rector and Chief Examiner, and the office of Secretary of the Commission and the title of "President of the United States Civil Service Commission," are hereby abolished.

REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 6 OF

1949

Prepared by the President and Transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress Ascombled, June 20, 1949, Pursuant to the Provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, Approved June 20, 1949 1 UNITED STATES MARITIME COMMISSION

SECTION 1. Administration of functions of Commission. The Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the United States Maritime Commission. In executing and administering on behalf of the Commission its functions (exclusive of functions transferred by the provisions of section 2 of this reorganization plan) the Chairman shall be governed by the policies, regulatory decisions, findings, and determinations of the Commission.

SEC. 2. Transfer of functions. There are hereby transferred from the United States Maritime Commission to the Chairman of the Commission the functions of the Commission with respect to (1) the appointment and supervision of all personnel employed under the Commission, (2) the distribution of business among such personnel and among organizational units of the Commission, and (3) the use and expenditure of funds for administrative purposes: Provided, That the provisions of this section do not extend to personnel employed regularly and full time in the offices of members of the Commission other than the Chairman: Provided further, That the heads of major administrative units shall be appointed by the Chairman only after consultation with the other members of the Commission.

SEC. 3. Performance of transferred functions. The functions of the Chairman under the provisions of this reorganization plan shall be performed by him or, subject to his supervision and

1 Effective August 20, 1949, under the provisions of section 6 of the act; published pursuant to section 11 of the act (Pub. Law 109, 81st Cong.).

direction, by such officers and employees under his jurisdiction as he shall designate.

REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 7 OF

1949

Prepared by the President and Transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress Assembled, June 20, 1949, Pursuant to the Provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, Approved June 20, 19491

PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION SECTION 1. Transfer of Public Roads Administration. The Public Roads Administration, together with its functions, including the functions of the Commissioner of Public Roads, is hereby transferred to the Department of Commerce and shall be administered by the Commissioner of Public Roads subject to the direction and control of the Secretary of Commerce.

SEC. 2. Transfer of certain functions of Federal Works Administrator. All functions of the Federal Works Administrator with respect to the agency and functions transferred by the provisions of section 1 hereof are hereby transferred to the Secretary of Commerce and shall be performed by the Secretary or, subject to his direction and control, by such officers, employees, and agencies of the Department of Commerce as the Secretary shall designate.

SEC. 3. Records, property, personnel, and funds. There are hereby transferred to the Department of Commerce, to be used, employed, and expended in connection with the functions transferred by the provisions of this reorganization plan, the records and property now being used or held in connection with such functions, the personnel employed in connection with such functions, together with the Commissioner of Public Roads, and the unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds available or to be made available for use in connection with such functions. Such further measures and dispositions as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget shall determine to be necessary in order to effectuate the transfers provided for in this section shall be carried out in such manner as the Director shall direct and by such agencies as he shall designate.

SEC. 4. Effect of reorganization plan. The provisions of this reorganization

plan shall become effective notwithstanding the status of the Public Roads Administration within the Federal Works

Agency or within any other agency immediately prior to the effective date of this reorganization plan.

LETTER OF JUNE 30, 1949

[APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES; STATEMENT OF POLICY UNDER THE FEDERAL PROPERTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ACT OF 1949]

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, June 30, 1949.

MY DEAR MR. LARSON: I have today signed H. R. 4754 which was passed by the Congress "To simplify the procurement, utilization, and disposal of Government property, to reorganize certain agencies of the Government, and for other purposes."

Pursuant to the authority of the new Act, I hereby designate you to perform temporarily, pending the appointment of the first Administrator of General Services, the functions of that officer, with the title of "Acting Administrator of General Services."

The Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 consolidates functions which until now have been carried out piece-meal under some 38 overlapping statutes dating back of 1870. A better system of property and records management has been needed by the Federal Government for many years.

An important responsibility is vested in the Administrator of General Services

to achieve effective and economical results in the property management field and to insure that the General Services Administration affords the operating agencies the type of service requisite for the successful conduct of their programs.

The Act requires that a fair proportion of all procurement shall be placed with small business concerns. It also states that all purchases and contracts for supplies and services shall be made by advertising, except under circumstances specified in the Act where exceptions to this general policy may be made.

The Act also grants civilian agencies unprecedented freedom from specific procurement restrictions during peacetime. That freedom is given to permit the flexibility and latitude needed in present day activities. The basic need, however, remains to assure favorable price and adequate service to the Government. To the degree that restrictions have been diminished, therefore, responsibility upon the General Services Administration has been increased.

There is always the danger that the natural desire for flexibility and speed in procurement may lead to excessive placement of contracts by negotiations and undue reliance upon large concerns. This must not occur.

I am therefore asking you to undertake a study looking toward the issuance of detailed standards to guide procurement officers in carrying out the intent of this law to insure a fair and substantial proportion of contract placement with small business establishments. I am relying upon your discretion to delegate the authority to negotiate contracts so that it will be used sparingly and with care, and so that it may be promptly withdrawn when necessary.

In order to make this policy uniform in the Federal Government, I am asking you to make an annual report which will show, as of the end of each fiscal year, the total value and the proportion in each agency of contracts under individual exceptions to competitive bidding the total value and the proportion in

each agency of contracts placed with small business concerns, and any other pertinent information.

I have heretofore required the three departments of the National Military Establishment, and the Coast Guard and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, to make similar reports under Public Law 413, 80th Congress. In the interest of uniformity, the General Services Administration should utilize the definition of small business which those agencies are currently using. Sincerely yours,

HARRY S. TRUMAN

Hon. JESS LARSON,

Administrator,

Federal Works Agency,

Washington 25, D. C.

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT

[STEEL INDUSTRY BOARD]

In accordance with my telegram to the presidents of certain major companies in the basic steel industry on July 12, 1949, I hereby appoint as the Steel Industry Board to investigate and to inquire into the issues in dispute and report to me within forty-five days from July 16, 1949, with their recommendations to the parties as to fair and equitable terms of settlement

Carroll Daugherty, of Illinois, Chairman. Samuel I. Rosenman, of New York. David L. Cole, of New Jersey.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

HARRY S. TRUMAN

July 15, 1949.