No. 165.-ESTIMATED ANNUAL PRODUCT, ACREAGE, and VALUE of the HAY CROP of the UNITED STATES, from 1871 to 1880, inclusive. [From the Annual Reports of the Department of Agriculture.] No. 166.-ESTIMATED PRODUCTION, AREA, and VALUE of the TOBACCO CROP of the UNITED STATES, from 1871 to 1880, inclusive, a a This statement is the result of original estimates, made by Mr. J. R. Dodge, from annual returns to the Department of Agriculture, of the comparative condition and area of the crop and price of product; and as to quantity of production, mainly from the official records of manufacture and exportation. It has been demonstrated that returns of production of tobacco, which bears a heavy tax, are uniformly underestimates, whether census returns or those of the Department of Agriculture; a fact in accord with the experience of all governments with respect to voluntary statistical returns of taxed products. The prices are the average home or farm value of leaf-tobacco. No. 167.-QUANTITY of COAL PRODUCED in each STATE and TERRITORY of the UNITED STATES, during the Calendar Years 1869, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881. Total anthra. cite........ Total anthracite and bituminous 30, 688, 339 31, 525, 322 | 36, 665, 709 42, 763, 692 48, 405, 000 13, 866, 180 21, 436, 667 23, 619, 911 20, 605, 262 26, 142, 689 26, 437, 242 31, 500, 000 31,077, 994 49, 005, 748 54, 308, 250, 52, 130, 584 62, 808, 398 69, 200, 934 79,905, 000 a The statistics for 1869 are derived from the United States Census. The statistics for 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881 are compiled from data collected and estimates made by Mr. Frederick E. Saward, editor of the Coal Trade Journal of New York. This is inclusive of 3,000,000 tons estimated by Mr. Saward, as the local consumption in and around the mines. It is also stated by Mr. Saward that there has been no material increase in this local consumption since the year 1876, in consequence of economies introduced by the use of coaldust, &c. . Doc INCREASE OF CLERICAL FORCE IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A communication from the Secretary of War relative to an increase of the clerical force in the War Department. MARCH 23, 18-2.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed. To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of War, dated March 23, 1882, with accompanying reports and estimates, recommending an increase in the clerical force in his office, and in the offices of the Adjutant-General and Surgeon-General of the Army, in order that prompt replies may be made to the calls for information by the Commissioner of Pensions in pension cases, under a proposed plan to accomplish the settlement of all such claims within a limited number of years; also an increased appropriation for contingent expenses for each of the offices mentioned. EXECUTIVE MANSION, CHESTER A. ARTHUR. To the PRESIDENT: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 23, 1882. I have the honor to transmit herewith letters from the Adjutant-General and Surgeon-General of the Army, and the chief clerk of this department, submitting estimates for an increase of the clerical force, with a view to furnishing promptly all reports required by the Commissioner of Pensions in pension applications, under a proposed plan to accomplish the settlement of all such claims within a limited number of years; also for an additional amount for contingent expenses. In case the proposed augmentation of the clerical force of the Pension Office is effected, the additional number of employés here asked for will be absolutely necessary to insure answers in a reasonable time to the calls for information from the records of this department that may be expected from the Pension Office. I therefore respectfully recommend legislation by Congress making the necessary provision for the same, and also for the contingent expenses. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT T. LINCOLN, WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, March 16, 1882. SIR: At the request of the joint committee of the two houses of Congress on pensions, I have the honor to submit herewith amended estimates of appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, looking to an increase of 150 additional clerks, 7 assistant messengers, 7 watchmen, and 3 laborers to meet the demands for reports on pension cases which will result from the proposed increase of the clerical force of the Pension Bureau, and to bring up the large number of calls (over 20,000) which have accumulated from lack of sufficient clerical force of this office. The additional force is estimated for on the following basis: This force, if granted, will necessitate an increase of the contingent fund of this office amounting to $15,000, itemized as follows: Lumber for necessary shelving (including labor) Stationery, towels, ice, &c., say $30 per annum for each clerk. Total $4,500 1,500 1,800 1,500 1,200 4,500 15,000 Three buildings (size of houses in the vicinity of War Department being considered) will be necessary to accommodate the additional force, and it is not thought that less than $5,000 should be asked for the purpose. The increase in the number of messengers, watchmen, and laborers is an imperative necessity. The present force of this office is scattered among eight buildings, in addition to part of the new State, War, and Navy building. The additional force will increase the number of buildings to eleven, and the number of messengers, watchmen and laborers asked for is not greater than absolutely necessary for the proper care and safety of these buildings and the valuable records they contain, as also to facilitate the transaction of business. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. the SECRETARY OF War. R. C. DRUM, |