Departmental Reorganization Act

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The Departmental Reorganization Act (40 Stat. 556, May 20, 1918), also known as the Overman Act, was an American law that increased presidential power during World War I.^[1] Sponsored by Sen. Lee S. Overman, a Democrat from North Carolina, it gave President Woodrow Wilson sweeping powers to reorganize government agencies "during the continuance of the present war and for six months after the termination of the war by the proclamation of the treaty of peace, or at such earlier time as the President may designate." (40 Stat. 556) With its authority, Wilson created the War Industries Board, the National War Labor Board, and the Committee on Public Information.