Press Release Issued by the White House on July 2, 194012
The President on July 2 signed H. R. 9850,12a providing legal authority for the control of exports from the United States of munitions, materials, and machinery essential to our national defense. A proclamation issued under this authority sets up the controls considered necessary at this time.
The items and materials listed in the proclamation include certain strategic materials as well as semifinished products and machine tools of which there are actual or prospective shortages as a result of the national defense program.
The Materials and Production Divisions of the National Defense Advisory Commission are collaborating with the Administrator of Export Control in the determination of the items to be controlled and the extent and character of the controls to be exercised.
While the control of exports is primarily a national-defense matter, the Department of State provides the machinery for the actual issue of licenses under which any controlled items are released for export.
The President also signed and issued the following military order:
“The administration of section 6 of the act of Congress entitled ‘An Act to expedite the strengthening of the national defense,’ approved July 2, 1940, is essentially a military function, and by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, I hereby designate Lieutenant Colonel Russell L. Maxwell, U. S. Army, Administrator of Export Control to administer the provisions of the said section under the direction and supervision of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Commander-in-Chief.
“The White House,
“July 2, 1940.”