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 1942-06-05, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Roads, Federal Works Agency, To Acquire and Dispose of Property." 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 Commissioner of Public Roads, Federal Works Agency, To Acquire and Dispose of Property.
Exec. Order No. 9179, Franklin D. Roosevelt (Jun 5, 1942). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-9179-authorizing-the-commissioner-public-roads-federal-works-agency.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
By virtue of and pursuant to the authority vested in me by Title II of the Second War Powers Act, 1942, approved March 27, 1942 (Public Law 507, 77th Congress), the Commissioner of Public Roads, Federal Works Agency, or any officer of the Public Roads Administration acting in the absence or disability of the Commissioner, is hereby authorized to exercise the authority contained in the said Title II of the Second War Powers Act, 1942, to acquire, use, and dispose of any real property, temporary use thereof, or other interest therein, together with any personal property located thereon, or used therewith, that shall be deemed necessary for military, naval or other war purposes. FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT The White House, June 5, 1942.
