the technical principles and operations involved in the work thereof. Each of the seven directors shall be removed from office for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, but for no other cause, except that they may be removed when they shall have reached the age of seventy years. The directors shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them, respectively, by the administrator of public works. In event of absence of the administrator, for whatever cause, the senior director on duty shall be acting administrator. If any director is appointed from the civil service, he shall not lose his civil-service status for retirement purposes, and deduction from his pay shall be made as now provided by law. The salary of each of the seven directors shall not exceed $9,000 per annum, payable monthly.

SEC. 4. Except as otherwise provided in this act, the administrator of public works shall perform his duties under the direction of the President and shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the design, construction, maintenance, operation, and repair of all public buildings and public works under the control of the United States, including railroads, highways, roads, bridges, telephone and telegraph lines, buildings, monuments, memorials, parks and grounds, irrigation and drainage systems, water supply systems, dams, canals, river and harbor improvements, and all other public works which require engineering or architectural skill in their execution, and all scientific, architectural, and engineering instrumentalities essential to such design and construction as hereinafter provided or may be authorized by law: Provided, That the specifications for all such public buildings and public works shall be in such terms as to permit full and free competition by all qualified and competent bidders and that no contract shall be let within seven days after the bids therefor are opened nor while a protest with respect to the specifications and/or any bid is pending undetermined before the Comptroller General of the United States: And provided further. That the terms of this act shall not extend to military and naval fortifications, nor battleships and other like facilities required exclusively for the use of the Military and Naval Establishments in providing for the national defense, nor to the Panama Canal, but shall include such construction work as may be necessary to provide barracks and quarters, warehouses, hangars, and other similar structures for the Military and Naval Establishments.

SEC. 5. That all unexpended appropriations which shall be available when this act takes effect for the various bureaus, offices, and branches of the public service which are by this act transferred to or included in the administration of public works, or which are abolished by this act and their authority, power, and duties transferred to the administrator of public works, shall be transferred on the books of the United States Treasury to a fund to be known as "the public works fund," for expenditure in and by the administrator of public works for the purposes for which appropriated, and shall be treated the same as if said branches of the public service had been directly named in the laws making said appropriations as parts of the administration of public works. All appropriations hereafter made for the payment of the cost of design, construction, operation, maintenance, and/or repair of any public work for the use of any executive department or any independent establishment other than the administration of public works shall be transferred on the books of the Treas ury to "the public works fund," to be expended by the administrator of public works for the purposes for which appropriated and in behalf of the said executive department or independent establishment, and said administrator shall charge the cost of such public works to said fund in the proportion that the appropriations for such works were made for the several executive departments and/or independent establishments concerned: Provided, That hereafter estimates for appropriations for the construction and/or repair of any public buildings or for any public work shall be submitted by the administrator of public works in accordance with the Budget and accounting act of 1921, with a detailed statement of the reasons for the appropriations requested: And provided further, That the President, upon the advice of the administrator of public works, may declare through an Executive order the existence of an emergency and may make immediately available such portion of the public works fund as the President may deem necessary to initiate work on such public works projects as may have been previously authorized by law.

SEC. 6. That the administration of public works shall have the control of and the allotment of all space in the several public buildings owned or buildings leased by the United States in the District of Columbia, with the exception of the Executive Mansion and office of the President, the Capitol Building, the Senate and House Office Buildings, the buildings under the jurisdiction of

the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Congressional Library Buildings, and the building for the Supreme Court of the United States, and shall from time to time assign and allot for the use of the several activities of the Government all such space. The administrator of public works shall in his annual report to Congress give a detailed account of the buildings and space occupied by the various offices, establishments, and services of the Government in the District of Columbia, setting forth among other things the number of square feet of space occupied by each such office, establishment, and service, whether the quarters provided are the property of the Government or are rented, the amount of rental paid, the persons, firms, or corporations to whom paid, and the number of square feet of office space per employee in each office, establishment, and service.

SEC. 7. That all authority, powers and duties conferred and imposed by law upon the Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army relating to the improvement of rivers and harbors; the protection and preservation of navigable waters, including the establishment of harbor lines and anchorage grounds; the issuance and enforcement of regulations for the use, administration, and navigation of navigable waters; the issuance of permits for the construction, alteration, maintenance, and operation of bridges over navigable waters and other structures or work in navigable waters; the removal of wrecks and other obstructions to navigations; the supervision of the harbor of New York and adjacent waters to prevent obstructive and in jurious deposits; the preservation of Niagara Falls; the construction, maintenance, operation, and repair of public buildings, monuments, memorials, roads, and bridges; the maintenance of public parks and grounds; and all other public works requiring engineering or architectural skill in their execution unless they are for the exclusive use of the Military or Naval Establishments in providing for the national defense, shall be held, exercised, and performed by the administrator of public works in the same manner as if said administrator of public works had been directly named in the laws conferring or imposing such authority, powers, and duties.

SEC. 8. (a) That the following named bureaus, offices, and branches of the public service now and heretofore under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, and all that pertains to the same, known as the Reclamation Service and the National Park Service, are hereby transferred from the Interior Department to the administration of public works.

(b) That the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury, and all that pertains to the same, heretofore under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury, are hereby transferred to the administration of public works. (c) That the following-named bureaus and services now and heretofore under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, and all that pertains to the same, known as the Bureau of Public Roads and the Forest Service, except the agricultural functions of the Forest Service, are hereby transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the administration of public works.

(d) That the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, and all that pertains to the same, is hereby placed under the jurisdiction and made part of the administration of public works.

(e) That the commission created under section 22 of the act approved March 4, 1913, entitled "An act to increase the limit of cost of certain public buildings; to authorize the enlargement, extension, remodeling, or improvement of certain public buildings; to authorize the erection and completion of public buildings; to authorize the purchase of sites for public buildings, and for other purposes," known as the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Commission, is hereby abolished, and the authority, powers, and duties conferred and imposed by law upon said commission shall be held, exercised, and performed by the administrator of public works.

(f) That the Commission of Fine Arts, and all that pertains to the same, is hereby placed under the jurisdiction of the administration of public works, and all reports and recommendations of said commission shall be submitted to the administrator of public works for approval.

(g) That the following-named officers, commissions, boards, and branches of the public service now and heretofore under the jurisdiction of the Department of War and all that pertains to the same, excepting such instrumentalities as are exclusively or chiefly employed in the construction and maintenance of fortifications and other works primarily and directly connected with the national defense, known as the board of engineers for rivers and harbors, the Board of Engineers of New York City, the Office of the Supervisor of the Harbor of New

York, the United States Engineer Offices, the Mississippi River Commission, the California Débris Commission, the Board of Road Commissioners for Alaska, Alaska Telegraph and Cable System, Washington Monument, municipal functions pertaining to the District of Columbia, including the functions now exercised by the Municipal Architect of the District of Columbia, and all other agencies and instrumentalities under the jurisdiction of the Department of War which are principally employed in the supervision or prosecution of engineering works or other public works of a nonmilitary character or in the performance of any of the duties enumerated in section 2 hereof are hereby transferred to the administration of public works: Provided, That all officers of the United States Army and/or Navy detailed at the date of the passage of this act to nonmilitary and/or nonnaval duties having to do with rivers and harbors improvements, the Mississippi River Commission, and all other functions and instrumentalities placed under the jurisdiction of the administration of public works by the provisions of this act shall continue on such duties under the administration of public works for such period, not exceeding two years, as the administrator of public works may find necessary to make gradual transfer of said functions and instrumentalities to the administration of public works without detriment to the public interest, and on or before the expiration of said two years said officers of the United States Army and/or Navy shall be returned to military and/or naval duties: Provided further, That for the purpose of giving to the officers of the United States Army and/or Navy the broadest possible experience in engineering work, such officers may, with the consent and approval of the administrator of public works, be detailed by the Secretory of War and/or the Secretary of the Navy to temporary duty in the administration of public works, and they shall be assigned by the administrator of public works to such duties as he shall, after consultation with the Secretary of War and/or the Secretary of the Navy, deem best adapted to the purposes of such detail: Provided further, That all officers of the United States Army and/or Navy attached to the administration of public works shall retain their military and/or naval rank and succession and receive the same pay and allowances provided by law for other officers of the Army and/or Navy of the same rank and length of service, but such pay and allowances shall be charged to the appropriations made for the pay and allowances of Army and Navy officers, respectively.

SEO. 9. That the official records, books, and papers now on file in and pertaining exclusively to the business of any bureau, office, or branch of the public service which is transferred by this act to the administration of public works, or which is abolished by this act and its authority, powers, and duties transferred to the administration of public works, together with the furniture, equipment, and other property now in use in said bureau, office, or branch of the public service, are hereby transferred to the administration of public works. The officers, clerks, and employees now employed in or under the jurisdiction of any bureau, office, or branch of the public service which is by this act transferred to or included in the administration of public works, or which is abolished by this act and its authority, powers, and duties transferred to said administration, are each and all hereby transferred to said administration at their present grades and salaries, except as otherwise provided in this act.

SEC. 10. That until other suitable quarters are provided, the administration of public works may occupy any buildings and premises now occupied by any bureau, office, or branch of the public service which is by this act transferred to or included in the administration of public works, or which is abolished by this act and its authority, powers, and duties transferred to said administration. SEC. 11. That all laws prescribing the work and defining the duties of the several bureaus, offices, and branches of the public service which are by this act transferred to the administration of public works, or which are abolished by this act and their authority, powers, and duties transferred to said administration, shall, so far as the same are not in conflict with the provisions of this act, remain in full force and effect until otherwise provided by law. All authority, powers, and duties now held, exercised, and performed by the head of any executive department in and over any bureau, office, officer, commission, or branch of the public service which is by this act transferred to the administration of public works, or which is abolished by this act and its authority, powers, and duties transferred to said administration, or in and over any business arising therefrom or pertaining thereto, or in relation to the duties performed by and authority conferred by law upon such bureau,

office, officer, or branch of the public service, whether of an appellate or revisory character or otherwise, shall hereafter be vested in and exercised and performed by the administrator of public works: Provided, That nothing in this act shall be construed to affect the jurisdiction, duties, or authority of the Comptroller General of the United States.

SEC. 12. That the administration of public works shall have jurisdiction over the design, construction, maintenance, operation, and repair of all governmental buildings and facilities hereby transferred to the Administration of Public Works and of all of those now under or which may hereafter be placed under the authority of any executive department, independent establishment, commission, or any other governmental agency except as otherwise specifically provided: Provided, That the administration of public works shall design and construct the buildings and other facilities in conformity with the requirements and desires of those authorities which the administration of public works may be serving unless the President shall otherwise direct.

SEC. 13. That the administration of public works shall make annually, at the close of each fiscal year, a report in writing to Congress, giving an account of all moneys received and disbursed by him and the administration of public works, describing in detail the work done by the administration of public works and making such recommendations as he shall deem necessary for the effective performance of the duties and purposes of the same. He shall also make, from time to time, such special reports as may be required of him by the President or either House of Congress, or as he himself may deem necessary and desirable.

SEC. 14. The Civil Service Commission shall establish an eligible register for engineers, architects, and other similar employees for the administration of public works, and the examination of applicants for entrance upon such register shall be based upon questions approved by the administrator of public works.

SEC. 15. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the terms of this act are hereby repealed, and the administration of public works is authorized to perform any and all such acts and to make such rules and regulations in accordance with law as may be necessary and proper for the purpose of carrying the provisions of this act into full force and effect.

SEC. 16. This act shall take effect upon its approval but shall not affect the validity of any contract which shall have been entered into in accordance with existing law prior to the effective date of this act.

[H. R. 6665, Seventy-second Congress, first session]

A BILL To establish a public works administration and transfer to and consolidate and coordinate therein all the public works activities of the Government

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there be established at the seat of Government an activity to be known as the public works administration. There shall be at the head of such administration an officer to be known as the administrator of public works, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Such administrator shall receive a salary of $12,000 a year, payable monthly, and, under the direction of the President, shall have the control and management of the various bureaus, agencies, and activities that the President may transfer to and consolidate in the public works administration.

TRANSFER OF PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES

SEC. 2. (a) The President is authorized, by Executive order, to transfer to the public works administration, and to consolidate and coordinate therein, the whole or any part of all bureaus, agencies, offices, activities, and services, whether now existing in any executive department, independent establishment, or as an independent activity, having to do or that are concerned with the architectural, engineering, surveying, designing, drafting, construction, and/or purchasing activities of the Government, and/or that are engaged in the making of plans, specifications, contracts, and/or the supervising of public construction. The transfer of any activity to the public works administration shall carry with it such property, fixtures, records, and files as may be necessary to its proper functioning under the administrator.

(b) All authority, power, and duties now vested by law in the head of any executive department, independent establishment, or office in and over any bureau, agency, office, officers, or branch of the public service, or in respect of any function or service transferred to the public works administration under this act, or in or over any contract or business arising therefrom or pertaining thereto, shall be vested in and exercised and performed by the administrator. (c) All valid contracts and agreements entered into by any bureau, agency, office, officer, or branch of the public service, and in force at the time of transfer to the public works administration, shall be assumed and carried out by the administrator.

(d) Under the direction of the President, the administrator of public works shall have the power, by order or regulation to consolidate, eliminate, or redistribute the functions of the bureaus, offices, agencies, activities, and services in the public works administration and to create new ones therein, and, by rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, shall fix the functions thereof and the duties and powers of their respective executive heads.

APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES

SEC. 3. (a) The administrator of public works may appoint from time to time such assistants, architects, engineers, and experts in design and drafting as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.

(b) The personnel on duty at the time of the transfer of any bureau, agency, office, activity, or service shall be transferred to and given appointment in the public works administration, subject to such change in designation and organization as the administrator may deem necessary.

(c) Such of the employees as have a civil service status at the time of transfer shall retain that status and, by executive order, all others may be given a civil service status in accordance with the laws relating thereto upon such terms and conditions as the President may direct. Whether covered into the civil service or not, the salaries of such officers and employees shall be fixed in accordance with the classification act of 1923, as amended. (U. S. C., title 5, ch. 13; U. S. C., Supp. V, title 5, ch. 13.)

EXISTING LAW AND REGULATIONS UNCHANGED

SEC. 4. (a) All laws relating to such bureaus, agencies, offices, activities, and services as are transferred to the public work administration, so far as the same are applicable, shall remain in full force and effect, except as herein modified, and shall be administered by the administrator.

(b) All orders, rules, and regulations in effect with respect to any activity at the time it is transferred shall continue in force, until modified, superseded, or repealed by the administrator.

(c) All unexpended appropriations in respect of any bureau, agency, office, activity, or service transferred to the public works administration shall be as available for expenditure by the public works administration as though said administration had been originally named in the law authorizing such appropriations.

SERVICES FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS

SEC. 5. (a) Whenever any executive department, independent establishment or other agency or activity of the Government shall be in need of any service or matter coming within the purview of the functions of the public works administration, such department, establishment, agency, or activity shall make appropriate request in writing to the administrator of public works, who shall forthwith place his administration at the service of the department, establishment, agency, or activity making the request.

(b) All estimates for public work and construction coming within the purview of the public works administration at the time such estimates are made shall be made by the administrator and all appropriations for public work and construction shall be made directly to the administration: Provided, That said administrator shall make a book charge against the executive department, independent establishment, or agency of the Government covering the cost of any services, public work, or construction, performed for such department, establishment, or agency. The amount thereof shall be promptly reported to the department, establishment, or agency for whom services, public, or