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THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

Each department of the U.S. Government is headed by a member of the President's Cabinet, who is appointed by the President.

The State Department, headed by the Secretary of State, has under its jurisdiction all foreign affairs of the U.S. and the relations between the Federal Government and the separate states. It keeps the Great Seal of the U.S. treaties, state papers, etc.

The Treasury Department under the Secretary of Treasury, administers all financial affairs of the U.S. Government. The issuance of coins, paper money, and certificates representing obligations of the Government are under its supervision.

The War Department, under the Secretary of War, has charge of all affairs of the U.S. Army—personnel, equipment, maintenance of land defenses, and tactics in war.

The Department of Justice, headed by the Attorney General, has under its supervision legal activities of the Government that o not come under the jurisdiction of the judiciary. It deals with all breaches of Federal laws, except breaches of postal laws and revenue laws, which are handled by the Post Office Department and the Treasury Department, respectively. 

The Post Office Department, under the Postmaster General, is the administrative agency for all affairs concerning the mails and postal savings. IT makes postal regulations, awards contracts for the carrying of the mails, makes postal arrangements with foreign governments (subject to approval by the President), and performs related duties. 

The Navy Department, headed by the Secretary of the Navy, has under its supervision all affairs concerning the Navy. Under the charge are Navy personnel, equipment, and construction and maintenance of aircraft and war vessels, tactics in war, and the like.

The Department of the Interior, under the Secretary of the Interior, supervises public business regarding the General Land Office, Geological Survey, Bureau of Mines, Office of Indian Affairs, Patent Office, Bureau of Pensions, Bureau of Education, National Park Service, Capitol Building and Grounds, and various institutions in the District of Columbia. It administers some of the affairs of the U.S. territories and possessions, and from time to time temporarily assumes additional responsibilities. 

The Department of Agriculture is charged with the supervision of agriculture in the United States. It exercises many functions in connection with the governmental assistance to farmers, farmers' co-operative organizations, soil preservation, agricultural research, etc.

The Department of Commerce promotes the commerce and mining, manufacturing, shipping, fishery, and transportation interests of the United States. It also has charge of the Census, the coast and geodetic surveys, commercial statistics, standards of weights and measures, enforcement of the food and drugs act of 1906, and governmental activities.

The Department of Labor was established to promote the welfare of the wage earners of the United States—to improve working conditions, employment opportunities, and wage standards. It mediates in certain labor disputes, collects statistics of importance to labor, administrates immigration laws, and investigates matters pertaining to child welfare. From time to time many other activities may come under its supervision.

PRESIDENTIAL OATH OF OFFICE

The oath prescribed for a President taking office in Section 1 of Article II of the U.S. Constitution is as follows:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION

The Presidential succession is fixed by law. In case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of both the President and the Vice-President, the Secretary of State shall act as President until the disability of the President or Vice-President is removed or a President is elected. If there be no Secretary of State, then the Secretary of the Treasury will act; and the remainder of the order of succession is as follows: The Secretary of War, Attorney-General, Postmaster-General, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Interior. The acting President must, upon taking office, convene Congress.

RANK OF ARMY AND NAVY OFFICERS

[[2 Columned Table]]
| Army and Marine Corps | Navy|
| --- | --- |
| General of the Army (five stars) | Admiral of the Navy (five stars) |
| General (four stars) | Admiral (four stars) |
| Lieutenant General (three stars) | Vice Admiral (three stars) |
| Major General (two stars) | Rear Admiral (two stars) |
| Brigadier General (one star) | Commodore (one star) |
| Colonel (eagle) | Captain (four stripes) |
| Lieutenant Colonel (silver leaf) | Commander (three stripes) |
| Major (gold leaf) | Lieutenant Commander (two and a half stripes) |
| Captain (two silver bars) | Lieutenant (two stripes) |
| First Lieutenant (one silver box) | Lieutenant, junior grade (one and a half stripes) |
| Second Lieutenant (one gold bar) | Ensign (one stripe) |

CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

[[2 Columned Table]]
| Name | Term of Office |
| --- | --- |
| John Jay | 1789-17895 |
| John Rutledge | 1795-1796 |
| Oliver Ellsworth | 1796-1800 |
| John Marshall | 1801-1835 |
| Roger B. Taney | 1836-1864 |
| Salmon . Chase | 1863-1873 |
| Morrison R. Waite | 1874-1888 |
| Melville W. Fuller | 1888-1910 |
| Edward Douglas White | 1910-1921 |
| William Howard Taft | 1921-1930 |
| Charles Evans Hughes | 1930-1941 |
| Harlan F. Stone | 1941-1946 |
| Frederick M. Vinson | 1946- |