Chapter 78. Authorizing the President to coordinate or consolidate executive bureaus, agencies, and offices, and for other purposes, in the interest of economy and the more efficient concentration of the Government
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CHAP. 78.— An Act Authorizing the President to coordinate or consolidate executive bureaus, agencies, and offices, and for other purposes, in the interest of economy and the more efficient concentration of the Government. May 20, 1918.[[S. 3771](/us/bill/65/s/3771).][[Public, No. 152](/us/pl/65/152).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and Bouse of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Consolidation of executive bureaus, etc.Authority vested in the President during present war to utilize more effectively functions, etc., of the Government.
That for the national security and defense, for the successful prosecution of the war, for the support and maintenance of the Army and Navy, for the better utilization of resources and industries, and for the more effective exercise and more efficient administration by the President of his powers as Commander in Chief of the land and naval forces the President is hereby authorized to make such redistribution of functions among executive agencies as he may deem necessary, including any functions, duties, and powers hitherto by law conferred upon any executive department, commission, bureau, agency, office, or officer, in such manner as in his judgment, shall seem best fitted to carry out Written regulations, etc., to be issued.the purposes of this Act, and to this end is authorized to make such regulations and to issue such orders as he may deem necessary, which regulations and orders shall be in writing and shall be filed with the head of the department affected and constitute a public *Provisos*.Duration of authority.record: *Provided*, That this Act shall remain in force during the continuance of the present war and for six months after the termination of the war by the proclamation of the treaty of peace, or at such Termination not to affect acts done, etc.earlier time as the President may designate: *Provided further*, That the termination of this Act shall not affect any act done or any right or obligation accruing or accrued pursuant to this Act and during Limited to acts affecting conduct of the war.the time that this Act is in force: *Provided further*, That the authority by this Act granted shall be exercised only in matters relating to the conduct of the present war.
Sec. 2. Transfer of powers, duties, and personnel of departments, etc., authorized. That in carrying out the purposes of this Act the President is authorized to utilize, coordinate, or consolidate any executive or administrative commissions, bureaus, agencies, offices, or officers 557now existing by law, to transfer any duties or powers from one existing department, commission, bureau, agency, office, or officer to another, to transfer the personnel thereof or any part of it either by detail or assignment, together with the whole or any part of the records and public property belonging thereto.
Sec. 3. That the President is further authorized to establish an Aircraft.Agency for entire control of production, etc., established,Appropriations to be used.executive agency which may exercise such jurisdiction and control over the production of aeroplanes, aeroplane engines, and aircraft equipment as in his judgment may be advantageous; and, further, to transfer to such agency, for its use, all or any moneys heretofore appropriated for the production of aeroplanes, aeroplane engines, and aircraft equipment.
Sec. 4. That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this All moneys restricted to uses for which appropriated.Act, any moneys heretofore and hereafter appropriated for the use of any executive department, commission, bureau, agency, office, or officer shall be expended only for the purposes for which it was appropriated under the direction of such other agency as may be directed y the President hereunder to perform and execute said function. Sec. 5. That should the President, in redistributing the functions Report to Congress on bureaus recommended to be abolished, etc.among the executive agencies as provided in this Act, conclude that any bureau should be abolished and it or their duties and functions conferred upon some other department or bureau or eliminated entirely, he shall report his conclusions to Congress with such recommendations as he may deem proper.
Sec. 6. That all laws or parts of laws conflicting with the provisions Conflicting laws suspended.of this Act are to the extent of such conflict suspended while this Act is in force. Upon the termination of this Act all executive or administrative Status to be restored on termination of Act.agencies, departments, commissions, bureaus, offices, or officers shall exercise the same functions, duties, and powers as heretofore or as hereafter by law may be provided, any authorization of the President under this Act. to the contrary notwithstanding.
Approved, May 20, 1918.