Early Statesman synthesis distilling legal jargon into practical meaning, statutory anchors, and structural constitutional impacts.
This executive order, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 1942-04-07, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "Authorizing the Procurement Division to Use Quartz Crystals Acquired Pursuant to the Act of June 7, 1939." It is a direct, concise executive instruction delivering focused administrative or military commands to department leadership.
Constitutional Assessment: Scrutinized through Article II, Section 2, this action exercises the President's constitutional role as Commander in Chief. Early Framers recognized broad executive discretion in commanding military forces during conflict, provided it remains bounded by congressional declarations and respects civilian domestic courts.
Key Directives & Operative Actions
▪Formal executive instruction issued by the President establishing official administrative policy on Authorizing the Procurement Division to Use Quartz Crystals Acquired Pursuant to the Act of June 7, 1939.
Exec. Order No. 9123, Franklin D. Roosevelt (Apr 7, 1942). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-9123-authorizing-the-procurement-division-use-quartz-crystals-acquired.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
Whereas the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department has acquired by purchase stocks of quartz crystals pursuant to the provisions of the act of June 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 811); and Whereas the Chairman of the War Production Board has reported to me that a shortage of industrial stocks of quartz crystals suitable for piezo-electric use is imminent; and Whereas the United States is now at war: Now, Therefore , by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States by section 4 of the said act of June 7, 1939, it is ordered as follows: The Procurement Division of the Treasury Department is hereby authorized and directed to make use of such quartz crystals suitable for piezo-electric use by sale or other disposition for war production purposes to such buyers or users and in such amounts as may be requested from time to time by the Chairman of the War Production Board. FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT The White House, April 7, 1942.
