Executive Order 8797—Suspension of Eight-Hour Law as to Mechanics and Laborers Employed by the War Department in the Construction of Public Works Necessary for the National Defense in the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the Territory of Alaska

Whereas the War Department has commenced the construction of cantonments, air fields, fortifications and other public works which are necessary for the national defense in the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the Territory of Alaska; and

Whereas the interests of national defense require the completion of such public works at the earliest practicable date; and

Whereas by section 1 of the act of August 1, 1892, 27 Stat. 340, as amended by the act of March 3, 1913, 37 Stat. 726 (U.S.C., title 40, section 321), the service of all laborers and mechanics employed by the Government upon any public work of the United States is limited to eight hours in any one day, except In case of extraordinary emergency; and

Whereas it appears that, unless the eight hour limitation is suspended as to laborers and mechanics employed by the War Department in the construction of the foregoing public works, it will be impossible, because of the remoteness of such places from sources of labor supply in the United States, and because of the difficulties of housing and transporting additional labor from the United States, to accomplish the work necessary to the completion of such public works within the time required by the interests of national defense; and

Whereas I find that by reason of the foregoing an extraordinary emergency exists;

Now, Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 1 of the said act of August 1, 1892, as amended by the said act of March 3, 1913, and as President of the United States, I hereby suspend, for the duration of the emergencies proclaimed by me on September 8, 1939 and May 27, 1941, the abovementioned provisions of law prohibiting more than eight hours labor in any one day of laborers and mechanics employed by the Government of the United States as to all work performed by laborers and mechanics employed by the War Department in the construction of cantonments, air fields, fortifications and other public works which are necessary for the national defense in the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, and the Territory of Alaska.

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT

The White House,
June 18, 1941.