millions of dollars are saved each year to the
agricultural and maritime interests of the country. A recent decree
of the Post-office Department renders the reports of the bureau of
still greater service. Slips of paper having the storm, frost, or
other warnings printed on them are distributed by the rural mail
carriers at the various houses in the districts affected.

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

Nature of the Department.--Because of the nature of the subjects
assigned to this new department, it has rapidly become one of the most
important of the departments. Among the duties of the Secretary of
Commerce are these: to promote the commerce and the mining,
manufacturing, shipping, fishery, and transportation interests of the
United States. The President is given the power to transfer to the
department those bureaus in other departments which are engaged in
scientific or statistical work, the Interstate Commerce Commission and
the scientific divisions of the Agricultural Department being excepted.
The offices which have been transferred are as follows: the Bureau of
Statistics; Census Bureau; Bureau of Standards of Weights and Measures;
Bureau of Navigation; the Steamboat Inspection Service; Bureau of
Fisheries; Coast and Geodetic Survey and Light-house Board. The Bureau
of Corporations was created for the department. The Commissioner of
Corporations is expected to investigate the organization, conduct, and
management of the business of corporations and other combinations
engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, except such carriers as may
be subject to the interstate commerce act.

The Chief of the Bureau of Statistics.--The Chief of the
Bureau of Statistics collects and publishes the annual statistics
on commerce. These reports are of such a character that they are
invaluable to the President in the preparation of his messages; and
they are used extensively by the heads of departments, members of
Congress, and the public. Tariff laws, special legislation for
particular industries, and all international trade treaties are
also based on these compilations. The greatest demand is for the
Annual Statistical Abstract, which presents in a condensed form the
history of the commerce of the United States for a number of
preceding years.

The Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey.--This
officer superintends the survey