Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government

Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1947 to investigate and recommend changes to the organization and management of the Executive Branch of the United States Government. The commission was tasked with examining the United States federal executive departments, Independent agencies of the United States government, and Government-owned corporations to identify areas for improvement and increased efficiency. This effort was part of a broader movement towards Administrative reform in the United States, which involved Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and other notable figures such as Louis Brownlow, Charles Merriam, and Luther Gulick. The commission's work built upon earlier studies, including those conducted by the Brownlow Committee and the National Resources Planning Board.

● Introduction

The Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government was created in response to the growing complexity of the United States federal government and the need for more effective and efficient management. The commission's establishment was influenced by the work of Woodrow Wilson, who had written about the importance of Public administration and the need for a more professional and efficient civil service. The commission's members, including Herbert Hoover, Dean Acheson, and James Webb, brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the task, having worked in various roles within the United States Department of State, United States Department of War, and other government agencies. The commission's work was also informed by the research and recommendations of organizations such as the Brookings Institution and the National Academy of Public Administration.

● History

The Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government was established on July 25, 1947, when President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9809. The commission was tasked with submitting a report to the President of the United States and the United States Congress by January 1, 1949. The commission's work was influenced by earlier efforts to reform the federal government, including the Hoover Commission and the National Performance Review led by Al Gore. The commission's members conducted extensive research and held hearings, gathering input from experts such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Dean Rusk. The commission's work was also informed by the experiences of other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, which had undergone similar reforms.

● Membership and Operations

The Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government was composed of 12 members, including Herbert Hoover, who served as chairman, and other notable figures such as Dean Acheson, James Webb, and John Steelman. The commission's members were drawn from a range of backgrounds, including politics, academia, and the private sector, and included experts such as Pendleton Herring, Paul Appleby, and Lloyd Garrison. The commission's operations were supported by a staff of researchers and analysts, who worked under the direction of the commission's executive director, George F. Gant. The commission's work was organized into several task forces, each focused on a specific area of government operations, such as National security, Economic policy, and Personnel management. The commission's members and staff consulted with a wide range of experts, including Henry Stimson, Robert Lovett, and W. Averell Harriman.

● Recommendations and Impact

The Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government submitted its report to the President of the United States and the United States Congress on January 12, 1949. The report contained 273 recommendations for improving the organization and management of the federal government, including the creation of the United States Department of Defense and the National Security Council. The commission's recommendations were influenced by the work of earlier reform efforts, including the Brownlow Committee and the Hoover Commission, and built on the research of organizations such as the Brookings Institution and the National Academy of Public Administration. The commission's report was widely praised, and many of its recommendations were implemented, leading to significant changes in the organization and management of the federal government. The commission's work had a lasting impact on the development of Public administration in the United States, and its recommendations continue to influence government reform efforts to this day, with experts such as Donald Kettl and Paul Light drawing on the commission's work.

● Legacy and Reforms

The Commission to Study the Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government played a significant role in shaping the development of the United States federal government and the field of Public administration. The commission's recommendations led to the creation of new government agencies, such as the United States Department of Defense and the National Security Council, and the reorganization of existing agencies, such as the United States Department of State and the United States Department of the Treasury. The commission's work also influenced the development of government reform efforts, including the National Performance Review led by Al Gore and the President's Management Agenda developed by the George W. Bush administration. The commission's legacy continues to be felt today, with its recommendations and findings remaining relevant to ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government, and its influence can be seen in the work of organizations such as the National Academy of Public Administration and the Partnership for Public Service. Category:United States government commissions