Executive Order 10638—Authorizing the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization To Order the Release of Strategic and Critical Materials From Stock Piles in the Event of an Attack Upon the United States

WHEREAS section 5 of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, as amended by the act of July 23, 1936, 60 Stat. 596 (50 U.S.C. 98d), provides, in part, that during a national emergency with respect to common defense proclaimed by the President strategic and critical materials may be released from stock piles for use, sale, or other disposition on the order of such agency as may be designated by the President; and WHEREAS the existence of a national emergency with respect to common defense has been proclaimed by the President by Proclamation No. 2914 of December 16, 1950; and WHEREAS an enemy attack on the continental United States might create shortages of strategic and critical materials requiring immediate release of such materials from stock piles to meet military and essential civilian requirements: NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said section 5 of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, it is hereby ordered as follows: In the event of enemy attack upon the continental United States (exclusive of Alaska), the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization is authorized and directed to order the release by the Administrator of General Services of such materials from stock piles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, in such quantities, for such uses, and on such terms and conditions, as the Director determines to be necessary in the interests of the national defense. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER THE WHITE HOUSE, October 10, 1955.