Mr. JOHNSON. It is furnished to them so much more cheaply than they could make them?

Mr. PUTNAM. Yes, sir: and our cards are incorporated in their atalognes, so that they are practically fixtures. The number of subscribers is increasing, so that we now have over 2.000.

LIBRARY BUILDING AND GROUNDS.

HEATING AND LIGHTING.

Mr. JOHNSON. Do you speak for the library building?

Mr. PUTNAM. Of necessity I do. Mr. Chairman. except as Mr. Rabbitt, the chief clerk in the office of the superintendent, neeris to be called upon for some information that I may not have. My colLeague. Mr. Green, died on October 22 last. I have here a statement made by him on the 3d of February last, and I would be glad to havə t incorporated in the record, if I may, because it answers a mestion that was asked him last year, but which at the moment he could not Answer specifically. The mestion was this: A central power plant has been established up here which would naturaily relieve the appropriations for the Library and enable him to reduce the force and to get along without appropriations for fuel, and he was asked That effect it did actually have upon the force and what was the need there now for engineers, electricians, and other experts of that haracter. This is a little statement that he compile then. and if I may be incorporated in the record I think it would be considerate, ecause it bears also on the present nee is. Mr. JOHNSON. It may go into the record. (The statement referred to is as follows:)

BUILDING AND GROUNDS, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. Washington, D. C.. February 3, 1914. Dis-mtinuance of the local power. Ighting and hearing service plant within the 'bmidling for the Library of Congress, during the seal year 1911. and the production of a ike service in its stead from the central power plant on Capitol Hill, occasioned the following changes in the force of employees in the ngineering ind electric lepartments of te Library Building and Grounds, as provided for in the appropriation for “Care and maintenance, Library of Congress, 1912":

Reinetion of 3 engineers from $1,000 each per annum to 3900.. 3-inction of electrician from $1.50 per annum to $1.200.

mission of assistant electrician..

"mission of 3 iremen, at $720 each per annum

Addition of 2 skilled laborers, at $720 each per annum.

Set decrease. I employees and the sum of

3800

300

1.000

6.480

The change to the power-house service consisted of the substitution of three new and modern 400-kilowatt motor-generator sets for generating eleerrie Jower and lght, driven by current from the central power station. for three -kilowatt and one 25-kilowatt eleetrte generating machines propelled by team engines and wilers within the building. Steam heat iso vas furnished Som the power station. Those employees who were not needed in the new angement were dropped, and the purchase of coal. it a yearly cost of about £1,000, was discontinued.

This amended, the appropriation for 1912 as affecting the employees of the ngineer and electric departments, was continued in 1913 without change, and

was likewise provided for 1914, excepting that the pay of the electrician was increased, on the superintendent's recommendation, from $1,200 to $1,500.

Engineers.-The Library Building is open from 9 a. m. until 10 p. m. on week days, and on Sundays and legal holidays from 2 p. m. until 10 p. m.

The duties of the five engineers at the building, covering the full day of 24 hours, are briefly as follows:

8 a. m. to 4 p. m.: Chief engineer. General supervision over mechanical plant of entire building, including pumps, elevators, vacuum cleaners, air washer, book carriers, and pneumatic-tube service and repairs to roof, plumbing, ventilating and heating apparatus and motor vehicles. One assistant engineer and one skilled laborer, in substation (located in vault beyond east line of building), operating and caring for electric generating machinery and switchboards.

4 p. m. to 12 midnight: One assistant engineer ($1,200). Continuation of general supervision of plant during evening service as by chief engineer during the day. One assistant engineer and one skilled laborer, in substation, as above. Midnight to 8 a. m.: One assistant engineer. Attention to lights, heating, and plumbing and any emergency that might arise in connection with the mechanical and electrical equipment of the building.

Machinists.-Duties consist principally of making repairs to and keeping in working order the mechanical book carriers in the building and to the Capitol. Execute other general repairs whenever needed in the mechanical equipment. Wiremen and their assistants.-These employees look after and keep in firstclass working order, under the direction of the electrician, practically all of the electrical equipment except the generating machinery, including motors, fans, time switches, about 15,000 lights, telephone, bell, signal, and clock systems, and install, as completely as their time will permit, additional wiring or replace some of the old to meet new and constantly growing conditions.

More than 150,000 feet of wire have been placed in the building since its completion, in addition to the 143,000 feet installed at the time of the construction. The hours of service of the electrical force are as follows: 8 a. m. to 4 p. m., chief electrician, one wireman, and one skilled laborer (or assistant wireman); 2.30 p.m. to 10.30 p. m., one wireman and one assistant.

Skilled laborers.-Duties of varying character, requiring generally handy men. Their assignments are usually as follows: Two substation, two electrical, one heating and ventilating, one plumbing, one machinery, two autos (operators), one grounds.

Two other additional skilled laborers were provided by the care and maintenance appropriation for 1912, but these were to operate the motor vehicles in the mail and delivery service and were not associated with the change to the powerhouse service.

BERNARD R. GREEN, Superintendent, Library Building and Grounds.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.

Mr. PUTNAM. In his estimates for this coming year there is, I believe, no item that is not a repetition of what was submitted for the present year. For instance, he asks for a certain increase of force; that is, for two additional watchmen, one additional carpenter, two additional laborers, and six additional charwomen. These were asked for this year. The needs are explained in this statement which I submit for the record.

Mr. JOHNSON. Very well.

(The statement referred to is as follows:)

In the estimates of the late superintendent of the Library building and grounds for the fiscal year 1916, the following increases appear:

Watchmen, 2 at $900 each. (Present number, 16.) One of these was regarded as necessary for the watch from midnight to 8 a. m., which is now cov ered by 3 men, principally to afford the building and its contents better protec tion from fire, by more frequent patrol and more complete inspection. The other man would be used in maintaining the day and evening watches at safe protective strength in instances of absence in the force through annual or sick

The three eight-hour watches are usually served as follows: Midnight to 8 a m., 3 men; 8 a. m. to 4 p. m., 5 men; 4 p. m. to midnight, 8 men.

The office rooms are vacated by the Library assistants about 4.30 p. m., but the building remains open to the public until 10 o'clock p. m., hence the necessity of using the largest number of men on the third or evening watch, inside and outside of building.

This increase was submitted for 1915, but not allowed. The number of watchen has remained at 16 since 1908, although one or two additional men have from time to time been estimated for. The rate of pay was increased in 1915 from $720 to $900.

Carpenter, 1 at $900. (Present number, 1.) For several years it has been ecessary to employ temporarily from time to time at least 1 additional carpenter. at 84 per day, to repair and alter furniture and inclosures, construct partions and shelving, and repair floors, windows, and doors.

In 1914 the total cost of this labor for about 225 days was approximately $40, and during the present year the sum of $360 for about 80 days' service has ready been expended.

The superintendent was of the opinion that there is now, and will continue to be, sufficient work to keep an additional carpenter regularly occupied.

Laborers, 2 at $540 each. (Present number, 14.) This additional service was considered necessary to bring the force of laborers up to sufficient strength to enable it to properly meet the greater quantity of work imposed upon it by the atural growth and development of the Library business.

For a period of about 10 years the number of laborers has remained at 14, though estimates for increase in the number have been made from time to t.me.

The compensation for these employees was incrased in 1914 from $480 to $540 per year.

Charwomen, 6 at $240. (Present number, 52.) The steadily increasing volume of the Library business and its expansion into spaces in the building occasioned this estimate of an increase of 6 in the force of charwomen.

In 1913 the number of charwomen was increased from 45 to 47, and in 1914 5 more were allowed, bringing the total number up to 52.

In 1915 6 additional charwomen were estimated for, but not allowed. Fuel, light, etc. (Appropriation for present year $16,000, including $2,000 for repair of roof.) Repaving west main driveway, $6,000; repairing stone irb in Library grounds, $2,000. (Driveway covers an area of about 20,000 are feet. Basis of estimate, 30 cents per square foot.)

These items were estimated for in 1915, but were not allowed. Furniture (appropriation for present year, $10,000).—Twenty-two thousand lars for extension and completion of stack of steel storage card cases in card section.

To complete third tier with 6.240 trays, at $1.10 each, would cost (approximately) $6,800 and provide one and one-half to two years' capacity.

To complete the stack (third and fourth tiers) with 22.080 trays. at $1 each, would cost (approximately) $22,000 and provide six or seven years' capacity. To complete the stack was regarded as the most economical policy and as east inconvenient to the business of the card section.

Temporary expedients are now being adopted, but the limit of these will be eached by July 1 next.

This estimate was made for 1915, but not allowed.

(Sundries.)

Needed expenditures from appropriation for “Furniture, etc." Floor coverings.--Law library. Capitol. Heavy linoleum or cork carpet. Probable cost $500, laid. Present covering badly worn, broken, patched. Inside reading room circular desk. Cork carpet. Probable cost $150. Present envering has been in place about 10 years. It is much worn, patched in places. May possibly last until next winter.

Many of the rubber runways will need replacing during year; $450. Carpet Inways on reading floor; have replaced some of these runways with old carts, but can not last out the year. Probable cost, $300.

Carpet runways on floor of visitors' gallery. Are much worn at ends, many times sewn over. Have been down about four years.

Window shades.—Shades are placed on east, south, and west sides of building, with but few on the north side. About 350 shades. New shades badly Leeded on windows on basement, first, and second floors, and in west attle. Probable cost, about $600. Basement floor shades are Hollands, first floor 71475-14-2

shades are Hollands, second floor shades are opaques. New Venetian blinds on west attic. Probable cost, $150.

All on spring rollers.

New set of awnings.-About 175, all around building. Many of the iron frames are broken after 12 years' use. All of the coverings are faded, many torn; some of the fittings lost, etc. Probable cost, about $250 or $300. They should be in place before April 1, 1915.

Three hundred and twenty-five metal lockers.-To replace the old wooden lockers. Probable cost, $3,000. The wooden lockers are harbors for vermin of all kinds. Most of them have been in use for 17 years. Are uncleanly, bases on floor; tops gather dust and dirt. In many the joints have been opened from shrinkage.

Desk and desk chairs.-About 20 new sanitary desks for Copyright Office, which is closely filled with furniture, the desks coming down to the floor, impracticable to clean under them. Some in use for 16 years. About 50 or more desk chairs are needed to replace the chairs worn out, broken, etc. Other desks are wanted in other parts of the building. Probable cost of desks and chairs wanted, $2,000.

Miscellaneous furniture.-Card catalogue cases of various sizes, letter file cases, office desk furniture, $3,000.

Additional stations for watchmen push buttons. About 10 more than the 10 now installed.

Under Maintenance, repairs, etc.-The usual cost of painting, material and labor, varnishes, hardware, tools, for repairs to building, care of building is about $1,800.

SUPERINTENDENT OF LIBRARY BUILDING.

Mr. JOHNSON. You know the very interesting story of Col. Green's connection with the Library, of course?

Mr. PUTNAM. Yes, sir; I think I do.

Mr. JOHNSON. In consideration of his extraordinary services for the Government in the past, Congress kept him as superintendent of that building at a salary of $5,000 a year. Now, is it necessary that his successor should receive such a salary as that?

Mr. PUTNAM. It is fair to say, Mr. Chairman, that so far as I have felt authorized to consider the situation, I have approached it from another point of view. Here is a statutory position at a salary of $5,000 which is to be filled by presidential appointment equally with that of Librarian. Now, what sort of qualifications could be secured for that $5,000 to-day, and what opportunity does the position give that might justify such a salary? Well, there is an elaborate building to be administered. It is a building that has a somewhat elaborate plant that requires renewals and repairs from time to time, and the building itself requires renewals and repairs. Then there will have to be some extensions. Within the next two or three years we shall have to plan for another bookstack in the northeast courtyard similar to that in the southeast courtyard. The time is not distant when there will have to be some additions, either in the way of an addition to the building or an auxiliary building for mere storage purposes. Now, Mr. Chairman, if there were a competent engineer there, a man of competence in construction and also of ingenuity in designing (I am not speaking from the artistic standpoint, but from the standpoint of efficiency purely-something that Mr. Green had in all these matters) of course there would be a great advantage in that and a good deal of work could be done by him in the way of planning, designing, etc., that we would otherwise have to pay outside expert labor for. Mr. Green did a great deal of work directly on the premises that would otherwise have been contracted for outside. Mr. Green was able to do a good deal

of construction work of that kind because of the fact that he was a competent engineer.

Of course, I do not need to recall to you the fact that he was called into consultation very often by this committee because of his competency as an engineer. For instance, when the committee wished comment, perhaps, on estimates submitted to it, or criticism of some plans, such as that for the central power-plant scheme, they availed themselves of his services. That is something in addition, of course, to the duties of a mere custodian of a building. I have thought, however, Mr. Chairman, of the possibility of other arrangements being made. Suppose, instead of having an office of this dignity to be filled by presidential appointment, it was simply one corresponding to the superintendency of an ordinary building. In that event I suppose you might perhaps get a $3,000 man who would fill that fairly well. On the other hand, whether the ultimate saving would be great, whether it would be worth while to attempt to save that $2,000, or whether on the whole it would not be more than offset by expenditures in other directions, is a question. Mr. Green, of course, also acted as disbursing officer. He was disbursing all the appropriations for the Library proper as well as for the Botanical Gardens and all expenditures under the Joint Committee on the Library. For $5,000 you can get a man with expert knowledge and experience similar to Mr. Green's. To try to save a thousand dollars or two on the salary by substituting a mere "custodian" of the building would seem to me very poor economy.

EXTENSION OF STEEL STACK FOR Cards.

Mr. JOHNSON. In the item on page 65 you are asking for an appropriation of $22,000 for the extension and completion of the steel stack for storage of catalogue cards in the card section.

Mr. PUTNAM. That was one of the items asked for by Mr. Green for this year.

Mr. JOHNSON. What have you been doing with those catalogue cards heretofore?

Mr. PUTNAM. Storing them in the part of the stack already constructed. This estimate is for an extension of the stack.

Mr. JOHNSON. How much space is still unused?

Mr. PUTNAM. Enough to last us until the 1st of July.

Mr. JOHNSON. The 1st of July, 1915?

Mr. PUTNAM. Yes, sir; and anticipating that it would give out then. Mr. Green estimated last year for a sum to enable him to extend it Now, by expending $6,800—that is, less than $7,000—we could extend it to a capacity sufficient to carry us forward another yearMr. JOHNSON (interposing). $6,800!

Mr. PUTNAM. $6,800 would cover the needs for the next two years, but he thought it much more economical

Mr. JOHNSON (interposing). If we gave you this $22,000, how long would that carry you?

Mr. PUTNAM. About six or seven years, and in contracting at once for the whole of the remainder we could get better terms. We should be sorely embarrassed if we could not get at least a part of the appropriation, because these cards must be printed and accommodated.