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Preferred Citation
Historical Note
Scope and Content Note
Title: Citizens Committee for Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government records
Date (inclusive): 1949-1958
Collection Number: 52007
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
92 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize folders, 1 motion picture film reel
(38.6 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, reports, newsletters, press releases, clippings, and printed matter, relating to the recommendations of the
two Commissions on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government chaired by Herbert Hoover.
Creator:
Citizens Committee for Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Citizens Committee for Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government records, [Box no.,
Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Historical Note
The Citizens Committee for Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government (CCREBG) was organized in the state of
New York in April 1949. It was established as a temporary, voluntary organization to follow through on the Hoover Report and
to promote public and congressional support for the recommendations of the first Hoover Commission.
The Hoover Report was a popular reference made to the extensive studies made by the Commission on Organization of the Executive
Branch of the Government under the direction of Herbert C. Hoover. The term "Hoover Report" quickly became a synonym for the
investigation and constructive recommendations of the Commission. The first Hoover Commission established in 1947 when the
U.S. Congress passed a law providing for a Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government. The commission
was to aim at limiting expenditures, ensuring efficient performance, eliminating duplication, consolidating services, and
defining and limiting executive functions. The second Hoover Commission was appointed under the Eisenhower administration.
Its purpose was to contemplate changes in social and economic policy. Its right to issue subpoenas resulted in opposition
by many government officials. In Hoover's estimate, Congress accepted about a third of the commission's proposals.
The membership of the CCREBG's Board of Directors consisted of agricultural, business, educational, labor, veterans and women's
groups. In recognition of its essentially educational nature, the Bureau of Internal Revenue declared that contributions received
by the Committee would be deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The CCREBG had two offices, one in New York City and another in Washington, D.C. A network of regional and state chairmen
was created and held together by newsletters and periodic meetings. It provided speakers, film shows, editorials, resolutions,
panels and forums, and radio and television announcements. The Committee developed 300 state and local affiliated committees
with active outposts in every congressional district. "Little Hoover Commissions" were appointed in 28 state governments,
as well as Hawaii and Alaska. The result was and unprecedented upsurge of public interest in government operations.
Scope and Content Note
The records of the Citizens Committee for Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government (CCREBG) cover the period
of time from 1948 to 1958. During these years the CCREBG engaged in various operations to promote public and congressional
support for the Hoover Commission's recommendations to streamline the federal government and curtail the waste of federal
funds.
The records are divided into eight series. The first three (office file, correspondence, and reports) consist of materials
issued and collected by the main administrative offices of the CCREBG. They include bulletins, circular letters, editorial
analyses, memoranda, correspondence, minutes of meetings, press releases, and other materials. Included in the office file
series are speeches and writings by officers of the CCREBG and others. The reports series contains reports issued by the CCREBG
and includes reports by outside sources.
The Congressional legislation series provides complete sets congressional bills and their drafts, congressional hearing transcripts,
reports, correspondence, and memoranda relating to legislation of the U.S. Congress on the recommendations of the Hoover Commission.
The reorganization plans series provides documentation on the various reorganization plans for the federal government by the
Hoover Commission, and the State Committees series reflects the operations of the state committees and their relationship
with the main office administration.
The subject file and printed matter series consist primarily of materials collected by the CCREBG, which relate to their operations
in effecting reorganization of the Executive Branch of the government.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1989
Executive departments -- United States
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964
United States. Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government (1947-1949)
United States. Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government (1953-1955)