COMPTROLLER General of THE UNITED States, The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. It is believed that the most practicable method of accomplishing what is desired by you is to substitute for the language now appearing in the Budget and the proposal made in your letter, a provision reading substantially as follows: 66 THE ALASKA RAILROAD. "For every expenditure requisite for and incident to the authorized work of the Alaska Railroad, including the following: Maintenance, operation, equipment, and improvement of railroads in Alaska; maintenance and operation of river steamers and other boats on the Yukon River and its tributaries in Alaska; construction or purchase of one river steamer and necessary barges; purchase and repair of machinery and apparatus and construction or rental of docking facilities for steamboat operation; payment of claims for losses and damages arising from operations and the payment of amounts due connecting lines under traffic agreements; payment upon the approval of the officer designated by the President as the successor of the chairman of the Alaskan Engineering Commission, of compensation and expenses as authorized by section 42 of the injury compensation act approved September 7, 1916, to be reimbursed as therein provided, $in addition to all amounts received by the Alaska Railroad during the fiscal years 1924 and 1925, which, with all balances in existing appropriations and funds for the maintenance and operation of railroads and river steamers in Alaska, shall be consolidated into the 'Alaska Railroad fund,' to be immediately available and to continue available until expended." Such a provision would be acceptable to this office, provided that the accounts for receipts and expenditures are systematically classified so as to show, under proper heads, the various classes of receipts and expenditures and that reports are submitted in connection with estimates which will clearly indicate in a comparative way the use that has been made and is proposed for all funds which may be available. It is believed that for an operating organization such as the Alaska railroad any limitation which Congress may desire to make upon the use of funds can better be provided by inserting a limiting provision in the regular appropriation act, as for example, by specifying the amount which may be expended for "improvements" or otherwise, than by making a separate appropriaion for the purpose. The clause relating to the payment of injury compensation is inserted so that there may be no question as to the authority of the general manager to settle claims under section 42 of the compensation act, approved September 7, 1916. Respectfully, Gen. H. M. LORD, Director of the Bureau of the Budget. J. R. MCCARL, MY DEAR GENERAL LORD: Your attention is invited to the correspondence, copies herewith, between this department and the Comptroller General, relating to a proposal to consolidate the various appropriations and receipts of the Alaska Railroad into one fund, to be immediately available and remain available until expended. The reasons for this proposal are set forth in my letter of January 10, 1924, to the Comptroller General. The provision suggested by the Comptroller General in his letter of the 28th instant will be acceptable to this department, and, if adopted, will undoubtedly serve the purpose intended. It will be appreciated if you will give this matter your consideration and make any amendments that may be required by the policy of the Bureau of the Budget. It is expected that the matter of the Interior Department appropriations for the fiscal year 1925 will be before the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate at an early date, at which time there will be an opportunity to have the proposed provisions considered as an amendment to the appropriation bill. Respectfully, E. C. FINNEY, First Assistant Secretary and Budget Officer. (Thereupon, at 4 o'clock p. m., the subcommittee adjourned, subject to the call of the chairman.) |