INDEPENDENT OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND

ESTABLISHMENTS

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

The American Battle Monuments Commission was created by act of Congress approved March 4, 1923. It derives its authority from this and subsequent acts and Executive orders (U. S. C. title 36, ch. 8; 48 Stat., pp. 284-285; Executive Orders Nos. 6614, 6690, 9704, and 9873; Public Law 456, June 26, 1946).

The principal functions of the Commission are (1) to administer and maintain World War I American national cemeteries and memorials in Europe; (2) to prepare plans and estimates for the erection of suitable memorials to mark and commemorate the services of the American armed forces and to erect and maintain memorials in the United States and at such places outside the United States where the American armed forces have served (World War II) or shall hereafter serve as the Commission shall determine; (3) to erect and maintain works of architecture and art in permanent American military cemeteries located outside the United States, its Territories and possessions; (4) to control as to materials and design, provide regulations for, and supervise the erection of, all memorial monuments and buildings in American military cemeteries located outside of the United States and its Territories and possessions; (5) to control as to materials and design, provide regulations for, and supervise the erection of, all memorial monuments and buildings commemorating the services of the American armed forces erected in any foreign country or political division thereof which may authorize the Commission to perform such functions, or upon federally owned or controlled property in the United States or in its Territories and possessions, except national cemeteries; and (6) to administer and maintain the Mexico City National Cemetery, Mexico City, Mexico.

CARIBBEAN COMMISSION

As a result of an exchange of notes between the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, a joint communiqué was issued March 9, 1942, announcing the creation of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission. In 1945 the Governments of France and the Netherlands accepted invitations extended to them by the United States and the United Kingdom to become full members of the Commission, now known as the Caribbean Commission. An agreement establishing the expanded Caribbean Commission was signed at Washington on October 30, 1946.

The purpose of the Commission is to encourage and strengthen social and economic cooperation among the four member nations and their possessions and colonies in the Caribbean, and to avoid unnecessary duplication of research. It is concerned primarily with matters pertaining to labor, agriculture, housing, health, education, social welfare, finance, economics, and related subjects in the territories under the United States, British, French, and Netherlands flags within the Caribbean area. In its studies and in the formulation of its recommendations, the Commission is charged with bearing in mind the desirability of close cooperation in social and economic matters between all regions adjacent to the Caribbean. It serves as an advisory and expediting body and works with the appropriate United States, British, French, and Netherlands agencies that have administrative responsibility in regard to the problem in question.

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CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

The Civil Aeronautics Board, as distinguished from the Civil Aeronautics Administration, is an independent agency composed of five members, appointed by the President with the confirmation of the Senate. The President annually designates one of the members as chairman and another as vice-chairman. The Board, established effective June 30, 1940, pursuant to Reorganization Plans III and IV, exercises the functions of rule making (including the prescription of rules, regulations, and standards), adjudication, and investigation as prescribed in the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938.

In expressing the purpose of the Congress to protect the public by providing for economic stability in the air transport industry, and in order that the public might have the continuing enjoyment of adequate and sufficient air transportation services and, at the same time, be assured of the maintenance of high standards of safety, the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 sets forth the basic principles which guide the Board and prescribes the authority pursuant to which it discharges its responsibilities.

The mission of the Board is to foster and encourage the development of an air transportation system which will be adequate to the present and future needs of the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States, the postal service, and the national defense; to preserve the inherent advantages of air transportation, and to regard as in the public interest competition to the extent necessary to assure the sound development of an air transportation system adjusted to the national needs; and to regulate air commerce in such manner as to best promote its development and safety.

In general, the Board performs four chief functions: (1) regulation of the economic aspects of United States air carrier operation, both domestic and international; (2) promulgation of safety standards in the form of civil air regulations; (3) investigation and analysis of aircraft accidents; (4) cooperation and assistance in establishing an international air transportation pattern mutually advantageous to the nations of the world. These functions are briefly described as follows:

Economic Regulation.-The Board grants or denies "certificates of public convenience and necessity" to American flag carriers for both domestic and international operation and "permits" to foreign carriers; prescribes or approves rates and rate practices of air carriers and fixes mail rate compensation; fosters the safe and expeditious transportation of mail and seeks to insure that reasonable and adequate service to the public is rendered by air carriers; prevents unfair methods of competition or discrimination; approves or disapproves business relationships between air carriers, including contracts, agreements, interlocking relationships, consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions of control. The Board investigates upon complaint or upon its own initiative anything done or omitted to be done by any person or group in contravention of the provisions of the Civil Aeronautics Act; takes appropriate action to enforce the Act.

Safety Regulation.-The Board prescribes safety rules and regulations; including standards for the issuance of airman certificates, aircraft type, production and airworthiness certificates, and air carrier operating certificates; and has the power to suspend or revoke such certificates.

Accident Investigation and Analysis.-The Board prescribes rules of notification and report of accidents involving civil aircraft; reviews reports of all accidents and investigates certain classes of accidents, ascertaining the facts, circumstances, and determining the probable causes. Formal reports by the Board are made public when deemed to be in the public interest. The Board conducts special studies and research, establishing basic causative and statistical factors and prepares air safety bulletins for the purpose of reducing aircraft accidents and preventing their

recurrence.

International Civil Aviation.-The Board consults with and assists the State Department in the negotiation of agreements with foreign governments for the establishment or development of air transportation, air navigation, air routes, and services; keeps informed with respect to operations of foreign air lines and foreign aviation policies. The Board provides information for and coordinates with the International Civil Aviation Organization in the development of all international safety and operational standards. The Board contributes to the expense and personnel requirements of the Air Coordinating Committee, the chairman of the Board serving as cochairman of the Committee; provides information and advice in the Committee's examination of aviation problems and in its recommendations establishing the United States viewpoint on international aviation.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

The purpose of the Civil Service Act (Jan. 16, 1883), as declared in its title, is "to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States." It provides for the appointment of three commissioners, not more than two of whom shall be adherents of the same political party, and makes it the duty of the Commission to aid the President, as he may request, in preparing suitable rules for carrying the act into effect. The act requires that, as nearly as the conditions of good administration will warrant, the rules shall provide, among other things, for open competitive examinations for testing the fitness of applicants for the classified service, the making of appointments from among those passing with highest grades, and apportionment of appointments in the departments at Washington among the States and Territories, and a period of probation before absolute appointment. It prohibits the use of official authority to coerce the political action of any person or body. The act also provides for investigations touching the enforcement of the rules, and forbids, under penalty of fine or imprisonment, or both, the solicitation by any person in the service of the United States of contributions to be used for political purposes from persons in such service, or the collection of such contributions by any person in a Government building. The Retirement Act of May 22, 1920, as amended, places under the Commission the entire administration of that act. The Commission also administers the Canal Zone Retirement Act and the Alaska Railroad Retirement Act.

The Commission was organized on March 9, 1883. The first classification of the service applied to the departments at Washington and to post offices and customhouses having as many as 50 employees, embracing 13,924 employees. During the calendar year ending December 31, 1946, 1,171,400 appointments to full-time positions throughout the United States were made. At the end of December 1945, there were 1,980,700 employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government in continental United States. Of this number, 221,300 were employed in the Washington, D. C., metropolitan area.

Examinations are held in the principal cities throughout the country through the agency of local boards of examiners, of which there are approximately 5,000. The members of these boards are detailed from other branches of the service.

The Commission also holds examinations in the Canal Zone, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Under the rules, the Commission is required to render all practicable assistance to the Philippine Civil Service Bureau, and it may, if required, announce examinations for position in the Philippine Islands.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXAMINER

Serves as the chief technical and executive officer of the Commission; plans, directs, controls, and is responsible for the technical and administrative work of the various divisions, field offices, and local boards of examiners, and the Commission's business and fiscal operations; serves as the principal consultant to the Commissioners and formulates and develops matters of policy, interpretation, and procedure.

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Responsible for general administrative direction over the Budget and Finance Division, Office Services Division, and the Library, as well as the management planning functions of the Commission.

EXAMINING AND PERSONNEL UTILIZATION DIVISION

Through examinations and recruiting programs, develops and maintains a supply of personnel qualified for Federal employment; furnishes lists of qualified eligibles to Federal agencies; promotes effective utilization of Federal personnel; approves and cooperates in carrying out joint recruiting agreements with Federal agencies; assists Federal agencies in improving work standards and skills of personnel; administers the system for reinstatement, transfer, and promotion of Federal employees under Civil Service Regulations; reviews examination ratings for accuracy and compliance with established procedure upon request of competitors; passes on qualifications necessary for persons proposed for promotion, transfer, reinstatement, and status classification; interviews applicants for Federal employment or transfer; provides an information center for answering public inquiries.

BUDGET AND FINANCE DIVISION

Responsible for the preparation of estimates, statements, and auditing of expenditures; conduct of all budgetary matters, including analysis of work reports to appraise activities and work loads; has charge of accounts covering general business operations of the main office and field offices.

BOARD OF APPEALS AND REVIEW

Reviews the record and passes upon the merit of appeals from ratings in postmaster examinations; appeals from debarment from examination on account of unsuitability, or other unfavorable action on suitability; appeals from action taken in retirement cases; appeals under Section 14 of the Veterans' Preference Act.

PERSONNEL CLASSIFICATION DIVISION

Investigates the duties and responsibilities of positions within the scope of the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, and allocates them into services, classes, and grades; prepares class specifications setting forth classification standards; investigates problems relative to the extension of the Classification Act to positions in the field service and administers classification following extensions made thereto under the provisions of the Ramspeck Act of November 26, 1940 (54 Stat. 1211); organizes and supervises the operation and procedures of efficiency rating boards of review established in Federal agencies under authority of the Ramspeck Act.

SERVICE RECORD DIVISION

Maintains service records of employees in the executive civil service; acts on cases of reinstatement, transfer, and change of status for the postal field service proposed under civil-service rules; acts on cases involving the granting of classified status; acts on cases of violation of the civil-service law or rules by administrative officers or employees.

INFORMATION DIVISION

Disseminates information to press and public on activities of the Federal classified service; prepares public-address material for use by Commission officials and others; prepares the Commission's annual report; compiles the Official Register of the United States.

INSPECTION DIVISION

Inspects and reviews, in the offices of the various agencies, the functioning of delegated personnel operations, and secures adherence to required standards and procedures; inspects and reviews the operations of Civil Service Committees of Expert Examiners.

RETIREMENT DIVISION

Administers all civil retirement systems under the Commission's jurisdiction involving the granting of annuities, refund of employees' contributions in cases of separation from the service or death, the maintenance and control of retirement accounts, and the preparation of actuarial data required for the proper operation of the retirement acts.

INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

Studies and analyses, with a view to its development and improvement, the Commission's investigative program, under which investigations are conducted; maintains confidential investigative files and releases information therefrom to other Federal agencies in order to prevent duplication of investigations; administers system for fingerprinting Federal employees; prepares training and instructional material for investigators.

MEDICAL DIVISION

Determines physical requirements for employment in the classified civil service; passes on physical fitness of applicants; plans physical examination procedures; recruits and examines personnel in medical and related fields; conducts research studies pertaining to disability retirement and sick leave, with particular reference to their bearing on the adequacy of (a) physical requirements for entering the

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Government service and (b) measures for promoting the health and safety of Government employees; advises the Commission on the medical aspects of disability retirement cases; renders advisory service to other Government agencies on medical matters.

OFFICE SERVICES DIVISION

Supervises procurement and maintenance of supplies and equipment, provision and assignment of space, and provision of mail, files, telephone, messenger, and processing services.

PERSONNEL DIVISION

Has general direction and supervision of personnel matters in the Commission's organization, such as appointments, transfers, promotions, reductions, removals, position classifications, retirement, and efficiency ratings. Supervises programs for improving employee morale and hears grievances; consults with administrative heads with respect to organization problems.

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

By act approved May 17, 1910, Congress created as a permanent body the National Commission of Fine Arts. The Commission is "composed of seven well-qualified judges of the fine arts," who are appointed by the President and serve for a period of 4 years each, and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

Under the provisions of this organic act Congress directs that "It shall be the duty of the Commission to advise upon the location of statues, fountains, and monuments in the public squares, streets, and parks in the District of Columbia, and upon the selection of models for statues, fountains, and monuments erected under the authority of the United States and upon the selection of the artists for the execution of same. It shall be the duty of the officer charged by law to determine such questions in each case to call for such advice. The foregoing provisions of this act shall not apply to the Capitol Building of the United States and the building of the Library of Congress. The Commission shall also advise generally upon questions of art when required to do so by the President or by any committee of either House of Congress.'

By Executive order dated October 25, 1910, the President directed that "Plans for no public building to be erected in the District of Columbia for the General Government shall be hereafter finally approved by the officer duly authorized until after such officer shall have submitted the plans to the Commission of Fine Arts created under the act of Congress of May 17, 1910, for its comment and advice."

On February 2, 1912, the President directed the Commission to advise the officer in charge of public buildings and grounds in regard to the improvement of any of the grounds in the city of Washington under his charge whenever such advice is asked for by that officer. That officer now uniformly consults the Commission regarding details of the development of all the parks and reservations under his control.

On November 28, 1913, the President issued the following Executive order: "It is hereby ordered that whenever new structures are to be erected in the District of Columbia under the direction of the Federal Government which affect in any important way the appearance of the city, or whenever questions involving matters of art and with which the Federal Government is concerned are to be determined, final action shall not be taken until such plans and questions have been submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts designated under the act of Congress of May 17, 1910, for comment and advice."

On July 28, 1921, the President issued the following Executive order: "It is hereby ordered that essential matters relating to the design of medals, insignia, and coins produced by the executive departments, also the design of statues, fountains, and monuments, and all important plans for parks and all public buildings, constructed by the executive departments or the District of Columbia, which in any essential way affect the appearance of the city of Washington, or the District of Columbia, shall be submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for advice as to the merits of such designs before the executive officer having charge of the same shall approve thereof."