Executive Order 2877

by President of the United States

Whereas, in order to avoid confusion in policies, duplication of effort, and conflicting interpretations of the law, unity of control in the administration of the legal affairs of the Federal Government is obviously essential, and has been so recognized by the acts of Congress creating and regulating the Department of Justice;

Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chief Executive and by the act "authorizing the President to coordinate or consolidate executive bureaus, agencies and offices, and for other purposes, in the interest of economy and the more efficient concentration of the Government," approved May 20, 1918, do hereby order that all law officers of the Government excepting those in the Philippine Islands, including all law officers attached to any executive bureau, agency or office specially created for the prosecution of the existing war, shall "exercise their functions under the supervision and control of the head of the Department of Justice," in like manner as is now provided by law with respect to the Solicitors for the principal Executive Departments and similar officers; that all litigation in which the United States or any Department, executive bureau, agency or office thereof, are engaged shall be conducted under the supervision and control of the head of the Department of Justice; and that any opinion or ruling by the Attorney General upon any question of law arising in any Department, executive bureau, agency or office shall be treated as binding upon all departments, bureaus, agencies or offices therewith concerned. This Order shall not be construed as affecting the jurisdiction exercised under authority of existing law by the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Judge Advocates General of the Army and Navy.

Woodrow Wilson 

The White House,

31 May, 1918.