1 Includes $239,000 appropriated in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954. 1 $4, 021, 300 3,775,000 3, 234, 471 3, 575, 000 The committee recommends an appropriation of $3,575,000 for this item. Funds made available in this appropriation provide for the offices of the Governors of Alaska, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; for the legislatures, as provided by existing law; for the judiciary in American Samoa; for the care of the mentally ill in Alaska; and for safety, health, education, and welfare service in the Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The program as presented in the budget has been approved with the following changes: Decreases: 1. American Samoa-Grants... After a review of the budget, the Governor of American Samoa advised the committee that this reduction could be made, without any serious effect upon the program planned for fiscal year 1955. $200,000 With regard to the American Samoa programs, the committee is of the view that little is being accomplished by the present operation of the agricultural experimental station. The committee urges the Secretary to review this operation, with the view in mind of either setting up a program that will contribute to the needs of the people or eliminating the item. TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS Appropriation, fiscal year 1954_. Budget estimate... House allowance.. Committee recommendation.. 1 Includes $300,000 appropriated in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954. 1 $4, 300, 000 5, 825, 000 None 5, 000, 000 The committee recommends an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the continuation of civil government in the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. The House did not allow any funds for this purpose, noting the lack of "organic legislation" authorizing appropriations for this purpose. The action of the House is set out on page 17 of House Report No. 1460, as follows: TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS The budget estimate of $5,825,000 for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands has been entirely disallowed. As indicated in reports on the bills for the last 2 years, an appropriation under this head would be subject to a point of order when the bill comes before the House of Representatives since organic legislation has not been enacted. The committee recognizes that some appropriation will be necessary for administration of this critical area. It is hoped that organic legislation will be adopted before the conference on the bill. There is now pending legislation (S. 3318) to authorize appropriations for continuance of the civil government of the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. It is the view of the committee that it is absolutely necessary that funds be provided for this operation under the Government's obligation made pursuant to Public Law 204 of the 80th Congress approving the Trusteeship Agreement. The committee recommends an appropriation of $9,500,000 for the Alaska public works program. This amount is an increase of $4,500,000 in the budget estimate. Under existing law this program expires at the end of the fiscal year. It has come to the committee's attention that several municipalities, school districts, and the Territory of Alaska have made preparations for projects not in the budget. Inasmuch as the local governmental agencies have incurred considerable expense in the preparation of plans and holding of elections pursuant to the authorizing legislation, the committee is of the opinion that an additional $4,500,000 should be made available... Under existing law 50 percent of the cost of such projects is returned to the Treasury.. The program presented in the budget has been approved, and in addition, $4.5 million is provided for those projects on which plans are complete and local participation assured. The Secretary is authorized to allot the additional $4.5 million to projects that meet the above requirements, in such manner as he deems in the interest of furthering the development of Alaska. CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, ALASKA The committee recommends an appropriation of $9,940,000, the budget estimate, for the construction of roads in Alaska. Of the amount allowed, $700,000 is for the completion of the portion of the Copper River Road previously approved. The committee recognizes that many difficult conditions are encountered in road construction in Alaska. The committee believes that certain flexibility in the allotment of funds between projects is necessary to obtain efficient road construction with the greatest of economy. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS, ALASKA The committee recommends the allowance of the budget estimate of $3,500,000 for the operation and maintenance of roads in Alaska. It is the opinion of the committee that adequate funds for this purpose must be provided, in order that the Federal investment be protected. CONSTRUCTION, ALASKA RAILROAD Appropriation, fiscal year 1954. Budget estimate.. House allowance.. Committee recommendation__ 1 $8,809, 000 211, 994, 000 7,494, 000 5, 400, 000 Includes $4,594,000 appropriated in the Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954 (Public Law 357, 83d Cong.). $4,594,000 of this amount was appropriated in the Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954. (Public Law 357, 83d Cong.). The committee recommends an appropriation of $5,400,000 for construction on the Alaska Railroad. This amount, and the $4,594,000 provided in the Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954 (Public Law 357, 83d Cong.,) approved May 11, 1954, will provide a total of $9,994,000 of the budget estimate of $11,994,000. The amount recommended in this bill is to be used for the following purposes: 1. For additional work on the rehabilitation of the Seward-Portage section of the railroad.. 2. For the completion of dock facilities at Seward, Alaska...----. ALASKA RAILROAD REVOLVING FUND $2,500, 000 2,900,000 The committee recommends increasing the limitations on the salaries to be paid from the Alaska Railroad Revolving Fund. Under the committee recommendation the general manager and one assistant general manager could be paid $14,000, and other positions would be limited to $12,500. It is the view of the committee that these increases are necessary, in order to obtain competent personnel. The committee recommends the allowance of $885,000 for the Virgin Islands public works program. Evidence was presented to the committee of such a nature as to justify the construction of the school building proposed under this program. ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriation, fiscal year 1954.. Budget estimate.. House allowance_. Committee recommendation_ $2, 325, 000 2, 330, 000 2,200,000 2, 330, 000 The committee recommends the allowance of the budget estimate of $2,330,000 for the administration of the Department. The committee feels that this increase is necessary inasmuch as activities previously appropriated for under the "Defense production activities," are now carried under this appropriation. GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 107-AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES The committee recommends the granting of authority to purchase 627 passenger motor vehicles, of which 600 shall be for the replacement of existing vehicles. The 27 new vehicles are school buses necessary for the transportation of students under the accelerated Navaho education program, which has been approved. The committee recommends the granting of authority for the purchase of 1 vehicle at $2,750 to be used by the Governor of Alaska. SECTION 108 LIMITATION ON THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR INFORMATIONAL SERVICES The House bill provides that not more than $100,000 shall be available for informational services. The committee recommends that this be increased to $250,000, the budget estimate. The committee recommends the allowance of the budget estimate of $682,000 for "grants" to the Virgin Islands Corporation. The committee urges the officials of the Virgin Islands Corporation to review technical advancements related to its products and byproducts, with the view in mind of increasing the efficiency of its operations. TITLE III-FEDERAL COAL MINE SAFETY BOARD OF REVIEW The committee recommends the allowance of the budget estimate of $75,000 for the activities of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Board of Review. |