Thomas Watt Gregory to Woodrow Wilson

I acknowledge receipt of yours of the 28th in which you ask me to furnish you a memorandum as to any legislation which I think it imperative that Congress should consider at its approaching session, and I note your expression of the preference that this consideration be confined to matters directly connected with the prosecution of the war and those which cannot be postponed.

Among the recommendations for new legislation which I am making to Congress in my Annual Report, there are only four which I think properly fall within the class you have in mind. These are as follows:
1. Unauthorized Wearing of the Army or Navy Uniform of Foreign Countries.

Under existing law (act of June 3, 1916, ch. 134, sec. 125) the wrongful wearing by persons not in the military or naval service of the United States of its duly prescribed army or navy uniform is made a misdemeanor. This law does not reach the case of imposters wearing the uniform of friendly foreign nations. I therefore recommend that a similar statute be enacted making it a misdemeanor to wear in the United States or any of its possessions the army or navy uniform or regalia, or any imitation thereof, of any friendly foreign nation, except where the person wearing the same is entitled to do so by the laws of the country to which such uniform or regalia belongs. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of War have authorized me to say that they join in this recommendation.

The English Ambassador is quite deeply interested in this measure, and my understanding is that the allied countries are arranging for the enactment of similar laws.

2. Punishment for Violation of President's Proclamation.

Legislation should be enacted defining as a criminal offense a willful violation of the presidential proclamations relating to alien enemies promulgated under section 4067 of the Revised Statutes and providing appropriate punishment.

It is likely that as time goes by many alien enemies will be willing to be fed and housed at Government expense in detention camps, and it is the purpose of this measure to confine them in penitentiaries and institutions of a similar character where they can be compelled to work as ordinary convicts.

3. Regulation of Entry and Departure of Persons from United States.

I recommend the passage of a law conferring on the President power to regulate or provide for the regulation of the entry and departure of all persons, both citizens and aliens, to and from the United States and its possessions during a state of war.

This relates to a matter which we have discussed in the Cabinet several times, and I think it is generally agreed that power to regulate this situation should be specifically vested in the President.

4. Employment of Federal Prisoners.

Legislation has been pending before the last two sessions of Congress providing for the establishment and maintenance of a cotton mill at the Atlanta Penitentiary, the output to be sold exclusively to the Government. Congress and this Department has given quite a good deal of thought to the matter but the only legislation heretofore passed was an item in the appropriation bill providing for the erection of suitable buildings. The buildings are now approaching completion. In the meanwhile the Council of National Defense has notified me that a heavy shortage in cotton duck production is anticipated and that it considers the furnishing of a sufficient supply of that material for the Army and Navy and the Emergency Fleet Corporation one of the most pressing of its war problems. It urges that the construction and operation of the mill at Atlanta be speeded up in every way possible. Special legislation will be required to complete the plan and to carry appropriations to install machinery, furnish working capital, employ experts, etc. etc. It will require at least six month's time after the funds are made available to have the machinery fabricated, delivered and installed. In the meanwhile a large number of idle prisoners are accumulating on our hands.

I can furnish you a more detailed report in regard to our plans and proposed legislation in case you desire it.

Faithfully yours,