Evening star., 1924-03-17
CHAPTER XXI.
Sone Indepeldeat spendinS Depart
ne0ts.

CHAPTER XXI.
Some Independent spenaing Depart
neAts.
Not all departments Of the govern
ment are under the supervision Of q
cabinet otIicer. Some large spending g
bureaus are independent and rsspen-
sible only to the President AZ a
matter of fact, the growth OF inde-
pendent departments, free from all
cabinet control, has become real
tendency in the federal government
activities today. The war greatly ac-
celebrated this movement.
Now let us take a look at some of
these departments.
Q) The Civil Service Commission,
while relatively small spending bu-
reau, deserves special mention. 1t
was organized on March 8, 1889. for
the purpose of decreasing political
influence in the selection OF govern
mental employees. The first classifica-
tion of the service under the civil
service commission applied to the de-
partments in Washington and to post
offices and customhouses having as
many as fifty employees. embracing
1925 employees. That was forty-one
years ago.
On June 80. 1898. there were 5is,531
officers and employees in the executive
civil service. During the fiscal year
persons. Or these 57,Ss4 were ap-
pointed. At the end of the fiscal year
1873 the Civil Service Commission had
force OF 2S3 clerks and examiners
and 32 sub-clerks and employees in
bureau spent approximately $729,000
In 1898. and the estimate for 1924 in
creases this amount by about $3.50, 900.
I. c. c. Holds Great Power.
C2) The Interstate Commerce Com
mission was created February 4, 1887,
to regulate commerce. The commits
sion has been given through the sue
ceeding years greater and greater au-
thority by Congress. The number of
commissioners has been increased
from five originally to eleven mem
hers now. 1t is doubtful il there is
any department that has greater
power over the lives and business ac-
tivities Of the nation than the Inter-
state Commerce Commission has. II
regulates and almost directs the op-
GRAFTON Of all the railroads in the
United states and many other inter
state business relationships. It's power
ana responsibility, however. were
putting into effect of the Esch Cum
minis transportation act was given
to it.
The eleven commissioners are ap-
pointed by the Pres: mt with the
approval OF the Senate. On June 80.
1928. there were 1875 persons work
ing in this division OF the govern
ment, which spent $5,027, 900 in the
fiscal year 1928; about the same is
estimated for 1924
been one of the big spending bureaus
since the government operation dur
ing the war. That chapter we are
not taking up at this time. But this
administration cost for the fiscal year
1928 a total OF $60.ss0.0o0 Then the
advances under the transportation
act OF 1920 took another sac. $50. 900
for the year. Together these two
items amounted to 500, 900 A
whole article would be needed to
partment during the last six years.
However, the railroads repaid in
1923 total of $s9.297.000 Of loans
advanced earlier. SO the total net out
lay from the federal Treasury for the
year: exclusive of loans granted. was
$1.323 900. For 1924 an estimate of
$6S,486,000 is made by the bureau of
the budget as expense under the
transportation act of 1920. Railroad
administration at the end of the fiscal
sons employed in its service.
Tariff Board Independent.
90 A word should be said about the
Tariff Commission. which is another
federal agency independent of any
cabinet control. This bureau was
created by an act Of Congress approved
September 8. 1915. 1t was given
power to investigate the administra-
ton. operation and effects Of the Gus
toms laws and their relation to the
federal revenues. This commission
should be a much more important
fact-finding body than 1t really is.
It's real power for good will become
manifest only when politics is more
and more driven out Of tariff making:
That day seems very far away at
this time. For 1898 the commission
spent $3s8.500. This is increased to
an estimated amount of $764.00O for
1924. There are 100 experts and
clerks connected with this work.
without giving an account Of the
work OF the Federal Trade Commits
sion. This was created by an act
of Congress passed September 26,
1914. in which the commissions pow
ers and duties were defined. Its five
members were appointed for a term
of seven years by the President of
the United States, with the approval
Of the Senate. Each commissioner
receives $4,000 a year salary.
The Federal Trade Commission act
states that unfair methods Of COM
petition in commerce are hereby de-
clared unlawful and empowers and
directs the commission to prevent
persons, partnerships or corpora
tions. except banks and common car
riers subject to the acts to regulate
commerce, from using unfair methods
Of competition in commerce"
There we have the meat Of the
commissions activities. During 1923
among the important inquiries un-
der way which were directed to be
made by Congress or by the President
were the following: Cotton trade,
grain trade, -four milling, foreign
ownership in the petroleum industry,
coal dealers, house furnishings, eX-