Keystone

In 1948, after WWII, Naval Governor Charles A. Pownall and the Secretary of the Navy gave Guam Congress powers to create laws for Guåhan, upon the governor’s approval, and the power to approve laws proposed by the naval governor. The Secretary of the Navy, however, had the power to override vetoes. The move was well received, and dubbed the Interim Organic Act. The excitement about these benefits were short lived. The governor could still pass laws by himself when the Guam Congress was not in session, and veto legislation, Military condemnations of land and unfair wage discrimination against local workers only made things worse and pushed the CHamorus and their allies in the mainland into action.