The decade prior to the Second World War is popularly, and accurately, perceived as one of sustained economic emergency. During the second half of this decade the Congress frequently was preoccupied with the need for legislation designed to protect the United States from involvement in another world war. The Neutrality Act of 1935[216] referred to above contained a registration feature. Under the terms of that Act, every person engaged in the business of manufacturing, exporting, or importing any arms, ammunition, and implements of war was required to register within ninety days of entering such a business. Such individuals or firms had to provide the Secretary of State with a $500 registration fee, and information including personal or business name, principal place of business, places of business in the United States, and a list of the arms, ammunition and other implements of war which they handled. They were also required to inform the Secretary of State of any changes, and had to keep permanent records of business transactions which were subject to the scrutiny of the National Munitions Control Board.[217] The registration provision was retained in the May 1937 amendment to the Neutrality Act with very little change.[218] In June 1938 Congress chose to compel registration of persons employed by agencies to disseminate propaganda in the United States.[219] Every person then acting as an agent for a foreign principal was given thirty days after the Act went into effect to register with the Secretary of State. His registration statement, under oath, required the agent’s name and address, the name and address of his principal, and a copy of the contract or oral agreement covering the agent’s services, including compensation. The agent was also to file a copy of the charter as well as a statement of the objectives of the organization employing him.[220] The term “agent of a foreign principal” was rather broad and included any person who acted or engaged or agreed to act as a public-relations counsel or publicity agent for a foreign principal or for any domestic organization subsidized directly or indirectly in whole or in part by a foreign principal.[221] New information statements were to be filed each six months. Failure to file and the making of false statements were punishable by a maximum of $1,000 fine and two years’ imprisonment.[222]