EXECUTIVE ORDER. 21 August, 1917

Assigning to the Secretary of the Navy Control Over Navy Construction, Supplies and Materials.

THE WHITE HOUSE, 21 August, 1917.

By virtue of authority vested in me in the section entitled "Naval Emergency Fund" of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act Making appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and for other purposes," approved March 4., 1917, and in the section entitled "Emergency Shipping Fund" of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act Making appropriations to supply urgent deficiencies in appropriations for the Military and Naval Establishments on account of war expenses for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes," approved June 15, 1917, I hereby direct that the Secretary of the Navy shall have and exercise all power and authority vested in me in said sections of said acts, in so far as applicable to and in furtherance of the construction of vessels for the use of the Navy and of contracts for the construction of such vessels and the completion thereof, and all power and authority applicable to and in furtherance of the production, purchase, and requisitioning of materials for, construction of vessels for the Navy and of war materials, equipment and munitions required for the use of the Navy, and the more economical and expeditious delivery thereof.

The powers herein delegated to the Secretary of the Navy may, in his discretion, be exercised directly by him, or through any other officer or officers who, acting under his direction, have authority to make contracts on behalf of the Government.