A Look Back: Disposition of Records by the Department of Agriculture (1941)
On August 23, 2025, at precisely 01:45 UTC, the Congressional Serial Set, a comprehensive compilation of U.S. Congressional documents, made available a significant historical record: H. Rept. 77-795, titled “Disposition of records by the Department of Agriculture.” This report, dated June 19, 1941, offers valuable insight into the administrative practices and considerations of a major federal agency during a pivotal period in American history, as the nation was on the cusp of World War II.
The document, ordered to be printed by the House of Representatives, likely addresses the procedures and policies governing the management, retention, and disposal of records within the Department of Agriculture. In 1941, the Department was a vast organization, overseeing a wide array of responsibilities, from agricultural production and research to conservation and rural development. The sheer volume of information generated by such an expansive agency would have necessitated clear guidelines for recordkeeping to ensure efficiency, accountability, and the preservation of historically important documents.
While the full contents of H. Rept. 77-795 are not detailed in the announcement, one can infer that the report would have explored critical aspects of archival management. This might include:
- Record Retention Schedules: Establishing how long different types of records should be kept, balancing the need for operational continuity with the cost and space required for storage.
- Disposal Procedures: Outlining the authorized methods for destroying or otherwise disposing of records that no longer had administrative, legal, or historical value. This process would have been crucial for managing information overload and ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Historical Preservation: Identifying records deemed to have long-term historical significance, ensuring their proper transfer to archival institutions for safekeeping and future research.
- Confidentiality and Security: Addressing the handling of sensitive or classified information within the Department’s records.
- Efficiency and Economy: A potential focus on streamlining record management processes to reduce costs and improve the accessibility of vital information.
The timing of this report in 1941 is particularly noteworthy. As the United States prepared for potential involvement in global conflicts, government agencies were likely reviewing their operational procedures to ensure maximum preparedness and efficiency. Effective record management would have been an essential component of this readiness, ensuring that critical information was available when needed and that resources were not being unnecessarily consumed by outdated or irrelevant documentation.
The inclusion of this report in the Congressional Serial Set underscores the importance that Congress placed on the proper stewardship of government records. Such reports served as a public record of governmental operations and provided a basis for legislative oversight and accountability.
For historians, archivists, and anyone interested in the administrative history of the U.S. government, H. Rept. 77-795 offers a tangible link to the past. It allows us to understand how a vital federal department managed its information assets in an era before the widespread adoption of digital technologies, providing valuable context for contemporary discussions on information governance and archival practices. The accessibility of this document through govinfo.gov allows for continued study and appreciation of the foundational work that shaped modern government recordkeeping.
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govinfo.gov Congressional SerialSet published ‘H. Rept. 77-795 – Dispositi on of records by the Department of Agriculture. June 19, 1941. — Ordered to be printed’ at 2025-08-23 01:45. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.