Evening star., 1940-01-03
Wartime Ship Power
Asked for President
# Emergency Arises
Secretary Edison Urges
Procurement Authority
Be Extended
BY CECIL r. HOLLAND.


asked Congress to vest with the
President, should a national en-
ergency arise, those powers he has
in time of war in the procurement
of ships. materials and the COM
Wandering of factories for war
purposes.
The request was made in letter
to Speaker Bankhead. It would
restore powers the President received
under an act of March 4, 1917,
month before this country entered
the World War Those powers. as
far as they refer to a national
emergency and not to an actual war.
subsequently expired
In making the proposal, the Sec
retary does not envisage our entry
into war in the near future" Navy
officials emphasized.
1t was explained that the authority
is asked simply as precautionary
measure that can be taken in peace,
just like preparing war plans.
Purpose Explained.
Such authority was described as
necessary to avoid confusion and
pandemonium in the event of a
national emergency.
In explaining the purpose of the
proposed bill to Speaker Bankhead
the Secretary wrote:
The purpose of the proposed bill
is to vest with the President dur
ing a national emergency those
powers which he has in time of
war by the terms of Subsection B
= of the act of March 4. 1917.
The act of March 4. 1917 3
contains several paragraphs vesting
extraordinary powers in the Pres
ident with reference to the pro-
curement of ships and materials,
communicating factories and the
like. These powers were in terms
limited to be exercised only in time
of war or national emergency aris-
ing prior to March l, 1918, to be
determined by the President by
proclamation
Omitted From Code.
when the United States Code
was prepared, these provisions were
omitted as temporary legislation. but
subsequently the attention of Con-
gress was invited to the fact that
the legislation would apply during
any war. and that the limitation to
March l, 1918, applied only with
reference to national emergency.
This view was accepted by the Com
mittee of Revision of the Laws, and
the legislation was accordingly in
cluded in the next publication of
the Code, correctly emitting all ref
erences to national emergency so
that the law would in times apply
only in time of war
The Navy Department recon-
mends that the proposed legislation
be enacted"
Powers Under Original Act.
Under the act as originally passed
the President would have these
powers:
l. To order ships or war materials
in whatever amounts he finds to
meet the Nations necessities. Com
pliance with such orders is oblig-
atory, and they shall take prece-
dence over all other orders and
contracts. If precedence is re-
fused the President is empowered
to take immediate possession of the
plant or plants.
2. The President may modify or
cancel any previous Government
order.
3. Requires the owner or occupier
of any factory producing ships or
war materials to put them at the
disposal of the President at reason
able prices" which the President
shall determine.
4. Authorizes the President to au-
thorize for Government usages any
plants as may be needed. In case of
any such requisition the President is
authorized to determine the just
compensation. If the offer is re-
fused the Government may pay so
per cent with the owner holding the
right to sue the Federal Government
to collect the balance.
President Roosevelt proclaimed a
limited national emergency" upon
the outbreak of war in Europe.