DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS. 635 



the space thus gained and Avill not permit the expansion of the 

 machine room, which is badly needed. At rush periods of work, 

 for instance, when the Crop Reporter and Monthly List are being 

 folded, envelopes for one or more large lists are being run off on the 

 addressing machine, and press notices or circular letters are being 

 produced on the duplicating machine, the members of the force are 

 greatly handicapped by the insufficient space for proper storing of 

 envelopes and publications incidental to their work. 



WORK OF 1HE DIVISION FOR 1912. 



The work during 1912 will be the same as heretofore, and an effort 

 will be made to perform it more promptly and efficiently and to 

 increase the division's helpfulness to the department and its useful- 

 ness to the public. 



The division's expert knowledge in regard to printing and binding 

 and to pubh cation work generally will continue to be exercised to 

 secure the largest and best results from the available appropriation. 



The same careful attention will be given to the distribution of 

 documents. From 2,500 to 3,500 applications for published infor- 

 mation are daily received by this office. The selection of those that 

 should be sent in order to give the applicant the desired information 

 is one of the most important duties and responsibilities devolving 

 upon the division. It is only by the exercise of discretion, based 

 upon a familiarity with the subject matter, that an equitable and 

 economical distribution of the department's publications is insured. 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1913. 



The enormous volume of work devolving upon the division calls 

 for the best efforts of the employees, and their fidelity and efficiency 

 are to be commended. There should be a readjustment of salaries 

 in order that all those rendering conspicuously efficient service may 

 receive the compensation to which they are justly entitled. Both 

 clerks and laborers are constantly leaving the division to accept bet- 

 ter positions in other bureaus, divisions, and offices. Such changes 

 interrupt the business of the office and detract from the availability 

 of the force. This was apparent to the Committee on Efficiency and 

 Economy, which, a/ter careful investigation, strongly recommends a 

 minimum salary of S900 for all employees doing high-grade clerical 

 work. There are some first-class stenographers receiving $720 and 

 $S40 per annum, and some clerks at the same salaries who should be 

 promoted to S900 and even $1,000, and there are other efficient clerks 

 whose work is of such character as to entitle them to $1,400, and it is 

 urgently recommended that tliis adjustment be made in order to 

 place them on an equality with clerks doing similar work elsewhere 

 in the department. The salaries of those employees whose duties 

 are largely administrative or supervisory should be increased to 

 $1,600 or $1,800. 



The recommendation is renewed for an increase in the salaries of 

 the assistant editors. The work performed by them is of the highest 

 character, involving great responsibility and expert knowledge and 

 experience, such as in a private reliable publishing house would com- 

 mand much higher compensation than they now receive, and lq 

 which there has been no mcrease for several years. 



