Woodrow Wilson: “I hereby direct that the Secretary of the Navy shall have and exercise all power and authority vested in me in said…”

“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.”