Evening star., 1940-04-11


ganization plans. am now pro-
posing another step In this direction
by placing the Civil Aeronautics
Authority within the framework Of
the Department of Commerce. Re-
organization Plan No. III, which
deals with intradepartmental
changes, draws more practical
separation between the functions of
the administrator and the Civil
AeronauticS Board. In Plan ",
which is concerned with interde-
partmental reorganization, I am
bringing the authority into the de-
partmental structure The admin
-istrator will report to the Secretary
of Commerce. The five-member
board, however. will perform its
rule-making. adjudicative and in
vestigative functions independent Of
the department. In the interest Of
efficiency it will be supplied by the
department with budgeting, ac-
counting. procurement and other
office services. AS q result Of the
adjustments provided in Plans III
and Nv, believe the Civil Aero
nautics Board will be able effec-
lively to carry forward the impor-
tant work of accident investigation
heretofore performed by the Air
Safety Board In addition to the
effective and co-ordinated dis
charge of accident investigation
work which this transfer will ia
cilitate, economies in administra-
ticn will be possible.
The importance OF the Weather
Bureaus functions to the Nations
commerce has also led to the deci-
sion to transfer this bureau to the
Department Of Commerce. The de-
velopment of the aviation industry
has imposed upon the Weather Bu-
reau a major responsibility in the
field Of air transportation. The
transfer to the Department Of COM
merce, as provided in this plan, will
permit better coordination Of Gov
eminent activities relating to avia-
ton and to commerce generally
without in any way lessening the
bureaus contribution to agriculture.
Department of Labor: The plan
transfers to the Secretary OF Labor
the functions Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury and the Secretary OF
the Interior relating to the enforce
ment of Aluminium wage provi-
sions In contracts for Federal con-
structjon. The Secretary of Labor
is responsible by law for the deter
mination of the prevailing wage
rates included in Government con-
tracts and should properly have
complete responsibility for their en-
forcement.
United States Maritime Commits
sion: propose to transfer to the
United States Maritime Commis-
sion the functions of the Secretary
of the Navy relating to State ma
rine and nautical schools. These
schools are DEVOTED to training
young men for junior oficer posi-
tions in the merchant marine. The
general responsibility for develop
ing facilities for the training Of
marine personnel is vest
ed in the Maritime Commission. The
transfer will thus permit
closer coordination of the nautical
schools with the training work Of
the Maritime Commission.
Federal Security Agency: The
Federal Security Agency has as its
major purposes the promotion Of !
social and economic security, edu- |
cational opportunity, and the health
Of the citizens. The functions Of |
st. Elizabeth's Hospital, Freed
mems Hospital. Howard University |
and Columbia Institution for the
Deaf plainly come squarely within |
these purposes. Consequently, I ind
1t necessary and desirable In pur-
suance Of the objectives Of the Re-
organization Act to transfer to the
Federal Security Agency the re-
sponsibilities Of the Interior Depart
ment relating to these institutions. |
The work OF st. E1izabeth's Hos
pital and Freedmens Hospital In |
much more akin to the activities Of |
the Public Health Service In the |
Federal Security Agency than to |
those Of any other Federal estab-
lishment. Similarly, Howard Uni |
versity and Columbia Institution for
the Deaf can derive more benefit |
lrom association with the Once Of |
Efalacati0o IA tia DhAnFal QAe,srfkv |