OFFICE OF THE SECOND ASSISTANT POSTMASTER

GENERAL.

Principal administrative officials.-Second Assistant Postmaster General; Chief Clerk; Superintendents of Divisions: Railway Mail Service, Foreign Malls, Railway Adjustments.

General information and duties.-The Second Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the steamboat, star route in Alaska, and aeroplane services, and the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified:

Railway adjustments.-Has charge of the preparation of cases authorizing the transportation of mails by railroads and electric and cable car lines; the establishment of railway postal-car service and changes in existing service; prepares orders and instructions for the weighing of the mails on railroads; receives and tabulates the returns and computes basis of pay therefrom; prepares cases for adjustment of allowances to railroads for carrying the mails, and for postal cars; authorizes expenditures and credits for the weighing of the mails, and transportation by freight or express of postal cards, stamped envelopes, periodical mail matter, and mail equipment; examines reports as to the performance of mail service by railroad companies; prepares orders for deductions for nonperformance of service and for imposition of fines for deliquencies; prepares statements of amounts found upon administrative examination to be due the companies for transportation of the mails and for railway post-office car service, and forwards such statements to the Auditor for the Post Office Department for audit and certification for payment; and prepares all correspondence relative to these matters.

Foreign mails.-Is charged with the duty of arranging all details connected with the transportation of foreign mails; the preparation of postal conventions (except those relative to the money-order system) and the regulations for their execution, as well as the consideration of the questions arising under them, and with the preparation of all correspondence relative thereto. Has supervision of the ocean mail service, including the adjustment of accounts with steamship companies for the transportation of mails to foreign countries; prepares orders for the transfer and supervision through the United States postal agent in France of all postal employees in the Army field post offices abroad; and has charge of the distribution and dispatch of mails in the United States and Europe for the American expeditionary forces.

Railway Mail Service.-Is charged with the supervision of the Railway Mail Service and railway postal clerks; prepares cases for the appointment, removal, promotion, and reduction of said clerks; conducts correspondence and issues orders relative to the moving of the mails on railroad trains; has charge of the dispatch and distribution of mail matter in railway postal cars and post offices; conducts the weighing of mails; and attends to all correspondence relative to these matters.

General publications.—(a) Schedule of Steamers Appointed to Convey the United States Mails to Foreign Countries. Issued monthly; contains list of steamers scheduled as above, with mails assigned to each steamer. Furnished free to postal and other Government officials. Sold to others. (Discontinued.) (b) Daily Bulletin of Orders Affecting the Postal Service. Issued daily, except Sundays and holidays; contains brief of orders relating to establishment, change of names, change of sites, and discontinuance of post offices; the establishment and changes of railroad, steamboat, and rural routes; names of postmasters commissioned, and miscellaneous orders relating to the Postal Service. Intended for information of postal employees, but mailed free also to a limited list of other persons especially interested.

Annual and other periodical publications.-Annual Report of the Second Assistant Postmaster General. A brief review of the work of the bureau, relating to the transportation of mails-the Railway Mail Service, steamboat, mail messenger services, foreign mails, adjustments of railway-mail pay, etc. This report is now included in the Annual Report of the Postmaster General. Correspondence.-Requests for the Daily Bulletin of Orders Affecting the Postal Service should be addressed to the Superintendent, Railway Mail Service, Office of Second Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C.

Requests for the Annual Report should be addressed to Chief Clerk, Post Office Department, Washington, D. C.

OFFICE OF THE THIRD ASSISTANT POSTMASTER

GENERAL.

Principal administrative officials.—Third Assistant Postmaster General; Chief Clerk; Superintendents of Divisions; Finance, Stamps, Money Orders, Registered Mails, Classification, Postal Savings Divisions-Director, Assistant Director.

General information and duties.-The Third Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified : Finance. The financial operations, including the collection and deposit of postal revenues; the distribution of postal funds among the several depositaries so as to equalize, as far as possible, receipts and expenditures in the same section; the payment by warrant of all accounts settled by the auditor; the receipt and disposition of all moneys coming directly to the department; and the keeping of books of account showing the fiscal operations of the postal and moneyorder services and the regulation of box rents and key deposits.

Stamps. The supervision of the manufacture and issuance to postmasters of postage stamps, stamp books, stamped envelopes, newspaper wrappers, postal cards, and postal savings stamps and cards by the various contractors; and the keeping of the accounts and records of these transactions; the receipt and disposition of damaged and unsalable stamped paper returned by postmasters for redemption and credit; the issuance to postmasters for sale to the public of United States war savings certificate stamps, United States thrift stamps, and United States internal-revenue stamps, and the keeping of accounts in connection therewith.

Money orders.-The supervision and management of the money-order service, both domestic and international; the preparation of conventions for the exchange of money orders with foreign countries.

Registered mails.-The supervision and management of the registry, insurance, and collect-on-delivery services; the establishment and control of all registry dispatches and exchanges; the instruction of postmasters and the furnishing of information in relation to these matters; and the consideration of all claims for indemnity for injured or lost or registered, insured, and C. O. D. mail.

Classification.-The general control of all business relating to the classification of domestic mail matter and the rates of postage thereon, including the determination of the admissibility of publications to the second class of mail matter, their right to continue in that class, and the instruction of postmasters relative thereto; also the use of penalty envelopes, the franking privilege, and the limit of weight and size of mail matter.

Postal savings.-The conduct and management of the administrative office of the postal savings system at Washington; the selection and designation of post offices as postal savings depository offices and the supervision of the business transacted at such offices; the management and investment of postal savings funds as the agent of the board of trustees; and the administrative examination of accounts of postmasters and other fiscal agents of the system.

Annual and other periodical publications.-Annual Report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General. A brief review of the work of the bureau, including the finances of the department, the workings of the divisions of classification, stamps, also the postal-savings, money-order, and registry systems. This report is now included in the Report of the Postmaster General.

Correspondence.-Applications for copies of the Annual Report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General may be addressed to Chief Clerk, Post Office Department, Washington, D. C.

Requests for post route or rural delivery county maps should be addressed to the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Finance, Washington, D. C. OFFICE OF THE FOURTH ASSISTANT POSTMASTER

GENERAL.

Principal administrative officials.-Fourth Assistant Postmaster General; Chief Clerk; Superintendents of Divisions: Rural Mails, Equipment and Supplies.

General information and duties.-The Fourth Assistant Postmaster General has charge of the following divisions, to which are assigned the duties specified : Rural mails. In this division all petitions for the establishment and extension of rural delivery service are received and examined, and, if accepted, pre

pared for investigation. Through it all orders pertaining to the extension or change of existing service or establishment of new service are issued; also all orders pertaining to the appointment and discipline of rural letter carriers and all other correspondence incident to these matters, including requirements with reference to rural mail boxes. This division also prepares all advertisements inviting proposals for star-route service (except in the Territory of Alaska), receives proposals, prepares awards for execution of all contracts, and prepares all orders for establishment of or change in star routes.

Equipment and supplies.-Is charged with the preparation of specifications for equipment and supplies for the Postal Service, and the duty of determining the needs of the service as to style and character thereof; the preparation of purchase requisitions therefor on the purchasing agent; the custody, transportation, and distribution of equipment and supplies, and the conduct of correspondence relative thereto; the keeping of a record of expenditures as charged to the respective appropriations; the preparation and revision of post-route maps and the supervision of their printing, issue, and distribution; the preparation of specifications for their manufacture, and the general care of stores and property in the department and in the possession of contractors; the making of rural-delivery maps, and the distribution of parcel-post maps, zone keys and guides; the designing or adoption of such new equipment and supplies as may be deemed necessary, and the performance or direction of experimental and research work in connection therewith, as well as the examination and test of the mechanical features of devices; the supervision and operation of the equipment shops, and the keeping of records showing the cost of equipment and its operation and repair.

General publications.—Postal Laws and Regulations Applicable to the Rural Mail Service. An abstract of the Postal Laws and Regulations applying particularly to the conduct of the rural mail service.

Method of distribution of general publications.-The preceding pamphlet is designed primarily for the information and guidance of rural carriers and postmasters, to whom it is supplied. Sold to those outside the postal service.

Annual and other periodical publications.-Annual Report of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General. A brief review of the work of the bureau for the year, relating to the rural delivery service and the supplies for the postal service. This report is now included in the Report of the Postmaster Genera!. Maps.-Post Route Maps are published semiannually, January and July 1, each year. They show by States all post offices, counties, lakes, rivers, streams, steam and electric roads that carry mail, star routes, and rural delivery routes that supply post offices. Sold. Price list furnished free on request.

Rural delivery county maps.-These maps have been made for counties that have complete rural service; are on a scale of about 1 mile to the inch; show roads, post offices, villages, streams, schoolhouses, churches, and railroads that carry mail. Sold at 20 cents each. List of completed maps may be obtained upon request.

Correspondence.-Requests for copies of the Postal Laws and Regulations applicable to the rural mail service, from persons not connected with the postal service, should be addressed to the Superintendent of Public Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Requests for maps should be addressed to the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Division of Finance, Washington, D. C.

PART VI.-DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY.

(For location of department and bureaus, see page 189.)

Principal administrative officials.-Secretary of the Navy; Assistant Secre tary; Aid to the Secretary of the Navy; Chief Clerk; Disbursing Clerk; Superintendent Office of Naval Records and Library; Correspondence, Mails, and Files; Appointment Clerk; Special Duty, Secretary's Office; Naval Consulting Board. General information and duties.-The Secretary of the Navy performs such duties as the President of the United States, who is Commander in Chief, may assign him and has the general superintendence of construction, manning, armament, equipment, and employment of vessels of war.

The Assistant Secretary of the Navy performs such duties in the Navy Department as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy or required by law.

The Chief Clerk has general charge of the records and correspondence of the Secretary's office and performs such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Secretary of the Navy.

General publications.—(a) American Samoa. A pamphlet containing general information on American Samoa, viz, its geography, history, laws, government, agriculture, industries, and the characteristics and customs of its people. Distributed free upon request.

(b) The Island of Guam. A pamphlet published about February 1, 1917, containing general information on Guam similar in extent and presentation to that embraced in the pamphlet American Samoa. Distributed free upon request.

Annual and other periodical publications.-(a) Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy. A pamphlet containing a general résumé of existing conditions in the Naval Establishment, a record of operation and progress during the fiscal year for which issued, and a general consideration of problems which will demand solution in the future. Distributed free upon request.

(b) Annual Reports of the Navy Department. A publication in which are brought together in one volume the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy and the annual reports of the several bureaus and offices of the Navy Department. Distributed free upon request.

Correspondence.-Requests for publications should be addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

OFFICE OF NAVAL RECORDS AND LIBRARY.

General publications.-Only publication now being issued by this office is the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. Twenty-six volumes have been distributed; the twenty-seventh is in the hands of the Public Printer. It is expected that two or three more will follow. Method of distribution of general publications.-The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion are distributed free under authority of Members of the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses, each Senator having designated 24 and each Representative 19 addresses to which sets are being sent as volumes are published. The assignment of sets has been practically completed. A circular is issued furnishing data concerning topics covered by these records, the plan of publication and distribution, and acts of Congress governing their issue. Address Superintendent of Naval Records and Library, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD OF THE UNITED STATES.

Principal administrative officials.-President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.

The above officers, with 20 additional members, form the board. There are 21 standing committees of the board.

General information and duties.-The board was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to assist in the solution of technical problems connected with the Navy. It maintains an office in New York for meetings and consultation. Publications.-Publications are issued from time to time as needed. Address of the board is 13 Park Row, New York City, N. Y.

OFFICE OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.

Principal administrative officials.-Chief of Naval Operations, Assistant for Operations, Assistant for Material, Chief Clerk.

General information and duties.-During the temporary absence of the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy the Chief of Naval Operations is next in succession to act as Secretary of the Navy. (Act Mar. 3, 1915.) The Chief of Naval Operations, while so serving as such Chief of Naval Operations, shall have the rank and title of admiral, to take rank next after the Admiral of the Navy. (Act Aug. 29, 1916.)

The Chief of Naval Operations, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, is charged with the operations of the fleet and with the preparation and readiness of plans for its use in war. (Act Mar. 3, 1915.) This includes the direction of the Naval War College, the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Office of Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Performances, the Office of Naval Communications, the operations of Aviation Service and all Naval Districts, Aeronautic Service, of Mines and Mining, of the Naval Defense Districts, Naval Militia, and of the Coast Guard when operating with the Navy; the direction of all strategic and tactical matters, organization, maneuvers, target practice, drills and exercises, and of the training of the fleet for war; and the preparation, revision, and enforcement of all tactics, and drill books, signal codes, and cipher codes.

The Chief of Naval Operations is charged with the preparation, revision, and record of Regulations for the Government of the Navy, Naval Instructions, and General Orders. He advises the Secretary concerning the movements and operations of vessels of the Navy and prepares all orders issued by the Secretary in regard thereto, and keeps the records of service of all fleets, squadrons, and ships. He advises the Secretary in regard to the military features of all new ships and as to any proposed extensive alterations of a ship which will affect her military value, and all features which affect the military value of dry docks, including their location; also as to matters pertaining to fuel reservations and depots, the location of radio stations, reserves of ordnance and ammunition, fuel, stores, and other supplies of whatsoever nature, with a view to meeting effectively the demands of the fleet.

In preparing and maintaining in readiness plans for the use of the fleet in war he freely consults with and has the advice and assistance of the various bureaus, boards, and offices of the department, including the Marine Corps headquarters, in matters coming under their cognizance. After the approval of any given war plans by the Secretary it is the duty of the Chief of Naval Operations to assign to the bureaus, boards, and offices such parts thereof as may be needed for the intelligent carrying out of their respective duties in regard to such plans. The Chief of Naval Operations is charged with matters pertaining to the operation of aircraft and aircraft stations. He has supervision of the training of officers and men in the Aeronautic Service.

The Chief of Naval Operations from time to time witnesses the operations of the fleet as an observer.

He has two principal senior assistants, officers not below the grade of captain, one as assistant for operations and the other as assistant for matériel. He is ex officio a member of the General Board.

COMMUNICATION OFFICE.

The Naval Communication Service is established under the Chief of Naval Operations and embraces the Office of Naval Communications. The Director of Naval Communication is responsible for the efficient handling of all radio, telegraph, telephone, cable, and signal work, including submarine signaling, etc., used in connection with naval communications; has charge of cable and radio censorship. He is responsible for the preparation of calls, signal books, and ciphers. Under his administration of the foregoing means of communication, he has general charge of their operation, personnel, organization, etc.