There was not another riot in Michigan for more than two decades, fortunately. Nevertheless, Michigan governors considered using these new emergency powers for other purposes.
A year after it was enacted, Gov. Kelly threatened to use the EPGA to mitigate a potential statewide food shortage, which was feared to be a likely result of an ongoing, nationwide railroad strike. The governor considered forcing the state’s 12,300 grocery stores to limit sales of certain food as a way of preventing consumers from hoarding them.[10] But the railroad strike ended shortly thereafter, and Gov. Kelly never used the EPGA.[11]
One year later, in April 1947, Gov. Kim Sigler toyed with using emergency powers, too. He aimed to end a strike by Michigan Bell Telephone workers that was hindering efforts to deal with widespread flooding occurring throughout the state.[12] Later in 1947, the governor considered invoking these powers to reduce the price of fuel oil.[13] But a legislative committee studied the issue and determined there was nothing the governor nor the Legislature could do to force down fuel oil prices.[14] Ultimately, Gov. Sigler never used these emergency powers either.
Over the next two decades, Michigan residents faced coal shortages, tornadoes, a high volume of traffic fatalities and other issues that were or could be viewed as emergencies. But no Michigan governor exercised powers under the EPGA. The law would not be used until 19 years after it was enacted.
[Author's note: See Update and Corrections for the most recent information.]
[10] “Kelly Fights Strike Panic” (The Herald-Press, May 24, 1946), https://perma.cc/6HCB-98JC.
[11] “Break in Railroad Strike” (The Herald-Press, May 25, 1946), https://perma.cc/S5LH-8BQ9.
[12] “Sigler Calls Phone Meet” (Lansing State Journal, April 7, 1947), https://perma.cc/KQY4-4SW4.
[13] “Sigler May Get Tough Over Fuel Situation” (Lansing State Journal, Dec. 19, 1947), https://perma.cc/8DHJ-ZSWP.
[14] “Oil Price Probe Off” (Lansing State Journal, Dec. 20, 1947), https://perma.cc/H8WB-7GKB.