fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, for fighting and preventing forest fires and combating an insect infestation, $35,000.

Fighting and preventing forest fires: For fighting and preventing forest fires and for other unforeseen emergencies, $35,000: Provided, That not to exceed $10,000 of this amount shall be available to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior, or otherwise as in his judgment may be advisable, in maintaining necessary measures against timber-killing insects in the Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. (act May 11, 1922, vol. 42, p. 519, sec. 1)......................

$35,000

On February 2, 1923, as shown by House Document No. 543, there was transmitted to Congress a supplemental estimate in the sum of $340,000 for fighting and preventing forest fires for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923. This estimate was to meet deficiencies which had already been incurred amounting to approximately $290,000 and the balance of $50,000 to meet the requirements of the fire fighting during the months of May and June, 1923.

am convinced from information which has now been laid before. me by the Secretary of Agriculture that he should have at least $75,000 to meet this fire-prevention work during the fire season of May and June. He informs me that he has no funds under his other appropriations which he could use for this fire-prevention work and that he must rely entirely upon an additional appropriation to meet the conditions which may develop during next May and June. The estimate presented to Congress February 2, 1923, together with the estimate submitted herewith, if favorably considered by Congress, would provide the Secretary of Agriculture with $75,000 for fireprevention work during May and June.

Concerning so much of the estimate submitted herewith which provides that not exceeding $10,000 may be used in destroying timberkilling insects in the Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon National Park, I quote the following from a letter of the Secretary of Agriculture dated February 23, 1923:

It is true that this infestation was attacked last year at the points which then appeared most threatening with a fund obtained by curtailing or postponing other work, small amounts being saved by cutting down expenditures necessary and previously authorized at a number of different points. While the infestation was broken up at several points, it is still widespread over a considerable area in the national forest and adjacent portions of the national park, and the work done last year will be largely lost unless the other infestation units can be attacked and controlled before the beetles swarm during the coming summer. The Forest Service will put into this work all of the men and funds that it can provide; but the situation to which I have referred with reference particularly to the increase in contractural obligations for the cutting of timber will not make it possible to complete the control of this very hazardous infestation unless the amount requested can be made available through a supplemental appropriation. The interests of the national park at stake in this matter as well as the interests of the national forests, and the two departments have combined in urging the necessity of this item. As stated in my letter to you of February 10, I am convinced that, from the financial standpoint alone, the Government can not afford the risk of permitting this infestation to grow to large proportions. The time to stop it is now, when as such outbreaks go the danger is still comparatively limited in area. The region is one which commands exceptional public interest and attention on account of the scenic attractions of the national park and the value of the timber on the Kaibab plateau for both recreational and commercial uses. This is the largest and most valuable body of timber tributary to the State of Utah and the adjacent regions.

Approval of this estimate is recommended.
Very respectfully,

R. O. KLOEBER,

Acting Director of the Bureau of the Budget.

The PRESIDENT.

Estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, by the Department of Agriculture.

Fighting and preventing forest fires:

For fighting and preventing forest fires and for other unforeseen emergencies, $35,000: Provided, That not to exceed $10,000 of this amount shall be available to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior, or otherwise, as in his judgment may be advisable, in maintaining necessary measures against timberkilling insects in the Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz. (act May 11, 1922, vol. 42, p. 519, sec. 1)...... Amount appropriated for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 1923..

$35, 000

250,000

4th Session.

No. 330.

HIRE OF TEMPORARY CLERKS AND CARRIERS, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,

TRANSMITTING

TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOMPANYING LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, A SUPPLEMENTAL ESTIMATE OF APPROPRIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1923 FOR TEMPORARY CLERK HIRE AND CITY DELIVERY CARRIERS, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, IN THE SUM OF $550,000.

FEBRUARY 28, 1923.-Read; referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed.

The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, February 28, 1923.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of Congress supplemental estimates of appropriation for the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, amounting to $550,000.

The details of these estimates and the reason for their submission at this time are set forth in a letter of the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, transmitted herewith, with whose comments and observations thereon I concur.

Respectfully,

WARREN G. HARDING.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

BUREAU OF THE BUDGET,
Washington, February 28, 1923.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your consideration, and upon your approval for transmission to Congress, supplemental estimates of appropriations for the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, amounting to $550,000.

Temporary clerk hire, 1923..

$250,000

It is now evident that the large increase in business will require this additional amount for temporary clerk hire in addition to the amounts in supplemental estimates heretofore submitted. It was estimated that the increase in business for the month of January, 1923, would be 14 per cent, but the figures recently received indicate that the increase was 18 per cent. This increase of mail matter, bringing in an increase of revenue, makes it necessary to have this additional force to handle the mail with reasonable promptness. City delivery carriers, 1923......

$300,000

The appropriation for pay of letter carriers for the current fiscal year is $70,200,000. The increase in postal business requires this additional appropriation of $300,000 in order to complete the service of the fiscal year. Reports indicate that because of the increase beyond the highest estimates in the mail at Christmas the overtime pay was larger than was anticipated.

Approval of these estimates is recommended.
Very respectfully,

The PRESIDENT.

H. M. LORD,

Director of the Bureau of the Budget.

Estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1923, by the Post Office Department.

Temporary clerk hire: For temporary and auxiliary clerk hire and for substitute clerk hire for clerks and employees absent with pay at first and second class post offices and temporary and auxiliary clerk hire at summer and winter resort post offices (act June 19, 1922, vol. 42, p. 656, sec. 1).. City delivery carriers: For pay of letter carriers at offices already established, including substitutes for letter carriers absent without pay, City Delivery Service (same act)........