Executive Order  No. 42: (1st Series) Regulating hours of business of state agencies to reduce the consumption of oil and coal

WHEREAS, the prosecution of the existing war has limited the facilities for the transportation of fuel oil and coal into the New England States, making the conservation thereof of vital importance; and

WHEREAS, a reduction in the use of fuel oil and coal is necessary immediately because the supply thereof now available to furnish heat and power to public and private buildings has been drastically limited and may be even further limited; and

WHEREAS, the health of officers and employees of the Commonwealth and persons transacting business with the various departments and offices thereof may be endangered if the public buildings cannot be sufficiently heated; and

WHEREAS, a reduction in the consumption of fuel oil and coal in the State House and other buildings of the Commonwealth may result in making available a larger supply thereof for the homes of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth and for industry engaged in the production of materials essential to the war effort; and WHEREAS, the government of the United States has urged that all possible measures be taken immediately to conserve fuel oil and coal;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting under the provisions of Acts of 1941, chapter 719, sections 7 and 8 (a), Acts of 1942, chapter 13, sections 2 and 3, and all other authority vested in me, do hereby issue this order as a measure necessary and expedient for meeting the supreme emergency of the existing state of war between the United States and certain foreign countries.

1. The offices of the departments, divisions, boards, commissions and officers of the state government, located in the State House, shall be open to the public for the transaction of business daily on days other than Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays from eight-fifteen o'clock in the fore- noon until four-fifteen o'clock in the afternoon.

2. The offices of all the departments, divisions, boards, commissions and officers of the state government, wherever located, shall be closed at such times as the Governor may from time to time direct, with relation to such offices generally or with relation to any particular office or offices.

3. When the day or the last day for the performance of any act, including the making of any payment or tender of payment authorized or required to be performed at the office of any department, division, board, commission or officer of the state government falls upon any day when such office is closed, the act may be performed on the next succeeding business day when such office is open.

4. The provisions of any law, including General Laws (Ter. Ed.), chapter 30, section 24, as amended, to the extent that said provisions may be inconsistent with this order or any action taken hereunder, are hereby suspended.

GIVEN at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and sixty-seventh.

By His Excellency the Governor,
Leverett Saltonstall.