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situation, because it is unprecedented. This does not give you the whole picture, because we cannot produce all of the figures. We cannot tell how many incoming calls are received, because there is no numerical count; and the business between the various departments is not recorded here, because we use, so far as possible, tie lines which involve no expense to the Department other than rental, but I think that statement is a very fair explanation of our situation as regards the telephone service.

LANGUAGE CHANGES

Then there are the changes in language-the one to provide for the Under Secretary of Agriculture; the other to permit the deletion of the authority previously provided for cleaning and guarding the buildings. Under the terms of this Executive order the Department will now no longer need such authority.

Then there is the change in the salary phraseology, in order to make ours conform to the other appropriations.

There is a reduction of $3,600 in the authorization for allowances for fuel, quarters, light, and heat for employees stationed abroad. Mr. JUMP. That will be explained when the Bureaus of Agricultural Economics and Entomology appear. This is just the authorization for the use of the appropriations as provided by law.

COMPENSATION, MECHANICAL SHOPS AND POWER PLANT

Mr. SANDLIN. This next item "Compensation, mechanical shops and power plant", is the one that is eliminated?

Mr. NELSON. That is the one that we propose to completely eliminate. The following statement is submitted for the record:

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Decrease, Budget 1935, compared with estimated obligations, 1934 112, 166 NOTE: The complete abandonment of this appropriation is recommended. Under the provisions of Executive Order No. 6166, of June 10, 1933, the responsibility for the administration of all buildings and reservations in Washington, D.C., previously under the jurisdiction of the Department, was transferred to the Department of the Interior. In accordance with the terms of the order, the funds required for the performance of the necessary work were also transferred. In the interests of economy and efficient business administration the transfer of the funds available for obligation during the fiscal year 1934, as indicated below, is recommended in order to permit the complete elimination of this appropriation. In making the transfer to the Department of the Interior, it proved impractical to separate the personnel engaged in strictly building maintenance operations as differentiated from those performing work ordered by the branches of the Department in connection with its scientific and technical laboratories and other miscellaneous mechanical work not classed as building maintenance. Assurance has been obtained from the officials responsible that the organization will be maintained by the Department of the Interior and that services required by this Department will be performed as heretofore. Difficulties are not anticipated in the performance of nontechnical operations, but it is possible that the more exacting requirements of the laboratory and research work may necessitate direct contact with the bureau personnel, in which event it may become necessary to reestablish a central shop organization in the Department of Agriculture for the performance of necessary work not classed as building maintenance.

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I This reduction of $120,960 below the appropriation for 1934 consists of:
Impoundment of 633 percent of 15 percent pay cut..
Funds transferred to other appropriations...

-$8,794 -112, 166 -120.960

? The reduction of $112,166 in working funds for 1935 is recommended in order to permit the complete elimination of this appropriation as follows:

(a) Reduction of $89,237, for the transfer of the elevator service ($35,190), the power plant ($29,563), and themaintenance of buildings ($24,484), to the Department of the Interior, pursuant to Executive Order No. 6166, of June 10, 1933.

(b) Reduction of $16,294, for the transfer of the funds required for the motor transport service and con-sulting engineer, to the appropriation "Salaries, office of the Secretary."

(c) Reduction of $6,635, and the transfer of this amount to the appropriation "Miscellaneous expenses. The Department of the Interior plans to continue the operation of the mechanical shops on the previously established basis of reimbursement at actual cost for work performed. The amount indicated is required to permit reimbursement to that Department for necessary job work performed for the office of the Secretary, not classified as building administration.

Mr. NELSON (continuing): This appropriation formerly provided for the maintenance of buildings, the operation of elevators, the operation of the power plant, and the operation of the motor-transport service. All but the latter have been transferred to the Department of the Interior, and we are recommending the transfer of the amount necessary for the motor-transport service to "Salaries, Office of the Secretary", in order to simplify our bookkeeping problems and permit the complete elimination of this appropriation.

There is a situation, however, in connection with the shop work that perhaps needs another note. Over a period of years the mechanical shops have been developed not only as a building maintenance organization, but also to perform a lot of needed work for the technical organizations of the Department. When this Executive order came out, we attempted to subdivide the employees and separate those who were engaged in strictly maintenance functions from those who were engaged on these technical and laboratory operations for the bureaus, but we found that it was impossible; so we have transferred the entire organization to the Department of the Interior, and have received from the officials of that Department assurance that they will maintain our shop organization as heretofore. We have every reason to believe that we will be able to work under that arrangement, but it is possible that changes might take place in the Department or in the Department of the Interior that would make it necessary for us to have some mechanics for the strictly technical and scientific work in the bureaus within our own jurisdiction. At present, however, the entire personnel is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.

Reductions in this appropriation include: $89,237 transferred to Interior, $16,294 to "Salaries, Office of the Secretary", and $6,635 to "Miscellaneous expenses", to provide for the purchase of materials from the Department of the Înterior. That completely eliminates the amounts heretofore provided.

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Mr. SANDLIN. The next item is for miscellaneous expenses, Department of Agriculture:

For stationery, blank books, twine, paper, gum, dry goods, soap, brushes, brooms, mats, oils, paints, glass, lumber, hardware, ice, furniture, carpets, and mattings; for freight, express charges, advertising and press clippings, telegraphing, telephoning, postage, washing towels; for the maintenance, repair, and operation of not to exceed 3 (including 1 for the Secretary of Agriculture, 1 for general utility needs of the entire Department, and 1 for the Forest Service) and purchase and exchange of 1 motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle, at a net cost of not to exceed $3,000, and 1 motorcycle for official purposes only; for the payment of the Department of Agriculture's proportionate share of the expense of the dispatch agent in New York; for official traveling expenses, including examination of estimates for appropriations in the field for any bureau, office, or service of the Department; and for other miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the Department, which are authorized by such officer as the Secretary may designate, $115,048: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture, during the fiscal year 1935, may maintain stocks of stationery, supplies, equipment, and miscellaneous materials sufficient to meet, in whole or in part, requirements of the bureaus and offices of the Department in the city of Washington and elsewhere, but not to exceed in the aggregate, $200,000 in value at the close of the fiscal year, and the appropriations made for such bureaus and offices for such stocks shall be available to reimburse the appropriation for miscellaneous expenses current at the time supplies are issued: Provided further, That the appropriations made hereunder shall be available for the payment of salaries of employees engaged in purchasing, storing, handling, packing, or shipping of supplies and blank forms, and the amount of such salaries shall be charged proportionately as a part of the cost of supplies issued, and in the case of blank forms and supplies not purchased from this appropriation the amount of such salaries shall be charged proportionately to the proper appropriation: Provided further, That the facilities of the central storehouse of the Department shall to the fullest extent practicable be used to make unnecessary the maintenance of separate bureau storehouse activities in the Department: Provided further, That a separate schedule of expenditures, transfers of funds, or other transactions hereunder shall be included in the annual Budget.

Mr. NELSON. We offer the following statement in connection with this item:

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Decrease, Budget 1935, compared with estimated obligations,
1934....

152, 206

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(a) A reduction of $117,841, provided by the transfer of this amount to the Department of the Interior or fuel, electricity, cleaning supplies and materials, building maintenance and repair, and for equipment and office supplies for the mechanical shops, power plant, elevator service, and guard service, including $1,400 provided in a nonrecurring item for the procurement of scrubbing machines, pursuant to Executive Order No. 6166, of June 10, 1933.

(b) Reduction of $13.000, due to the curtailment of the amount required for moving the various offices to quarters in the South Building. During the fiscal year 1934 all of this structure will be occupied with the exception of the major portions of wings 2 and 3, and the connecting head house on B Street. Part of the moving will be accomplished from the American University, a distance of more than 6 miles, and will, therefore, involve a considerably higher ratio of cost. Based on previous experience, it is believed that the remaining amount available ($10,000) will be sufficient to provide for necessary transfers to the new quarters during 1935.

(c) Reduction of $18,000 due to the elimination of this amount from the fund provided for the purchase of window shades or blinds for the new south building. It is expected that purchases will be completed during the fiscal year 1934 for all of this building except the unfinished portions of wings 2 and 3 and the B Street headhouse. Due to the failure to complete the structure in accordance with the original schedule, the final purchase cannot be made until next fiscal year. It is believed that the remaining amount avail. able ($6,000) will be sufficient for the purpose during 1935.

(d) Reduction of $10,000, resulting from the elimination of the nonrecurring item of $6,500 for changing the electric-current characteristics, and from minor savings on other items.

(e) Apparent increase of $6,635, due to the transfer of this amount from the appropriation “Compensa tion, Mechanical Shops and Power Plant," with a corresponding decrease in that appropriation. The amount requested is required to permit reimbursement to the Department of the Interior for necessary job work for the Office of the Secretary, not classified as building administration.

CHANGE IN LANGUAGE

(a) Several changes in language are recommended providing for the elimina tion of authorization for the expenditure of funds for the heating, lighting, and maintenance of structures occupied by the Department in the District of Columbia, due to the transfer of building administration to the Department of the Interior under the terms of the Executive order of June 10, 1933.

(b) Authorization is requested for the replacement during the fiscal year 1935 of the automobile which is provided for the use of the Secretary of Agriculture, by the insertion of the words "at a net cost of not to exceed $3,000", in the proper place.

(c) The substitution of 1935 for 1934 in the language relating to the maintenance and operation of the central storeroom of the Department is recommended in order to provide for the continued operation of the storeroom during the fiscal year 1935.

WORK DONE UNDER THIS APPROPRIATION

of

This appropriation, as indicated by its terms, provides for a great variety o miscellaneous objects necessary in the conduct of the work of the Department including stationery, furniture and office equipment and supplies, lumber, hardware, glass, paint, laundry, telegraphing and telephoning, ice, postage, travel expenses, maintenance and operation of motor vehicles, freight, express and drayage charges, and miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the Department. It provides, also, for the compensation of such personnel of the central supply section as may be engaged in the procurement, storage, issue, and shipment of supplies and materials for the several bureaus of the Department, reimbursement being made to this appropriation from the funds of the bureaus for which such service is rendered.

ITEMS ENTERING INTO REDUCTION IN ESTIMATE UNDER CURRENT

APPROPRIATION

Mr. NELSON. This statement shows a reduction in working funds of $152,206. Of that amount $117,841 is transferred to the Department of the Interior to cover electricity, building maintenance, fuel and miscellaneous items in connection with the operation of the mechanical shops.

A reduction of $13,000 is made in the amount provided for moving offices into the new South Building. For the fiscal year 1934 we have $23,000. We expect to accomplish the major portion of the moves in 1934, and are asking for authority to retain $10,000 for the fiscal year 1935 in order to complete occupancy of that building.

A reduction of $18,000 also is made by the curtailment of the amount previously provided for the purchase of blinds or shades for the South Building. There is a peculiar situation existing, in that the Treasury Department's authorization for the erection of a building does not provide for shades at the windows, and it is necessary for the Department to ask for them. However, we expect to take care of all our requirements with the exception of an amount estimated at $6,000.

A reduction of $10,000 includes the elimination of a nonrecurring item of $6,500 for changing the electric-current characteristics. In order to provide economy in the purchase of electricity, the Treasury Department is changing over our current characteristics from D.C. to A.C., and as the organizations move into the south building they are changed. That process will be sufficiently well forward to permit our eliminating this item.

Mr. THURSTON. Will that require the changing of the wiring of all your electrical apparatus?

Mr. NELSON. It will require the changing of a lot of the larger apparatus. The small pieces of apparatus are the universal type, and may be operated on either D.C. or A.C., but the Department is able to buy current at such a low rate that it is really to our advantage to get over to A.C. In a few cases we have technical problems requiring a source of supply of D.C. for a particular laboratory. For technical purposes the D.C., of course, is easier to control, because the changes of speeds in motors can be more easily regulated than they can with A.C.

Mr. SINCLAIR. You mean that you can handle your motors better under direct current than you can under alternating current?

Mr. NELSON. Yes, sir. Very careful adjustments of speed control can be more easily taken care of under direct current. In some few instances we will be compelled to put in a transformer to take care of that situation, but the Department in general, as fast as it occupies these new quarters, will have been switched over to the alternating current supply.

Mr. SINCLAIR. That gives you your power for less money?
Mr. NELSON. Yes, sir.

Mr. SINCLAIR. To the extent of $6,500?

Mr. NELSON. No; our reduction in bills probably will be more than that. This $6,500 is an appropriation made for the fiscal year 1934 to permit us to change our motors, and now we are eliminating that.

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