Judge MARTIN. The duties were named in the organic act as duties similar to those performed by the marshals of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Now, we have no writs to serve, but the marshal is a very important and valuable member of our force. He takes care of the court property. He employs the employees there and sees that they perform their duties. He is the fiscal officer of the court, buying the supplies and paying for them. He looks after the matter of rents of the quarters. We have to rent quarters. We have no Government building. He is the ministerial officer who sits with the court when it is in session as the sheriff would sit with the county court in our own State courts at home. And in addition to that, he is the custodian of not only the property of the court but valuable exhibits. Each case that comes before the court is loaded down with exhibits, often of importance.

Mr. SUMNERS. Do you mean merchandise?

Judge MARTIN. Yes; merchandise, sometimes very valuable and sometimes important.

Now then, here is a combination of duties that by the time you get those things all combined make up a list of official duties that justifies the attention of the fiscal officer. Of course, he is the crier of the court, too, and consequently is an officer of value and importance. You will observe here that the increase we request in his compensation is $500 a year. He was paid $3,000 at the beginning of the court's history, and the increase we ask is only $500.

Mr. SUMNERS. Are your decisions based upon the record as sent up, or do you take testimony?

Judge MARTIN. On the records. We take no testimony. Mr. SUMNERS. What need have you for an official reporter? Judge MARTIN. The decisions of our court go into all the customs courts of the United States. They go to our consuls, the ministers abroad, and every collector of customs in the United States; and our decisions are all reported for their guidance, of course, as you plainly see. The official reporter does that work. He reports all those decisions, and the importance of reporting them correctly is manifest. It is an office that requires a man of legal education as well as literary education, and we have in that office a most deserving and meritorious man, a man of very high-class character. I think, therefore, that the increase that we ask for him is really a minimum. Mr. SUMNERS. You have a clerk and the marshal? Judge MARTIN. Yes, sir.

Mr. SUMNERS. And then you have a reporter.

Judge MARTIN. The reporter and the assistant clerk. That is the extent of our force outside of our judges.

Mr. O'SULLIVAN. Is this the first increase that has ever been asked for?

Judge MARTIN. This is the first increase we have ever had from the time of the creation of the court up to the present time for our employees. We have been remiss in that respect in reference to our clerk, who has never received any increase in compensation from the time of creation in 1909 up to this time. That is why we are asking for such an increase, which is the amount of $1,500 here, because he has never had an increase before. But this increase of $1,500

only brings his compensation up to $5,000 a year, which is in line with that which is conceded to other clerks of courts with which our clerks are comparable.

Judge McCoy. Let me say that the messengers of the supreme court also do the work around the courthouse, so that they are not merely messengers but laborers as well.

STATEMENT OF MR. G. E. STRONG. CHIEF CLERK, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Mr. STRONG. The department would like to ask that on page 2, section 2, line 14, after the words "$1.140 each," the following be inserted

Mr. DYER. If you will pardon me, I am going to suggest that the department send a letter to the committee with any suggestions it desires to make. I understand the department approves the bill itself?

Mr. STRONG. Yes, sir.

Mr. DYER. Just have the department send a letter to the committee, or to the chairman, suggesting any amendments to be made, and the committee will be glad to give it consideration.

Mr. STRONG. Mr. Caldwell is in close touch with the department that drafted this bill, and he can suggest any changes in the bill. If you have any questions to put to him, he, would be glad to explain in detail any portion of it you might need explained.

Mr. DYER. I doubt if that explanation is needed. I am sure the committee understand the bill very well. I think the necessity for the legislation is apparent and that the committee is fully conversant with the needs, etc., and we will be glad to hear from any of the witnesses who appear suggesting any amendments or changes in the bill, and the committee will take them and give them very careful consideration.

We thank you gentlemen very much for honoring the committee with your presence here this morning.

(The following data was submitted by Hon. George E. Strong, chief clerk and administrative assistant. Department of Justice :)

Table showing the present salary as compared with the proposed salary for the officers and employees of the four United States courts located in the District of Columbia

No position authorized, but provision is made (see sec. 5) that Attorney General shall annually estimate expenses of reporting.

Table showing the present salary as compared with the proposed salary for the officers and employees of the four United States courts located in the District of Columbia—Continued.

6 messengers.

1 stenographic clerk as assistant to probation officer (in lieu of stenographer typewriter, and assistant to probation officer).

1,660

1 electrician.

5 stenographic law clerks.

2 laborers (in lieu of elevator operators).

5 laborers.

4 watchmen.

1 mechanician (new).

1 engineer.

1 telephone operator.

1 attendant.

8 charwomen (2 new)

United States Court of Claims:

1 clerk.

1 assistant clerk.

1 clerical assistant (salary of $1,640 plus $500 as custodian of building).

1 clerical assistant (in lieu of bailiff).

2 clerical assistants.

I clerical assistant (new)

2 clerical assistants.

1 stenographic law clerk (new).

4 stenographic law clerks (in lieu of stenographers).

1 clerk

1 marshal.

1 assistant clerk.

1 reporter.

960

1,140

1 messenger.

1,840

2,000

1 messenger.

1.080

1,140

1 messenger (in lieu of telephone operator). 4 charwomen..

Table showing the present salary as compared with the proposed salary for the officers and employees of the four United States courts located in the District of Columbia Continued.

Reporter dropped and provision made for annual estimate for this service.

No new positions.