Cleaning, refinishing, and repairing metal doors and windows, This item, requested but not allowed last year, is resub- The aluminum doors and aluminum frames of windows in the Main Conservatory have not had a major cleaning or refinishing in the 34 years since the Conservatory was completed and occupied in 1933. These doors and window frames are strong and durable and well-constructed of the very best quality aluminum metal and have held up well over the years, considering their exposure to the elements. However, due to the weather, time, and auto exhaust fumes, they have now become pitted, streaked, and darkened to such an extent that they should be cleaned and reconditioned at this time, both interior and exterior, especially as they now detract from the appearance of the interior and exterior of the Conservatory, which was steam cleaned under funds allowed for such purpose in the fiscal year 1965. Under the funds requested for 1968, in addition to cleaning and refinishing work, the bronze hardware on doors will be repaired and replaced, where necessary. The cleaning and refinishing work to be done includes 15 large exterior doors, 26 heat-wall grilles, 3 large interior doors, 4 sets of interior doors, 2 large circular windows, and 7 large drop lights. Total estimate for 1968 (including $7,200 budget amend- $30,000 614, 500 REPAIRS, REPLACEMENTS, AND IMPROVEMENT TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Senator BARTLETT. You are asking for only one additional electrician for this, $6,677. Did the House allow this? Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir. Senator BARTLETT. Your largest request seems to be for $45,000 for repairs, replacements, and improvements to electrical systems. Please give us an explanation for requesting funds for this work at this time. Mr. STEWART. If I may, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Rubel to elaborate on that item. He is very familiar with it. Mr. RUBEL. The Conservatory, as you know, is for the most part a glass-enclosed structure with many of its electrical installations as much as 90 feet above the floor level. Approximately 300,000 persons visit this building annually to view the interesting and exotic tropical and other horticultural specimens on display. At the higher elevations in this building there are over 100 electromechanical devices and extensive wiring systems which have been in service for over 35 years. Limit switches of a foreign make are obsolete models requiring a thorough overhaul or complete replacement. Motor-starters now accessible only under hazardous conditions should be relocated for greater safety to personnel. The circuit wiring at these high elevations is the original installation and the insulation on such wiring has reached the end of its useful life. Some lighting fixtures at the lower level are totally inoperative because of the deterioration of the insulation on circuit wires. The display areas used for seasonal flower exhibitions are so poorly illuminated that the real beauty of such displays is lost after dusk. Much can be done with recently developed lamps and fixtures to im prove these conditions. Considering that an average of 300,000 persons visit the Conservatory annually, the relatively small investment for general improvement of the electrical installations in this activity is in reality rather insignificant in comparison to its popularity with the general public. The Bartholdi fountain on the plot across from the Conservatory is in dire need of new wiring and other related improvements to insure its continuous operation and to enhance its esthetic characteristics. The small building previously mentioned, used as headquarters for 11 Government employees, has inadequate electrical wiring for its present usage. This building was originally designed as a residence for the Director of the Botanic Garden. Most circuits are overloaded, as evidenced by excessive heating of switches and wires. Such conditions present a fire hazard and result in frequent service interruptions that interfere with the activities of the building occupants. Obviously a building that was wired for residential purposes has electrical installations that are incompatible with the present usage of its floor space. Immediate improvement of these conditions is essential. Senator BARTLETT. How did the House react to this suggestion? Mr. HENLOCK. They allowed the item. METAL DOORS AND WINDOWS Senator BARTLETT. Then you are asking for $30,000 for cleaning and repairing metal doors and windows of the Main Conservatory. Was this item requested last year and disallowed? Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, Senator; and it has been disallowed by the House again this year and we are not appealing for restoration of the item. PLANT MATERIALS GROWN Senator BARTLETT. What all do they grow in the Botanic Garden? Mr. STEWART. I will ask Mr. Pincus to answer that question. Mr. PINCUS. At the Botanic Garden many forms of plant materials are grown. One of the main types of material that is grown is exhibition plants for the Conservatory. We have several shows which are exhibited at the Conservatory throughout the year. The first show is usually at the beginning of the year, and features the spring show of azaleas, tulips, narcissus. That material is all grown at the Poplar Point Nursery of the Botanic Garden. Then we have the Easter show, featuring lilies and other spring flowering plants. In the fall, there is the chrysanthemum show featuring these plants in many types, colors, and shades and, finally, the show season is closed out with the poinsettia show at Christmastime. We also maintain a large collection of orchids which are on display at the conservatory. The conservatory also contains tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world, which are grown in naturalistic settings. The Botanic Garden also propagates and grows plant material which is used as plantings in the Capitol Grounds and around other buildings under our jurisdiction. We also maintain a large collection of green plants which are on loan to the congressional offices. They also produce carnations and other plants which are used for congressional functions on the Hill, in the restaurants and the Prayer Room. This should give you an idea of what is grown at the Botanic Garden. Senator BARTLETT. Well, you gave me some clues I didn't know about before. Thank you very much. PROPOSED EXTENSION OF WEST FRONT OF CAPITOL Mr. Stewart, what is the status of the proposed extension of the west front of the Capitol? Mr. STEWART. The preliminary plans and estimates of cost ordered by the Congress have been completed. The model is on display. There has been no request made for funds to proceed with construction thus far this year. Senator BARTLETT. And no request for any funds is contained in this budget? Mr. STEWART. That is right, sir. MADISON MEMORIAL LIBRARY BUILDING Senator BARTLETT. What is the status of the proposed new Madison Memorial Library Building? Mr. STEWART. I would like to ask Mr. Campioli, my assistant, who has worked closely with the Librarian and the architects to explain that item. Mr. CAMPIOLI. The preliminary drawings, estimates, and report, rendering, and model, which have been authorized to be prepared, have been under preparation by the associate architects and are expected to be completed and in our hands by June 7, which is this coming week. We have recently received the formal report of the American Institute of Architects, containing their comments on the preliminary plans, report, and model. After all these documents have been finally reviewed by the Architect of the Capitol, which will only require a short period, the preliminary plans, estimates, report, and model will have to be considered and approved by the House Office Building Commission, the Senate Office Building Commission, the Joint Committee on the Library, and the James Madison Memorial Commission, under the terms of the Authorization Act, before further funds for the project may be requested by the Architect of the Capitol. REPAIRS ON WEST FRONT Senator KUCHEL. Let me interrupt, if I may, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Stewart, what about the repairs on the west front? Are we going forward with any repair items? Mr. STEWART. No, sir; except in some severe cases where we may have to increase the bracing and things like that. Senator KUCHEL. Would it be that you are saying to the committee that in your opinion all that is necessary to be done by way of repairs on the west front is being done? Mr. STEWART. By erection of the shoring recommended by the consulting engineer, Dr. Clair, we have taken care of the most dangerous sections on a temporary basis. We are right at the limit of what we can do in repairs, pending final decision by Congress on funds for the extension. Senator KUCHEL. In other words, all the work that is being done on the west front by way of repairs is what in your opinion is necessary? Mr. STEWART. Yes, we are doing all that can be done in way of maintenance to stabilize the most seriously deteriorated sections. Senator KUCHEL. You have no question about the moneys in this budget for continuation of repairs? Mr. STEWART. There is no question of money for the regular repairs we make annually to the exterior and interior of the building. Senator BARTLETT. You have all you need for that? Mr. STEWART. To keep it in the status quo; yes, sir. Senator BARTLETT. Thank you. SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS There being no further witnesses to be heard and not a single additional question to be asked, the committee will be in recess until 2 p.m. today. Thank you, gentlemen. (Whereupon, at 12 o'clock noon, the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene at 2 p.m. on the same day.) (AFTERNOON SESSION, 2 O'CLOCK, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1967) U.S. SENATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY STATEMENT OF FRANCIS R. VALEO, SECRETARY OF THE SENATE; ACCOMPANIED BY DARRELL ST. CLAIRE, CHIEF CLERK AND ROBERT A. BRENKWORTH, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, U.S. SENATE SENATOR METCALF'S AMENDMENT OF S. 355 Senator BARTLETT. The subcommittee will be in session. The first witness this afternoon is Hon. Francis R. Valeo, Secretary of the Senate. The subcommittee understands, Mr. Valeo, you have a prepared statement. Mr. VALEO. That is correct, Senator. Senator BARTLETT. Do you care to read it? Mr. VALEO. Thank you. I wish to thank the subcommittee for affording me an opportunity to present these observations which pertain to the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. May I also say I am happy to be here to make myself known in my present official capacity to the members of this committee of jurisdiction. But my request for this hearing stems primarily from the action of the Senate in adopting the amendment offered by Senator Metcalf to S. 355, the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1967. As you know, if S. 355 becomes law in its present form, the principal Senate committee positions and certain other staff positions, by application of longevity, would be raised to a maximum rate of compensation of $25,890 gross per annum from a present maximum of $24,460. In the light of this possible change, it appeared to me that the subcommittee might wish to examine certain other salaries in the upper structure of the Senate pay scale which would not be affected by S. 355. I reached this conclusion, may I say, on the basis of relevant public comment which you, Mr. Chairman, made at the time of the adoption of the amendment by the Senate. CHIEF CLERK AND PARLIAMENTARIAN If the subcommittee is inclined to make such an examination, I would most respectfully recommend that the salaries of the Chief Clerk, presently occupied by Mr. St. Claire, and the Parliamentarian of the Senate, Mr. Riddick, be preserved at their traditional level in the Senate pay scale. That place, at present, is somewhat higher than the figures for highest committee staff salary and is equal to the statutory salaries which are provided for the secretaries for the majority and |