REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 81 



of the department and to inaugurate economies wherever consistent 

 with effective results. In my last report specific instances of savings 

 were cited. The same effort has been in evidence during the past 

 year and many additional steps have been taken to better the 

 service and reduce cost. One of the branches of the office of the 

 Secretary has been organized in such a way as to advise and assist 

 the administrative and accounting offices of the various bureaus in 

 the survey of existing methods and in effecting changes in business 

 organization where needed. Further special attention has been 

 given to the development and supervision of the purchase and 

 sales work under an expert in this line who has been employed for 

 this specific purpose. Reserves have again been set up wherever 

 practicable against the various appropriations, and these and other 

 unused balances of appropriations were turned back into the Treas- 

 ury at the end of the fiscal year. 



SA1,ARY CLASSIFICATION. 



The number of employees in the department June 30, 1923, was 

 20,261. More than 16,000 of these were engaged in work outside of 

 Washington. 



Careful attention has been given to the activities necessitated by 

 the provisions of the classification act of 1923. A personnel classifi- 

 cation officer was designated to coordinate and supervise the large 

 volume of work incident to the classification of the department 

 personnel. 



A consideration of what has been accomplished thus far indicates 

 that the prospects which classification offers for the adjustment of 

 present inequalities in pay and the enlargment of opportunity for 

 advancement are acting as a strong incentive for the continuance of 

 effort and the rendering of efficient service. The critical analysis 

 and evaluation of the duties and responsibilities of department em- 

 ployees which is now being made to insure their just and equitable 

 allocation under the classification plan should lead to more effective 

 administrative organization and stimulate department workers to 

 maintain a high standard of efficiency. 

 Respectfully, 



Henry C. Wallace, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



