822 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ence incident to such work, and the revision of the individual maiUng 

 lists. This work was done under the immediate supervision of Mrs. 

 M. E. Thorn. 



FOREIGN MAIL. 



During the year 78,630 packages of foreign mail, weighing 22,812 

 pounds and 10 ounces, requiring an expenditure of $1,825.01, wore 

 sent under postage from this division, and 3,844 packages, weighmg 

 1,430 pounds and 10 ounces, requuing an expenditure of $64.42, were 

 shipped through the Smithsonian Exchange. The total expenditure 

 for foreign mail was $1,889.43. 



INFORMATION UNIT. 



Beginning with July 1, 1918, a separate information unit was 

 maintained in the distribution section. A veteran clerk familiar with 

 the work of the division, and possessing a general knowledge of the work 

 and policy of the department, was placed in charge. The office was 

 supplied with a general card index of the department's publications 

 and with catalogues, lists, and indexes necessary to furnish information 

 to the many visitors constantly calling at this office. During the year 

 4,028 persons called and received publications requested, or were 

 supplied with information necessary to enable them to secure any 

 other information available in the department. This work should bo 

 encouraged and developed. 



PERSONNEL. 



Commendable cooperation was given during the year by the rank 

 and file of. the employees in the distribution section. The spirit 

 shown by them at all times was excellent, particularly during rush 

 periods wlien they were called upon to extend their efforts. With- 

 out such loyal support it would have been impossible to accom- 

 plish the great amount of work performed during the past year, for 

 at times the work was greatly handicapped by 'turnover" among 

 certain units of the force, 120 changes having occurred in this divis- 

 ion. The greater part of this ^Hurnover" was in the machine and 

 labor-saving unit, and at times the work was greatly impeded. 



The work of the distribution section, particularly the physical 

 work, involving the handling of millions of publications and the oper- 

 ation of numerous electrically driven machines, is greatly hampered 

 for lack of space, and arrangements should be perfected as soon as 

 possible, whereby more room would be alloted to the distribution 

 branch, preferably by the assignment of additional space in the build- 

 ing now occupied. If necessary to provide this space, other units 

 not directly assisting or :s9operating with the, distribution work may 

 be moved to other quarters. 



Owing to the low entrance salary paid to employees it is impossible 

 to secure a desirable or thoroughly efficient class for some lines of 

 work; particularly is this true with regard to typewriters and sten- 

 ographers. The entrance pay of this grade should be $1,200, which 

 seems to be the mimimum salary in other departments and bureaus. 



There are a number of employees occupying important positions 

 who have not been promoted within 3 to 10 years, whose salaries 

 shoidd be increased. 



The distribution activities were carried on under the immediate 

 supervision of Mr. Francis J. P. Cleary. 



