tition would be very limited, the commission approved Mr. Roark's appointment under section 10 of Rule II.

Saburo Katsura, Bureau of Plant Industry, $1,500 per annum, assistant translator. Mr. Katsura had served under temporary appointment to translate botanical articles and to abstract articles in Japanese botanical and agricultural publications. He was the only available Japanese translator known to the bureau who is capable of performing this work. He had proven his ability to perform the duties satisfactorily by translations of a responsible character. Difficulty would be experienced in securing eligibles through competitive examination who are qualified to translate the scientific papers of this nature required in the Department of Agriculture.

Benjamin Liebowitz, Bureau of Public Roads, New York City, $20.83 per day, research consultant. Mr. Liebowitz's services were requested for a period of one year for the instrumentation work being carried on for the purpose of developing an accelerometer which is suitable for the measurement of the impact forces produced by the wheels of motor trucks. He had been engaged for several years on this work and closely allied problems. He is a graduate of Columbia University in electrical engineering and had extensive experience in research work on mechanical springs and allied subjects. His services were desired on an average of five days per month. As competition would obviously be limited his appointment was authorized under section 10 of Rule II.

George W. Hoffman, Grain Futures Administration, $10 per day, consulting grain economist. Mr. Hoffman had been serving under temporary appointments intermittently in the Grain Futures Administration since June 5, 1924. His services were desired to analyze grain-future trading data and to study the various phases of grain-marketing machinery from an economic standpoint, the results of these studies to be published in departmental bulletins and publications. His knowledge of the grain-future marketing machinery was held to exceed that of any other person known to the department. His services will be required for approximately 120 days each year. Difficulty would be experienced in securing eligibles through competitive examination for such a parttime scientific position.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Rudolph P. Miller, Bureau of Standards, New York City, $5,400 per annum, consulting engineer. Mr. Miller was originally appointed under Schedule A of the civil-service rules on February 1, 1922, to serve on the committee appointed for the purpose of collecting and disseminating information showing approved methods in building, planning, and construction, standardization and adaptability of structural units, including farm buildings, building materials and codes, economy in manufacture and utilization of building materials and supplies, and such other matters as tend to encourage, improve, and cheapen construction and housing. It was stated that he had been selected by the Secretary of Commerce as chairman of the committee on building codes. It was found that his salary during the year would exceed $480 per annum, the maximum allowed through his appointment under Schedule A. He had consented to undertake the work at a financial sacrifice and at a loss of time to his business in New York City. The compensation of $15 per day was regarded as merely to cover expenses. He will be employed only a few days of each month during the year. His services will not be required more than a year or two. The field of competition being limited the appointment of Mr. Miller was authorized under section 10 of Rule II.

Ray T. Stull, Bureau of Standards, $5,200 per annum, senior engineer (ceramic). Mr. Stull was originally appointed in 1917 under section 10 of Rule II as chief ceramist, $4,800 per annum, Bureau of Mines, Columbus, Ohio, to have charge of the new ceramic station at that point. He was separated by reduction of force July 19, 1923, and his reappointment was desired by the Department of Commerce in June, 1927. His qualifications were already a matter of record.

Francis G. Hatsel, Bureau of Fisheries, Beaufort, N. C., $900 per annum, apprentice fish-culturist. For a number of years there has been difficulty in securing eligibles for apprentice fish-culturist positions at some stations of the Department of Commerce. In view of these facts, the commission has from time to time authorized appointments under section 10 of Rule II, as was done in this case.

VETERANS' BUREAU

Gottlieb Lange, United States Veterans' Bureau Hospital, Muskogee, Okla., $1,860 per annum, orthopedic mechanic (metal and leather); Samuel Fornell, regional office, Boston, Mass., $2,400 per annum, foreman, orthopedic shop. The commission has on a number of occasions endeavored to fill positions of this character through examination. The temporary employee was in some cases the only applicant, and in other cases no eligibles were secured. In view of the expense involved in holding examinations and the lack of competition, the commission approved the appointments of the above-named men under section 10 of Rule II.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Harlan H. Zodtner, solar observing station, Mount Montezuma, Chile, $3,000 per annum, director of observing stations. Mr. Zodtner has served as bolometric assistant in a desert far from any habitation, having been originally appointed under section 10 of Rule II. He had been acting as assistant at the Chilean field station, Mount Montezuma, and it was desired to have him take charge of the station. It was represented that there is no other person who is qualified and available. Difficulty would be experienced in securing qualified eligibles for filling this position, especially under the conditions stated.