Public Law 70–580

That the following

Independent Offices Act, 1929.

Appropriations for fiscal year 1929.

sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Executive Office and sundry independent executive bureaus, boards, commissions, and offices, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, namely:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE compensation of the president and vice president For compensation of the President of the United States, $75,000. For compensation of the Vice President of the United States, $15,000. office of the president Salaries: For Secretary to the President, $10,000; personal services in the office of the President in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, $86,480; in all, $96,480: Provided, That employees of the executive departments and other establishments of the executive branch of the Government may be detailed from time to time to the office of the President of the United States for such temporary assistance as may be deemed necessary. Contingent expenses: For contingent expenses of the Executive Office, including stationery, record books, telegrams, telephones, books for library, furniture and carpets for offices, automobiles, expenses of garage, including labor, special services, and miscellaneous items, to be expended in the discretion of the President, $35,000. For printing and binding, $2,800. Traveling expenses: For traveling and official entertainment expenses of the President of the United States, to be expended in his discretion and accounted for on his certificate solely, $25,000. executive mansion and grounds For the care, maintenance, repair, refurnishing, improvement, heating, and lighting, including electric power and fixtures of the Executive Mansion, the Executive Mansion greenhouses, including reconstruction, and the Executive Mansion grounds, and not to exceed $100 for traveling expenses, to be expended by contract or otherwise as the President may determine, $102,000. white house police Salaries: First sergeant, $2,700; three sergeants at $2,400 each; and thirty-five privates at $2,100 each; in all, $83,400. For uniforming and equipping the White House police, including the purchase, issue, and repair of revolvers and the purchase and issue of ammunition and miscellaneous supplies, to be procured in such manner as the President in his discretion may determine, $2 500. Total, Executive Office, $437,180.

INDEPENDENT ESTABLISHMENTS ALIEN PROPERTY CUSTODIAN All expenses of the office of the Alien Property Custodian authorized by the Act entitled “An Act to define, regulate, and punish trading with the enemy, and for other purposes,” approved October 6, 1917, as amended, including compensation of the Alien Property Custodian at not to exceed $10,000 per annum; shall be paid from interest and collections on trust funds and other properties under the control of such Custodian.

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION For every expenditure requisite for or incident to the work of the American Battle Monuments Commission authorized by the Act entitled “An Act for the creation of an American Battle Monuments Commission to erect suitable memorials commemorating the services of the American soldier in Europe, and for other purposes,” approved March 4, 1923, including the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries for carrying out the purposes of said Act without submission to the Attorney General of the United States under the provisions of section 355 of the Revised Statutes; employment of personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; the transportation of, mileage of, reimbursement of actual travel expenses or per diem in lieu thereof to the personnel engaged upon the work of the commission; the reimbursement of actual travel expenses (not exceeding an average of $8 per day for subsistence) or per diem in lieu thereof (not exceeding $7 per day) to, and the transportation of the members of the commission, while engaged upon the work of the commission; the establishment of offices and the rent of office space in foreign countries; the purchase of motorpropelled passenger-carrying vehicles for the official use of the commission and its personnel in foreign countries, at a total cost of not to exceed $2,000; the maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles which may be furnished to the commission by other departments of the Government or acquired by purchase; printing, binding, engraving, lithographing, photographing, and typewriting, including the publication of information concerning the American activities, battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries in Europe; the purchase of maps, textbooks, news-papers, and periodicals, $700,000, to be immediately available and to remain available until expended: Provided, That the commission may incur obligations and enter into contracts for building materials and supplies and for construction work, which, inclusive of the amounts herein and heretofore made available, shall not exceed a total of $3,000,000: Provided further, That notwithstanding the requirements of existing laws or regulations and under such terms and conditions as the commission may in its discretion deem necessary and proper, the commission may contract for work in Europe, and engage, by contract or otherwise, the services of architects, firms of architects, and other technical and professional personnel: Provided further, That when traveling on business of the commission officers of the Army serving as members or as secretary of the commission may be reimbursed for expenses as provided for other members of the commission.

ARLINGTON MEMORIAL BRIDGE COMMISSION For continuing the construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge across the Potomac River at Washington, authorized in an Act entitled “An Act to provide for the construction of a memorial bridge across the Potomac River from a point near the Lincoln Memorial in the city of Washington to an appropriate point in the State of Virginia, and for other purposes,” approved February 24, 1925, to be expended in accordance with the provisions and conditions of the said Act, $2,300,000, including all necessary incidental and contingent expenses, the maintenance and repair of one motorpropelled passenger-carrying vehicle, printing and binding, and traveling expenses, to remain available until expended.

BOARD OF MEDIATION For five members of the board, at $12,000 each, $60,000. For other authorized expenditures of the Board of Mediation in performing the duties imposed by law, including not to exceed $90,080 for personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923; personal services in the field; contract stenographic reporting services; supplies and equipment; law books and books of reference; not to exceed $200 for newspapers, for which payment may be made in advance; periodicals ; traveling expenses; rent of quarters in the District of Columbia, if space is not provided by the Public Buildings Commission, and rent of quarters outside the District of Columbia, $155,102. Arbitration boards: To enable the Board of Mediation to pay necessary expenses of arbitration boards, including compensation of members and employees of such boards, together with their necessary traveling expenses and expenses actually incurred for subsistence while so employed, and printing of awards, together with proceedings and testimony relating thereto, as authorized by the Railway Labor Act, including also contract stenographic reporting service and rent of quarters when suitable quarters can not be supplied in any Federal building, $80,000, to be immediately available. Emergency boards: For expenses of emergency boards appointed by the President to investigate and report respecting disputes between carriers and their employees, as authorized by section 10, Railway Labor Act, approved May 20, 1926, $50,000. For all printing and binding for the Board of Mediation, $2,800. Total, Board of Mediation, $347,902.

BOARD OF TAX APPEALS For every expenditure requisite for and incident to the work of the Board of Tax Appeals as authorized under Title IX, section 900, of the Revenue Act of 1924, approved June 2, 1924, as amended by Title X of the Revenue Act of 1926, approved February 26, 1926, including personal services and contract stenographic reporting services to be obtained by renewal of existing contract, or otherwise, rent at the seat of government and elsewhere, traveling expenses, car fare, stationery, furniture, office equipment, purchase and exchange of typewriters, law books and books of reference, periodicals, and all other necessary supplies, $682,740, of which amount not to exceed $511,940 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for rent of buildings in the District of Columbia if suitable space is provided by the Public Buildings Commission. For all printing and binding for the Board of Tax Appeals, $38,000. Total, Board of Tax Appeals, $720,740.

BUREAU OF EFFICIENCY For chief of bureau and other personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923; contract stenographic reporting services; contingent expenses, including traveling expenses; supplies, stationery; purchase and exchange of equipment; not to exceed $100 for law books, books of reference, and periodicals; and not to exceed $150 for street-car fare; in all $210,000, of which amount not to exceed $202,540 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. For all printing and binding for the Bureau of Efficiency, $350. That the duties and powers of the Bureau of Efficiency prescribed by law with reference to investigations in the executive departments and independent establishments of the Federal Government are hereby extended to include the municipal government of the District of Columbia. Total, Bureau of Efficiency, $210,350.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Salaries: For three commissioners, at $7,500 each per annum, and other personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, $578,160. Field force: For salaries of the field force, $334,000. No details from any executive department or independent establishment in the District of Columbia or elsewhere to the commission’s central office in Washington or to any of its district offices shall be made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929; but this shall nor affect the making of details for service as members of boards of examiners outside the immediate offices of the district secretaries. The Civil Service Commission shall have power in case of emergency to transfer or detail any of its employees herein provided for to or from its office or field force. For employment of expert examiners not in the Federal service to prepare questions and rate papers in examinations on special subjects for which examiners within the service are not available, $2,000. For examination of presidential postmasters, including travel, stationery, contingent expenses, additional examiners and investigators, and other necessary expenses of examinations, $26,000, of which amount not to exceed $22,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. For necessary traveling expenses, including those of examiners acting under the direction of the commission, and for expenses of examinations and investigations held elsewhere than at Washington and including not exceeding $1,000 for expenses of attendance at meetings of public officials when specifically directed by the commission, $32,000. For contingent and miscellaneous expenses of the Civil Service Commission, including furniture and other equipment and repairs thereto; supplies; advertising; telegraph, telephone, and laundry service; freight and express charges; street-car fares not to exceed $200; stationery; purchase and exchange of law books, books of reference, directories, payment in advance for subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals, not to exceed $1,000; charts; purchase, exchange, maintenance and repair of motor trucks, motor cycles, and bicycles; maintenance, and repair of a motor-propelled passengercarrying vehicle to be used only for official purposes; garage rent; postage stamps to prepay postage on matter addressed to Postal Union countries; special-delivery stamps; and other like miscellaneous necessary expenses not hereinbefore provided for; in all, $44,000. For rent of building for the Civil Service Commission, $24,592, if space can not be assigned by the Public Buildings Commission in other buildings under the control of that commission. For all printing and binding of the Civil Service Commission, including all of its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $58,000. Total, Civil Service Commission, $1,098,752.

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS For expenses made necessary by the Act entitled “An Act establishing a Commission of Fine Arts,” approved May 17, 1910, including the purchase of periodicals, maps, and books of reference, and payment of actual traveling expenses of the members and secretary of the commission in attending meetings of the commission either within or outside of the District of Columbia, to be disbursed on vouchers approved by the commission, $7,000, of which amount not to exceed $4,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. For all printing and binding for the Commission of Fine Arts, $300. Total, Commission of Fine Arts, $7,300.

EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION For three commissioners and other personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, including not to exceed $1,000 for temporary experts and assistants in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, to be paid at a rate not exceeding $8 per day, and for personal services in the field; for furniture and other equipment and repairs thereto; law books, books of reference, periodicals; stationery and supplies; traveling expenses; fees and mileage of witnesses; contract stenographic reporting services; rent and miscellaneous items, $460,000. For all printing and binding for the Employees’ Compensation Commission, $15,000. Employees’ compensation fund: For the payment of compensation provided by “An Act to provide compensation for employees of the United States suffering injuries while in the performance of their duties, and for other purposes,” approved September 7, 1916, includ-ing medical examinations, traveling and other expenses, and loss of wages payable to employees under sections 21 and 22; all services, appliances, and supplies provided by section 9, as amended, including payments to Army and Navy hospitals; the transportation and burial expenses provided by sections 9 and 11; and advancement of costs for the enforcement of recoveries provided in sections 26 and 27 where necessary, accruing during the fiscal year 1929 or in prior fiscal years, $3,200,000. Total, Employees’ Compensation Commission, $3,675,000.

FEDERAL BOARD FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION vocational education For extending to the Territory of Hawaii the benefits of the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the promotion of vocational education; to provide for cooperation with the States in the promotion of such education in agriculture and the trades and industries; to provide for cooperation with the States in the preparation of teachers of vocational subjects; and to appropriate money and regulate its expenditure,” approved February 23, 1917, in accordance with the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act to extend the provisions of certain laws to the Territory of Hawaii,” approved March 10, 1924, $30,000. vocational rehabilitation For carrying out the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the promotion of vocational rehabilitation of persons disabled in industry or otherwise and their return to civil employment,” approved June 2, 1920, as amended by the Act of June 5, 1924, $750,000: Provided, That the apportionment to the States shall be computed on the basis of not to exceed $1,034,000, as authorized by the Act approved June 2, 1920, as amended by the Act approved June 5, 1924. For the purpose of making studies, investigations, and reports regarding the vocational rehabilitation of disabled persons and their placements in suitable or gainful occupations, and for the administrative expenses of said board incident to performing the duties imposed by the Act of June 2, 1920, as amended by the Act of June 5, 1924, including salaries of such assistants, experts, clerks, and other employees in the District of Columbia or elsewhere, as the board may deem necessary, actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred by the members of the board and by its employees, under its orders; including attendance at meetings of educational associations and other organizations, rent and equipment of offices in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, purchase of books of reference, law books, and periodicals, payment in advance for subscriptions to newspapers not to exceed $50 per annum, stationery, typewriters and exchange thereof, miscellaneous supplies, postage on foreign mail, printing and binding to be done at the Government Printing Office, and all other necessary expenses, $73,000, of which amount not to exceed $53,720 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Appropriations available to the Federal Board tor Vocational Education for salaries and expenses shall be available for expenses of attendance at meetings of educational associations and other organizations which in the discretion of the board are necessary for the efficient discharge of its responsibilities. Total, Federal Board for Vocational Education, $853,000.

FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION For every expenditure requisite for and incident to the work of the Federal Power Commission as authorized by law, including traveling expenses; contract stenographic reporting services, and not exceeding $500 for press-clipping service, law books, books of reference, and periodicals, $108,840, of which amount not to exceed $87,840 shall be available for personal services, and of this amount not to exceed $83,840 shall be available for personal services, in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923: Provided, That the transfer of civilian employees to the rolls of the Federal Power Commission on July 1, 1928, may be made without reduction in salary. For all printing and binding for the Federal Power Commission, $3,800. Total, Federal Power Commission, $112,640.

FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION For five commissioners, at $30 each per diem, $18,000. For all other authorized expenditures of the Federal Radio Commission in performing the duties imposed by the Radio Act of 1927, including personal services, contract stenographic reporting services, printing and binding, supplies and equipment, travel and other necessary expenses, $62,560, of which amount not to exceed $40,260 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Total, Federal Radio Commission, $80,560.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION For five commissioners at $10,000 each per annum, $50,000. For all other authorized expenditures of the Federal Trade Commission in performing the duties imposed by law or in pursuance of law, including secretary to the commission and other personal services, contract stenographic reporting services to be obtained on and after the approval of this Act by the commission, in its discretion, through the civil service or by contract, or renewal of existing contract, or otherwise, supplies and equipment, law books, books of reference, periodicals, garage rental, traveling expenses, not to exceed $225 for newspapers, foreign postage, and witness fees and mileage in accordance with section 9 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, $895,000, of which amount not to exceed $771,030 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia, including witness fees. For all printing and binding for the Federal Trade Commission, $18,000. Total, Federal Trade Commission, $963,000.

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE Salaries: Comptroller General, $10,000; Assistant Comptroller General, $7,500; and for other personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, $3,557,500; in all, $3,575,000. Contingent expenses: For traveling expenses, materials, supplies, equipment, and services; rent of buildings and equipment; purchase and exchange of books, books of reference, and periodicals, tabulating cards, typewriters, calculating machines, and other office appliances, including their development, repairs and maintenance, including motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; and miscellaneous items, $220,000. For all printing and binding for the General Accounting Office, including monthly and annual editions of selected decisions of the Comptroller General, $25,000. Total, General Accounting Office, $3,820,000.

HOUSING CORPORATION Salaries: For officers, clerks, and other employees in the District of Columbia necessary to collect and account for the receipts from the sale of properties and the receipts from the operation of unsold properties of the United States Housing Corporation, the Bureau of Industrial Housing and Transportation, property commandeered by the United States through the Secretary of Labor, and to collect the amounts advanced to transportation facilities and others, $40,300: Provided, That no person shall be employed hereunder at a rate of compensation exceeding $5,000 per annum, and only one person may be employed at that rate. Contingent expenses: For contingent and miscellaneous expenses of the offices at Washington, District of Columbia, including purchase of blank books, maps, stationery, file cases, towels, ice, brooms, soap, freight and express charges; telegraph and telephone service; and all other miscellaneous items and necessary expenses not included in the foregoing, and necessary to collect moneys and loans due the corporation, $5,000. For all printing and binding for the United States Housing Corporation, including all its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $800. Collections: For the collection of money due from the sale of real and other property under the provision of the Act approved July 19, 1919, the collection of rentals from unsold properties, including necessary office and travel expenses outside of the District of Columbia, $22,000. Washington, District of Columbia, Government hotel for Government workers: For maintenance, operation, and management of the hotel and restaurants therein, including purchase and replacement of equipment and personal services and including not to exceed $300 for the repair and maintenance of an automobile for official use, $403,250, of which amount not to exceed $238,590 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia in addition to any meals and lodging allowed employees: Provided, That no person shall be employed hereunder at a rate of compensation exceeding $5,000 per annum, in addition to any meals and lodging, and only one person may be employed at that rate. Maintenance, unsold property: To maintain and repair houses, buildings, and improvements which are unsold, $400. Miscellaneous expenses account of property sold: To pay taxes, special assessments, and other utility, municipal, State, and county charges or assessments unpaid by purchasers and which have been assessed against property in which the United States Housing Corporation has an interest, and to defray expenses incident to foreclosing mortgages, conducting sales under deeds of trust, or reacquiring title or possession of real property under default proceeding, including attorney fees, witness fees, court costs, charges, and other miscellaneous expenses, $4,000. No part of the appropriations heretofore made and available for expenditure by the United States Housing Corporation shall be expended for the purposes for which appropriations are made herein. Total, Housing Corporation, $475,750.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION For eleven commissioners, at $12,000 each; secretary, $7,500; in all, $139,500. For all other authorized expenditures necessary in the execution of laws to regulate commerce, including one chief counsel, one director of finance, and one director of traffic at $10,000 each per annum, traveling expenses, and stenographic reporting services to be obtained on and after the approval of this Act by the commission, in its discretion, through the civil service or by contract, or renewal of existing contract, or otherwise, $2,564,500, of which amount not to exceed $2,008,010 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia, exclusive of special counsel, for which the expenditure shall not exceed $50,000; not exceeding $3,000 for necessary books, reports, and periodicals; not exceeding $100 in the open market for the purchase of office furniture similar in class or kind to that listed in the general supply schedule; and not exceeding $139,000 for rent of buildings in the District of Columbia: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for rent of buildings in the District of Columbia if suitable space is provided by the Public Buildings Commission. To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce compliance with section 20 and other sections of the Act to regulate commerce as amended by the Act approved June 29, 1906, and as amended by the Transportation Act, 1920, including the employment of necessary special accounting agents or examiners, and traveling expenses, $1,327,745, of which amount not to exceed $200,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to keep informed regarding and to enforce compliance with Acts to promote the safety of employees and travelers upon railroads; the Act requiring common carriers to make reports of accidents and authorizing investigations thereof; and to enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to investigate and test appliances intended to promote the safety of railway operation, as authorized by the joint resolution approved June 30, 1906, and the provision of the Sundry Civil Act approved May 27, 1908, to investigate, test experimentally, and report on the use and need of any appliances or systems intended to promote the safety of railway operation, including the employment of a chief inspector at $6,000 per annum, and two assistant chief inspectors at $5,000 each per annum, and such other inspectors as may be necessary, and for traveling expenses, $515,824, of which amount not to exceed $80,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. For all authorized expenditures under section 26 of the Act to regulate commerce as amended by the Transportation Act, 1920, with respect to the provision thereof under which carriers by railroad subject to the Act may be required to install automatic train-stop or train-control devices which comply with specifications and requirements prescribed by the commission, including investigations and tests pertaining to block-signal and train-control systems, as authorized by the joint resolution approved June 30, 1906, and including the employment of the necessary engineers, and for traveling expenses, $148,320, of which amount not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. For all authorized expenditures under the provisions of the Act of February 17, 1911, ‘’To promote the safety of employees and travelers upon railroads by compelling common carriers engaged in interstate commerce to equip their locomotives with safe and suitable boilers and appurtenances thereto,” as amended by the Act of March 4, 1915, extending “the same powers and duties with respect to all parts and appurtenances of the locomotive and tender,” and amendment of June 7, 1924, providing for the appointment from time to time by the Interstate Commerce Commission of not more than fifteen inspectors in addition to the number authorized in the first paragraph of section 4 of the Act of 1911, including such legal, technical, stenographic, and clerical help as the business of the offices of the chief inspector and his two assistants may require, and for traveling expenses, $493,856, of which amount not to exceed $70,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Valuation of property of carriers: To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to carry out the objects of the Act entitled “An Act to amend an Act entitled ‘An Act to regulate commerce,’ approved February 4, 1887, and all Acts amendatory thereof,” by providing for a valuation of the several classes of property of carriers subject thereto and securing information concerning their stocks, bonds, and other securities, approved March 1, 1913, including one director of valuation at $10,000 per annum, one supervisor of land appraisals, one supervising engineer, and one supervisor of accounts, at $9,000 each per annum, and one principal valuation examiner at $7,500 per annum, and traveling expenses, $2,200,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for rent of buildings in the District of Columbia if suitable space is provided by the Public Buildings Commission. For all printing and binding for the Interstate Commerce Commission, including reports in all cases proposing general changes in transportation rates and not to exceed $10,000 to print and furnish to the States at cost report form blanks, and the receipts from such reports and blanks shall be credited to this appropriation, $265,000: Provided, That no part of this sum shall be expended for printing the Schedule of Sailings required by section 25 of the Interstate Commerce Act. Not to exceed $5,000 of the appropriations herein made for the Interstate Commerce Commission shall be available for expenses, except membership fees, for attendance at meetings concerned with the work of the commission. Total, Interstate Commerce Commission, $7,654,745.

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS For scientific research, technical investigations, and special reports in the field of aeronautics, including the necessary laboratory and technical assistants; contracts for personal services in the making of special investigations and in the preparation of special reports; traveling expenses of members and employees; including not to exceed $500 for expenses, except membership fees, of attendance upon meetings of technical and professional societies; office supplies and other miscellaneous expenses, including technical periodicals and books of reference; equipment, maintenance, and operation of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory; purchase, maintenance, operation, and exchange of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; personal services in the field and in the District of Columbia; in all, $587,000, of which amount not to exceed $72,560 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia and not to exceed $5,000 may be expended for the development and procurement of a design of a wind tunnel suitable for research on full-sized airplanes. For all printing and binding for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, including all of its offices, laboratories, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $13,000. Total, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, $600,000.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC PARKS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL For personal services in the District of Columbia, in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, $1,724,530, including not to exceed $25,000 for intermittent and seasonal employees at per diem rates of compensation to be fixed by the director. For general expenses in connection with the maintenance, care, improvement, protection, operation, repair, cleaning, heating, and lighting of the Washington Monument and grounds; the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool; the house where Abraham Lincoln died; grounds surrounding executive departments; and public buildings in the District of Columbia under the jurisdiction of the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, including the installation of an electric elevator in the Winder Building, not to exceed $10,000; per diem employees at rates of pay approved by the director, not exceeding current rates for similar employment in the District of Columbia; rent of buildings in the District of Columbia; city directories; contingent expenses; traveling expenses and car fare not exceeding $300; communication service; professional, scientific, technical, and law books; periodicals and reference books; blank books and forms; photographs; maps; leather and rubber articles and gas masks for the protection of public property and employees; not exceeding $7,000 for uniforms for employees; the maintenance, repair, exchange, storage, and operation of not to exceed one motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle; the purchase, maintenance, and repair of equipment and fixtures; $857,000. For all printing and binding for the Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, $3,450. A plot of ground comprising not to exceed forty-two thousand square feet in the southwest corner of square numbered 3530, being a portion of the site of the McKinley High School and the Langley Junior High School, is hereby made available for one of the bathing pools authorized by the Act approved May 4, 1926. Total, Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, $2,584,980.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION For expenses of the general administrative office, Smithsonian Institution, including an additional assistant secretary at $7,500 per annum during the present incumbency, compensation of necessary employees, traveling expenses, purchase of books and periodicals, supplies and equipment, and any other necessary expenses, $32,500. International exchanges: For the system of international exchanges between the United States and foreign countries, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including necessary employees, and purchase of necessary books and periodicals, and traveling expenses, $48,208. American ethnology: For continuing ethnological researches among the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii, the excavation and preservation of archaeologic remains under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including necessary employees, the preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations, the purchase of books and periodicals, and traveling expenses, $60,300. International Catalogue of Scientific Literature: For the cooperation of the United States in the work of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, including the preparation of a classified index catalogue of American scientific publications for incorporation in the International Catalogue, clerk hire, purchase of books and periodicals, traveling expenses, and other necessary incidental expenses, $7,460. Astrophysical Observatory: For maintenance of the Astrophysical Observatory, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including assistants, purchase of books, periodicals, and apparatus, making necessary observations in high altitudes, repairs and alterations of buildings, preparation of manuscripts, drawings and illustrations, traveling expenses, and miscellaneous expenses, $33,200.

national museum For cases, furniture, fixtures, and appliances required for the exhibition and safe-keeping of collections, including necessary employees, $29,560. For heating, lighting, electrical, telegraphic, and telephonic service, and traveling expenses, $84,040. For continuing preservation, exhibition, and increase of collections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, and from other sources, including necessary employees, travel, and all other necessary expenses and not exceeding $5,500 for preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations for publications, $502,546. For repairs of buildings, shops, and sheds, including all necessary labor and material, $17,730. For purchase of books, pamphlets, and periodicals for reference, $2,000. For postage stamps and foreign postal cards, $450.

national gallery of art For the administration of the National Gallery of Art by the Smithsonian Institution, including compensation of necessary employees, purchase of books of reference and periodicals, traveling expenses, and necessary incidental expenses, $31,168.

printing and binding For all printing and binding for the Smithsonian Institution, including all of its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $95,000, of which not to exceed $7,000 shall be available for printing the report of the American Historical Association: Provided, That the expenditure of this sum shall not be restricted to a pro rata amount in any period of the fiscal year. Total, Smithsonian Institution, $944,162, of which amount not to exceed $727,500 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia.

TARIFF COMMISSION For salaries and expenses of the United States Tariff Commission, including purchase and exchange of labor-saving devices, the purchase of professional and scientific books, law books, books of reference, gloves and other protective equipment for photostat and other machine operators, payment in advance for subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals, and contract stenographic reporting services, as may be necessary, as authorized under Title VII of the Act entitled “An Act to increase the revenue, and for other purposes,” approved September 8, 1916, and under sections 315, 316, 317, and 318 of the Act entitled “An Act to provide revenue to regulate commerce with foreign countries, to encourage the industries of the United States, and for other purposes,” approved September 21, 1922, $738,000, of which amount not to exceed $562,470 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia and not to exceed $2,000 for expenses, except membership fees, of attendance at meetings concerned with subjects under investigation by the commission: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be used to pay the salary of any member of the United States Tariff Commission who shall hereafter participate in any proceedings under said sections 315, 316, 317, and 318 of said Act, approved September 21, 1922, wherein he or any member of his family has any special, direct, and pecuniary interest, or in which he has acted as attorney or special representative. For all printing and binding for the Tariff Commission, $16,000. Total, Tariff Commission, $754,000.

UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD For salaries and expenses of the United States Geographic Board, including personal services in the District of Columbia, in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, and for stationery and office supplies, $3,660. For stationery and printing and binding, $640. Total, United States Geographic Board, $4,300.

UNITED STATES SHIPPING BOARD For seven commissioners at $12,000 each per annum, in all, $84,000. For all other expenditures authorized by the Act approved September 7, 1916, as amended, and by the Act approved June 5, 1920, including the compensation of a secretary to the board, attorneys, officers, naval architects special experts, examiners, and clerks, including one admiralty counsel at $10,000 per annum, and other employees in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; and for all other expenses of the board, including the rental of quarters outside the District of Columbia, law books, books of reference, periodicals, and traveling expenses of members of the board, its special experts, and other employees, while upon official business away from their designated posts of duty, and for the employment by contract or otherwise of expert stenographic reporters for its official reporting work, and including the investigation of foreign discrimination against vessels and shippers of the United States and for the investigation of transportation of immigrants in vessels of the United States Shipping Board, $195,750, of which amount not to exceed $172,500 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia: Provided, That the annual estimates of the Shipping Board for the fiscal year 1930 shall include the salaries of all employees whose service with the board has become permanent through detail from the Merchant Fleet Corporation. For all printing and binding for the United States Shipping Board, including all of its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $9,000.

united states shipping board shipping fund For expenses of the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, for administrative purposes, miscellaneous adjustments, losses due to the maintenance and operation of ships, for the repair of ships, and for carrying out the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, (a) the amount on hand July 1, 1928, but not in excess of the sums sufficient to cover all obligations incurred prior to July 1, 1928, and then unpaid; (b) $13,400,000, of which $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, may be used for reconditioning and operating ships for carrying coal to foreign ports; (c) the amount received during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, from the operation of ships: Provided, That no part of these sums shall be used for the payment of claims other than those resulting from current operation and maintenance; (d) so much of the total proceeds of all sales pertaining to liquidation received during the fiscal year 1929, but not exceeding $2,225,000, as is necessary to meet the expenses of liquidation, including also the cost of the tie-up and the salaries and expenses of the personnel directly engaged in liquidation: Provided, That no part of this sum shall be used for the payment of claims; (e) all interest earned on the funds, excepting the construction loan fund, of the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation is to accrue to these funds and is made available for the purposes hereinbefore set forth subject to the limitations herein established. That portion of the special claims appropriation, contained in the Independent Offices Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1923, committed prior to July 1, 1923, and remaining unexpended on June 30, 1928, shall continue available until June 30, 1929, for the same purposes and under the same conditions. To enable the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation to operate ships or lines of ships which have been or may be taken back from purchasers by reason of competition or other methods employed by foreign ship owners or operators, there is hereby reappropriated the unexpended balance of the appropriation of $10,000,000 made for similar purposes in the Independent Offices Appropriation Act for the fiscal year 1927: Provided, That no expenditure shall be made for the purposes of this paragraph from this sum without the prior approval of the President of the United States. No part of the sums appropriated in this Act shall be used to pay the compensation of any attorney, regular or special, for the United States Shipping Board or the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation unless the contract of employment has been approved by the Attorney General of the United States. No officer or employee of the United States Shipping Board or the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation shall be paid a salary or compensation at a rate per annum in excess of $10,000 except the following: One at not to exceed $18,000, three at not to exceed $15,000 each, and one at not to exceed $12,000. No part of the funds of the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation shall be available for the rent of buildings in the District of Columbia during the fiscal year 1929 if suitable space is provided for said corporation by the Public Buildings Commission. For the reconditioning of the steamships Mount Vernon and Monticello at a total cost not in excess of $12,000,000, not to exceed $10,000,000 is made available from the Construction Loan Fund and shall be reimbursed to such fund with interest at. such rate and within such period as the board may determine, but not exceeding ten years after the elate of commission of such reconditioned vessels: Provided, That after such reconditioning neither of said steamships shall be sold for less than the cost of reconditioning, less a deduction of 5 per centum per annum for depreciation from the date of completion of such reconditioning to the date of sale. Total, United States Shipping Board, $13,688,750: Provided, That of the sums herein made available under the United States Shipping Board, not to exceed an aggregate of $350,000 shall be expended for compensation of regular attorneys employed on a yearly salary basis and for fees and expenses of attorneys employed in special cases.

UNITED STATES VETERANS’ BUREAU For carrying out the provisions of an Act entitled “An Act to establish a Veterans’ Bureau and to improve the facilities and services of such bureau and to further amend and modify the War Risk Insurance Act approved August 9, 1921,” and to carry out the provisions of the Act entitled “World War Veterans’ Act, 1924,” approved June 7, 1924, as amended, and for administrative expenses in carrying out the provisions of the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of May 19, 1924, including salaries of personnel in the District of Columbia and elsewhere in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, and expenses of the central office at Washington, District of Columbia, and regional offices and suboffices, and including salaries, stationery, and minor office supplies, furniture, equipment and supplies, rentals, and alterations, heat, light, and water, miscellaneous expenses, including telephones, telegrams, freight, express, law books, books of reference, periodicals, ambulance service, towel service, laundry service, repairs to equipment, storage, ice, taxi service, car fare, stamps and box rent, traveling and subsistence, including not to exceed $4,000 for the expenses, except membership fees, of employees detailed by the director to attend meetings of associations for the promotion of medical science and annual national conventions of such organizations as may be recognized by the director in the presentation or adjudication of claims under authority of section 500 of the World War Veterans’ Act as amended, and traveling expenses of employees transferred from one official station to another when incurred on the written order of the director, salaries and expenses of employees engaged in field investigation and supervision, passenger-carrying and other motor vehicles, including purchase, maintenance, repairs, and operation of same, salaries and operating expenses of the Arlington Building and annex, including repairs and mechanical equipment, fuel, electric current, ice, ash removal, and miscellaneous items; and including the salaries and allowances, where applicable, wages, travel and subsistence of civil employees at the United States veterans’ hospitals, supply depots, dispensaries, and clinics, including the furnishing and laundering of white duck suits, and white canvas shoes to employees whose duties make necessary the wearing of same, $40,000,000: Provided, That physicians, dentists, and nurses of the medical service of the United States Veterans’ Bureau, in addition to their compensation, when transferred from one official station to another for permanent duty, may be allowed, within the discretion and under written order of the director, the expenses incurred for packing, crating, drayage, and transportation of their household effects and other personal property not exceeding in all 5,000 pounds. Such portion of this appropriation as may be necessary shall be allotted from time to time by the United States Veterans’ Bureau to the Public Health Service and shall be available for expenditure by the Public Health Service for necessary personnel, the pay, allowances, and travel of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service detailed to the United States Veterans’ Bureau for duty. For printing and binding for the United States Veterans’ Bureau, including all of its bureaus, offices, institutions, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $135,000. Compensation: For the payment of military and naval compensation accruing during the fiscal year 1929 or in prior fiscal years for death or disability provided by the Act approved October 6, 1917, as amended, and the World War Veterans’ Act 1924, approved June 7, 1924, as amended, $195,000,000. Medical and hospital services: For medical, surgical, dental, dispensary, and hospital services and facilities, convalescent care, necessary and reasonable after care, welfare of, nursing, prosthetic appliances (including special clothing made necessary by the wearing of prosthetic appliances prescribed by the bureau), medical examinations, funeral, burial, and other incidental expenses (including preparation for shipment and transportation of remains) accruing during the fiscal year 1929, or in prior fiscal years, traveling expenses, and supplies, and not exceeding $100,000 for library books, magazines, and papers for beneficiaries of the United States Veterans’ Bureau, court or other expenses incident to any investigation or court proceeding for the appointment or removal of any guardian, curator, conservator, or other person legally vested with the care of the claimant, or his estate, or in connection with the administration of such estate by such fiduciaries, including court costs and other expenses incident to proceedings heretofore or hereafter taken for commitment of mentally incompetent persons to hospitals for the care and treatment of the insane, $31,675,000. This appropriation shall be disbursed by the United States Veterans’ Bureau, and such portion thereof as may be necessary shall be allotted from time to time to the Public Health Service, and the War, Navy, and Interior Departments, and transferred to their credit for disbursement by them for the purposes set forth in the foregoing paragraph. No part of this appropriation shall be expended for the purchase of any site for a new hospital, for or toward the construction of any new hospital, or for the purchase of any hospital; and not more than $3,309,384 of this appropriation may be used to alter, improve, or provide facilities in the several hospitals under the jurisdiction of the United States Veterans’ Bureau so as to furnish adequate accommodations for its beneficiaries either by contract or by the hire of temporary employees and the purchase of materials. The allotments made to the Public Health Service, War, Navy, and Interior Departments shall be available for expenditure for care and treatment of beneficiaries of the United States Veterans’ Bureau, and for necessary minor repairs and improvements of existing facilities, under the various headings of appropriations made to said departments as may be necessary. Adjusted service certificate fund: For an amount necessary under section 505 of the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of May 19, 1924, to provide for the payment of the face value of each adjusted service certificate in twenty years from its date or on the prior death of the veteran, $112,000,000, to remain available until expended. For military and naval insurance accruing during the fiscal year 1929 or in prior fiscal years, $106,750,000. Total, United States Veterans’ Bureau, $485,560,000.

Sec. 2.

In expending appropriations or portions of appropriations, contained in this Act, for the payment for personal services in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, the average of the salaries of the total number of persons under

Restriction on exceeding average salaries.

any grade in any bureau, office, or other appropriation unit shall not at any time exceed the average of the compensation rates specified for the grade by such Act, and in grades in which only one position

If only one position in a grade.

is allocated the salary of such position shall not exceed the average of the compensation rates for the grade except that in unusually

Allowance in unusually meritorious cases.

meritorious cases of one position in a grade advances may be made to rates higher than the average of the compensation rates of the grade but not more often than once in any fiscal year and then only to the next higher rate: Provided, That this restriction shall not

Proviso.

Restriction not applicable to clerical-mechanical service.

No fixed salary reduction.

Vol. 42, p. 1490.

Transfer to another position without reduction.

apply (1) to grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the clerical-mechanical service, or (2) to require the reduction in salary of any person whose compensation was fixed as of July 1, 1924, in accordance with the rules of section 6 of such Act, (3) to require the reduction in salary of any person who is transferred from one position to another position in the same or different grade in the same or a different bureau, office, or other appropriation unit, or (4) to prevent the payment

Higher salary rates allowed.

of a salary under any grade at a rate higher than the maximum rate of the grade when such higher rate is permitted by the Classification Act of 1923, and is specifically authorized by other law.

Sec. 3.

This Act hereafter may be referred to as the “Independent

Title of Act.

Offices Act, 1929.”

Total appropriated by this Act, $527,593,111.