_The Bureau of War Risk Insurance_ (created in 1914) is charged with carrying out the laws relating to government insurance of American ships, soldiers, and sailors. _The Federal Reserve Board_ and the _Federal Farm Loan Board_ (see p. 234) are also under the Treasury Department. =The War Department.=--The secretary of war has charge of all matters relating to national defense and seacoast fortifications, river and harbor improvements, the prevention of obstructions to navigation, and the establishment of harbor lines; and all plans and locations, of bridges authorized by Congress to be constructed over navigable rivers require his approval. The army is under the direction of the _General Staff_ described on p. 263. Within the war department there are also a number of departments and bureaus, each under the direction of an army officer. _The Adjutant General_ has charge of the records and correspondence of the army and militia; of the recruiting service, including enlistments, appointments, promotions, resignations, etc. He communicates to subordinate officers the orders of the President and the secretary of war, and preserves reports of military movements and operations. _The Inspector General_, with his assistants, visits and inspects military posts, depots, fortifications, armories and arsenals, and public works in charge of army officers, and makes reports on the conduct, efficiency, and discipline of officers and men, including their arms and equipment. _The Quartermaster General_ has supervision over the quartermaster corps which is the main supply service of the army (except for technical articles), and furnishes food, clothing, equipment, animals, and forage. It also has charge of building construction and transportation for the army. _The Chief of Finance_ has control over the finances of the army. _The Surgeon General_ has supervision over the medical service of the army; looks after the sick and wounded; provides medical and hospital supplies, and inquires into the sanitary conditions of the army. In addition to field hospitals permanent depots and hospitals are maintained at various points. _The Judge-Advocate General_ is the chief law officer of the army; he reviews records of the proceedings of courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions, and acts as legal adviser to the war department. _The Chief Signal Officer_ is charged with the supervision of military signal duties, the construction, repair, and operation of military telegraph lines and cables. _The Chief of the Air Service_ has supervision over aircraft production and the aviation service. _The Chief of Ordnance_ supervises the purchase, manufacture, and distribution of artillery, small arms, and ammunition for the army and the militia. For the manufacture of arms and ammunition there are arsenals at Springfield, Mass., Rock Island, Ill., Watervliet, N. Y., and elsewhere.