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1959 appropriation in annual act.

Pay supplementals, in Second Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1959...

Total appropriations, 1959--Deductions:

Nonrecurring item of $100,000 for repairs to the main conservatory: $65,000 for renewal of electrical installations; $17,500 for painting interior steelwork; $3,800 for repairs to aluminum doors, border lights, and marblework; $8,700 for replacement of composition roof covering of the 1-story loggia or entrance hall forming the Maryland Ave. front of the conservatory; $5,000 for pointing the stone and brickwork of the loggia or entrance hall..

Base for 1960...

Additions:

Personal services, increased from $254,150 to $280,000:
Wage rate increases authorized by Public Law 763, 83d
Công---

Under the provisions of Public Law 763, 83d
Cong., 18 laborers and mechanics on the Botanic
Garden roll are compensated on a wage-board, pre-
vailing-rate basis. Public Law 763 provides that the
compensation of such employees shall be fixed and
adjusted from time to time as nearly as is consistent
with the public interest in accordance with prevailing
rates.

An increase of $2,688 is requested for 1960 to meet on a
full-year basis the cost of increased wage rates established
for these wage-board positions as a result of a general
survey of Government and industrial employees' wages
in the Washington metropolitan area, conducted during
the past year, and of a merger of grades effected under the
wage-board system during the same period. The new
rates went into effect Jan. 11, 1959, and funds were pro-
vided to cover these increases on a part-year basis for 1959.
This increase is necessary in order that Botanic Garden
Wage-Board employees may be compensated on a full-
year basis in the fiscal year 1960 in accordance with pres-
ent prevailing rates.

An increase of $1,562 is requested for 1960 to meet the
cost of within-grade promotions falling due in that year,
authorized by Public Law 763 under the wage-board
system, for employees compensated under that act.
Within-grade promotions authorized by Classification Act
of 1949, as amended, for employees compensated under
that act--

Overtime and holiday pay increased by $5,500 to meet
increased pay costs under that allotment resulting from
base pay increases under Public Law 763 and the Classi-
fication Act..

Regular pay above 52 weeks base-pay allotment increased
by $1,000 to cover 2 additional days instead of the
usual 1 additional day above the 52 weeks base-next
year being leap year.

$385, 500

14, 250

399, 750

-100, 000

299, 750

4, 250

400

5, 500

1,000

Additions-Continued

Personal services, increased-Continued

Transfer of 25 positions of gardeners, in 1960, from under
the Classification Act to a wage-board basis of com-
pensation under Public Law 763, 83d Cong_

Since 1955, 18 laborers and mechanics have been
compensated on a wage-board basis under Public
Law 763, 83d Cong. It is now proposed to com-
pensate 25 gardeners also on this basis, in order to
conform to present practices of other Government
agencies with respect to such positions.

In grading wage-board workers, the Architect of the Capitol follows, insofar as possible, the ArmyAir Force wage system. In October 1958, their definition manual was amended to include within the wage-board systems positions involving the maintenance, protection, preservation, and general care of soil and plants in parks, grounds, greenhouses, and other like areas.

After careful study and collaboration with other agencies of the Government with similar problems, it is concluded that the positions of gardeners at the Botanic Garden fall within the wage-board system and that their grades and rates of pay should be established under that sytem. Such action will bring the grades and rates of pay of these gardeners in line with those of men doing similar work on the Capitol Grounds and in other Government agencies.

This proposed transfer is authorized under the provisions of Public Law 763, 83d Cong. Contribution to retirement fund, increased from $13,500 to $15,400

This represents an increase of $1,900 over the amount allowed for 1959. The item is requested to cover the cost of Public Law 854, 84th Cong. The additional cost results from increase in basic pay rates.

Total, estimate for 1960..

Mr. STEWART. Shall I proceed with the presentation in this Mr. NORRELL. Yes.

Mr. STEWART. The next item is for "Salaries and expense Botanic Garden." This is a net decrease of $72,250, result a deduction of $100,000 for nonrecurring repairs to the m servatory allowed for 1959 and dropped for 1960, offset by totaling $27,750.

PERSONAL SERVICES

The first item of increase is $4,250 for wage rate increases a by Public Law 763, 83d Congress. Under the provisions Law 763, 83d Congress, 18 laborers and mechanics on the Garden rolls are compensated on a wage-board, prevailing-r Public Law 763 provides that the compensation of such e shall be fixed and adjusted from time to time as nearly as is with the public interest in accordance with prevailing rates There is an increase of $400 for within-grade promotions a by the Classification Act; $5,500 for overtime and hol authorized by law, and $1,000 for regular pay above 52 w pay allotment.

Mr. NORRELL. I believe in 1959 we appropriated $385,500 for this item. The request now is for $327,500.

Mr. STEWART. That is right, without adding the pay supplementals for 1959.

Mr. NORRELL. That is good.

Mr. STEWART. Now, on page 175 I have a request of $14,700 to transfer 25 positions of gardeners in 1960 from under the Classification Act to a wage-board basis of compensation under Public Law 763, 83d Congress. Since 1955, 18 laborers and mechanics have been compensated on a wage-board basis under that law. It is now proposed to compensate 25 gardeners also on this basis, in order to conform to present practices of other Government agencies with respect to such positions.

That requires $14,700.

Mr. NORRELL. When was this law passed?

Mr. STEWART. Public Law 763 was passed in the 83d Congress. This is an attempt to bring the entire group under one pay system at the Botanic Garden.

Mr. NORRELL. Why were they not put under such a system in the beginning?

Mr. HENLOCK. Because nobody in the Government had them under it in the beginning.

Mr. NORRELL. Just because there is a law it does not always necessarily mean that we ought to appropriate the money.

Mr. STEWART. Well, if I may explain a little further:

In grading wage-board workers, the Architect of the Capitol follows, insofar as possible, the Army-Air Force wage system. In October 1958, their definition manual was amended to include within the wage-board system positions involving the maintenance, protection, preservation, and general care of soil and plants in parks, grounds, greenhouses, and other like areas.

After careful study and collaboration with other agencies of the Government with similar problems, we concluded that the positions of gardeners at the Botanic Garden fall within the wage-board system and that their grades and rates of pay should be established under that system. Such action will bring the grades and rates of pay of these gardeners in line with those of men doing similar work on the Capitol Grounds and in other Government agencies.

This

proposed transfer is authorized under the provisions of Public Law 763, 83d Congress.

Mr. NORRELL. Actually, what you are doing is to transfer these

positions?

Mr. STEWART. That is right.

Mr. STEED. What you are trying to do, since you have already made corrections in some categories, is to do it here in order to eliminate any discrimination if you do not do it?

Mr. STEWART. That is right.

Mr. STEED. You take the position that either all should be in or not any, and since some of them are already in, it is only fair to bring the others in?

Mr. STEWART. That is right.

Mr. HORAN. What are the visiting hours at the Botanic Garden? Mr. STEWART. The garden is open from 9 to 4 every day, including Sundays, except Saturdays.

On Saturdays the garden is open from 9 o'clock till noon.

as I know there has been no item in their budget for making studies of it.

Mr. RUBEL. The chances are, in a case like that, the Corps of Engineers made the study under the design and sent it out for bids. It is the old story, if you want a professional study and one that will give you the answer that you are looking for, and the most economical installation, it would be advisable to have a professional man do it. Mr. HORAN. I am not arguing that. That is all.

IMPROVEMENT OF EXHIBIT FACILITIES

Mr. NORRELL. You may proceed to the next item for $138,000. Mr. STEWART. Alterations and equipment to provide improved exhibit facilities, main building: The facilities for exhibiting the Library's valuable, educational and interesting materials to the public are outmoded and ineffective. The general lighting in the exhibit halls is inadequate to the point that some written and printed materials on exhibit are barely legible. Exhibit cases, which for the most part have been in use up to 60 years, are antiquated and incapable of showing off their contents to the best advantage. This nonrecurring item is requested for 1960 to correct these faults by providing modern display cases, improved lighting, audiovisual equipment, and other refinements.

The breakdown of that item is as follows: The display cases-28 aisle cases, 34 tables cases, 27 recessed cases, and 14 wall cases-are estimated to cost $98,490; the marble work in connection with the installation of underfloor electrical wiring and related improvements, $21,000; electrical wiring, conduits and outlets, $4,000; information and sales desk, audiovisual equipment, directional guidance devices, etc., $14,510.

Probably Dr. Mumford can elaborate on that.

Mr. NORRELL. Doctor, this is a sizable item. I am not sure that you want to add anything to what Mr. Stewart has said, but you may do so if you so desire.

Dr. MUMFORD. I can only emphasize what he said, Mr. Chairman. I realize that it is a substantial program, but it is something that is badly needed. The Library has a great wealth of treasures, and I think it is one of our responsibilities to display them for the hundreds of thousands and millions of people who come to Washington to visit the Library of Congress.

The present conditions for doing this are really deplorable, as far as the condition of the cases and the lighting is concerned. It is certainly something which is needed badly.

Mr. STEED. Could a program of this sort be done economically over a 2-year period rather than to try to do it all at once?

Dr. MUMFORD. Mr. Stewart can probably answer that better than I can.

Mr. STEWART. Your question was could we do it over a 2-year period instead of one?

Dr. MUMFORD. Up until now, of course, we have been handicapped by not having adequate source of light, but when this conversion program is completed from d.c. to a.c. current, we would have then an adequate supply, but much is needed in locating new lines and new cases. The items, as Mr. Stewart indicated, are very badly

needed. To me it is very surprising that when this building was built in 1897 more provision was not made for these exhibit areas for proper illumination and display.

Mr. STEED. Without knowing anything about it, I was just thinking that probably you would not want the entire place torn up at once because you have a lot of visitors.

Dr. MUMFORD. It would have to be done in sections, area by area Mr. STEWART. On page 157, Mr. Steed, you will see the breakdown of the estimate exactly the way I have stated it. You will see that the main item, $98,490, is for the purchase of the display cases, themselves.

The second and third items, which only amount to $25,000, represent the work to be done that might disrupt anything in that area. But, the first and fourth items are direct purchase items-not construction items.

Dr. MUMFORD. That is correct.

Mr. STEED. How long do you think it will take to finish the installation of the marble and complete the electric work and have it ready to connect to these cases?

Mr. STEWART. That could probably be done within 5 or 6 months after funds become available.

Mr. STEED. You think it would take that long for a contractor to have the cases ready to deliver?

Mr. STEWART. I feel sure all the work can be done in the fiscal Year 1960.

In purchasing a larger quantity at the one time, you might get a better price. We are in a rising market.

Dr. MUMFORD. May I add one other word, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. NORRELL. Surely.

Dr. MUMFORD. Mr. Stewart, would there not be some possible advantage in the marble and wiring work in doing it in conjunction with the phase of conversion?

Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir.

VISITORS AND EXHIBITS

Mr. HORAN. I notice in your justifications you say that nearly 7 million persons visited the Library.

Dr. MUMFORD. That is a typographical mistake, Mr. Horan. It was intended to be 700,000, although it is impossible for us to keep a a strictly accurate count of the people who come into the building Len several buses unload 50 or 60 people at a time and they stream hrough there. It is just not possible to count them accurately. I am sure that our recorded figure is low, but that is the figure we have. Mr. HORAN. How many exhibits do you set up?

Dr. MUMFORD. Mr. Rogers has with him a list of the current hibits. We have certain things exhibited permanently such as the gh draft of the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, the Gutenberg Bible, and other similar treasures. Then we put on extensive exhibits from time to time. We have right now the Dost extensive exhibit ever assembled, I think, on Abraham Lincoln, Caning this sesquicentennial year. Ábout 2 years ago we had a mparable one for Woodrow Wilson, and we have smaller exhibits from our rare books collection, manuscripts and other treasures from

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