"TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ACT PASSED"

PRESIDENT GIVEN POWER TO RESTRICT TRADE WITH ENEMIES OF THE U.S.

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 6, 1917, the President of the United States was granted the power to oversee or restrict any and all trade between the United States and its enemies in wartime.

This power was included with passage of the Trading With the Enemy Act, Public Law #65-91.

On October 22, President Woodrow Wilson issued an Executive Order creating the Office of Alien Property Custodian, under TWEA, to confiscate property from anyone...considered a possible threat to the war effort.

SOURCE

"Trading With the Enemy Act," www.criminalgovernment.com/

 

 

President Woodrow Wilson

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress 

A SKUNK WHO OUGHT TO BE HANGED

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2463

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ACT ENACTED 100 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 100 years ago today, October 6, 1917, the Trading With the Enemy Act became law giving the President of the United States the power to oversee or restrict any and all trade between the U.S. and its enemies in wartime.

Public Law No. 65-91, Section 5b states...

"The President may investigate, regulate or prohibit...export or earmarkings of gold or silver coin or bullion or currency, transfer of credit in any form..."

Also on October 6, 1917, Senator Robert La Follette (R-Wisconsin) defended the right to free speech in wartime in a three hour address on the floor of the United States Senate.

La Follette, who was one of six senators to vote against U.S. entry into World War I, was called a "skunk who ought to be hanged" by Theodore Roosevelt.

SOURCES

"Senator La Follette defends free speech in wartime:   October 6, 1917", by Andrew Glass, October 6, 1916, www.politico.com/

"Trading With the Enemy Act", www.criminalgovernment.com/

Robert La Follette, Sr.
National Photo Company
Library of Congress Image

A SPY ON EVERY HOUSETOP & ON EVERY STREET CORNER

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2366

REPRESENTATIVE MANN DENOUNCES SPY HYSTERIA RAMPANT IN AMERICA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, July 10, 1917, minority leader Representative James R. Mann* denounced the "spy hysteria" sweeping across the United States as "ridiculousness gone mad."

The Congressman said, in a speech on the House floor...

"The departments of the government have gone crazy in reference to these matters.  They see a German spy on every housetop and on every street corner..."

Mr. Mann went on to argue that Americas had no reason to "get scared to death at home."

The speech was on the Trading With the Enemy Act** which when it became law restricted trade with countries hostile to the U.S. and gave the president the power to oversee or restrict any and all trade between the U.S. and its enemies in times of war.

*James Robert Mann (1856-1922) was born near Bloomington, IL  & graduated from the University of Illinois in 1876.  He earned his law degree from Union College of Law in 1881.  

JRM served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1897 to 1922.  He was Minority Leader 1911-1919 and served on the Interstate & Foreign Commerce Committee as well as the Committee on Women's Suffrage.

SOURCES

"Government is Crazy on Spies, Mann Declares,"  The Chicago Daily Tribune, July 11, 1917.

"Mann, James Robert," History, Art and Archives, United States House of Representatives, www.history.house.gov/

James Robert Mann
Republican-Illinois
U.S. House of Representatives
1897-1922

CUBAN BANK DEPOSITS FROZEN

KENNEDY FROZE CUBAN BANK DEPOSITS 51 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 51 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy, in response to the continued alliance between the government of Cuba under Fidel Castro and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, ordered $33 million in Cuban bank deposits in the United States frozen.

This action by the President followed an embargo set in February 1962 which provided for trade restrictions with Cuba and travel restrictions added to that in February 1963.

The action was supported by the Trading With the Enemy Act of 1917.


FRANCIS GARY POWERS CHARGED AS SPY

Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) 54 years ago today, July 8, 1960, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, who was shot down two months earlier over the Soviet Union, was charged with espionage.

A month after being charged, Powers was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Powers was released after only two years, however, in exchange for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel.

Kelly Johnson, U2 designer and Powers

COMMODORE PERRY SAILS INTO TOKYO BAY

Tokyo, Japan (JFK+50) Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed his fleet of four ships into Tokyo Harbor 161 years ago today, July 8, 1853, in hopes of gaining an audience with Japanese officials.

After some behind the scene negotiations, the Japanese government agreed to meet with Commodore Perry.

This marked the 1st time in 200 years that the Japanese opened up a relationship with a western nation.

LIBERTY BELL RINGS FOR 1ST READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 238 years ago today, July 8, 1776, citizens here in Philadelphia were called to the Pennsylvania State House by the ringing of the Liberty Bell which signaled the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Liberty Bell was built in 1751 to proclaim the 50th anniversary of Pennsylvania's constitution.

The 2000 pound bell, made of copper and tin, was given the name "Liberty Bell" in a poem published in an abolitionist pamphlet.

Liberty Bell

Liberty Bell Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photo by Bev Sykes (2004)