Mr. WHITTEN. Is there any limit on the price you can pay for the planes now? Mr. GRANT. No, sir. There is no limit. It is estimated that planes of that type that we are planning to use would cost approximately $17,000 each. They are needed in connection with the control of screw worm and fire ant, and the various plant-pest control programs. The next major change is on page 2, the middle of the page, where new language is proposed to permit the Agricultural Research Service to use $50,000 for the acquisition of land for soil and water conservation research facilities. Mr. WHITTEN. Where is that? Mr. GRANT. That is needed for the acquisition of land in connection with the soil and water research laboratory being constructed at Morris, Minn. The next language change involves the deletion of the language inserted in 1958 Appropriation Act relating to funds for the construction of the soil and water conservation laboratories. PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE LABORATORY Continuing on page 2, there is a third change, proposing new language regarding replacement of buildings needed to carry out the act of April 24, 1948. This language is needed to permit replacement of buildings at the Plum Island Animal Disease Laboratory in the event storms, fires, or other disasters destroy a building. The basic authority provides for the construction of buildings, or replacement of facilities as needed, but the Appropriation Act carries a limitation of not to exceed $10,000 on any one building, except for five, which may be constructed at a cost of not to exceed $20,000. In event of an emergency this limitation would prevent the Plum Island laboratory from replacing an important building. At the bottom of page 2, continuing on to page 3, it is proposed to eliminate references to the act of May 9, 1938, and of August 13, 1954. This will simply shorten and simplify the appropriation language and will not affect the nature of the work or the scope of the work in any way. The next change involves the deletion of two provisos in the appropriation for plant and animal disease and pest control. The first is the prohibition against the payment of indemnities because of injury or destruction of property in carrying out these programs. The prohibition against paying indemnities is now in the basic law, and again this elimination of this proviso would simply shorten the language and simplify it. The second proviso, which it is proposed to delete, provides that the Secretary, in his discretion, shall withhold the expenditures in connection with the sweetpotato weevil program and the golden nematode and the barberry eradication programs until the necessary cooperation has been made available by the State or States concerned. This authority is now included in the organic act of 1944, and in the Golden Nematode Act so that it serves no purpose in the language of the appropriation. WATERSHED PROTECTION, SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE The next significant change is on page 23, under the "Watershed protection." We are requesting authority to use not to exceed $100,000 for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706 (a) of the organic act of 1944. That is for the employment of experts by contract on a temporary basis. The need has developed in connection with this program for hiring engineers and other experts primarily for consultation and advice in many of the technical phases of watershed planning. This authority is similar to that which we already have under the "Flood prevention" item. Mr. WHITTEN. What limitation under that basic act do you have on a per diem basis? Mr. GRANT. The highest rate we could pay on this basis would be the highest rate under the classification act, and, as I recall, it is $51.28. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE The next major change is on page 43 under the Agricultural marketing Service. About two-thirds down the page it is proposed to eliminate the words "and for the acquisition of land." You may recall that that was inserted in the 1958 act, to enable the Agricultural Marketing Service to acquire some land near Savannah, Ga. Mr. WHITTEN. Did that work out? Mr. GRANT. It worked out. We bought the land for $40,000 on February 4 for biological research. Mr. WHITTEN. That is where we were trying to give you a little help, wasn't it? Mr. GRANT. That is right. It worked out quite well. FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE The next significant change is on page 58 under the Foreign Agricultural Service. The last proviso on that page is language which was inserted last year to provide the same authorities to the agricultural attachés which the State Department has for its Foreign Service personnel. This language is permanent legislation and is no longer needed in the appropriation act. Mr. ANDERSEN. It is permanent? Mr. GRANT. It is permanent language, yes, sir. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM On page 64 it is proposed to increase the program authorization for the conservation reserve program from $325 million to $450 million. That has already been discussed so I don't think I need to go into it any further here. ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM On page 67 there is the proposal to eliminate the acreage reserve program, beginning with the 1959 crop program. Again, that is an item which has been gone into in some detail. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION The next item is on page 79, having to do with the Rural Electrification Administration. For a number of years the appropriation act has included language providing for a contingency loan authorization. Mr. WHITTEN. This year we will do it again if I have my way. If we do not have a contingency, we constantly are faced with a supplemental on the one hand. Further, if we do not have a contingency, frequently the REA Administrator and Department can say they would have passed on certain loans but the Congress did not give them enough money. The third reason for keeping the contingency is, we have some friends and colleagues who would offer an amendment on the floor to raise it to get credit back home. Anyway you take it to protect the real friends of REA, from the practical standpoint of letting the Administrator accept the responsibility of passing on loans, plus the need for additional money without the necessity of a supplemental, I think the contingency is essential. Mr. ANDERSEN. It has worked out well in the past. FARMERS' HOME ADMINISTRATION Mr. GRANT. The next change is on page 86. There is a series of changes there which relates to the merger of the FHA loan authorizations into one amount. That item has already been discussed in some detail with the committee. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY The next language change is on page 103 in the Office of the Secretary. It is proposed to add a proviso which would permit this appropriation to be reimbursed for travel expenses incident to holding hearings as required by the Administrative Procedure Act. Mr. ANDERSEN. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.) Mr. GRANT. This change was discussed at some length by Mr. Roberts during the discussion of the estimates for the Office of the Secretary and has to do with the matter of providing adequate funds to enable the hearings examiners to hold hearings as needed regardless of the number of hearings which may come about in a particular year. This language may not be strictly necessary, but we think it would be desirable for the Congress and the committee to positively indicate that this procedure is approved. CCC ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES On page 132 it is proposed to eliminate language with respect to use of the funds under the CCC administrative expense limitation for uniform allowances. The only funds involved are the uniform allowances for nurses at the larger Commodity offices. That language is included in the general provisions and in order to eliminate duplication we are taking it out at this point. GENERAL PROVISIONS LIMITATION ON PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES Mr. Chairman, the only remaining change is in connection with the general provisions on page 160. In this instance it has to do with passenger motor vehicles. We are requesting authority to purchase 466 motor vehicles compared with 552 in the fiscal year 1958. Of this number requested four would be additional vehicles. Mr. WHITTEN. Where would those new ones be used? Mr. GRANT. Those four new ones would be in the Agricultural Research Service in connection with the plant quarantine inspection work in Florida, which is being taken over from the State as of June 30, 1958. Mr. WHITTEN. What class of cars are you buying now? Mr. GRANT. We buy only cars in the low price range. We are limited as to amount by the overall limit applicable throughout the Government. In recent years we have been able with the approval of this committee and the Congress to improve substantially the condition of the vehicles owned by the Department. In addition there has beeen a significant reduction in the total number of cars, some 788 reductions in the past 5 years. A number of those have been transferred to the General Services Administration. Mr. ANDERSEN. How much mileage is supposed to be on these automobiles before they are subject to replacement? Mr. GRANT. The minimum is 60,000 miles or 6 years of age. Actually, practically all of our vehicles are substantially above that requirement when they are replaced except where they may have been wrecked or damaged in some way which would not make it feasible to repair them. FUNDS AVAILABLE, OBLIGATIONS, AND EMPLOYMENT Mr. WHITTEN. Please insert in the record a table showing funds available for fiscal 1958, the amounts obligated and balances as of February 28, 1958, for each appropriation. Also the paid employment as of February 28, 1958, by agency. Mr. GRANT. All right, sir. I have those available at this time. (The information referred to is as follows:) 21494-58-pt. 4-21 |