Woodrow Wilson: “I have come out to ask you what there was behind me in this task.”

The said United States Fuel Administration is hereby authorized to procure information in reference to the business of coal and coke producers and distributors in the manner provided for in Sections 6 and 9 of the Act of Congress approved…

We have been vigorously building up a great merchant marine and providing for improvement of marketing in foreign countries by the passage of an export trade law.

I am not convinced that the method proposed is wise, that the benefits, if any, would offset the evils which would result, or that the same or larger advantages cannot be secured without resort to Government intervention.

I return herewith, without my approval, House joint resolution No. 440.