Okay, let’s break down the “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 58, 78th Congress, 2nd Session,” focusing on its general nature, historical context, and what kind of information it likely contains. Since I cannot directly access the content of the cited document from GovInfo in real-time, I will provide a comprehensive overview based on my knowledge of the Statutes at Large series and the historical period.
Understanding the United States Statutes at Large
The United States Statutes at Large is a chronological compilation of all laws and resolutions passed by the United States Congress. Think of it as the official record of every piece of legislation enacted in a given session. It’s a primary source of federal law. Here’s a breakdown of what that means:
- Chronological: Laws are printed in the order they were passed. This contrasts with the United States Code, which organizes laws by subject matter.
- Compilation: It contains the exact text of the law as it was originally enacted. This is important for legal interpretation and historical research.
- Laws and Resolutions: It includes both public laws (affecting the general population) and private laws (affecting specific individuals or entities). It also contains joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions (which may express opinions or direct internal congressional procedures).
Deciphering the Citation: Volume 58, 78th Congress, 2nd Session
Let’s unpack the specific citation you provided:
- Volume 58: This simply indicates the volume number in the series. The Statutes at Large have been published since the late 18th century, so Volume 58 represents a specific point in that historical timeline.
- 78th Congress: The U.S. Congress operates in two-year terms. The 78th Congress refers to the Congress that convened from January 3, 1943, to January 3, 1945.
- 2nd Session: Each Congress is divided into two sessions, one for each year. The 2nd Session of the 78th Congress would have occurred in 1944.
Historical Context: 1944 – The Height of World War II
The fact that the 78th Congress, 2nd Session, occurred in 1944 is incredibly significant. The United States was deeply involved in World War II at this time. This means that Statutes at Large, Volume 58 would be dominated by legislation related to:
- Wartime Funding: Appropriations for the military, war production, and related agencies would be massive. Expect to see laws authorizing billions of dollars for the war effort.
- Military Manpower: Laws related to the draft, military service obligations, and benefits for veterans would be prominent.
- Economic Controls: Legislation dealing with price controls, rationing, and the allocation of scarce resources would be common. The government implemented extensive economic controls to support the war effort.
- War-Related Agencies: The creation and funding of various wartime agencies (e.g., the War Production Board, the Office of Price Administration) would be documented.
- International Relations: Laws related to treaties, alliances, and foreign aid would be relevant, especially those concerning the Allied powers.
- Espionage and Sabotage: Legislation addressing national security and the prevention of espionage and sabotage would be present.
Likely Contents of Statutes at Large, Volume 58
Given the historical context, you can expect to find laws pertaining to:
- The Revenue Act of 1944: This act significantly increased taxes to finance the war effort. It also introduced some changes to the tax code.
- Amendments to the Selective Service Act: These would address issues related to conscription and military service.
- Appropriations Acts for the War and Navy Departments: These would authorize funding for military operations, equipment, and personnel.
- Legislation related to the Bretton Woods Agreement: This agreement established the post-war international monetary system.
- Laws concerning war production and resource allocation: Measures to ensure the efficient production and distribution of materials needed for the war.
- Potentially, laws related to the internment of Japanese Americans, though the major legislation on that front would have been passed earlier in the war. (It’s important to remember the context of that time, even though the internment was a grave injustice.)
How to Use the Statutes at Large
The Statutes at Large are valuable for:
- Legal Research: Determining the original wording of a law and its legislative history.
- Historical Research: Understanding the legislative response to historical events and societal changes.
- Genealogical Research: Private laws can sometimes provide information about individuals who sought relief from Congress.
Accessing the Statutes at Large
You mentioned GovInfo.gov. This is an excellent resource for accessing the Statutes at Large. You can search by volume number, Congress number, or keywords to find specific laws. Many law libraries and university libraries also have physical copies of the Statutes at Large.
In Summary
Statutes at Large, Volume 58, 78th Congress, 2nd Session is a crucial historical document that provides a detailed record of federal legislation enacted in 1944, at the height of World War II. Its contents are heavily influenced by the war and reflect the government’s efforts to mobilize resources, manage the economy, and support the war effort. It is a valuable resource for legal and historical research.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 58, 78th Congress, 2nd Session
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 12:00, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 58, 78th Congress, 2nd Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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