Evening star., 1927-12-05

operation II d ' ( 49,, .fs3
. been cut by ~
> total of S131 ,331,- -'- A--"'-'
S71 and that the DIR. Work
force of perma-
nent employees has been reduced b!
2,722, notwithstanding an increase II
the functions delegated to the de
partment.
Together with the accomplished re
duction in the expenditures OF money
Secretary Work urged that similar
!. economy be permitted in the use OF
natural resources. Directing atten
ton TO overproduction of oil and the
existing prices, he emphasized the
i Importance of legislation developing
the oil resources OF the Usage reSerVa
ton in Oklahoma, portion or Whicn
must be leased annually regardless OF
market conditions.
One Bureau Handicapped.
Every bureau in the department has
shown steady Improvement except
that Of Indian affairs, Mr.. Work said,
where the cumulative effect of many
years of financial neglect had brought
about what he described as actual
poverty"
Turning to personnel matters, he
declared the regulations for reduction
and cumbersome. 1.-The effect of the
SYSTEM" he said, "is actually to
nuIlify the efficiency ratings and re-
strict the discretion of administrative
officers beyond the point of practi-
cability."
A need was indicated in the report for
a change in the civil service retire
ment law to permit retirement, OPP
tional with the government or with
the employe, after 80 years service
and at an attained age of 60 years.
Remedial legislation of this character,
the Secretary said, would be economic
from the governments standpoint
through replacement OF employees
whose efficiency is on the decline
through advancing years. Many en-
ployes retiring at 70 years find diff
Guilty in meeting their financial bur-
dens on the small annuity paid, while
at so they might find other employ
ment to supplement their annuity
pay.
/. In discussing the Indian service the
concentrations to Congress concerning
states responsibility for the educa-
tion. health and social welfare of the
Indians. 'sIt would be feasible for
Congress to authorize the Secretary to
enter into contracts with states for
the handling of the health and educa-
tion of the Indians, the report said,
with Federal expenditures being made
through the states under proper SAFE
sguards.
{ The Bureau of Pensions at the close
iof the fiscal year Showed 4S9, ,942 pen.
sioners on the roll as against sol, ,723
on June 80, 1926. net loss to the roll
of 11,7S1. During the year 81 l,5ul
names were added and 42,2sS removed
by reason of death, remarriage and
other causes. Pensions paid by the
government amounted to $3.50, i So. 712
as compared with $207, ,S44,34S, the pre-
yious year, an increase of S22, ,308, 1864.
The Reclamation Bureau, the report
said, is at present constructing mum.
ber of engineering works which in
size, cost, and natural obstacles rank
among the great irrigation propects
of the world, The dam on the Owyhee
project in Idaho will be higher than
any in existence. These projects are
a part Of a ten year program aimed
to complete construction on all the
approved engineering needs. The es-
timated cost Of these developments Is
4$97 100000.
cational officials brought the Bureau
of Education opportunity for out
standing achievement during the
wear. The system of education of
Utah was subjected to an exhaustive
examination under the direction OF the
Commissioner of Education and Sc
ries of constructive recommendations
was submitted to- state officers. Rut-
gers University, New Jersey, was SIM
iIarly examined. and many recon-
nendations which resulted already
have been adopted.
The Geological Survey explored and
mapped two large areas in Alaska
during the year and progress roWaru
"a map of southeastern Alaska made
from aerial maps of the Navy has
zone steadily forward. There was
lconsiderable progress in the develop
sment of aerial photography in con-
snection with topographic mapping
Z Secretary Work reviewed the twin
investigations into ST. Elizabeth's Hos
pital carried on during the year and
renewed previous recommendations
for changes in the commitment laws
for patients entering that institution.
additional building is required, he
said. "to meet the condition OF over
crowding which was observed by all
the investigating committees. the
first building that should be con
fstructed in this program is medical
and surgical building equipped for
snodern hospital service"
4 Hospital Report.
Z On June 80, there were 1891 pa
atients in the hospitals, he said, while
the total number of patients under
treatment during the year was 4,953
ON the medical side of the hospita
operation he cited the following as
worthy of special mention: Establish
lfnent of a clinic in dermatology; in
creased instruction to nurses in psy
schiatry and social problems; increased
frse of the hospital as a training cen
Ter in psychiatry by the general hos
gpitals of Washington; extension of ia
cilities for hydrotherapy, and re
sEearch work in the cause and treat
Sment of encephalitis or sleeping sick
mess"
Howard University. during the year
,completed a new 100000 laborator!
ybuilding for the preclinical branch o
snedicine, undertook a comprehensive
survey of medical instruction, ant
made certain changes in the enroll
s,nent regulations. During the yea
the university Gill S,Iuo SlbtAVAht-
srepresenting 81 States and 10 foreigl
scoun'ries.
IL All departments of Freedmen's Hos
initial were operated to full capacit,
during the year, and many applicant
sxvere turned away because of lack o
facilities, the report said. Some plal
should be devised, Mr.. Work declared
whereby the full amount of money re
.nuired for operation of the hospita
he included in the appropriation bi
for the Interior Department, with
4provision that all money earned b
sfhe hospital be covered into tn
UNITED States Treasury. Patients r.
sceiving care and treatment at tn
ghosnital numbered 24.653 for the yea
nexceeding all previous records.
/. The Columbia Institution for tn
sDeaf needs an additional unit to III
Nrower plant, an administration buil'