SUBSISTENCE OF SICK IN HOSPITALS The next item is subsistence, sick enlisted men in hospitals. This item covers the cost of subsisting enlisted men sick and in hospitals. 1938 appropriation, 2,060 (at 70 cents). $255.50 per annum. 1939 estimate, 2,156 (at 70 cents), $255.50 per annum__. Increase, 96.... 1 Base. 24.528 526, 330 470,000 390, 193 1$526, 330 550, 858 24,528 The estimate for 1939 is based on the experience for the past 10 years, which shows an average of 2 percent of the number of enlisted men will be in hospitals for treatment. The 1938 appropriation was made on a higher percentage because of reduction in number of men after the estimate was prepared. Changes explained as follows: The next item is subsistence and quarters, men on detached duty. This item covers the cost of quarters and subsistence for enlisted men of the Navy on detached duty for periods longer than 72 hours. 1938 appropriation (committee allocation), 3,827, at $556.81....... '2, 130, 910 The next item is for subsistence of men detained from vessel or cation on duty. This item covers subsistence and quarters for a umber of men who, in the regular performance of duty, must be etained from ship or station for short periods. This subsistence ay be difficult to obtain or may be expensive. The number is stimated and it is difficult to control this expenditure. This increase is predicated on an increase in the average number of enlisted men by 5.85 percent. LOSSES OF PROVISIONS This item covers the value of losses of provisions and ice for preservations which are not included in the cost of the ration under abhead 14. 1938 Bureau allocation___ JUSTIFICATION $131, 748 Estimated losses for undrawn poultry. Estimated addition as required for ice and other losses__ Amount transferred to S-14 $152,000 143, 252 This item was changed from $275,000 to $131,784 in connection with change in method of charging cost of undrawn poultry. Losses on poultry, in 1939, will be included in S-14. Losses of provisions in store and in messes due to deterioration and spoiling and the cost of reconditioning provisions, as well as ice for preserving provisions on vessels, are not included in the cost of the ration but must be charged to this appropriation. Beginning with the fiscal year 1938 the instructions have been modified to require adjustments on account of undrawn poultry to be included in the cost of the ration. The estimated cost of this item in 1938 was $152,000. An amount, $143,252, has been transferred to project No. 14 and included in the cost of the ration. The estimate for 1939 is based on an increase of 0.1295 over the cost for 1937. This percentage is approximately the percentage increase in men over 1937. Mr. PLUMLEY. Does this decrease in your estimate from $275,000 to $131,784 result entirely from the change in the method of charging cost of undrawn poultry? Admiral CONARD. That is right. Mr. PLUMLEY. You have made a good beginning. SUBSISTENCE FOR HOSPITAL CORPS MEN Admiral CONARD. This item covers the subsistence in hospital messes of naval hospitals of enlisted men of the Navy on duty. The cost per man is estimated at 70 cents for 1939 the same as for sick men in hospitals. The number of corpsmen on hospital staffs subsisted in messes is 1,572. This item does not include the total umber of men assigned to hospital duty. Some rations are commuted and some receive quarters and subsistence allowances. The costs of these appear under items S-14 and S-19 respectively. The cost in 1936 was 66 cents per ration and was increased to 70 ents per ration for 1937 thereby causing a considerable increase in cost. This increase was also augmented by an increase in the number of men to be subsisted. The rate remained the same for 1938 appropriation but the number of men was increased; although more men are detailed to hospitals a larger number are being subsisted under other items. The rate for 1939 is 70 cents. Mr. UMSTEAD. Admiral, if I understand it, this appropriation covers subsistence for enlisted men on duty at hospitals who are not arried on any other roll? Admiral CONARD. That is correct. Mr. UMSTEAD. And is supplementary to the item of subsistence for enlisted men provided the regular ration? Admiral CONARD. Yes, sir; that is correct. TRANSPORTATION AND RECRUITING OF NAVAL Admiral CONARD. Transportation and recruiting, $5,668,032. BASIS OF ESTIMATE The subhead "Transportation" covers mileage and transportation for officers and transportation for nurses, men, and dependents, as well as the cost of recruiting men. The estimates for 1939 are based on the following: 1. The per capita costs used in this estimate are based on the latest available data 2. The language is the same as for fiscal year 1938 except for the change shown on page P. S. & T. 21. 3. This estimate is based on the following important assumptions: (4) That the average enlisted strength will be 107.785-maximum 110,570. (b) That the percentage of reenlistments and extensions will be 75 percent. (c) That the estimated average number of officers for the fiscal year 1939 will be 10,186. (d) That the normal operation of vessels of the naval transport service as now carried on from the east coast of the United States to the west coast of the United States and thence to the Asiatic station and return will be continued, except that, due to the schedules and periodic overhaul of one transport, one round trip between the east and west coasts will be omitted. (e). That steamship and railroad fares in effect during 1937 remain unchanged during the fiscal year 1939. NOTE. These fares have been increased somewhat, and further increases are expected. Owing to lack of reliable information as to the extent of the fare increases, they have been ignored in these figures. Estimates for 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939 were based on the average personnel as shown below: The following table shows expirations of enlistments, other losses and replacements, actual and estimated: |