REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 81 
public is encouraged to use them. Many works available nowhere 
else in the United States may be consulted in these libraries, which 
are well catalogued, and the librarian in Washington and the direc- 
ters of the several laboratories will render all possible assistance to 
inquirers. 
APPROPRIATIONS. 
. The appropriations for the conduct of the Bureau for the fiscal 
year 1915 aggregated $1,118,471.66, as follows: 
SPD RES shah Nn em A i a Spat a 1h gc $387, 971. 66 
Miscellaneous expenses: 
AGIIMIMISEE ALL OM 85 Fa ENE Re ite ei Ee SAGE bo 10, 000. 00 
Propagation of food fishes______2_____ pablo cate ghia) lyre bye es 350, 000. 00 
Inquiry, respecting ToOoOd\ fishes: 22 =.) 225 ee ae 45, 000. 00 
SthisculCalesiMQuinye 2 28 ee ee et ey ee 7, 500. 00 
MenbeITa TN COs OLAVESSC! Sa as as ape Re RE OAL SSD 60, 000. 00 
Protecting, the sponge HMisheriéss ie rt st be fbi atten ys 3, 500. 00 
Protecting seal and salmon fisheries of Alaska_________-_-____-_ 110, 000. 00 
Construction or purchase of vessels, Alaska service__________-_____ 50, 000. OO 
Completion of, extension of, and improvements at fish-cultural and 
biological stations: 
LOIEA| CR Set STE? eras Dees SCAR BE a Ce eS RAT ees 1k en eae py Oy See aes EE 25, 000. 00 
GoldsSpring, 1Galsi rs ie lew Cae Sb ate be A Aer Fo 6, 000. 00 
AN AICE CEES CUETO IVA GSE a sd eS Po ee 40, 000. 00 
TACK SIMA S RO) PCRS soe lee enn See ee eee Sa 15, 000. 00 
BSBA UOTE weet (eg Ogee Cal Sa NS A hak ah eh an ae BAC AL EE eS 5, 000. 00 
IRGEMCOM a New On ee nae ee a Ee Seg eh ee 3, 500. 00 
SOME NEEDS OF THE SERVICE. 
In the estimates of appropriations for 1917 which have been sub- 
mitted for the approval of the Secretary, provision is made for a re- 
adjustment of the salaries of a number of underpaid positions, includ- 
ing the superintendent of the car and messenger service, directors 
of biological stations, and superintendents of hatcheries. The in- 
creases which are recommended in these cases are demanded by the 
nature and responsibility of the services required and by the fact 
that similar positions in other Government bureaus and in private 
establishments command much higher salaries. The compensation 
now fixed by law for the superintendents of most of the stations is 
less than was paid 20 years ago, notwithstanding a very marked 
increase in the work required of and performed by them. The Bureau 
is often unable to secure or retain the services of technically qualified 
assistants of great value to the work because the salaries carried by 
the positions are less attractive than those offered by other Govern- 
ment departments, by the various States, by foreign governments, and 
by private establishments. The constant loss of trained men is a 
serious impairment of efficiency, and demands a proper adjustment 
of the salaries of various statutory positions other than those already 
referred to. 
Recommendation is made for a reorganization of the administra- 
tive personnel on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, involving the creation 
of new positions and an increase in the compensation of the chief 
officer on each island. This recommendation, which is embodied in 
the estimates of appropriations for 1917, is based on the experience 
of the Bureau. The very large Government property interests at 
