Page "Executive Office of the President of the United States" Paragraph 3

Roosevelt's efforts are also notable in contrast to those of his predecessors in office.

During the nineteenth century, presidents had few staff resources.

Thomas Jefferson had one messenger and one secretary at his disposal, both of whose salaries were paid by the president personally.

It was not until 1857 that Congress appropriated money ($ 2, 500 ) for the hiring of one clerk.

By Ulysses S. Grant's presidency, the staff had grown to three.

By 1900, the White House staff included one " secretary to the president " ( then the title of the president's chief aide ), two assistant secretaries, two executive clerks, a stenographer, and seven other office personnel.

Under Warren G. Harding, the size of the staff expanded to thirty-one, although most were clerical positions.

During Herbert Hoover's presidency, two additional secretaries to the president were added by Congress, one of whom Hoover designated as his Press Secretary.

From 1933 to 1939, even as he greatly expanded the scope of the federal government's policies and powers in response to the Great Depression, Roosevelt muddled through: his " brains trust " of top advisers, although working directly for the President, often were appointed to vacant positions in agencies and departments, whence they drew their salaries since the White House lacked statutory or budgetary authority to create new staff positions.