Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-29
Net decreases ,
Salary Allowances.

Salary Allowances.
The bill provides approximately for
2,l02 officers and employees who are
compensated in accordance with the
classification act of 1923 and carries
$40,774 for making promotions in con-
formity with the provisions Of that
act. The principal changes the ap.
preparations committee is proposing
under this head relate to the purchas.
ing division, to metal Identification
tags for automobiles, to the office of
the director OF traffic, and to the Pub
lie Library.
The House District committee and
the chief of the United States Bureau
OF Efficiency have been giving some
study to the purchasing activities Of
the District government. The appro-
priations committee was acquainted
with the conclusions reached and gave
some study to the matter itself. 1t
appears reasonably certain, the Funk
report states, that appreciable savings
may be made il the District govern
ment is required to purchase its sup
plies whenever possible under con.
tracts made by the general supply
committee, just as local activities Of
the Federal Government do.
The District now acts independ.
entity, prints separate list or sched-
ule of awards at an annual expense
approaching $4,000, incurs an unnec-
essary expense for personal services
by reason Of preparing such a list or
schedule and, according to a number
Of purchases brought to the commit
tees notice, pays a higher price for
similar articles embraced on the
schedule or list of awards made by
the general supply committee. A re-
quirement is inserted in the bill that
purchases shall be made, so far as
possible, in accordance with the reg
ulations of the general supply com.
mittee. A limitation has been in.
serted designed to prevent the print
ing of a separate list of awards. and
the committee is proposing a reduc-
ton of five positions in the purchas.
ing division, yielding a total of $7,I40.
It may be practical to effect larger
reduction when there is had the bene.
At of actual experience under the plan
proposed, Mr.. Funk said in his report.
Auto Tag Plant.
For the current fiscal year an an.
preparation of Sl7,500 was made for
the purchase of metal Identification
tags for automobiles. This present
year0 approximately 1906 tags will
be issued. The contract price is
&b.i1to pei pan n HLuNJ ny repre-
sentatives of the United States Blu
reau of Efficiency and certain District
officials indicates that worthwhile
savings may be made IL a plant for
the manufacture of these tags were
established at the District reforma
tory. For an outlay of $l1 900, which
assumes that certain machinery and
equipment may be procured from the
Government having a value of about
$4,000 a plant can be provided fol
the manufacture of these tags by
prison labor; also certain types o
signs and markers used by the trafii,
department The annual cost of ma
teriaI and operation has been esti
mated at $500. The appropriation
committee believes that there is meri
in the proposition. There is authorit.
of law for it and the superintendent
of the institution has unhesitatingl.
Endorsed it. Consequently, tn
amount of $40 900 proposed in tn
budget for 1928 for the purchase O
metal Identification tags has bee
transferred, 10 be employed in the es
adjustment of the plant and towar
its operation.
Director of Traffic.
The budget estimates for the offiC
or the director of traffic total $123,22t
as compared with 100000 for tn
current fiscal year. The Commute
is proposing $4,000, a decrease {
$33, $50. The appropriations commute