BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS.

The Board of Indian Commissioners, created in 1869, is a body of unpaid citizens, appointed by the President, who maintain an office in Washington, for the expenses of which and of travel Congress appropriates. The board is not a bureau or division of any department, but is purposely kept reasonably independent and afforded opportunities for investigation in order that it may freely express an intelligent and impartial opinion concerning Indian legislation and administration. Its legal duties are to visit and inspect branches of the Indian Service, to cooperate with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the purchase and inspection of Indian supplies, and to report to the Secretary of the Interior, to whom and to the President the board acts in an advisory capacity, with respect to plans of civilizing or dealing with the Indians.

ALASKAN ENGINEERING COMMISSION.

The Alaskan Engineering Commission was created under the act of March 12, 1914, which empowered, authorized, and directed the President to locate, construct, operate, or lease a railroad, or railroads, to connect the interior of Alaska with one or more of the open navigable ports on the coast. Authority was also granted to purchase existing railroads, to construct, maintain, and operate telegraph and telephone lines, and to make reservations of public lands in Alaska necessary for the purposes of

the railroad.

For the execution of this work a commission of three engineers was appointed by the President to make the necessary surveys. They were directed to report to the Secretary of the Interior, under whom the President placed the general administration of the work. After the completion of the preliminary surveys, the President by Executive order selected the route for the railway from the coast to the interior. Construction of the railway was begun in 1915, under the general supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, and is now in progress.

WAR MINERALS RELIEF COMMISSION.

The War Minerals Relief Commission assists the Secretary of the Interior in the adjustment of claims filed under the war minerals relief act (sec. 5, act of Mar. 2, 1919, 40 Stat., 1274) for losses incurred in producing or preparing to produce manganese, chrome, pyrites, or tungsten during the war.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

The Secretary of Agriculture is charged with the work of promoting agriculture in its broadest sense. He exercises general supervision and control over the affairs of the department and formulates and establishes the general policies to be pursued by its various branches and offices.

CHIEF CLERK.

The chief clerk has general supervision of clerks and employees; of the order of business of the department and of records of the Secretary's office; and of expenditures from appropriations for miscellaneous expenses, rents, etc. He is responsible for the enforcement of the general regulations of the department and is custodian of buildings.

SOLICITOR.

The solicitor is the legal adviser of the Secretary and the heads of the several branches of the department. He directs and supervises all law work of the department.

OFFICE OF FARM MANAGEMENT AND FARM ECONOMICS.

This office studies the farmer's economic problems with a view to reducing costs and increasing profits through a better organization of the farm and a better adjustment of production to the demands of the market. Especial attention is given to cost of production, farm organization, farm finance, the geographical distribution of types of farming, the supply and use of labor, land utilization and land tenure, and farm life studies.

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WEATHER BUREAU.

The Weather Bureau has charge of the forecasting of the weather; the issue and display of weather forecasts, and storm, cold-wave, frost, and flood warnings; the gauging and reporting of river stages; the maintenance and operation of the United States Weather Bureau telegraph and telephone lines; the collection and transmission of marine intelligence for the benefit of commerce and navigation; the reporting of temperature and rainfall conditions for agricultural interests; and the taking of such meteorological observations as may be necessary to determine and record the climatic conditions of the United States, including investigations in aerology in the aid of aviation, in seismology, and in volcanology.

BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY.

The Bureau of Animal Industry has charge of the work of the department relating to the live-stock industry. In general it deals with the investigation, control, and eradication of diseases of animals, the inspection and quarantine of live stock, the inspection of meat and meat products, and with animal husbandry and dairying.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY.

The Bureau of Plant Industry studies plant life in all its relations to agriculture. The scientific work of the bureau is divided into 33 distinct groups, over each of which is placed a scientifically trained officer, who reports directly to the chief and associate chief of the bureau. The work of the bureau is conducted on the project plan, the investigations under each of the offices being arranged by group projects consisting of closely related lines of work, which group projects are further divided into projects.

FOREST SERVICE.

The Forest Service administers the national forests; studies forest conditions and methods of forest utilization; investigates the mechanical and physical properties of woods and the processes employed in the manufacture of forest products; and gathers information concerning the needs of the various wood-using industries and the relation of forests to the public welfare generally.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY.

The Bureau of Chemistry is concerned with analytical work and investigation under the food and drugs act, questions of agricultural chemistry of public interest, and other chemical investigations referred to it by the Government.

BUREAU OF SOILS.

The Bureau of Soils investigates the relation of soils to climate and organic life; studies the texture and composition of soils in field and laboratory; maps the soils; studies the cause and means of preventing the rise of alkali in the soils of irrigated districts; the relations of soils to seepage and drainage conditions; and the fertilizer resources of the country.

BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY.

The Bureau of Entomology studies insects in their economic relation to agriculture and agricultural products and to the health of man and animals; experiments with the introduction of beneficial insects; makes tests with insecticides and insecticide machinery; and identifies insects sent in by inquirers.

BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY.

The Bureau of Biological Survey has charge of the work of the department relating to the control and conservation of wild birds and mammals and the investigation of their relation to agriculture. It studies their food habits and investigates methods of protecting beneficial species and controlling harmful ones; experiments in fur farming; controls injurious mammals in national forests and on other public domain; makes biological surveys of areas, studies the geographic distribution of wild animals and plants, and maps natural life zones; administers Federal laws relating to interstate commerce in birds and game; regulates the importation of foreign birds and mammals; adminsiters the Federal migratory-bird treaty act; and supervises national mammal and bird reservations.

DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

This division has charge of the disbursement of public funds appropriated for the Department of Agriculture.

DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS.

The Division of Publications has charge of the publication and information work of the department. It edits manuscripts, prepares illustrations, makes indexes, revises proofs, attends to job printing, and directs the' distribution of publications. It publishes a weekly News Letter, which gives information of the department's activities for the benefit of cooperators and the public press. The division also furnishes to the press special statements giving in popular form the information acquired by the department's investigators. It oversees the preparation and display of educational exhibits at agricultural fairs. It prepares motion-picture films illustrating the department's work and results and distributes them to cooperating agencies for educational purposes; also arranges for their sale to commercial houses.

BUREAU OF CROP ESTIMATES.

The Bureau of Crop Estimates is organized for the purpose of collecting, compiling, abstracting, analyzing, summarizing, and interpreting statistical data relating to agriculture. It publishes the Monthly Crop Report of the department, embodying current statistics relating to acreage, yield, condition, and production of crops, numbers of live stock, and value of farm products. During certain seasons of the year it issues weekly and semimonthly Truck Crop Reports and special reports on the commercial production of apples, peaches, and other fruits. The field force comprises 42 field agents, who publish monthly crop reports for their respective territories, 12 crop specialists, and more than 200,000 voluntary reporters.

LIBRARY.

The department library contains 146,000 books and pamphlets, including an extensive collection on agriculture, a large and representative collection on the sciences related to agriculture, and a good collection of standard reference books. Periodicals currently received number 2,433. A dictionary catalogue is kept on cards, which number about 392,000. The librarian has charge of the foreign mailing lists.

STATES RELATIONS SERVICE.

The States Relations Service represents the Secretary of Agriculture in his relations with the State agricultural colleges and experiment stations, under the acts of Congress granting funds to these institutions for agricultural experiment stations and cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, and in carrying out the provisions of acts of Congress making appropriations to this department for farmers' cooperative demonstration work, investigations relating to agricultural schools, farmers' institutes, and home economics, and the maintenance of agricultural experiment stations in Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS.

The Bureau of Public Roads administers the Federal aid road act, under which the Government cooperates with the States in improvement of post and national forest roads; studies systems of road management and methods of road building, improvement, and maintenance; details engineers to assist local officials in building model roads; ascertains the location, properties, and value of road materials; builds experimental roads to test substitutes for natural road materials; investigates the comparative effects of motor and horse traffic on roads; cooperates with colleges and experiment stations and with State highway officials; exhibits models showing types of roads, culverts, bridges, and road machines; and conducts irrigation and drainage investigations and studies other rural engineering problems.

BUREAU OF MARKETS.

The Bureau of Markets acquires and disseminates information regarding the marketing and distribution of farm and nonmanufactured food products. Its work is divided into four branches-investigational, demonstrational, service, and regulatory.

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Through its investigational work it obtains basic information of fundamental importance regarding marketing methods and conditions; and also regarding the standardization, transportation, and storage of agricultural products and methods used in their grading, handling, and packing; methods of accounting and business practice used by agencies engaged in marketing such products; the organization of rural communities for marketing or purchasing farm products or for the improvement of credit and social conditions; and the milling and baking qualities of grain for which standards have been established under the United States grain standards act. Demonstrational work is conducted regarding standardization, grading, packing, and shipping of commodities, the use of the accounting systems devised by the bureau, and other matters. In its service work the bureau issues reports giving information regarding the supply, commercial movement, disposition, and market prices of fruits and vegetables, live stock and meats, dairy and poultry products, grain, hay, feeds, and seeds, and regarding opportunities for American farm products in foreign countries. Reports are issued monthly showing the production of dairy products, the stocks of hides and skins, the consumption of wool, active and idle wool machinery, and coldstorage holdings of meats, fish, lard, butter, cheese, eggs, dressed poultry, apples, and other commodities. The supply of wool is reported upon quarterly, and stocks of hair and bristles semiannually. An inspection service on fruits and vegetables is now available at 163 markets. The inspectors engaged on this work investigate and certify to shippers the condition as to soundness of fruits, vegetables, and other food products when received at market. A market reporting service is conducted in many cities to give to consumers, growers, and distributors information in nontechnical form regarding supplies of food on city markets. Semiannual surveys are made to determine the location and ownership of the food supply of the Nation, and monthly reports are issued showing commercial stocks of grain, flour, and a number of miscellaneous food products. The bureau has charge of the distribution of nitrate of soda purchased by the Government for the use of farmers. Regulatory work is performed in connection with the enforcement of the United States cotton futures, grain standards, and standard basket acts, and in connection with the administration of the United States warehouse act. The chief of the bureau represents the Secretary of Agriculture in the execution of the duties prescribed under the President's proclamation of June 18, 1918, for enforcing regulations governing licensees operating in stockyards or handling or dealing in live or dead stock in or in connection with stockyards, and acts as liquidating officer of the wool section of the War Industries Board.

INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE BOARD.

The Insecticide and Fungicide Board, created December 22, 1910, assists the Secretary of Agriculture in the enforcement of the insecticide act of 1910.

FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD.

The Federal Horticultural Board, created August 21, 1912, assists the Secretary of Agriculture in the enforcement of the plant quarantine act of August 20, 1912.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

The Secretary of Commerce is charged with the work of promoting the commerce of the United States and its mining, manufacturing, shipping, fishery, and transportation interests. His duties also comprise the administration of the Lighthouse Service and the aid and protection to shipping thereby; the taking of the census, and the collection and publication of statistical information connected therewith; the making of coast and geodetic surveys; the collecting of statistics relating to foreign and domestic commerce; the inspection of steamboats, and the enforcement of laws relating thereto for the protection of life and property; the supervision of the fisheries as administered by the Federal Government; the supervision and control of the Alaskan fur-seal, salmon, and other fisheries; the jurisdiction over merchant vessels, their registry, licensing, measurement, entry, clearance, transfers, movement of their cargoes and passengers, and laws relating thereto, and to seamen of the United States; the regulation of the enforcement and execution of the act of Congress relating to the equipment of ocean steamers with apparatus and operators for wireless communication; the custody, construction, maintenance, and application of standards of weights and measurements; the gathering and supplying of informa

tion regarding industries and markets for the fostering of manufacturing; and the formulation (in conjunction with the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Treasury) of regulations for the enforcement of the food and drugs act of 1906 and the insecticide act of 1910. He has power to call upon other departments for statistical data obtained by them.

For the proper accomplishment of any or all of the aforesaid work, it is by law provided that all duties performed, and all the powers and authority possessed or exercised, at the date of the creation of said department, by the head of any executive department in and over any bureau, office, officer, board, branch, or division of the public service transferred to said department, or any business arising therefrom or pertaining thereto, or in relation to the duties and authority conferred by law upon such bureau, office, officer, board, branch, or division of the public service, whether of appellate or advisory character or otherwise, are vested in and exercised by the Secretary of Commerce.

The act creating the Department of Labor, approved March 4, 1913, changed the name of the Department of Commerce and Labor to the Department of Commerce. Under the terms of this act the Bureau of Labor, Bureau of Immigration, Division of Naturalization, and Children's Bureau were detached from the Department of Commerce and Labor and organized as the new Department of Labor.

Upon the organization of the Federal Trade Commission, created by the act approved September 26, 1914, the Bureau of Corporations ceased to exist as a bureau of the Department of Commerce and became a part of the Federal Trade Commission, and all pending investigation and proceedings of the former bureau were taken over by the Federal Trade Commission.

It is his further duty to make such special investigations and furnish such information to the President or Congress as may be required by them on the foregoing subject matters, and to make annual reports to Congress upon the work of said department.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

The Assistant Secretary performs such duties as shall be prescribed by the Secretary or may be required by law. In the absence of the Secretary he acts as head of the department.

CHIEF CLERK.

The chief clerk is charged with the general supervision of the clerks and employees of the department; the enforcement of the general regulations of the department; the superintendency of all buildings occupied by the department in the District of Columbia other than those occupied by the Bureau of Fisheries, the Bureau of Standards, and the Coast and Geodetic Survey; the direction of the watchmen, engineers, mechanics, firemen, laborers, and other employees connected with the care and protection of the department's buildings other than those of the bureaus above mentioned; the supervision of the library and the stock and shipping section of the department; the care of all vehicles employed; the general supervision of all expenditures from the appropriations for contingent expenses and rent; the receipt, distribution, and transmission of the mail; the custody of the department's seal and the records and files of the Secretary's Office; the answering of calls from Congress and elsewhere for copies of papers and records; and the discharge of all business of the Secretary's Office not otherwise assigned.

DISBURSING CLERK.

The disbursing clerk is charged by the Secretary of Commerce with the duty of preparing all requisitions for the advance of public funds from appropriations for the Department of Commerce to disbursing clerks and special disbursing agents charged with the disbursement of public funds; the keeping of appropriation ledgers relating to the advance and expenditure of all items of appropriations. He has charge of the issuing, recording, and accounting for Government requests for transportation issued to officers of the department for official travel; the audit and payment of all vouchers and accounts submitted from the various offices, bureaus, and services of the department (except the Coast and Geodetic Survey and those services having special disbursing agents); and the general accounting of the depart

ment.

APPOINTMENT DIVISION.

The Chief of the Appointment Division is charged by the Secretary of Commerce with the supervision of matters relating to appointments, transfers, promotions, reductions, removals, and all other changes in the personnel, including applica

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