From time to time there comes to my ears allegations of administrative bungling--sometimes worse--in the various echelons of the Federal Government. As a matter of routine they are referred to your Department.1
I want to ask that whenever any such suspicion arises concerning any portion of the Federal government, that you make certain that the proper division within your Department follows the matter up speedily and exhaustively. While I believe that the law provides that the Attorney General's office has no right to conduct investigations within the Bureau of Internal Revenue, I believe also that the Secretary of the Treasury will be glad to give you blanket authority to include that Bureau also in the scope of your proper investigations.2
Should there ever arise any question of conflict of jurisdiction in such matters, the subject should be brought to my attention promptly so that needed investigations can go forward without delay.
If additional investigations are from time to time required to make certain of speedy and complete investigation, I would be glad to attempt to find the necessary money. If it should not be available in existing appropriations, we can always ask for supplemental money from the Congress. I am sure that this is one activity for which the Congress would provide the necessary financial support.
If we have in the government either incompetent or venal individuals--no matter whether we have them by inheritance or by appointment--we must find them and get rid of them at the earliest possible moment. As you proceed along this line, it will be my responsibility to see that the Departments of the Executive Branch cooperate with you fully and cheerfully.
