The quoted language of this section was originally enacted by act June 13, 1888, ch. 389, § 7, 25 Stat. 183, which charged the duties to the Commissioner of Labor.
Functions of all other officers of Department of Commerce and functions of all agencies and employees of such Department, with a few exceptions, transferred to Secretary of Commerce, with power vested in him to authorize their performance or performance of any of his functions by any such officers, agencies, and employees, by Reorg. Plan No. 5 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff.