Speech #660039327

While the courts have been reluctant to expressly say that the Federal Government has police powers. the tendency of the courts has been to concede to the Federal Government the exercise of police power with relation to those subject matters over which the Federal Government has the power to legislate. Congress Ias time and again asserted its right to exercise police powers. Its enactment of legislation upon the whiteslave traffic. food regulations. quarantine and immigration restrictions. the WebbKenyon Act. and various other measures have all asserted the right of Congress to exercise police power. These acts have been sustained by the Supreme Court of the United States. not upon the express gound that the Federal Government possesses any police power. but because the eighth section. Article I. of the Constitution provides that the powers granted may be enforced by any legislation " necessary and proper." and because Congress has impfied authority to enact any legislation having a reasonable relation to the object sought.