Early Statesman synthesis distilling legal jargon into practical meaning, statutory anchors, and structural constitutional impacts.
This executive order, signed by President Woodrow Wilson on 1916-03-13, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "Relating to Cancellation and Reissue of Passports." It is a direct, concise executive instruction delivering focused administrative or military commands to department leadership.
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 Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to direct customs officers at ports of entry into the United States to take up passports of American citizens returning to this country.
Exec. Order No. 2341, Woodrow Wilson (Mar 13, 1916). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-2341-relating-cancellation-and-reissue-passports.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to direct customs officers at ports of entry into the United States to take up passports of American citizens returning to this country. Passports which are not to be used again may be canceled and returned to the owners. Passports which are to be used again should be sent to the Department of State, and the owners informed that they should notify the Department of State, at least five days before they expect to leave this country again, as to the port, name of vessel and date of sailing. If such a person expects to go abroad for an object not mentioned in his passport, or to visit a country not named therein, he should make application in the usual way for a new passport. WOODROW WILSON THE WHITE HOUSE, March 13, 1916.
