THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 49 



An American stenographer, who is occasionally called upon to 

 help out on extra and rush work, is available in the general 

 office. Mr. Grady P. Oakly left the Bureau in October, and his 

 position was dropped. Mr. A. E. Southard, chief clerk, was 

 detailed as private secretary to the Honorable, the Secretary 

 of the Interior, on August 16, 1914, for the remainder of the 

 year. Two years ago there were five Americans in the clerical 

 division as against three authorized places at the present time — 

 namely, the chief clerk, a stenographer detailed to the account- 

 ing office and supervision of the files, and the cashier and dis- 

 bursing and property officer — a reduction of 40 per cent. Our 

 Filipino stenographers have done very good work, but the facts 

 that English is not their native language and that they are 

 inexperienced in general business and office work limit their 

 ability to combine speed with accuracy, although they show 

 decided improvement from year to year. For this reason it 

 will be impossible further to reduce the American personnel of 

 this division. 



The files are still in an unfinished condition, although a large 

 amount of work has been done upon them. Mr. Evans has 

 been detailed to supervise the filing, and under his direction the 

 files can be brought up to date within the coming year. 



The work of the sample clerk increased so much that it was 

 impossible for him to keep up with it unless he worked from 

 twelve to fourteen hours a day. His work has been divided and 

 the minor part given to an assistant. 



I am convinced that the plan of dividing our allotment for 

 clerical hire among fewer clerks, which enables us to pay suffi- 

 ciently high rates of compensation to attract the more efficient 

 men, is most economical. 



A large amount of extra work has been required of the prop- 

 erty section on account of the necessity of checking all the 

 specimens that were sent to the Panama-Pacific International 

 Exposition. 



The care of the lawns, hedges, etc., formerly done by the city 

 of Manila at our expense, has been taken over by the Bureau- 

 as a measure of economy. The telephone service is still the cause 

 of some complaint. A new switchboard has been installed, 

 but the operator reports that it is often out of order. The 

 muchacho service has continued to be satisfactory since the 

 adoption, about three years ago, of the present rules and 

 regulations governing that matter. 



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