THE PRESENT ORGANIZATION 4I 



tive difficulty would be to create additional bureaus. In the 

 opinion of those responsible for the present plan of organi- 

 zation, the creation of more bureaus, and the consequent in- 

 crease in overhead expenditures, the splitting up of func- 

 tions that are naturally similar in character and the re- 

 sultant duplication of equipment and effort would more than 

 offset any possible advantages to be gained by a more inti- 

 mate relationship between administrator and worker. 



The organization, as effected under the act of March 4, 

 1915,^" and as at present recognized by Congress, consists 

 of eighteen fairly distinct administrative units, comprising 

 eleven bureaus, two offices, two divisions, two boards, and 

 a library. In order to indicate how the entire work of the 

 department has been distributed for administrative purposes, 

 it is believed advisable to give a very brief summary of the 

 principal functions of each of these units. Changes' in the 

 assignment of minor duties, are, of course, made from time 

 to time ; but it is very unlikely that any important changes 

 will occur except as a result of a complete reorganization.^' 



Office of the Secretary 



The office of the Secretary exercises general administra- 

 tive or supervisory authority over the entire personnel and 

 activities of the department. The Assistant Secretary is re- 

 quired to perform such duties as may be assigned to him 

 by the Secretary.^* In case of the absence or disability of 

 the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary may act as Secre- 

 tary. If both of these be absent or disabled, the Chief of 

 the Weather Bureau, the only other officer whose appoint- 

 ment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, acts as 

 Secretary. 



"38 Stat. 1086^ 



18 In summarizing the work of the various units, the " Proprram 

 of Work of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture for the fiscal year 1017 " 

 has been used. No account has been taken here or elsewhere of the 

 numerous and important war activities undertaken by the Depart- 

 ment since April, IQ17. Wiiile these may result in some permanent 

 chan^'cs l)otIi in the organization and duties of tlio nepartment, tiieir 

 temporary character makes it seem in.idvisable to include them here. 



^* 34 Stat. L. 1256. 



