42 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



grain loans for the two years amounting to approximately $2,750,000. 

 The urgent deficiency bill approved July 1, 1922, appropriated 

 $50,000 to cover the expense of collecting the unpaid seed loans 

 during the fiscal year 1923. Crop conditions in the seed-loan ter- 

 ritory are now more favorable than for several years in the past, 

 and the department is proceeding with collections. 



MESSENGER SERVICE. 



Because of the widely scattered locations of the forty-odd build- 

 ings occupied by the department, it is necessary to employ a large 

 number of messenger boys. Approximately 200 such employees are 

 on the rolls in Washington. During the year the department has 

 devoted especial attention to the situation surrounding the employ- 

 ment of these boys. Under existing regulations the position of mes- 

 senger boy is not regarded as in the apportioned service. It is 

 virtually impossible, therefore, to promote these boys to higher 

 clerical positions, regardless of how deserving or capable they may 

 be. As the service promises no future for them, the department is 

 unable to secure and retain the most desirable boys. Thus, we have 

 a situation altogether contrary to that which usually prevails in 

 any well-managed private business. The experience in this depart- 

 ment indicates that it probably would be advantageous to bring about 

 a change in the existing regulations so that it would be possible to 

 promote deserving messenger boys to clerical positions where they 

 indicate a marked capacity for growth in the service. The depart- 

 ment has felt considerable responsibility for the welfare of these 

 employees and during the year has given especial attention to im- 

 proving their general conditions. With the cooperation of the 

 Public Library, reading courses in standard works have been pre- 

 pared and made available to them. Meetings of these employees 

 have been held and every effort made by the department executives 

 to urge them to take advantage of the free evening schools. One 

 hundred and twenty-eight, or 64 per cent of the total number em- 

 ployed in Washington, have registered for evening instruction. 



After consultation with the agencies in Washington working with 

 boys, arrangements have been made by which physical instruction 

 and direction is given once each week in the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium. 

 A simple supper follows the gymnasium hour, at which talks are 



