NAtional 3120: The Senate, Branch 18;
House of Representatives, Branch 220
Seventy-ninth Congress, First Session
President of the Senate (Vice President of the United States) Harry S. Truman President of the Senate Pro Tempore Kenneth McKellar Secretary Leslie L. Biffle Sergeant at Arms Wall Doxey Chief Clerk John C. Crickett Secretary for the Majority (Vacancy) Secretary for the Minority Carl A. Loeffler Chaplain Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, D.D.
The House of Representatives
The Speaker Sam Rayburn Clerk South Trimble Sergeant at Arms Kenneth Romney Doorkeeper Ralph R. Roberts Postmaster Finis E. Scott Chaplain Rev. James Shera Montgomery
Creation and Authority.--The Congress of the United States was created by Article I, section 1, of the Constitution, adopted by the Continental Congress on September 17, 1787, providing that "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives."
The first Congress under the Constitution met on March 4, 1789, in the Federal Hall in New York City. The membership then consisted of 22 Senators and 59 Representatives.
Organization--The Senate is composed of 96 members, 2 from each State, who are elected to serve for a term of 6 years. Senators were originally chosen by the State legislatures. This procedure was changed by Article XVII of the Amendments to the Constitution,
adopted in 1913, which made the election of Senators a function of the people. One-third of the Senate is elected every 2 years.
The House of Representatives comprises, at the present time, 435 Representatives. The umber representing each State is determined by population but every State is entitled to at least one Representative. members are elected by the people for 2-year terms, all terms running for the same period.
Both the Senators and their Representatives must be residents of the State form which they are chosen. In addition, a Senator must be at least 30 years of age and must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years; a Representative must be at least 25 years of age and must have been a citizen for at least 7 years.
One Delegate each from the Territories of Hawaii and Alaska and one Resident Commissioner each from the Commonwealth of the Philippines and Puerto Rico represent the Territories and Insular Possessions and complete the composition of the Congress of the United States. These Delegates take part in the discussions but have no vote.
The Vice President of the United States is the presiding officer of the Senate; in his absence the duties are taken over by a president pro tempore, elected by that body. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, the Speaker, is elected by the House; he may designate any Member of the House to act in his absence.
The Secretary of the Senate, elected by vote of the Senate, performs the duties of the presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President and pending the election of a President pro tempore. He is the custodian of the seal of the Senate, draws requisitions on the Secretary of the Treasury for moneys appropriated for the compensation of Senators, officers, and employees and for the contingent expenses of the Senate, and is empowered to administer oaths to any office of the Senate and to any witness produced before it. His executive duties include certification of extracts from the Journal of the Senate, the attestation of bills, and joint, concurrent, and Senate resolutions, and in impeachment trials may issue, under the authority of the Presiding Officer, all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by the Senate, and he certifies to the President of the United States ratification of treaties and the names of persons confirmed or rejected upon the nomination of the President.
The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate is elected by the Senate and is required to be present on the floor during all sessions of the Senate. As executive officer it is his duty to procure a quorum for the Senate. He has charge of the Senate Galleries and supervises the Gallery Doorkeepers, Capitol Police, and various subordinate officers of his department.
The Clerk of the House presides at the beginning of a Congress until the election of a Speaker. He is a continuing officer whose duties do not terminate with the sine die adjournment of Congress; his duties are largely executive and quasi-judicial in nature; he attests bills, resolutions, and subpenas; is custodian of the Seal of the House, and prepares the roll of Representatives-elect.
Committees.--The work of preparing and considering legislation is done largely by committees of both Houses of Congress. There are
33 standing committees in the Senate and 47 in the House of Representatives. in addition, there are special committees in each House, and approximately 18 congressional commissions and joint committee composed of Members of both Houses. Each House may also appoint special investigating committees.
The personnel of the standing committees of each House is chosen by a vote of the entire body; members of other committees are appointed by the presiding officers.
All bills and resolutions are referred to the appropriate committees, which may report a bill out in its original form, vote against it in committee, make changes, or allow the proposed legislation to die in committee.
Congressional Record.--All proceedings of Congress are published in the Congressional Record, which is issued daily when Congress is in session. Publication of the Record began March 4, 1873; it was the first series officially reported, printed, and published directly by the Federal Government.
Sessions.--Section 4 of Article I of the Constitution makes it mandatory that "The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year." Under this provision, also, the date for convening Congress was designated originally as the first Monday in December, "unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.": Eighteen acts were passed, up to 1820, providing for the meeting of Congress on other days of the year. From 1820 to 1934, however, Congress met regularly on the first Monday in December. In 1934 the Twentieth Amendment changed the convening of Congress to January 3, unless Congress "shall by law appoint a different day." The President "may on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them."
Powers of Congress.--Article I, section 8, of the Constitution defines the powers of Congress. Included are the powers to assess and collect taxes--called the chief power; to regulate commerce, both interstate and foreign; to coin money; to establish post offices and post roads; to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court; to declare war; to raise and maintain an army and navy. Congress is further empowered "To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions"; "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."
Amendments to the Constitution.--Another power vested in the Congress is the right to propose amendments to the Constitution, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary. Should two-thirds of the State legislature demand changes in the Constitution, it is the duty of Congress to call a constitutional convention. Proposed amendments shall be valid as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures or by conventions of three-fourths of the States, as one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress.
Special Powers of the Senate.--Under the Constitution the Senate is granted certain powers not accorded to the House of Representatives. The Senate approves or disapproves major Presidential
appointments by majority vote; and treaties must be ratified by a two-thirds vote. The President may call a special session of the Senate even when the House is not sitting.
Special Powers of the House of Representatives.--The House of Representatives is granted the power of originating all bills for the raising of revenue.
Both Houses of Congress act in impeachment proceedings, which, according to the Constitution, may be instituted against the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States. The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, and the Senate has the sole power to try impeachments.
Prohibitions Upon Congress.--The Constitution also imposes prohibitions upon Congress: "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it." At bill of attainder or an ex post facto law cannot be passed. No export duty can be imposed, Ports of one State cannot be given preference over those of another State. "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." No title of nobility may be granted.
Rights of Members.--According to section 6 of Article I, Members of Congress are granted certain privileges. In no case, except in treason, felony, and breach of the peace, can Members be arrested while attending sessions of Congress "and in going to and returning from the same." Furthermore, the Members cannot be questioned in any other place for remarks made in Congress. Senators and representatives cannot be impeached; each House, however, may expel a Member of its body by a two-thirds vote.
Enactment of Laws.--All bills and joint resolutions must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate and must be signed by the President in order to become law, or be passed over the President's veto by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress. "If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within 10 Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law." When a bill or joint resolution is introduced in the House, the procedure for its enactment into a law is as follows:
- Assignment to House committee having jurisdiction.
- If favorably considered, it is reported to the House either in its original form or with amendments.
- If the bill or resolution is passed by the House, it is carried to the Senate and referred to the committee having jurisdiction.
- In the Senate committee, as well as in the House committee, the bill may be shelved, approved as it stands, or amended.
- The approved bill or resolution is reported to the Senate, and if passed by that body, returned to the House.
- Differences in the two bodies over the measure necessitate a joint conference committee to effect a compromise, or either body may agree to the amendments of the other body.
- When a bill or joint resolution is finally approved by both Houses, it is signed by the Speaker and the Vice President and is presented by the Committee on Enrolled Bills to the President.
- Once the President's signature is affixed, the measure become a law. If the President vetoes the bill, it cannot become a law unless it is repassed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses.
Senators [Democrats in roman (55); Republicans in italics (40); Progressives in SMALL CAPS (1); total 96] Name State City Aiken, George D. Vermont Putney Andrews, Charles O. Florida Orlando Austin, Warren R. Vermont Burlington Bailey, Josiah W. North Carolina Raleigh Ball, Joseph H. Minnesota St. Paul Bankhead, John H. Alabama Jasper Barkley, Alben W. Kentucky Paducah Bilbo, Theodore G. Mississippi Poplarville Brewster, Owen Maine Dexter Bridges, Styles New Hampshire Concord Briggs, Frank P. Missouri Macon Brooks, C. Wayland Illinois Chicago Buck, C. Douglass Delaware Wilmington Burton, Harold H. Ohio Cleveland Bushfield, Harlan J. South Dakota Miller Butler, Hugh Nebraska Omaha Byrd, Harry Flood Virginia Berryville Capehart, Homer E. Indiana Indianapolis Capper, Arthur Kansas Topeka Chandler, Albert B. Kentucky Versailles Chavez, Dennis New Mexico Albuquerque Connally, Tom Texas Marlin Cordon, Guy Oregon Roseburg Donnell, Forrest C. Missouri Webster Groves Downey, Sheridan California Laguna Beach Eastland, James O. Mississippi Ruleville Ellender, Allen J. Louisiana Houma Ferguson, Homer Michigan Detroit Fulbright, J. William Arkansas Fayetteville George, Walter F. Georgia Vienna Gerry, Peter G. Rhode Island Providence Glass, Carter Virginia Lynchburg Green, Theodore Francis Rhode Island Providence Guffey, Joseph F. Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Gurney, Chan South Dakota Yankton Hart, Thomas C. Connecticut Sharon Hatch, Carl A. New Mexico Clovis Hawkes, Albert W. New Jersey Montclair Hayden, Carl Arizona Phoenix Hickenlooper, Bourke B. Iowa Cedar Rapids Hill, Lister Alabama Montgomery Hoey, Clyde R. North Carolina Shelby Johnson, Edwin C. Colorado Craig Johnson, Hiram W. California San Francisco Johnston, Olin D. South Carolina Spartanburg Kilgore, Harley M. West Virginia Beckley LA FOLLETTE, ROBERT M., JR. Wisconsin Madison Langer, William North Dakota Bismarck Lucas, Scott W. Illinois Havana McCarran, Pat Nevada Reno McClellan, John L. Arkansas Camden McFarland, Ernest W. Arizona Florence McKellar, Kenneth Tennessee Memphis McMahon, Brien Connecticut Norwalk Magnuson, Warren G. Washington Seattle Maybank, Burnet R. South Carolina Charleston Mead, James M. New York Buffalo
Name State City Millikin, Eugene D. Colorado Denver Mitchell, Hugh B. Washington Everett Moore, E.H. Oklahoma Tulsa Morse, Wayne L. Oregon Eugene Murdock, Abe Utah Beaver Murray, James E. Montana Butte Myers, Francis J. Pennsylvania Philadelphia O'Daniel, W. Lee Texas Fort Worth O'Mahoney, Joseph C. Wyoming Cheyenne Overton, John H. Louisiana Alexandria Pepper, Claude Florida Tallahassee Radcliffe, George L. Maryland Baltimore Reed, Clyde M. Kansas Parsons Revercomb, Chapman West Virginia Charleston Robertson, Edward V. Wyoming Cody Russell, Richard B. Georgia Winder Saltonstall, Leverett Massachusetts Boston Scrugham, James G. Nevada Reno Shipstead, Henrik Minnesota Carlos, R.F.D. Smith, H. Alexander New Jersey Princeton Stewart, Tom Tennessee Winchester Taft, Robert A. Ohio Cincinnati Taylor, Glen H. Idaho Pocatello Thomas, Elbert D. Utah Salt Lake City Thomas, Elmer Oklahoma Medicine Park Thomas, John Idaho Gooding Tobey, Charles W. New Hampshire Temple Tunnell, James M. Delaware Georgetown Tydings, Millard E. Maryland Havre de Grace Vandenberg, Arthur H. Michigan Grand Rapids Wagner, Robert F. New York New York City Walsh, David I. Massachusetts Clinton Wheeler, Burton K. Montana Butte Wherry, Kenneth S. Nebraska Pawnee City White, Wallace H., Jr. Maine Auburn Wiley, Alexander Wisconsin Chippewa Falls Willis, Raymond E. Indiana Angola Wilson, George A. Iowa Des Moines Young, Milton R. North Dakota LaMoure
Representatives [Democrats in roman (242); Republicans in italics (190); Progressives in SMALL CAPS (1); American Labor in italic SMALL CAPS; Vacancy (1); total 435] Name District State City Abernethy, Thomas G. 4 Mississippi Okolona Adams, Sherman 2 New Hampshire Lincoln Allen, A. Leonard 8 Louisiana Winnfield Allen, Leo E. 13 Illinois Galena Andersen, H. Carl 7 Minnesota Tyler Anderson, Clinton P. At L. New Mexico Albuquerque Anderson, Jack Z. 8 California San Juan Bautista Andresen, August H. 1 Minnesota Red Wing Andrews, George W. 3 Alabama Union Springs Andrews, Walter G. 42 New York Buffalo Angell, Homer D. 3 Oregon Portland Arends, Leslie C. 17 Illinois Melvin Arnold, Wat 1 Missouri Kirksville Auchincloss, James C. 3 New Jersey Rumson Bailey, Cleveland M. 3 West Virginia Clarksburg Baldwin, H. Streett 2 Maryland Hydes Baldwin, Joseph Clark 17 New York New York City Barden, Graham A. 3 North Carolina New Bern Barrett, Frank A. At L. Wyoming Lusk --22--
Name District State City Barrett, William A. 1 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Barry, William B. 4 New York St. Albans Bates, George J. 6 Massachusetts Salem Bates, Joe B. 8 Kentucky Greenup Beall, J. Glenn 6 Maryland Frostburg Beckworth, Lindley 3 Texas Gilmer Bell, C. Jasper 4 Missouri Blue Springs Bender, George H. At L. Ohio Cleveland Heights Bennet, Augustus W. 29 New York Balmville (Newburgh) Bennet, Marion T. 6 Missouri Springfield Biemiller, Andrew J. 5 Wisconsin Milwaukee Bishop, C.W. (Runt) 25 Illinois Carterville Blackney, William W. 6 Michigan Flint Bland, Schuyler Otis 1 Virginia Newport News Bloom, Sol 20 New York New York City Bolton, Frances P. 22 Ohio Lyndhurst Bonner, Herbert C. 1 North Carolina Washington Boren, Lyle H. 4 Oklahoma Seminole Boykin, Frank W. 1 Alabama Mobile Bradley, Fred 11 Michigan Rogers City Bradley, Michael J. 3 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Brehm, Walter E. 11 Ohio Logan Brooks, Overton 4 Louisiana Shreveport Brown, Clarence J. 7 Ohio Blanchester Brown, Paul 10 Georgia Elberton Brumbaugh, D. Emmert 22 Pennsylvania Claysburg Bryson, Joseph R. 4 South Carolina Greenville Buck, Ellsworth B. 16 New York Stapleton Buckley, Charles A. 25 New York New York City Buffett, Howard H. 2 Nebraska Omaha Bulwinkle, Alfred L. 11 North Carolina Gastonia Bunker, Berkeley, L. At L. Nevada Las Vegas Burch, Thomas G. 5 Virginia Martinsville Burgin, W.O. 8 North Carolina Lexington Butler, John C. 44 New York Buffalo Byrne, William T. 32 New York Loudonville Byrnes, John W. 8 Wisconsin Green Bay Camp, A. Sidney 4 Georgia Neman Campbell, Howard E. 29 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Canfield, Gordon 8 New Jersey Paterson Cannon, Clarence 9 Missouri Elsberry Cannon, Pat 4 Florida Miami Carlson, Frank 6 Kansas Concordia Carnahan, A.S.J. 8 Missouri Ellsinore Case, Clifford P. 6 New Jersey Rahway Case, Francis 2 South Dakota Custer Celler, Emanuel 15 New York Brooklyn Chapman, Virgil 6 Kentucky Paris Chelf, Frank L. 4 Kentucky Lebanon Chenoweth, J. Edgar 3 Colorado Trinidad Chiperfield, Robert B. 15 Illinois Canton Church, Ralph E. 10 Illinois Evanston Clark, J. Bayard 7 North Carolina Fayetteville Clason, Charles R. 2 Massachusetts Springfield Clements, Earle C. 2 Kentucky Morganfield Clevenger, Cliff 5 Ohio Bryan Cochran, John J. 13 Missouri St. Louis Coffee, John M. 6 Washington Tacoma Cole, Albert M. 1 Kansas Holton Cole, William C. 3 Missouri St. Joseph Cole, W. Sterling 39 Washington Tacoma Colmer, William M. 6 Mississippi Pascagoula Combs, J.M. 2 Texas Beaumont Cooley, Harold D. 4 North Carolina Nashville Cooper, Jere 9 Tennessee Dyersburg --23--
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United States Senate The Vice PresidentPresides over the Senate and signs enrolled bills.
The President Pro TemporePerforms, in the absence of the Vice President, the duties of that office.
Secretary of the SenateIs presiding officer in the absence of the Vice President and pending the elections of a President pro tempore; is custodian of the seal; requisitions moneys appropriated for expenses of the Senate; administers oaths; certifies extracts from the Journal of the Senate; attests bills and joint, concurrent, and Senate resolutions; in impeachment trials may issue, under the authority of the Presiding Officer, all orders, mandates, writs, and precepts authorized by the Senate; certifies to the President of the United States ratification of treaties and the names of persons confirmed or rejected upon the nomination of the President.
Chief ClerkHas general supervision over the clerks under the jurisdiction of the Secretary and is Reading Clerk.
ParliamentarianIndicates the reference of bills and Executive communications to committees. Furnishes precedents to the presiding officer and Senators concerning procedures.
Journal ClerkKeeps the journal of the legislative and impeachment proceedings. Enrolling ClerkHas charge of the engrossment and enrollment of bills.
Executive ClerkKeeps the journal of the Executive proceedings (relating to nominations and treaties).
Superintendent of the Document RoomHas charge of the Senate Document Room.
Financial ClerkDisburses moneys appropriated for the Senate and keeps its financial records.
Legislative ClerkEndorses action on bills and other papers presented to Senate. Prepares legislative calendar and is Assistant Reading Clerk.
Printing ClerkHas charge of all printing and binding for the Senate.
LibrarianHas supervision over the Senate Library.
Keeper of StationeryHas charge of the stationery room of the Senate. Makes purchases and keeps accounts of Senators and committees.
Secretary to the MajorityIs Majority Part Pair Clerk, Supervises all floor activities, including supervision of pages; distribution of bills and amendments on the floor. Receives messages from the President and the House of Representatives and attends to calling of party conferences. Assistant Secretary to the MajorityHas charge of Majority pages. Keeps the record and calendar files of Majority Senators and distributes on the Senate floor bills and amendments. Performs, in the absence of the Secretary to the Majority, certain duties of that office.
Secretary to the MinorityIs Minority Part Pair Clerk and, in the absence of the Secretary to the Majority, supervises all floor activities, including supervision of pages; distribution of bills and amendments on the floor. Receives messages from the President and the House of Representatives and attends to calling of party conferences.
Assistant Secretary to the MinorityHas charge of Minority pages. Keeps the record and calendar files of Minority Senators and distributes on the Senate floor bills and amendments. Performs in the absence of the Secretary to the Minority, the duties of that office.
ChaplainOffers prayer at the opening of the daily sessions of the Senate.
Official ReportersReport stenographically the proceedings of the Senate.
Legislative CounselAssists Senate committees and Senators in the preparation and drafting of bills and committee reports. Sergeant at ArmsIs Executive Officer of the Senate; procures quorums; has charge of the Senate Galleries; oversees Gallery Doorkeepers, Capitol Police, and various subordinate officers of his department.
Deputy Sergeant at ArmsPerforms, in the absence of the Sergeant at Arms, the duties of that office, and is also storekeeper. Keeps property records and is the purchasing agent.
Folding RoomCharged with the distribution of public documents by Senators.
Capitol GuidesAppointed by the Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representatives and are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Capitol Police Board.
Post OfficeReceives and delivers mail for Senators and for officers and employees of the Senate.
Capitol PoliceAppointed by the Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representatives and are under the direction of the Capitol Police Board. It is their duty to police the Capitol building and grounds.
Senate Office Building PoliceAppointed by the Sergeant at Arms to police the Senate Office Building. --31--
House of Representatives The SpeakerIs the presiding officer of the House, decides questions of order, appoints chairmen of the Committee of the Whole, signs acts, warrants, subpenas, and orders of the House, controls the unappropriated rooms and corridors in the House wing of the Capitol, appoints conference and special committees, the official reporters of debate, the committee stenographers, the Parliamentarian, and his office force of clerks.
Majority LeaderIs elected in caucus by the Majority party and has the responsibility of conducting the legislative program; appoints the legislative clerks and other assistants provided for his office, and selects the Party Whip.
Legislative Clerk and OthersPerform service under the direction of the Majority Leader.
Majority WhipActs under the direction of the Majority Leader in ascertaining sentiment on a given question and secures the attendance of Members of his party for votes on important matters; keeps in touch with the legislative program and advises Members of the time when certain bills are expected to be considered.
ParliamentarianAppointed by the Speaker, under whose direction he indicates the reference of public bills and executive communications to committee; furnishes precedents to the Speaker and chairman of the Committee of the Whole, confers with them and with members concerning legislative propositions with respect to their parliamentary admissibility or otherwise, and prepares the House Manual.
Official Reporters of DebatesReport stenographically all proceedings of the House of Representatives.
Legislative CounselAssist House committees in drafting bills and committee reports, likewise also assist Members when not engaged in committee work.
House Office Building CommissionPrescribe rules and regulations governing use of all rooms and space in the House Office Buildings, and directs protection, care, and occupancy thereof.
Committee on RulesThis committee occupies a unique position in that it is not a legislative committee, yet it exercises influence upon legislation through special rules reported by it providing for the consideration of bills on the Majority program, and prescribing the methods of their procedure. It also reports proposed changes in the Rules of the House, and brings in resolutions creating special committees for various purposes.
Chairmen of CommitteesPreside at committee meetings and hearings, report bills to House and conduct their consideration of the Floor, may delegate these functions to another member of the committee; appoint the committee complement of clerks and assistants. Clerks to CommitteesAre appointees of the chairmen, subject ot committee approval, keep minutes of meetings, assist in the preparation of reports and minutes of meetings, and are admitted to House Floor when committees' bills are under consideration.
Official Stenographers to CommitteesReport Stenographically on House committees.
Minority LeaderIs selected at a conference of Minority Members, usually his party's candidate for Speaker; chairman of Minority steering committee and chairman ex officio of Committee on Committees which selects and nominates Minority Members on house committees; is spokesman for his party and enunciates its policies. The Minority Whip functions in conjunction with him.
Legislative Clerk and OthersPerform service under the direction of the Minority Leader.
Minority WhipActs under the direction of the Minority Leader in ascertaining sentiment on a given question and secures the attendance of Members of his party for votes on important matters; keeps in touch with the legislative program and advises Members of the time when certain bills are expected to be considered.
Minority ClerksAssist the Minority Leader and the Minority Whip, and represent the Minority in the arrangement of pairs.
DoorkeeperIs charged with the enforcement of rules relating ot the privileges of the House Chamber and is responsible to the House for the official conduct of his employees; must enforce rules of decorum on the Floor of the House, in conjunction with the Sergeant at Arms; is also charged with the operation of the Document Room and Folding Room; supervises the janitor service, cloakroom men, pages, and messengers.
Superintendent of Document RoomReceives, files, and keeps available for use of the House, all bills, resolutions, and documents ordered printed by the House, as well as all public laws and resolutions; maintains a current card index giving the daily status of each piece of legislation introduced in the House and Senate.
Superintendent of FOlding RoomReceives and holds for distribution on order all documents placed to the credit of Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, and officers of the House.
Chief JanitorHas charge of the laborers and janitors appointed by the Doorkeeper. PostmasterSuperintends the Post Office in the Capitol and House Office Buildings for the accommodation of Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, and officers of the House, and is responsible for the prompt and safe delivery and dispatch of their mail.
ClerkThe duties of the Clerk of the House of Representatives are largely executive and quasi-judicial in their nature, and he derives his authority from the rules of Parliamentary Law, Rules of Practice (which have the force of common law), express statutes, and the printed Rules of the House of Representatives. He is a continuing officer whose duties do not terminate with the sine die adjournment of Congress, as do the duties of the Speaker, the Majority and Minority Leaders, and some other officials. in the consideration of the sources from which the Clerk derives his authority it is correct to observe that he exercises as much authority by virtue of the unwritten rules of practice as he does under the written rules of the House and express statutes. The Clerk attests bills, resolutions, and subpenas, is the custodian of the Seal of the house, prepares the roll of Representatives elect, and preside at the beginning of a Congress until the election of a Speaker.
Journal ClerkKeeps minutes of the proceedings of the House; writes the Daily Journal, and prepares and indexes it for printing; endorses all official papers at Clerk's desk.
Enrolling ClerkEngrosses all bills, resolutions, and House amendments to Senate bills passed by the House for transmittal to the Senate; drafts and engrosses all messages transmitted from the House to the Senate; enrolls for presentation to the President all House bills and resolutions which have passed both Houses.
Reading ClerksIt is the duty of the Reading Clerks to read all matter presented to the House and to call the roll. They also keep a file of all bills, reports, etc. on the various calendars of business.
Disbursing ClerkPrepares the pay rolls and pays the salaries of all officers and employees of the House of Representatives, including clerks to Members; disburses all money appropriated for operating expenses of the House of Representatives, including the contingent fund and certain specific appropriations; also keeps all books, accounts, etc., for auditing purposes by the Comptroller General of the United States.
Property CustodianIs purchasing agent of the House; furnishes and repairs all office equipment and keep property records; superintends furniture repair shop.
Tally ClerkPrepares and indexes the daily calendars of business of the House; records all votes by the yeas and nays and roll calls for quorum and prepares the voting records of Members. Stationery ClerkHas charge of the Stationery Room of the House; makes purchases, and keeps the accounts of the Representatives as well as of the officers and committees of the House.
File ClerkReceives and files all papers from committees of the House, as required by the rule, and is custodian of the archives of the House.
Bill ClerkHas charge of numbering and printing bills and transcribing, for the Congressional Record, bills, resolutions, Executive documents, and reports of committees; keeps a complete record of the reference of and action on bills, resolutions, Executive documents, and reports of committees, and of their status.
Clerk's Document RoomReceives all special orders for binding documents for Members of the House, distributes House and Senate journals, United States Statutes at Large, and bimonthly index to the Congressional record, receives and files all House and Senate documents.
Telephone ExchangeFurnishes telephone service to all Members of the House and Senate.
LibrarianHas supervision of the House Library and the Hall Library on the Floor of the House.
ChaplainOpens the daily sessions of the House with prayer and officiates at memorial services.
Sergeant at ArmsDisbursing officer of Members' salaries and mileage; is charged with keeping order on the Floor of the House; serves summonses to witnesses to appear before committees of the House; conducts obesequies of deceased Members.
Capitol PoliceAppointed by the Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representatives and are under the direction of the Capitol Police Board. It is their duty to police the Capitol Building and Grounds.
CashierKeeps records of and handles all money in the Sergeant at Arms' office, assisted by tellers and bookkeepers.
House Office Building PoliceAppointed by the Sergeant at Arms to police the House Office Building.
GuidesAppointed by the Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and House of Representative and are subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Capitol Police Board. --33--
Architect of the CapitolUnited States Capitol Building
NAtional 3120, Branch 125
Architect of the Capitol David Lynn
Creation and Authority.--The first Architect of the Capitol was appointed in 1793 by the President of the United States. During the period of construction of the Capitol (1793-1865) appointments were made to the position of Architect at such times and for such periods as the various stages of the construction work required. The office of Architect has, however, been continuous from 1851 to date.
The functions of the office have changed materially from time to time in accordance with the increased activities imposed upon it by Congress, due, principally, to the addition of new buildings and grounds. Originally, the duties of the Architect of the capitol were to plan and construct the Capitol Building, and later, to supervise its care and maintenance.
Permanent authority for the care and maintenance of the Capitol Building is provided by the act of August 15, 1876 (19 Stat. 147; 40 U.S.C. 162-163). This act has been amended from time to time to provide for the care and maintenance of the additional buildings and grounds placed under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol by Congress in subsequent years.
Activities.--The Architect of the Capitol, acting as an agent of Congress, has charge of the structural and mechanical care of the United States Capitol Building, together with arrangements in cooperation with the proper authorities, for ceremonies and ceremonials held in the building and on the grounds; is responsible for the care, maintenance, and improvement of the Capitol Grounds, the old and newly enlarged areas comprising in all 120.2 acres, as well as the care of the grounds, walks, and driveways about the buildings in the legislative group; has the structural and mechanical care of the Library of Congress Buildings, United States Supreme Court Building, Courthouse of the District of Columbia, Court of Appeals Building, Court of Claims Buildings, and Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-In Asylum; is responsible for the operation of the United States Senate and House of Representatives Restaurants.
In addition to these activities the Architect has the following duties and responsibilities:
Under the direction and approval of the House Office Building Commission, the structural, mechanical, and domestic care and maintenance eof the House Office Buildings, including the maintenance and operation of the mechanical equipment, and the care, maintenance, and operation of the Capitol power plant, which supplies heat, light, power, and air-conditioning refrigeration for the Capitol, Senate and House Office Buildings; heat, light, and power for the Library of Congress Buildings, United States Botanic Garden, United States Supreme Court Building, and the legislative garage; and steam heat for the Government Printing Office and Washington City Post Office;
Subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules as to matters of general policy, the structural, mechanical, and domestic care and maintenance of the Senate Office Building, including the maintenance and operation of the mechanical equipment;
Subject to the joint action of the Vice President of the United States and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the jurisdiction and control, including the care and maintenance, of the legislative garage.
In addition to these maintenance and repair activities, the Architect of the Capitol is charged with the planning and construction of such buildings as may be committed to his care by Congress from time to time.
Under the direction and supervision of the Joint Committee on the Library, serves as Acting Director of the United States Botanic Garden.
Over and above these functions, the Architect of the Capitol serves as a member of the Capitol Police Board, of the Commission for the Enlarging of the Capitol Grounds, of the District of Columbia Zoning Commission, and of the National Capital Housing Authority.
Architect of the Capitol
United States Botanic GardenOffice of Director, 245 FIrst Street SW.
NAtional 3120, Branch 267
Conservatory, Maryland Avenue, First to Second Streets SW>
NAtional 3120, Branch 1042
Nursery, Poplar Point, Howard Road SE, Anacostia, D.C.
Acting Director David Lynn, Architect of the Capitol
Creation and Authority.--The United States Botanic Garden was founded in 1820 under the auspices of the Columbia Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, an organization which was the outgrowth of an association known as the Metropolitan Society and which received its charter from Congress on April 20, 1818. The Garden continued under the direction of this Institute until 1827, when the Institute ceased to exist as an active organization.
It remained abandoned until 1842 when it became necessary for the Government to provide accommodations for the botanical collections brought to Washington, D.C. from the South Seas by the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, under the leadership of Captain Charles Wilkes. The collections were placed temporarily on exhibition at the Patent Office upon return of the expedition in June 1842. The first greenhouse for this purpose was constructed in 1842 under the direction and control of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from funds appropriated by Congress. The collections of the exploring expedition were put under the custodianship of the Commissioner of Patents by the Library Committee and
remained thereunder until 1850, although the actual care of the botanical collection was under the supervision of Captain Wilkes.
In 1849 Congress authorized the construction of an extension to the Patent Office Building and, in order to allow for construction, it was necessary to relocate the Botanic garden greenhouses annexed thereto.
The act of May 15, 1850 (9 Stat. 427), provided "for the removal of the public greenhouse, and the botanical collection thereat, to some suitable site on the public grounds, and for the erection of such other greenhouses as may be deemed necessary by the Joint Committee on the Library, five thousand dollars, to be expended by the direction of the said Joint Committee, and under the supervision of the Commissioner of Public Buildings."
The site selected by the Joint Committee on the Library for the relocation of the Botanic Garden was at the west end of the Capitol Grounds and was practically the same site as that occupied by the Botanic Garden during the period it functioned under the Columbia Institute.
The site was later enlarged, and the main area continued to serve as the principal Botanic Garden site from 1850 until 1933, when the gardens were relocated to their present site.
Action toward the relocation of the gardens to their present site was initiated by Congress on January 7, 1925, and the project, which was thereafter authorized by Congress, was brought to completion on January 13, 1933.
Although the Botanic Garden began functioning as a Government-owned institution in 1842, the records indicate that it was not until 1856 that the maintenance of the Garden was specifically placed under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, and a regular, annual appropriation was provided by Congress (11 Stat. 104).
The legislation governing the employment of personnel at the Garden, act of March 3, 1873 (17 Stat. 491; 40 U.S.C. 216), reads as follows: "There shall be a superintendent [Director] and assistants in the Botanical Garden and greenhouses who shall be under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library."
At the present time the Joint COmmittee exercises its supervision through the Architect of the Capitol, who has been serving as Acting Director since 1934.
Purpose.--Originally, the purpose of the Botanic Garden was to collect, cultivate, and distribute the various vegetable production of this and other countries, whether medicinal, esculent, or for the promotion of arts and manufacture.
The present purpose of the United States Botanic Garden is to collect, cultivate, and grow the various vegetable production of this and other countries for exhibition and display to the public and for study material for students, scientists, and garden clubs.
Activities.--The Botanic Garden contains a large variety of palms, cycads, ferns, cacti, and other miscellaneous tropical cool[-house plants, many of which are rare species. There are special displays during most of the months of the year, and in their proper seasons banana, papaya, orange, lemon, tangerine, kumquat, averrhoa, coffee, and surinam cherry are to be seen in luxuriant fruiting. The entire collection of the Garden includes over 8,000 species and varieties of plant --36--
growth. The collection attracts many visitors annually, including botanists, horticulturists, students, and garden club members.
The Garden, though not operated as a scientific institution, offers educational facilities in that it makes available for study to students, botanists, and floriculturists may rare and interesting botanical specimens. Every year botanical specimens are received from all over the world with requests for identification, and one of the services rendered by the Garden to the public is the identification of such specimens and the furnishing of information relating to the proper methods of growing them.
Government Printing OfficeNorth Capitol and H. Streets NW
Officials Public Printer A.E. Giegengack Deputy Public Printer John J. Deviny Administrative Assistant to the Public Printer Russell H. Herrell Production Planning Assistant to the Public Printer Robert A. Ritter Production Manager William Smith Mechanical Superintendent William A. Anderson Comptroller Felix E. Cristofane Director of Personnel S. Preston Hipsley Assistant Production Manager James W. Broderick Night Production Manager Alfred L. Fleming Director of Commercial Planning Raymond H. Lecraw Superintendent of Documents Alton P. Tisdel Superintendent of Composition Morris H. Reaves Superintendent of Presswork Loxlie V. Adams Superintendent of Binding Thomas G. Maloney Superintendent of Platemaking John A. McLean Technical Director Morris S. Kantrowitz Assistant to the Production Manager John L. Grant Medical and Safety Director Dr. Louis J. Goffredi Director of Purchases William J. Cassiday Chief Clerk Henry H. Wright Superintendent of Library Branch Harry Falk Director of Typography and Design Frank H. Mortimer Assistant Superintendent of Composition Felix M. Halluin Liaison Officer Maybelle G. Fickel Administrative Assistant to the Production Planning Assistant to the Public Printer Eustis E. Morsberger Director of Plant Planning Grover W. Tribble Chief Storekeeper Alla G. Stevens Director of Planning Service Philip L. Cole Clerk in Charge of Congressional record (Capitol) Ralph L. Harris Captain of Guards George L. Kisling
Creation and Authority.--The Government Printing Office was created by Congressional Joint Resolution 25, June 23, 1860. A then-existing commercial printing plant was purchased for $1135,000,
under an appropriation made February 18, 1861. Possession was taken March 4, 1861, and the office was named the government Printing Office. it is now the largest and best-equipped printing plant in the world. The activities of the Government Printing Office are outlined and defined in the Printing Act of January 12, 1895, as amended (28 Stat. 603; U.S.C. title 44).
Purpose.--The Government Printing Office executes orders for printing and binding placed by Congress and the departments, independent establishments, and agencies of the Federal Government; furnishes, on order, blank paper, inks, and similar supplies to all governmental activities; distributes Government publications as required by law, and maintains necessary catalogs and a library of these publications; prints, for sale to the public, such documents as are not of a confidential nature.
Organization.--The Public Printer is solely responsible for the management of the Government Printing Office. However, the Joint COmmittee on Printing, consisting of three Members of the Senate and three Members of the House of Representatives, was created by the act of August 3, 1846, superseded by the act of January 12, 1895 (28 Stat. 601; 44 U.S.C. 1), to adopt and employ such measures as in its discretion it deemed necessary to remedy any neglect, delay, duplication, or waste in public printing, binding, and distribution of Government publications. The Joint Committee fixes the standards of paper used in public printing and approves contracts for such paper and other materials. It also passes on wage agreements which the Public Printer is authorized by the act of June 7, 1924 (43 Stat. 658; 44 U.S.C. 40), to enter into with the committees representing the various trades in the Government Printing Office, and acts generally as the Board of Directors of the Government Printing Office.
Management.--Entire management of the Office, including appointment through civil service of all personnel, is by law vested in the Public Printer, who is required to be a practical printer, versed in the art of bookbinding. This official is appointed by the President of the United States by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. In directing the various functions and activities of the Government Printing Office, the Public Printer is aided by three principal assistants, the Deputy Public Printer, the Administrative Assistant to the Public Printer, and the Production Planning Assistant to the Public Printer. The Deputy Public Printer assumes the duties of the Public Printer in the absence of that official and is directly responsible to the Public Printer for all the production activities; in this matter his assisted by the Production Manager. The Administrative Assistant is directly responsible to the Public Printer for the proper handling of the administrative functions of the Office. The Production Planning Assistant is directly responsible to the Public Printer for planning for both plant and commercial production of printing.
The duties of the principal divisions under the general supervision of the Deputy Public Printer are:
Composing.--The setting of type and its arrangement for the printing of all matter, including linotype, monotype, hand composition, proofreading, and lock-up, are included under this activity.
Platemaking.--The platemaking division produces the stereotype, electrotype, and photoengraving plates required for the various kinds of presswork and prepares the negatives used in offset work.
Presswork.--The activity under this heading includes the actual production of impressions from type and plates. Illustrations in color work, ranging from one to four colors, are produced whenever desired.
Binding.--This activity includes the binding of all pamphlets, books, and blank work and the repairing and rebinding of old books, documents, and manuscripts.
The duties of the various divisions under the general supervision of the Administrative Assistant are:
Division of Accounts.--All fiscal and legal matters, which include the proper handling of finances, cost estimates, appropriations, pay rolls, regal work, budgets, computing, cost analysis, billing, general bookkeeping, auditing, rate-making, and statistics, are under the supervision of the Comptroller in the Division of Accounts.
Purchasing.--This division has charge of all purchases for the Government Printing Office and arranges for the sale of waste paper and old materials.
Division of Personnel.--The Division of Personnel is composed of the following units: Board of Wage and Salary Review; Efficiency Rating Review Board; Employees' Grievance Board; medical, Safety, and Health Section; Recruitment, Selection, and Placement Section; Appointment, Retirement, and Records Section; Classification and Organizational Survey Section; Employees' Relations and Welfare Section; and Employees' Training Section.
Chief Clerk.--Correspondence, the records and files pertaining thereto, Telephone Exchange, Guard Section, Sanitary Section, and related activities, are under the direction of the Chief Clerk.
Maintenance.--Under this heading is included the activity of maintaining the building, and keeping in repair and operation all the printing, binding, and building equipment.
Tests and Technical Control.--Laboratory work is performed in this division in connection with all technical specifications for paper and other printing material, and here also is carried out the testing of all purchased material for the purpose of maintaining standards of quality.
Disbursing Clerk.--The Disbursing Clerk has general supervision over all moneys spent for pay-roll purposes, supplies, etc., and all moneys received in payment for work performed.
Emergency Hospital.--An emergency hospital is maintained under the supervision of the Medical and Safety Director for the treatment of employees taken suddenly ill or injured while on duty. He is also in charge of safety measures for the protection of employees from industrial hazards.
Superintendent of Documents.--This official is the sales agent for Government publications and also prepares the official catalogs and indexes. The Superintendent is authorized to allow a discount of 25 percent to book dealers and to quantity purchasers of 100 or more copies on condition that the purchaser will adhere to the public
sales price set by the Superintendent and that publications shall not be overprinted with any advertising matter. No free distribution of publications is made by this office.
For convenience in ordering Government publications, coupons are issued by this office in sets of 20 for $1, each having a face value of 5 cents. They are detachable and usable in payment for Government publications sold by this office, thus obviating the necessity of continually purchasing postal money orders for relatively small amounts.
They Superintendent of Documents distributes publications to depository libraries, and, upon order of Federal departments and agencies, mails publications to libraries and various other places. He compiles monthly and biennial catalogs covering all Federal publications and a weekly list of selected publications. The Superintendent receives all accumulations of Government publications from the Departments and annually takes over their surplus for distribution or sale. Bibliographies, price lists, and reference catalogs are compiled by the Superintendent of Documents and are available at all times in his office. He also maintains a library of all Government publications. There is a direct appropriation which covers the expenses of the office of the Superintendent of Documents.
The duties of the division under the general supervision of the Production Planning Assistant to the Public Printer are:
Planning Service.--This division receives requisitions for Government printing and binding procured through the Government Printing Office, and issues waivers on that portion of the work which cannot be procured by or produced in the Government Printing Office.
Typography and Design.--The Typography and Design Division is responsible for the preparation of format, design, and artwork in connection with new publications; determination of acceptable copies for illustrations; and display reproduction and establishment of standards of quality.
Plant Planning.--Work is planned as to the most efficient, effective, and economical method of production.l Estimates are furnished the ordering office as to probable cost involved; specifications are made and schedules prepared for performance of operations within the plant.
Commercial Planning.--This division is responsible for determination of method of production, writing the specifications for printing to be procured from commercial sources, and preparation of schedules for performance of operations.
Appropriation of Funds for Public Printer.--Congress each year appropriates direct to the Public Printer a working capital to which is charges the cost of printing and binding for Congress. All other Government establishments pay to the Public Printer, from appropriations under their control, the cost of printing and binding which they may order, these payments being deposited by the Public Printer in the Treasury to the credit of the working capital and becoming at once subject to requisition by the Public Printer for authorized expenditures.
Library of CongressFirst Street SE, between East Capitol and B Streets
NAtional 2722, Branch 333
Officials Librarian of Congress Luther H. Evans, Acting Librarian of Congress Emeritus Herbert Puttnam Chief Assistant Librarian Luther H. Evans Director of the Reference Department David C. Mearns Director of the Processing Department Herman H. Henkle Director of the Acquisitions Department Verner W. Clapp Law Librarian Eldon R. James Register of Copyrights Sam Base Warner Chief of the Loan Division Elsie Rackstraw Secretary of the Library Mrs. Alva B. Walker, Acting Director of Personnel Byron F. Lindsley Superintendent of Library Buildings and Grounds William C. Bond The Library of Congress Trust Fund Board Ex Officio: Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Chairman Librarian of Congress Vacancy, Secretary Chairman of Joint Committee on the Library Senator Alben W. Barkley Appointive: Adolph C. Miller, Esq., Washington, D.C. (term expires March 9, 1948) Mrs. Eugene Meyer, Washington, D.C. (term expires March 9, 1945)
Creation and Authority.--The Library of Congress was established under the law approved April 24, 1800, appropriating $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress" (2 Stat. 56). The subsequent act of January 26, 1802, provided that "a librarian to be appointed by the President of the United States solely, shall take charge of the said library" (2 Stat. 129). The law library was created and made of part of the Library of Congress by the act of July 14, 1832 (4 Stat. 579; 2 U.S.C. 132, 134, 135, 137); the library of the Smithsonian Institution was deposited in it under the act of April 5, 1866 (14 Stat. 13; 2 U.S.C. 151). The Appropriation Act of February 19, 1897, provided for the appointment of the Librarian by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; vested in the Librarian the authority to appoint all the members of the staff "solely with reference to their fitness for their particular duties" (29 Stat. 544; 2 U.S.C. 140); gave him the authority also to "make rules and regulations for the government of the Library:" (29 Stat. 545, 42 Stat. 715; 2 U.S.C. 136); and created in its various departments (entitled divisions) to perform certain processes or administer certain groups of materials, e.g., manuscripts, maps, etc.
By act of July 8, 1870, the business of copyright was placed under the control of the Librarian of Congress (16 Stat. 212, 215); by the act of February 19, 1897, the copyright department (now Copyright Office) was created within the Library under a Register
of Copyrights, appointed by the Librarian and responsible to him (29 Stat. 545).
The Library is mainly supported by the appropriations of Congress on the basis of estimates made by the Librarian. Apart from the appropriations of Congress, the Library has the use of the income from funds received from foundations and private sources and administered by the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board; it has the use also of gifts of money presented for direct application (act of March 3, 1925, as amended by acts of January 27, 1926, April 13, 1936, and June 23, 1936; 43 Stat. 1107-08; 44 Stat. 2; 49 Stat. 1205; 49 Stat. 1894; 2 U.S.C. 156, 157, 158).
Purpose.--Under the organic law, the Library is, as its name implies, the Library of Congress. As such, in all its departments and as a whole, it is primarily for the service of Congress. one division, the Legislative Reference Service, functions exclusively for the legislative branch of the Government. As the Library has developed, its range of service has come to include the entire governmental establishment in all its branches and the public at large, so that it has become, in effect, the national library of the United States.
Organization.--The direction of the Library is vested in the Librarian (see paragraph "Creation and Authority," above), whose immediate staff consists of the Chief Assistant Librarian, the Directors of the three principal departments into which the Library is organized, the Law Librarian, and the Register of Copyrights. Within each department are the several divisions, the operations of which are administered by division chiefs responsible to the departmental heads. The structure of the Library is, accordingly, as follows:
Reference Department A. Circulative Service
Stack and Reader Division
House and Senate Book Rooms
Service for the Blind
Capitol Station (in the Capitol)
B. Public Reference Service
General Reference and Bibliography Division
Census Library Project
Jefferson Catalog Project
Local History and Genealogy Section
Netherlands Studies Unit
B. Public Reference Service--continued
Archive of American Fold Song
Prints and Photographs Division
Archive of Hispanic Culture
Rare Books Division
Microfilm Reading Room
C. Legislative Reference Service
Congressional Reading Room
State Law Index Section
Acquisitions Department Exchange and Gift Division
Serial Record Division --42--
Processing Department Binding Office
Descriptive Cataloging Division
Subject Cataloging Division Union Catalog Division Law Library (Includes the Law Library in the Capitol) Copyright Office Administrative Office (Under direction of the Chief Assistant Librarian) Accounts Office
Books for the Adult Blind
Buildings and Grounds
The buildings and grounds are administered by the Superintendent. All structural work on the buildings and the operation of the mechanical plant are, however, under the general jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol.
The Bindery and Printing Office maintained in the Library buildings are branches of the Government Printing Office.
The Library has seven endowed chairs (Music, Fine Arts, American History, Aeronautics, Geography, Latin American Studies, and Poetry in English), of which the first six are held by the chief of a corresponding division. it has also the services of a group of specialists ("consultants,": "honorary consultant," or "fellows of the Library of Congress"), whose association with the Library is either voluntary or is made possible by gifts from nongovernmental sources and who, unlike the incumbents of the chairs, are without administrative responsibility. These groups assist in the systematic development of the collections, furnish expert counsel in specialized fields of knowledge, and serve as liaison between the resources of the Library and investigators pursuing intensive research. For the latter, special facilities are provided both in the Main Building and in the Library Annex.
All matters relating to procuring of library material and making it useful to Congress, the governmental establishment generally, and the public at large, are within the scope of activity of the Library.
Free Use of Library for Reference.--For the purposes of reference, the use of the Library is free, without introduction or credential, to any inquirer from any place. much of the reference work is carried on by answer to inquiry through correspondence. The character of the questions which the Library can thus undertake to answer may be described as follows:
- As to its possession of a particular book.
- As to the existing bibliographies on a particular subject.
- As to the most useful existing authorities on a particular subject and where they may be available.
- As to the author of a book known by title.
- As to the date, price, and probable present cost of a specified book.
- As to the source of a particular quotation, is ascertainable by ready reference.
- As to particular facts in history or literature, and in the organization or operations of the Federal Government (if not requiring elaborate research).
- As to an extract from a book in its possession (where of moderate extent).
Extensions of Service.--The Library extends its service through (1) an interlibrary loan system, (2) the photoduplication, at reasonable cost, of books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and prints in its collections, and the duplication of sound recordings which it possesses, (3) the exchange of duplicates with other institutions, (4) the sale of printed catalog cards, which makes available the results of the expert bibliographical and cataloging work of its trained personnel, (5) the deposits of complete sets of its printed cards in 105 libraries (92 in the United States and 13 in foreign countries), (6) a cooperative cataloging and classification service which, working in conjunction with other libraries, assists in the preparation of catalog entries for books not in the Library of Congress and in the preparation of analytical entries for the serial publications of learned societies and institutions, (7) the development of a scientific scheme of classification and cataloging embracing the entire field of printed matter, (8) the preparation of bibliographical lists, (9) the maintenance of a Union Catalog containing over 12,000,000 cards for important books in more than 700 American libraries, and (1) the publication of catalogs, bibliographical guides, and lists, as well as texts or original manuscripts in the Library of Congress.
At the center of a group of libraries, governmental and other, with collections aggregating more than 27,000,000 volumes, and in touch with experts in the various bureaus of the Government, the Library of Congress serves as a bureau of information in all matters involving the serious use of books.
Acting Librarian of Congress