(1) This small increase is to provide for the higher cost of supplies in general. (2) To replace old and worn out equipment. (3) For use of additional personnel estimated for 1939. (4) To replace old and worn out machines, which are continually requiring to be repaired. One of these machines is actually out of order and not being used, necessitating constant transfer of available machines between offices to keep the work up. (5) To replace an Elliott-Fisher machine used for numbering and labeling manila health-record jackets, which cannot be done by typewriter. This machine is about 20 years old, has been in constant use and is so worn out the manufacturers state they cannot keep it in running order, owing to the fact that repairs parts are no longer available at the factory for this discontinued model. BUREAU OF SUPPLIES AND ACCOUNTS The Bureau of Supplies and Accounts requests increases as follows: (1) Stationery and office supplies, etc.. (2) Increased rental of statistical tabulating machines. (3) File cases (24.5 percent of normal annual replacement requirement). (7) Additional visible system loose leaf binders. Total. $600 660 480 1,435 8,665 315 215 230 12,600 (1) The increased requirement for stationery and office supplies is necessary due to estimated increase in cost of materials purchased, and increased use of office forms and form letters. (2) When leasing 90-column tabulating machine equipment for 1938 a statistical card interpreter was omitted because of lack of funds, even though its omission materially reduces production and increases errors. This machine is essential to operate efficiently and complete jobs accurately without undue delay. (3) (6) For many years there have been insufficient funds for replacement of file cases and furniture. The worn out dilapidated condition causes constant complaints from employees and supervisors. It is often necessary that a messenger be called to aid women employees open broken file-case drawers. Many desks and chairs are literally falling to pieces and are beyond economical repair. The Department's carpenter regularly refuses to attempt to repair furniture due to its condition. Attempts to obtain bids to repair file cases and cabinets have failed as contractors state repair costs would in many cases exceed the cost of new equipment. See table below. (4) (5) Experience has shown that in order to gain the objective of keeping operating costs to a minimum consistent with efficiency it is essential that all labor-saving devices be maintained in a condition that will not interfere with the orderly carrying on of the work, will give the highest possible production in the least possible time, produce accurate, high-quality results, and eliminate frequent repairs. It is a proven fact that where typewriting, adding, computing, duplicating, and addressing machines are in an obsolescent and wornout condition pay rolls increase, errors occur and work is slowed down resulting in inefficient, uneconomical operation. It also cannot be disputed that machines do wear out and must be replaced. And yet, amounts included in previous estimates for conservative replacements of labor-saving devices have not been appropriated. This condition cannot continue if the bureau is to be fully prepared to handle the multitudinous details of supplying the fleet in a national emergency. Amounts included in the final estimates for labor-saving devices are extremely conservative for several reasons. First, $40,056 (100 percent) for much needed deferred replacements, and $11,609 (52 percent of the annual requirements for 1939, were deleted from the original estimates. Second, the reduction in the estimates below the amount required for essential deferred and annual replacements will necessitate attempting to use old, worn, labor-saving devices after their economical life has ended. Third, the constant, hard usage given a large majority of the machines and equipment in the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts demands that replacements be made on the average life as shown below in order to avoid highly excessive repair costs and much loss of time of the personnel: The Bureau's normal annual requirement for replacements of laborsaving devices is $22,504. The $10,895 included in the estimate is only 48 percent of this amount, and considering the funds needed for deferred replacements, only 17 percent of the actual total requirements. The following tables, more graphically demonstrated by the attached chart, shows the vital necessity of obtaining funds for replacement of labor-saving devices. Expenditures under "Contingent expenses, Navy Department” for adding, computing, duplicating, addressing, and similar machines (7) Eight additional visible system loose-leaf binders are necessary to take care of expansion in the active-payment records on Navy contracts. (8) This item is required to replace heavy ledger binders which have been in use for many years and are beyond economical repair. For years the funds available have been extremely inadequate for the proper functioning of the Bureau. The increase in personnel strength of the Navy involves an increase in expenditures with a resultant increase of work in all phases of purchasing, accounting, and disbursing thereby causing a greater demand on the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts. With the insufficient funds made available it is not only increasingly difficult for the personnel to fulfill the demands made upon them but morale and efficiency are greatly impaired. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1938. PRINTING AND BINDING, NAVY DEPARTMENT STATEMENTS OF WILLIAM D. BERGMAN, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND CHIEF CLERK; CAPT. L. R. LEAHY, HYDROGRAPHER; AND CAPT. DUDLEY W. KNOX, OFFICE OF NAVAL RECORDS AND LIBRARY Mr. UMSTEAD. We will take up the item for printing and binding, Navy Department. The current appropriation for printing and binding is $490,000, and the estimate for 1939 is $560,000. Mr. Bergman, will you explain this item and the reason for the increase requested? PURPOSE OF THE APPROPRIATION Mr. BERGMAN. This appropriation pays for all printing obtained at the Government Printing Office for the Navy Department and the naval service, except for small amounts obtained under the appropriations "Replacement of Naval Vessels," "Printing Historical and Naval Documents," and the naval supply account fund. The estimate for 1939 is based upon the 1938 appropriation as allotted to the various bureaus and offices, less nonrecurring or other items not required in 1939, thus arriving at a base for 1939. To this base has been added (a) additional (or increased) recurring items, and (b) nonrecurring items required for 1939. DISTRIBUTION OF ESTIMATE FOR 1939 Regular appropriation, 1938 act.. Deduct non-recurring items or other items not required in 1939: Manual of interior control. Damage control instructions_ Manual of torpedo control... Bureau of Construction and Repair: Ships' data, United States naval vessels. Submarine safety respiration and rescue devices.. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery: Manual of the Medical Department_ Naval Observatory: Naval observatory publications, second series, vol. Hydrographic Office Publication No. 9, American Practical Hydrographic Office Publication No. 87, International Code...... Total.... 1939 base.. The following increases over the base are requested for 1939: $490,000 8, 500 4, 150 2,700 1, 300 2, 300 8, 500 1,000 6, 650 1,000 3,000 1, 000 5,000 5,000 50, 100 439, 900 Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.. Hydrographic Office.. Total increase over base... Estimate for 1939. 1,500 5, 000 6, 800 31, 120 120, 100 560, 000 The situation with respect to printing for the Navy Department remains serious. The following shows the casualties suffered by the 1938 estimates: The continued scarcity of printing funds has caused the elimination or deferment of important printing needed for issue to the service. The 1939 estimates submitted by the bureaus totalled $706,700. This was reduced to $590,270 by the Secretary of the Navy, and to $560,000 by the Budget Bureau. Notwithstanding a larger naval establishment, in ships, enlisted men, and civil employees, a large increase in the cost of paper, and the inauguration of the 40-hour week at the Government Printing Office, the amount available for printing and binding for the Navy Department is less now than it was several years ago. This curtailment has resulted in an accumulation of printing needs which has been recognized by the Budget Bureau in submitting the 1939 estimate to Congress in the amount of $560,000, the full amount of which it is earnestly hoped this committee may allow. INCREASES REQUESTED FOR 1939 Mr. THOM. Is this printing done by the Government Printing Office? Mr. BERGMAN. Yes, sir. OFFICE OF CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS Mr. BERGMAN. Taking them up in order, the first increase requested is for the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, $2,800 for a reprint of the Navy Regulations. The stock on hand will soon be exhausted. and it will be necessary to reprint sufficient copies to take care of additional requirements, including new classes of midshipmen. OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE The next increase requested is for the Office of Naval Intelligence, $500 for two publications in order to comply with the Secretary of the Navy's direction that registered publications which are insufficient in quantity to meet wartime demands be gradually increased until the proper supply is on hand, this increase to be completed by the fiscal year 1938-39. OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS The director of Naval Communications requests the following increases: (1) Reprinting Communication Instructions-1929. (2) Binders for reprinted Communication Instructions-1929_ 11, 000 4, 650 450 900 (1) Communication Instructions.-Communication Instructions have previously been printed in the years 1915, 1918, 1925, and 1929. The present Instruction was printed in 1929 but due to the changes that have occurred in communication practice and in order that the manual may conform to present day communication practices it should be reprinted. It is contemplated including Goast Guard Instructions and Joint Army and Navy Procedure in the new edition. The estimate of $11,000 will cover the cost of 4,000 copies of the Instructions and 11,000 copies of that part known as the Operators Manual; 5,500 copies of the Operators Manual will be used in connection with the instruction of Naval Reserve Personnel. The remaining copies of the Operators Manual, as well as the 4,000 copies of the Communication Instructions, are for distribution to the regular naval organization with a supply in reserve for expansion and replacement. |