FOREWORD ix 



In the preparation of these monographs the Institute has 

 kept steadily in mind the aim to produce documents that will 

 be of direct value and assistance in the administration of pub- 

 lic affairs. To executive officials they offer valuable tools of 

 administration. Through them; such officers can, with a min- 

 imum of effort, inform themselves regarding the details, not 

 only of their own services, but of others with whose facilities, 

 activities and methods it is desirable that they should be famil- 

 iar. Under present conditions services frequently engage in 

 activities in ignorance of the fact that the work projected has 

 already been done, or is in process of execution by other serv- 

 ices. Many cases exist where one service could make effective 

 use of the organization, plant or results of other services had 

 they knowledge that such facilities were in existence. With 

 the constant shifting of directing personnel that takes place 

 in the administrative branch of the national government, the 

 existence of means by which incoming officials may thus read- 

 ily secure information regarding their own and other services 

 is a matter of great importance. 



To members of Congress the monograph should prove of 

 no less value. At present these officials are called upon to 

 legislate and appropriate money for services concerning whose 

 needs and real problems they can secure but imperfect infor- 

 mation. That the possession by each member of a set of 

 monographs, such as is here projected, prepared according to 

 a uniform plan, will be a great aid to intelligent legislation 

 and appropriation of funds can hardly be questioned. 



To the public, finally, these monographs will give that 

 knowledge of the organization and operations of their govern- 

 ment which must be had if an enlightened public opinion is to 

 be brought to bear upon the conduct of governmental affairs. 



These studies are wholly descriptive in character. No at- 

 tempt is made in them to subject the conditions described to 

 criticism, nor to indicate features in respect to which changes 

 might with advantage be made. Upon administrators them- 

 selves falls responsibility for making or proposing changes 



