PURCHASING AGENT

The Purchasing Agent supervises the purchase of all supplies for the Post Office Department proper and for all branches of the Postal Service. He reviews all requisitions and authorizations for supplies and, if proper, approves them. He passes upon all emergency purchases made locally by the field service. He determines the sufficiency and propriety of all specifications for supplies; prepares the advertisements and forms for proposals necessary to the making of contracts for supplies; and enters into contracts for such supplies for the Postmaster General.

SOLICITOR OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT

The Solicitor is charged with the duty of giving opinions to the Postmaster General and the heads of the several offices of the Department upon questions of law arising in the course of business of the Postal Service; with the hearing and consideration of cases of alleged use of the mails to defraud the public and of cases relating to lotteries; with the consideration of all questions relating to the mailability of alleged indecent, obscene, scurrilous, or defamatory matter; with determining the legal acceptability of securities offered by banks to secure postal-savings deposits; with the examining and, when necessary, drafting of contracts of the Department; with the legal work incident to the enforcement of those provisions of the espionage law which concern the Post Office Department; with the consideration of all questions relating to the mailability of firearms; with the consideration and submission (with advice) to the Postmaster General of claims for damage done to persons or property by or through the operation of the Post Office Department, and of all claims of postmasters for losses by fire, burglary, or other unavoidable casualty, and of all certifications by the Comptroller for the Post Office Department of cases of proposed compromise of liabilities to the United States, and of the remission of fines, penalties, and forfeitures under the statutes; with the giving of advice, when desired, in the preparation or correspondence with the Department of Justice and other departments, including the Court of Claims, involving questions of law or relating to prosecutions or suits affecting or arising out of the Postal Service, and with assisting when desired in the prosecution or defense of such cases, and the maintenance of suitable records of opinions rendered affecting the Post Office Department and the Postal Service; and with the consideration of applications for pardons for crimes committed against the postal laws which may be referred to the Department; with the determining of questions as to the delivery of mail the ownership of which is in dispute; with the determination of legal questions arising from the Government's monopoly of the carriage of letters; with the hearing of all complaints alleging violation of the law and the terms of their contracts by air-mail contractors; and with such other duties as may from time to time be required by the Postmaster General.

The Solicitor is also charged with the duty of assisting in the defense of cases against the United States arising out of the transportation of the mails and in other matters affecting the postal revenues. These include suits in the Federal courts involving claims of the railroads and other contractors for the carriage of the mails; the representation of the Postmaster General and the preparation and presentation of the Department's cases in proceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission for the determination by the Commission of the basis for adjustment of railroad mail pay and the fixing of fair and reasonable rates for the transportation of the mails and for services in connection therewith by railroads, air-mail contractors, and urban and interurban electric railway common carriers, and in other matters of petition by the Postmaster General to the Commission; the representation of the Postmaster General in hearings before the Department on orders changing the mode of transporting periodical mail matter and in connection with reviews of such orders by the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia.

CHIEF INSPECTOR

The Chief Inspector is charged with the duty of keeping the Postmaster General and his assistants advised as to the condition and needs of the entire Postal Service. He is charged with the selection, government, and assignment to duty of postoffice inspectors in charge, post-office inspectors and clerks at division headquarters. He authorizes and directs all investigations by inspectors and generally supervises the business of the post-office inspection service. He also has jurisdiction in all matters relating to depredations upon the mails, both domestic and

international, and losses therein; reported violations of the postal laws such as the alleged use of the mails in schemes to defraud and in the promotion of lotteries; violations of the private express statutes (Government monopoly of the transportation of letter mail); mailing of explosives, poisons, firearms, intoxicants, and of letters of extortion containing threats to injure the reputation of any person, or to accuse him of a crime; forgery of money orders and postal savings certificates; mailing of obscene, scurrilous, and other matter prohibited transmission in the mails, and complaints of the interception of and tampering with the mails. He supervises the development of evidence and the preparation for prosecution of criminal offenses arising in connection with the operation of the Postal Service and considers claims for payment of rewards for the detection, arrest, and conviction of post-office burglars, robbers, highway mail robbers, and mailers of bombs. He is charged with the custody of money and property collected or received by inspectors, and with the restoration thereof to the United States or to the public, as their interests shall appear. He is charged also with the consideration of miscellaneous complaints against the service rendered at post offices of the second, third, and fourth classes. Administrative matters such as charges against postal employees of all classes (except inspectors and clerks at division headquarters), and the establishment of or changes in rural or star routes should be addressed to the proper bureau of the Department, and if an investigation by an inspector is necessary, such bureau will make request therefor on the Chief Inspector. Applications for permission to take the examination for the position of post-office inspector and correspondence in connection with the appointment, promotion, and the character of service rendered by inspectors should be addressed to the Chief Inspector.

FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL

The First Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified:

The Division of Post Office Service. The computing for annual adjustment of salaries of postmasters at Presidential offices, the organization and management of post offices of the first and second classes; the establishment of contract stations, the appointment, disciplining, and fixing salaries of assistant postmasters, supervisory officers, clerks, special clerks, watchmen, messengers, laborers, printers, mechanics, and skilled laborers, and of city and village letter carriers; the establishment, maintenance, supervision, and extension of city and village delivery and collection service; allowances for clerk hire at first-, second-, and thirdclass offices, and for mail separations and "unusual conditions" at fourth-class offices, and for miscellaneous service items at first- and second-class offices, such as telephone and water rentals, laundry, towel service, and all matters concerning the Special Delivery Service and the hours of business at Presidential offices.

The Division of Postmasters.-The preparation of cases for the establishment, change of name, and discontinuance of post offices; the appointment of postmasters and keeping a record of such appointments; the obtaining, recording, and filing of bonds and oaths of office and issuance of postmasters' commissions; the consideration of charges and complaints against postmasters; and the regulation of hours of business and change of site of post offices of the fourth class. The Division of Dead Letters and Dead Parcel Post.-The treatment of all unmailable and undelivered mail matter which is sent to it and the general supervision of the treatment of all such matter sent to its respective branches and to post offices at the several division headquarters of the Railway Mail Service for disposition; the verification and allowance of claims for credit by postmasters for postage-due stamps affixed to undelivered matter; the examination and forwarding or return of all letters which have failed of delivery; the inspection and return to the country of origin of undelivered foreign matter; recording and restoration to owners of letters and parcels which contain valuable enclosures; care and disposition of all money, negotiable paper, and other valuable articles found in undelivered matter, and correspondence, both foreign and domestic, relating to these subjects.

SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL

The Second Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified:

Railway Adjustments.-The supervision of expenditures for the transportation of mails on railroad, electric car, mail messenger, power boat, and Alaskan star routes, and with the preparation of orders, rules, and regulations governing the same, based on the law and the orders of the Interstate Commerce Com

mission; with the administrative audit of reports concerning the performance of service of the classes above stated; certifies accounts for payment, and prepares for proper deductions all cases of nonperformance; imposes fines for delinquencies and failures; and with the preparation of all correspondence affecting these services.

International Postal Service.-Supervision of the International Postal Service, including international registry, insured, and c. o. d. services, and parcel post; all matters affecting the transportation of foreign mails, including the Air Mail Service to and from foreign countries; international transit statistical operations; sea post service; Navy mail service; the negotiation and preparation of postal conventions (except those relative to the Money Order System) with foreign countries and the regulations for their execution, as well as the consideration of questions arising under them and the preparation of all correspondence in connection therewith.

Railway Mail Service. The supervision of the Railway Mail Service and railway postal clerks; the preparation of plans and specification of railway postoffice cars; designation of trains on which railway post-office service is to be performed; issues orders relative to the moving of the mail on railroad trains; the distribution and dispatch of mail matter in railway postal cars and post offices, the leasing of quarters for terminal railway post offices; the approval of purchases and expenditures necessary for the conduct of the Railway Mail Service; determining, subject to the Postal Laws and Regulations, what matter shall be excluded from the mails as liable to damage the contents of mail bags or harm the person of anyone engaged in the Postal Service, and how such matter as is admitted must be packed; the distribution to the Postal Service of mail pouches and sacks and mail-pouch locks, the designation and supervision of mailbag depositories; the investigation of delays and damage to mail matter; the Star Route Contract Service (except in Alaska) and the Government-operated Star Route Service; the preparation of advertisements inviting proposals for the transportation of mails on star routes (except in Alaska), the award of such service and the preparation of contracts therefor; the change of schedules on star routes; the inspection of monthly reports of the performance of Star Route Service, and the preparation of monthly statements to the General Accounting Office of the amounts found to be due contractors for service performed; attends to all correspondence relative to these matters.

Air Mail Service. The supervision of the transportation of mail under contract by aircraft; the authorization of new routes; changes or additions to existing service; the encouragement of commercial aviation insofar as the Postal Service is concerned; the supervision of expenditures for the transportation of domestic air mail and the preparation of orders, rules, and regulations governing the same based on the law; the administrative audit of reports concerning the performance of service; certification of accounts for payment and preparation for proper deduction in all cases of nonperformance; imposition of fines for delinquencies and failures; and the preparation of all correspondence affecting the domestic Air Mail Service.

Rural Mail Service.—The consideration of all matters pertaining to the Rural Delivery Service, and the appointment and discipline of rural carriers.

THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL

The Third Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified:

Finance.-The financial operations, including the collection and deposit of postal revenues; the distribution of postal funds among the several depositaries so as to equalize, as far as possible, receipts and expenditures in the same section; the payment by warrant of all accounts settled by the General Accounting Office; the receipt and disposition of all moneys coming directly to the Department; and the keeping of books of account showing the fiscal operations of the Postal and Money Order Services and the regulation of box rents and key deposits. Money Orders.-The supervision and management of the Money Order Service, both domestic and international; the preparation of conventions for the exchange of money orders with foreign countries.

Classification.-The general control of all business relating to the classification of domestic mail matter and the rates of postage thereon; the determination of the admissibility of publications to the second class of mail matter, the right to continue in that class, including the administration of the law requiring annual statements of their ownership, circulation, etc., and the instruc

tion of postmasters relative thereto; also the use of penalty envelopes, the franking privilege, and the limit of weight and size of mail matter.

Stamps.-The supervision of the manufacture and issuance to postmasters of postage stamps, stamp books, stamped envelopes, postal cards, postal-savings stamps, and migratory bird hunting stamps, by the various contractors, and the keeping of the accounts and records of these transactions; the receipt and disposition of damaged and unsalable stamped paper returned by postmasters for redemption and credit; the issuance to postmasters of and accounting for internalrevenue stamps.

Registered mails.-The supervision and management of the domestic registry, insurance, and collect-on-delivery services; the establishment and control of all domestic registry dispatches and exchanges; the instruction of postmasters and the furnishing of information in relation to these matters; the consideration of all claims for indemnity for injured or lost domestic registered and certain insured and c. o. d. mail.

Postal Savings.-The conduct and management of the administrative office of the Postal Savings at Washington; the selection and designation of post offices as postal-savings depository offices and the supervision of the business transacted at such offices; the management and investment of postal-savings funds as the agent of the board of trustees; the administrative examination of accounts of postmasters and other fiscal agents of the system; the supervision of the sale of United States savings bonds at post offices, including the administrative examination of postmasters' accounts and settlement with the Treasury Department for bonds sold.

Cost ascertainment.-General direction of the work of ascertaining the revenues derived from and the cost of carrying and handling the several classes of mail matter and of performing the special services.

Parcel Post.-General direction of investigations of methods designed to improve the Parcel Post Service.

FOURTH ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL

The Fourth Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified:

Engineering and research. The design and construction of buildings so far as the operation of the post-office service is concerned; the layout of post-office quarters in Federal buildings and leased buildings, including conveyor and other labor-saving equipment for same; general engineering problems affecting the activities of the Postal Service, and the consideration of the practicability of devices and inventions for use in the Postal Service.

Division of Traffic.-Relative to shipment of freight, express, drayage, crating, routing, and billing shipments of equipment, material, and supplies for the Department and Postal Service.

Post-office quarters.-The selection, leasing, and equipment of quarters for post offices of the first, second, and third classes, and stations thereof (except those located in Federal buildings, which are under the jurisdiction of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department); the leasing of quarters for the Railway Mail Service; the leasing and equipment of post-office garages, and the fixing of allowances for rent, light, and heat at offices of the first, second, and third classes, and stations thereof.

Motor Vehicle Service. The authorization, operation, and maintenance of the Government-owned Motor Vehicle Service, including the appointment and discipline of the personnel employed in connection therewith; requisitions for materials, supplies, and garage equipment and correspondence pertaining thereto; requests for allowances for rent, light, fuel, power, water, telephone service, etc.; the monthly and quarterly reports and correspondence pertaining to the accounting system; the preparation of advertisements inviting proposals for the transportation of the mails in cities by means of screen wagons and pneumatic tubes, and the drafting of orders awarding such service, including the preparation of contracts therefor; the fixing of allowances for the hire of vehicles used in the delivery and collection service; the examination of reports and the preparation of orders making deductions and imposing fines for nonperformance of service and other delinquencies on the part of contractors.

Topography. The compilation, revision, and distribution of post-route, ruraldelivery, county, and local-center maps; the preparation of parcel-post zone keys. Building operations and supplies. The preparation of specifications for equipment and supplies for the Postal Service, and the custody, distribution, and transportation of such equipment and supplies; the distribution of parcel-post

zone keys; the maintenance of a record of expenditures for equipment and supplies by appropriations; the manufacture and repair of mail bags and other mail containers and attachments, mail locks, keys, chains, tools, dies, etc.; the issuance of letter-box locks, mail keys, key chains, etc., to postmasters and other officials entitled thereto, and the maintenance of a record thereof; and the operation and maintenance of Federal buildings under the administration of the Post Office Department; the procurement and distribution of supplies therefor; the appointment and supervision of personnel necessary for the maintenance of these buildings.

BUREAU OF ACCOUNTS

The Comptroller of the Post Office Department, in charge of the Bureau of Accounts, which was created in the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, receives and makes the administrative examination of all postal and money-order accounts of postmasters of the first and second classes; reviews the income and expenditure of all third- and fourth-class post offices through summary reports from the central accounting post offices; states the general revenues and expenditures as part of the administrative duties formerly performed by the auditor for the Post Office Department in accordance with the law; also prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements from the accounts of postmasters, warrant payments, and the account of the disbursing officer, which comprises the revenue and expenditure in the control of the Bureau of Accounts; maintains the bookkeeping system from these records from which the general statistics and the special reports for the information of the Postmaster General are obtained.

As budget officer the Comptroller consolidates the departmental estimates and such supplemental and deficiency estimates as may be required.

The Comptroller also has supervision of the Division of Retirement Records, which maintains an individual record of deductions from salaries for each employee of the Post Office Department and the Postal Service who is eligible for the civil-service retirement and disability fund.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

The Secretary of the Navy performs such duties as the President of the United States, who is Commander in Chief, may assign him, and has the general superintendence of construction, manning, armament, equipment, and employment of vessels of war.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy performs such duties in the Navy Department as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy or required by law.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (AIR)

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Air) is charged with the supervision of naval aeronautics and the coordination of its activities with other governmental agencies, and performs such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Secretary of the Navy. (This position has been unfilled since June 1, 1932.)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND CHIEF CLERK

Assists the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Navy in directing the administration of the Navy Department, including the United States Marine Corps.

Has administrative control over the clerical force and responsibility for the general business operations of the Department, involving supervision over matters relating to the employees of the Department and enforcement of departmental regulations.

Has supervision of the various divisions of the Secretary's Office, including the Navy Department Post Office and the Navy Department Garage; control of expenditures from appropriations for printing and binding and for contingent and miscellaneous expenses of the Department; custody of the records and files of the Secretary's Office, and supervision of the receipt, distribution, and transmission of the official mail and correspondence of the Secretary's Office.