I feel constrained to point out to the Congress again, however, an opportunity which it has for a greater improvement of the public service than will be accomplished by this legislation, and at approximately the same cost.

Important as it is for Members of the Congress to have adequate clerical assistance, it is at least of equal importance to have men of ability in the key executive positions in the Government.

I have signed this Act willingly, for I believe that it is in the interest of the Government and of the people to provide for the efficient conduct of the public business.

I have today approved H.R. 4583, relating to telephone and telegraph service and clerk hire for Members of the House of Representatives.

I am also transmitting to the Congress recommendations for legislation which will implement other recommendations of the Commission and place the operations of the Post Office Department on a more businesslike basis.

Since then I have several times proposed that the Federal Security Agency be made an executive department.

The primary result of this reorganization plan will be more effective administration.

This plan, therefore, will bring their legal status into accord with existing administrative practice.

This plan is a major step in the rebuilding and strengthening of the Department of Labor which I am convinced is essential to the sound and efficient organization of the executive branch of the Government.

The wisdom of this step has been demonstrated by greatly improved staff assistance to the President, which has contributed importantly to the management of the Government during the trying years of war and of post-war adjustment.

In my judgment, this course has been fundamentally unsound and should be reversed.

In this they play a role similar in character to that of the various units of the Executive Office of the President.

I have long been convinced that the Department of Labor is the agency which can contribute most to the development of sound and efficient employment service.

I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949.

The creation of a Department of Welfare represents a sound and much needed step in the improvement of Federal organization.

In fact, many of the problems with which they deal require close collaboration with the agencies of the Executive Office.

The plan gives the Postmaster General the necessary authority to organize and control his department by transferring to him the functions of all subordinate officers and agencies of the Post Office Department.

The creation of a Department of Welfare is long overdue.