80 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ment at the present time, and I again urgently recommend that 

 provision be made to this end. 



Last year I asked the Bureau of Efficiency to study the housing 

 problem in the department, in the hope that something could be done 

 in the reassignment of available space. This bureau made an ex- 

 haustive investigation of the situation in cooperation with depart- 

 ment representatives, with the result that it was found inadvisable 

 to reassign office space, as the removal and installation of a large 

 amount of laboratory and other heavy equipment would be involved. 

 The recommendation of the committee regarding one building where 

 available space was found has, however, been favorably acted upon. 



The department continues to occupy more than 40 buildings in 

 various parts of Washington. Efficient and economical administra- 

 tion of its affairs remains impossible while this condition exists. 

 During the past fiscal year the Government spent $177,726.92 for 

 rental of buildings occupied by this department in the District of 

 Columbia. 



A number of laboratories have had to be housed in rented or other 

 temporary quarters of nonfireproof construction not intended or 

 designed for laboratory installations or for permanent occupancy. 

 The installation of essential apparatus and equipment for efficient 

 work usually requires permanent foundations, costly plumbing and 

 electric wiring, or special provision for the maintenance of constant 

 temperatures. The present temporary character of the department's 

 housing arrangements in some cases precludes the possibility of pro- 

 viding much-needed apparatus. With the development of the de- 

 partment's work its housing situation is becoming more and more 

 acute, and it will be impossible to hold outstanding research workers 

 or do efficient work in many lines until such intolerable conditions 

 have been recognized and steps taken to remedy them. Another 

 illustration of the need for additional space is found in the effort 

 now being made to centralize control of purchases. Progress in this 

 work is blocked by the lack of a warehouse to serve as a central depot 

 of supplies. 



GENERAIi ADMINISTRATION. 



Continued attention has been given by the department to the 

 adoption of ways and means of insuring the most effective and 

 economical methods in the expenditure of public funds. Efforts 

 are being made continually to improve the business administration 



