COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY SALARIES AND EXPENSES STATEMENT of Walter WILLIAMS, UNDER SECRETARY; GEORGE T. MOORE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION; OSCAR H. NIELSON, DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET OFFICER; ADM. H. ARNOLD KARO, DIRECTOR, COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY; ADM. R. W. KNOX, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR; CAPT. I. E. RITTENBURG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR ADMINISTRATION; JOHN AMSTADT, BUDGET OFFICER. HOUSE ALLOWANCE AND JUSTIFICATION Senator HOLLAND. The next item is a budget request in the amount of $11,020,000 for salaries and expenses, Coast and Geodetic Survey. The House allowed $10,800,000, an increase of $76,000 over the 1956 appropriation and a reduction of $220,000 from the estimate. We will insert in the record pages 304, 405, 416, and 426, as well as your requested amendment for restoration of the $220,000 reduction proposed by the House. (The information referred to follows:) Increase (+) or decrease (-) 1957 estimate over 1956 appropriation_ House allowance from 1957 estimate. Restoration requested... AMENDMENT REQUESTED +296, 000 -220,000 220,000 On page 7, line 23, strike out "$10,800,000" and insert "$11,020,000". HOUSE REPORT "Salaries and expenses.-The committee recommends the sum of $10,800,000 for the coming fiscal year, an increase of $76,000 above 1956 appropriations, and a reduction of $220,000 in the budget estimate. Of the increases, $25,000 is required to cover the retirement pay of 4 additional officers who will leave active duty in 1957. The balance of the increase is provided to strengthen research and to expand surveys with respect to geodetic control and marine and airnavigation charts. Of the amount recommended, the sum of $20,000 is provided for additional research on earthquake detection devices." JUSTIFICATION The reduction of $220,000 below the $11,020,000 requested represents a serious setback to the Bureau in its attempt to more nearly fulfill its legislative responsibilities in 1957. Although the demand for the Bureau's products and services has increased considerably in recent years, reduced appropriations together with increased costs have necessitated a reduction of nearly 600 positions since 1949. The Bureau is very apprehensive in respect to the House recommendation of $10,800,000 because each of the items contained in the estimates for 1957 represent either increased costs of operation already in effect or programs of high priority which cannot be deferred. If this reduction remains it will be necessary to curtail even further some of the Bureau's vital surveying operations. $90, 000 A brief listing and explanation of the increases requested for 1957 follows: For pay increases granted crews of vessels effective Jan. 1, 1956---For pay increases granted lithographic wage-board personnel effective Jan. 1, 1956. Pay scales for these two groups of employees are based on prevailing wage rates under authority established by Congress. The Bureau has no choice but to pay these rates. For the increased cost of chart paper The price of chart paper has increased approximately 30 percent during recent months. A minimum of $75,000 in paper will be required during 1957. For additional retirements of commissioned officers This new observatory, constructed at a cost of $750,000, will be dedicated May 23 and is presently manned by 5 employees transferred from the Old Cheltenham Observatory. An additional 6 positions are required for an adequate operation of this new facility. It seems questionable that a lesser scale of operation could be justified after an expenditure of $750,000. For the recompilation of aeronautical charts The visual series of aeronautical charts require extensive recompilation in order to provide civil and military aviation with the maximum safeguards for the protection of life and property. This Bureau produced over 40 million of all types of aeronautical charts in 1955. This volume substantiates the importance of providing this dynamic industry with the latest and best information. Aids to navigation must be charted to be of use to the industry. For an additional airport survey party 30,000 25, 000 25, 000 30, 000 75,000 21,000 |