Early Statesman synthesis distilling legal jargon into practical meaning, statutory anchors, and structural constitutional impacts.
This executive order, signed by President Harry S Truman on 1951-03-02, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "Providing for the Administration of Disaster Relief." It outlines operative directives for executive department officers, delegating enforcement responsibilities and establishing official governance guidelines.
Constitutional Assessment: This action represents an orderly exercise of Article II administrative discretion, managing the internal machinery and personnel of the executive branch without abridging the ancient liberties of the people.
Key Directives & Operative Actions
▪The following-described authority and functions shall be exercised or performed by the Housing and Home Finance Administrator, or by any officer or officers in his agency designated by him: (1) The authority conferred upon the President by section 3 of the act to direct Federal agencies to provide assistance in any disaster which is in the determination of the President a major disaster.
Exec. Order No. 10221, Harry S Truman (Mar 2, 1951). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-10221-providing-for-the-administration-disaster-relief.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the act of September 30, 1950, entitled "An Act to authorize Federal assistance to States and local governments in major disasters and for other purposes" (Public Law 875, 81st Congress), hereinafter referred to as the act, and as President of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows: 1. The following-described authority and functions shall be exercised or performed by the Housing and Home Finance Administrator, or by any officer or officers in his agency designated by him: (1) The authority conferred upon the President by section 3 of the act to direct Federal agencies to provide assistance in any disaster which is in the determination of the President a major disaster. (b) The authority conferred upon the President by section 5(a) of the act to coordinate the activities of Federal agencies in providing disaster assistance and to direct any Federal agency to utilize its available personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and other resources. In accordance with the authority contained in the act. (c) The preparation of proposed rules and regulations for the consideration of the President and issuance by him under section 5(b) of the act. (d) The preparation of the annual and supplemental reports provided for by section 8 of the act, for the consideration of the President and transmittal by him to the Congress. 2. Nothing in this order shall be construed to prevent any Federal agency from affording such assistance and taking such other action as may accord with the existing policies, practices, or statutory authority of such agency, in the event of any disaster which will not permit delay in the commencement of Federal assistance or other Federal action, and pending the determination of the President whether the disaster is a major disaster. HARRY S. TRUMAN THE WHITE HOUSE, March 2, 1951