Review of the work done by the joint commission -- reorganization of the accounting system and business methods in the executive departments;

              53D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPORT
3d Session. } No. 2000.
A REVIEW OF THE WORK DONE BY THE JOINT COMMISSION-REORGANIZATION OF THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND BUSINESS METHODS IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
MARCH 2, 1895.—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. DOCKERY, from the Joint Commission of Congress to Inquire into the Status of Laws Organizing the Executive Departments, submitted the following
REPORT:
CREATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The commission was created by the act of Congress approved March 3, 1893, as follows:
That a joint commission, consisting of three Senators, members of the Fifty-third Congress, to be appointed by the present President of the Senate, and three members-elect to the House of Represent­atives
of the Fifty-third Congress, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Fifty-second Congress, shall, during the Fifty-third Congress, inquire into and examine the status of the laws organizing the Executive Departments, bureaus, divisions, and other Government estab­lishments
at the national capital; the rules, regulations, and methods for the conduct of the same; the time and attention devoted to the operations thereof by the persons employed therein, and the degree of efficiency of all such employees; whether any modification of these laws can be made to secure greater efficiency and economy; and whether a reduction in the number or compensation of the persons authorized to be employed in said Executive Departments or bureaus can be made without injury to the public service: Provided, That the commission herein authorized shall have no jurisdiction to inquire into and report on pension legislation. Said commission is authorized to employ not exceeding three experts, who shall render such assistance as the commission may require in the prosecution of the investigation herein required, and shall receive such compensation as the commission shall determine to be just and reasonable. The heads of the respective Executive Departments shall detail from time to time such officers and employees as may be requested by said commission in their investigations. Said commission or any subcommittee thereof shall have power to send for persons and papers, and to administer oaths, and such process shall be issued and such oaths administered by the chairman of the commission or subcommittee, and the commission may report, by bill or otherwise, to their respective Houses of the Fifty-third Congress. All necessary expenses of said commission shall be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, upon vouchers approved jointly by the chair­men
of said commission.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The commission was organized by the appointment of Messrs. Alexander M. Dockery of Missouri, James D. Richardson of Tennessee, and Nelson Dingley, jr., of Maine, on the part of the House, of which Mr. Dockery was chairman; and Messrs. Francis M. Cockrell of Missouri, James K. Jones of Arkansas, and Shelby M. Cullom of Illinois, on the part of the Senate, of which Mr. Cockrell was chairman, Mr. Dockery being chairman of the joint commission.
Messrs. James C. Courts and Thomas P. Cleaves, clerks of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, respectively, were appointed clerks of the commission.
On May 24, 1893, the following experts were appointed: Messrs. J. W. Reinhart, C. W. Haskins, and E. W. Sells. The active work of the experts began June 6, 1893, H. Rep. 2 44