[H. Doc., No. 223, 81st Cong. 1st sess.] MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING REORGANIZATION PLAN No. 2 OF 1949, TRANSFERRING THE BUREAU OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, NOW IN THE FEDERAL SECURITY AGENCY, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND VESTING IN THE SECRETARY OF LABOR THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan transfers the Bureau of Employment Security, now in the Federal Security Agency, to the Department of Labor and vests in the Secretary of Labor the functions of the Federal Security Administrator with respect to employment services and unemployment compensation, the latter of which is now more commonly referred to as unemployment insurance. The plan also transfers to the Secretary of Labor the functions of the Veterans' Placement Service Board and of its Chairman and abolishes that board. These changes are in general accord with recommendations made by the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government. After investigation, I have found and hereby declare that each reorganization included in Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1949 is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in section 2 (a) of said act. The primary benefits from these reorganizations will take the form of improvements in administration and service. It is probable that a significant reduction in expenditures will result from the taking effect of the plan as compared with the current estimates and workload assumptions contained in the 1950 budget as amended, but an itemization of such savings is not possible in advance of the transfer. One of the major needs of the executive branch is a sound and effective organization of labor functions. More than 35 years ago the Federal Government's labor functions were brought together in the Department of Labor. In recent years, however, the tendency has been to disperse such functions throughout the Government. New labor programs have been placed outside of the Department and some of its most basic functions have been transferred from the Department to other agencies. In my judgment, this course has been fundamentally unsound and should be reversed. The labor programs of the Federal Government constitute a family of interrelated functions requiring generally similar professional training and experience, involving numerous overlapping problems, and calling for strong, unified leadership. Together they form one of the most important areas of Federal activity. It is imperative that the Labor Department be strengthened and restored to its original position as the central agency of the Government for dealing with labor problems. BUREAU OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY One of the most essential steps in improving the organization of labor functions is the transfer of the Bureau of Employment Security to the Department of Labor. This Bureau administers the activities of the Federal Government with respect to employment services and unemployment insurance. These activities mainly involve the review and apportionment of grants-in-aid, approval of State plans and grants, the conduct of research and developmental activities, and the provision of advice and assistance to the State agencies which actually conduct the services. Public employment services and unemployment insurance are companion programs inextricably interrelated both in purpose and operation. The first assists workers in finding jobs and employers in obtaining workers; the second provides cash benefits for the support of workers and their families when suitable jobs cannot be obtained. Thus, each complements the other. At the local operating level the two programs are almost invariably carried on in the same unit-the local employment office. At the State level they are administered by the same agency in nearly every State. As a result, an unusually high degree of coordination at the Federal level is essential. There can be no question as to the basic consideration which must govern the administration of both of these programs. From the standpoint of all interested parties the worker, the employer, and the public—the primary concern is employment. Essential as they are, unemployment benefits at a fraction of regular wages are a poor substitute for the earnings from a steady job. In the administration of these programs, therefore, primary attention must be focused on achieving the maximum effectiveness of the employment services. On them depend the prosperity and well-being of the worker and the extent of the unemployment-compensation burden on the employer and the public. I have long been convinced that the Department of Labor is the agency which can contribute most to the development of sound and efficient employment service. It has the understanding of employment problems and of the operation of the labor market which is essential in this field. It possesses the necessary specialists and the wealth of information on occupations, employment trends, wage rates, working conditions, labor legislation and other matters essential to employment counseling and placement. Close working relations between the United States Employment Service and most of the agencies of the Labor Department are vital to the success of both. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a fund of information on employment and occupations which is basic to the planning and operation of the Service. The Women's Bureau and the Child Labor Branch of the Wage and Hour Division afford expert advice on employment problems relating to women and adolescents. The Bureau of Labor Standards can assist the Service on questions of working conditions and other labor standards, and the Bureau of Apprenticeship on occupational-training problems. At the same time the various agencies of the Labor Department need the detailed current information on labor problems and the condition of the labor market which the United States Employment Service possesses. Experience has demonstrated that unemployment insurance must be administered in close relationship with employment service and other employment programs. In many of our industrial States, and in most foreign countries, unemployment insurance is administered by the agency responsible for labor functions. Furthermore, the unemployment-insurance system has a vital stake in the effectiveness of the program for employment services, for what benefits the employment service also benefits the unemployment-insurance program. The transfer of the Bureau of Employment Security, including the United States Employment Service and the Unemployment Insurance Service, together with the functions thereof, will give assurance that primary emphasis will be placed on the improvement of the employment services and that maximum effort will be made to provide jobs in lieu of cash benefits. The plan also transfers to the Department of Labor the Federal Advisory Council created by the act establishing the United States Employment Service. This Council consists of outstanding representatives of labor, management, and the public who are especially familiar with employment problems. VETERANS' PLACEMENT SERVICE BOARD This Although the Veterans' Employment Service operates through the regular employment office system, its policies are determined by the Veterans' Placement Service Board created by the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Board consists of the heads of three Federal agencies, only one of which administers employment services. Furthermore, the full-time director of the Service is appointed by the Chairman of this Board, who is not otherwise engaged in employment-service activity, rather than by the head of the agency within which the service is administered. Such an arrangement is cumbersome and results in an undue division of authority and responsibility. In order to simplify the administration of the Veterans' Employment Service and assure the fullest cooperation between it and the general employment service, the plan eliminates the Veterans' Placement Service Board and transfers its functions and those of its Chairman to the Secretary of Labor. By thus concentrating responsibility for the success of the Service, the plan will make for better service to the veteran seeking employment or vocational counseling. This plan is a major step in the rebuilding and strengthening of the Department of I abor, which I am convinced is essential to the sound and efficient organization of the executive branch of the Government. HARRY S. TRUMAN. THE WHITE HOUSE, June 20, 1949. REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1949 Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, June 20, 1949, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, approved June 20, 1949 Department of Labor SECTION 1. Bureau of Employment Security.-The Bureau of Employment Security of the Federal Security Agency, including the United States Employment Service and the Unemployment Insurance Service, together with the functions thereof, is transferred as an organizational entity to the Department of Labor. The functions of the Federal Security Administrator with respect to employment services, unemployment compensation, and the Bureau of Employment Security, together with his functions under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (as amended, and as affected by the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1946, 60 Stat. 1095, 26 U. S. C. 1600-11), are transferred to the Secretary of Labor. The functions transferred by the provisions of this section shall be performed by the Secretary of Labor or, subject to his direction and control, by such officers, agencies, and employees of the Department of Labor as he shall designate. SEC. 2. Veterans' Placement Service Board.-The functions of the Veterans' Placement Service Board under title IV of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 284, as amended; 38 U. S. C. 695-695f) are transferred to and shall be performed by the Secretary of Labor. The functions of the chairman of the said Veterans' Placement Service Board are transferred to the Secretary of Labor and shall be performed by the Secretary or, subject to his direction and control, by the Chief of the Veterans' Employment Service. The Veterans' Placement Service Board is abolished. SEC. 3. Federal Advisory Council.-The Federal Advisory Council established pursuant to section 11 (a) of the act of June 6, 1933 (48 Stat. 116, as amended, 29 U. S. C. 49j (a)), is hereby transferred to the Department of Labor and shall, in addition to its duties under the aforesaid act, advise the Secretary of Labor and the Director of the Bureau of Employment Security with respect to the administration and coordination of the functions transferred by the provisions of this reorganization plan. SEC. 4. Personnel, records, property, and funds.-There are transferred to the Department of Labor, for use in connection with the functions transferred by the provisions of this reorganization plan, the personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds (available or to be made available) of the Bureau of Employment Security, together with so much as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget shall determine of other personnel, property, records and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and funds (available or to be made available) of the Federal Security Agency which relate to functions transferred by the provisions of this reorganization plan. [H, Doc. No. 224, 81st Cong., 1st sess.] MESSAGE FRON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING REORGANIZATION PLAN No. 3 OF 1949, CONSTITUTING AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1949. prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan constitutes an important first step in strengthening the organization of the Post Office Department. One of the prime essentials of good departmental administration is authority from the Congress to a department head to organize and control his department. The Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government emphasized in its first and subsequent reports that separate authorities to subordinates should be eliminated. The plan gives the Postmaster General the necessary authority to organize and control his Department by transferring to him the functions of all subordinate officers and agencies of the Post Office Department, including the functions of each Assistant Postmaster General, the Purchasing Agent, the Comptroller, and the Bureau of Accounts. The Postmaster General is authorized to delegate to subordinates designated by him such of his functions as he may deem appropriate. The Postmaster General is responsible for the management of one of the world's largest businesses. Like the head of any large business, the Postmaster General should be given adequate top-level assistance in carrying on the operations of the Department so that he may have time to devote to matters of departmental and public policy. In order to provide needed assistance to the Postmaster General, the plan establishes the positions of Deputy Postmaster General, and four Assistant Postmasters General, comparable to the positions of Under Secretary and Assistant Secretaries in other departments. The plan also establishes an Advisory Board for the Post Office Department, composed of the Postmaster General, the Deputy Postmaster General, and seven other members representing the public who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Advisory Board will make available to the Postmaster General the advice of outstanding private citizens and will afford a useful channel for the interchange of views between postal officials and the public concerning the operations of the postal service. I have found after investigation that each reorganization contained in the plan is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in section 2 (a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949. I have also found and hereby declare that by reason of the reorganization made by this plan, it is necessary to include in the plan provisions for the appointment and compensation of the Deputy Postmaster General, four Assistant Postmasters General, and members of the Advisory Board for the Post Office Department. The plan abolishes the Bureau of Accounts of the Post Office Department and the offices of Comptroller, Purchasing Agent, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Assistant Postmasters General. This plan carries into effect those of the recommendations of the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government respecting the Post Office Department which can be accomplished under the provisions of the Reorganization Act. I am also transmitting to the Congress recommendations for legislation which will implement other recommendations of the Commission and place the operations of the Post Office Department on a more businesslike basis. The primary result of this reorganization plan will be more effective administration. Although a substantial reduction in expenditures will not be brought about by the plan alone, major economies can be achieved over a period of time as a result of this plan and the enactment of the postal legislation which I am recommending to the Congress. THE WHITE HOUSE, June 20, 1949. REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 3 OF 1949 HARRY S. TRUMAN. Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives, in Congress assembled, June 20, 1949, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, approved June 20, 1949 Post Office Department SECTION. 1. Functions of the Postmaster General.—(a) There are hereby transferred to the Postmaster General the functions of all subordinate officers and agencies of the Post Office Department, including the functions of each Assistant Postmaster General, the Purchasing Agent for the Post Office Department, the Comptroller, and the Bureau of Accounts. (b) The Postmaster General is hereby authorized to delegate to any officer, employee, or agency of the Post Office Department designated by him such of his functions as he deems appropriate. SEC. 2. Deputy Postmaster General.-There shall be in the Post Office Department a Deputy Postmaster General, who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall perform such duties as the Postmaster General may designate, and shall receive compensation at the rate of $10,330 per annum or such other compensation as may be provided by law for the under secretaries of executive departments after the date of transinittal of this reorganization plan to the Congress. SEC. 3. Assistant Postmasters General.-There shall be in the Post Office Department four Assistant Postmasters General, who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall perform such duties as the Postmaster General may designate, and shall receive compensation at the rate of $10,330 per annum or such other compensation as may be provided by law for the assistant secretaries of executive departments after the date of transmittal of this reorganization plan to the Congress. SEC. 4. Advisory Board.-There is hereby established an Advisory Board for the Post Office Department of which the Postmaster General shall be chairman and the Deputy Postmaster General the vice chairman. The Board shall have seven additional members, representative of the public, who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members so appointed shall each receive compensation of $50 per diem when engaged in duties as members of the Board (including travel time to and from their homes or regular places of business) and reasonable subsistence and travel expense as determined by the Postmaster General. The Board shall meet quarterly at the seat of the Government in the District of Columbia, or at such other time and place as the Postmaster General shall determine for the purpose of considering methods and policies for the improvement of the postal service, and shall advise and make recommendations to the Postmaster General with respect to such methods and policies. SEC. 5. Agencies abolished.-(a) There are hereby abolished the Bureau of Accounts in the Post Office Department (including the office of Comptroller) and the office of Purchasing Agent for the Post Office Department. (b) The offices of First Assistant Postmaster General, Second Assistant Postmaster General, Third Assistant Postmaster General, and Fourth Assistant Postmaster Generai (5 U. S. C. 363) are hereby abolished; but the incumbents thereof immediately prior to the taking of effect of the provisions of this reorganization plan shall without reappointment be the first Assistant Postmasters General in office under the provisions of section 3 hereof. SEC. 6. Employees, records, property, and funds.-The employees now being employed, and the records and property now being used or held, in connection with any functions transferred by the provisions of this reorganization plan are hereby transferred to such agencies of the Post Office Department as the Postmaster General shall designate. The unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds available or to be made available for use in connection with such functions shall remain so available. [H. Doc. No. 225, 81st Cong., 1st sess.] MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING REORGANIZATION PLAN No. 4 OF 1949, TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESOURCES BOARD TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers the National Security Council and the National Security Resources Board to the Executive Office of the President. After investigation I have found, and I hereby declare, that each reorganization included in the plan is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in section 2 (a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The growth of the executive branch and the increasingly complex nature of the problems with which it must deal have greatly intensified the necessity of strong and well-coordinated staff facilities to enable the President to meet his responsibilities for the effective administration of the executive branch of the Government. Ten years ago several of the staff agencies of the executive branch were brought together in the Executive Office of the President under the immediate direction of the President. The wisdom of this step has been demonstrated by greatly improved staff assistance to the President, which has contributed importantly to the management of the Government during the trying years of war and of postwar adjustment. Since the creation of the Executive Office of the President, however, the Congress has further recognized the need for more adequate central staff and created two new important staff agencies to assist the President-the National Security Council and the National Security Resources Board. The primary function of the first of these agencies, as defined by statute, is "to advise the President with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to the national security." The function of the second is "to advise the President concerning the coordination of military, industrial, and civilian mobilization." |