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Classified employees under Bureau of Steam Engineering, as of December 1, 1908-Cont'd.

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Classified employees under Bureau of Steam Engineering, as of December 1, 1908—Cont'd. MIDVALE STEEL COMPANY'S WORKS, NICETOWN, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

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BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY'S WORKS, SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PA.

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Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir.

Mr. PADGETT. I notice in the note to that section that the aggregate of the appropriations last year was $314,256, and you are increasing it to $350,000. What is the necessity for that increase of $36,000?

Commander GRIFFIN. That was the increase that it was thought was justified on account of the service of the people and the increased cost of living.

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Mr. PADGETT. In other words, that is an increase in the salaries

Commander GRIFFIN (interrupting). About 10 per cent in figures, I think. There is also an increase of one messenger at Pensacola, amounting to $500 or $600.

Mr. PADGETT. There are no other increases in the number of clerks, etc., contemplated?

Commander GRIFFIN. Not contemplated. We asked for two clerks and one messenger, which I believe were not included in the estimates sent to Congress.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is: "Machinery plant, navy-yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire," and the estimate for next year is the same as for the current appropriation?

Mr. LOUDENSLAGER. The amount is the same, but it is for different purposes, is it not?

Commander GRIFFIN. For the same purposes, but it may be stated in different language.

The CHAIRMAN. It reads: "For additional heavy-power tools for new boiler and machine shops." You have all the shops up there? Commander GRIFFIN. The machine shop is deficient in some tools. Most of the shops we have are deficient in tools for doing rapid work, for using the high-grade tool steel and turning out work quickly, because the machines themselves-the lathes and tools generally—will not stand it. They are not built for it. They were built before this high-grade tool steel was exploited, and in most of the yards we get a smaller output than we would if we had modern tools, but the tools that we have are not old and worn and we can not throw them away. The CHAIRMAN. The next item is "Machinery plant, navy-yard, Boston, Massachusetts," and the estimate is $5,000. Do you need that amount? Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir; we have cut these estimates nearly $100,000; I think it is $80,000.

The CHAIRMAN. I take it for granted that you need the tools at these different yards?

Commander GRIFFIN. We do, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is: "Experimental and research work," and the estimate for next year is the same as the current appropriation?

Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is: "Contingent: For miscellaneous supplies, such as postage, telegrams, advertising, stationery, technical books, and periodicals, engineering indices, etc.," $250?

Commander GRIFFIN. I would like to say that that item was in the estimates last year and was stricken out.

The CHAIRMAN. You have one contingent fund?

Commander GRIFFIN. No; that is just the point.

The CHAIRMAN. On page 133 there is the item: "For incidental expenses for navy vessels, yards, such as advertising, photographing, books, stationery, office furnishings, and instruments, $6,000?1

Commander GRIFFIN. It has been construed that that does not apply to the experiment station and that the appropriation for the experiment station covers all the expenses of that station. We have not spent one dollar out of our contingent fund for the use of this station, and feel that we can not. If it is the understanding that we can do it from the bureau's appropriations we will let them have the $250. That is something that is as necessary as anything down there.

If they can not keep pace with current engineering events it would be better to close up the station.

The CHAIRMAN. Is not this all under your bureau?

Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir; but we have always construed that this was a special appropriation for the use of the station.

The CHAIRMAN. If they want a postage stamp in Boston do they have a special fund out of which they buy it?

Commander GRIFFIN. No; but this bill does not carry any appropriation for the Boston Navy-Yard. It carries it for the bureau for repairs, stores, postage, etc.

The CHAIRMAN. I should think it would apply to everything under your bureau?

Commander GRIFFIN. We would be willing to construe it that way. Mr. PADGETT. Under the policy initiated last year, at the suggestion of the Paymaster-General, all telegrams, advertising, postage, and everything of that kind was to be consolidated and put into one bureau. Why is it that there is an exception made in this special bureau?

Commander GRIFFIN. Advertising, as matter of fact, is done by Supplies and Accounts, but is charged to the bureau concerned. We do not do any advertising, I know. There is another clause in the bill which says that no part of this appropriation shall be used for the purchase of books, periodicals, etc. I think that is in the beginning of the appropriation act.

The CHAIRMAN. I wish you would confer with the department and the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts and fix the matter up. Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. The next item is, "Buildings, engineering experimental station, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland,” $8,570. Do you need that amount?

Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir. It is just to keep the station from sliding into the Severn River.

The CHAIRMAN. That covers your bureau until we get to "Increase of the navy, construction and machinery: On account of hulls and outfits of vessels and steam machinery of vessels heretofore authorized, $14,540,790." What part of that is for Steam Engineering? Commander GRIFFIN. Yes, sir.

Roughly, about 45 per cent. It can't be stated exactly, because when estimates are made the actual cost of ships can not be stated, nor the expenditure under each head, but it will average about 45 per

cent.

[No. 8.]

STATEMENT OF WASHINGTON LEE CAPPS, CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR AND REAR-ADMIRAL, UNITED STATES NAVY, AND CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR.

The CHAIRMAN. The first item is "Construction and repair of vessels: For preservation and completion of vessels on the stocks and in ordinary," etc., $8,840,713. Just before we take up the total amount, I note that there is new language in this paragraph, " and for pay of classified force outside of bureau." Please explain that.

Admiral CAPPS. That is in pursuance of the department's desire to meet the wishes of Congress in grouping all clerical, drafting, and inspection employees under one head and fixing a limit to the total amount which can be expended on account of the payment for their services. The cost of clerical, drafting, inspection, and messenger services under the cognizance of the Bureau of Construction and Repair at navy-yards and naval stations is now covered by three separate appropriations, namely: "Increase of the navy, construction and machinery;" "Construction and repair of vessels," and "Civil Establishment." The legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation bill for some years past has imposed a limitation on the amount which could be expended out of the appropriation "Increase of the navy" for the payment of technical services in the bureau at Washington. Also, the naval appropriation bill for many years past under the heading "Civil Establishment " has made specific appropriation for certain clerical employees at various navy-yards. All other clerical employees, also draftsmen, technical assistants, messengers, etc., in the offices of naval constructors at navy-yards and superintending constructors' offices at private shipyards have been paid for from appropriations " Increase of the navy" and "Construction and repair.'

In order that such payments should be made from one appropriation, and that a definite limit be placed on the amount which could be expended from such appropriation for clerical, drafting, inspection, and messenger services, etc., the department directed the various bureaus to submit estimates covering the total cost of such services, so that the matter might be brought to the attention of Congress and suitable action thereon taken. The limitation of $620,219, which appears on page 126 of draft No. 1 of the bill, was based upon the number of employees actually on the rolls on June 30, 1908, and the rate of pay prevailing at that time. Subsequent to that date, various increases in the force at several navy-yards were made, and particularly at the navy-yard, New York, in order to take care of new construction work authorized by the last Congress. There have also been certain increases in pay made by the department. Although the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation bill has heretofore made specific authorization for the payment of certain employees in

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