of organizational statements, issuances, records relating to interagency and advisory committees, and transcripts of interviews with officials, 1950-53.

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277.2.5 Other records

Textual Records: Manuals, project authorizations, office notices, and general progress reports, 1950-53. Organizational histories of the NPA, 1950-53; and the Printing and Publishing Division under the War Production Administration and the NPA, 1941-52.

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277.3 RECORDS OF NPA BUREAUS
1941-53
214 lin. ft.

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277.3.1 Records of the Chemical, Rubber, and Forest Products
Bureau

Textual Records: Policy files and regulations of the Containers and Packaging Division, 1942-53. Files of the Lumber and Wood Products Division, including correspondence relating to NPA dealings with foreign governments and statistical records, 1941- 53.

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277.3.2 Records of the Industrial and Agricultural Equipment
Bureau

Textual Records: Subject files of the metalworking Equipment Division, 1950-53. Tax amortization case files and requirement summaries of the General Industrial Equipment Division, 1950-53. Subject files of the Textile and Clothing Division, 1951-52.

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277.3.3 Records of the Policy Coordination Bureau

Textual Records: Minutes and administrative issuances, 1950-53. Subject files of the Administrative Office, 1942-53. Controlled materials reports and other files of the Program Coordination Division, relating to mobilization and requirements, 1951-53. Subject files and issuances of the Control Operations Division, 1950-53. General procedures development files of the Priorities and Directives Division, 1941-53. Subject files of the Foreign Division, 1951-53. Files of the Director of the Civilian Requirements Division, 1951-52. Statistical reports, publications, and administrative issuances of the Statistical Standards Division, 1942-53.

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277.4 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)

SEE UNDER 277.2.1.

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277.5 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
1952
1 item

Filmstrip: "An Introduction to the Controlled Materials Plan," illustrating regulations for controlling materials necessary for defense production (FS).


Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.

Ordering information

This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.


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