EXPENSES OF PILGRIMAGE TO AMERICAN CEMETERIES IN EUROPE HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE, MESSRS. DANIEL R. ANTHONY, Jr., WILLIAM R. WOOD (CHAIRMAN), LOUIS C. CRAMTON, EDWARD H. WASON, L. J. DICKINSON, ERNEST R. ACKERMAN, ROBERT L. BACON, JOSEPH W. BYRNS, JAMES P. BUCHANAN, EDWARD T. TAYLOR, AND WILLIAM A. AYRES, OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IN CHARGE OF THE SECOND DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION BILL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1930, ON THE DAYS FOLLOWING, NAMELY: TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1930. STATEMENT OF COL. W. R. GIBSON, QUARTERMASTER CORPS The CHAIRMAN. Colonel, we have an item here to pay the expenses of the Gold Star Mothers on their visit to Europe. Tell us something about that. Colonel GIBSON. This is an estimate amounting to $5,386,367, to provide funds to cover the expense of the pilgrimage of mothers and widows to the cemeteries in Europe as authorized by the act of March 2, 1929. It is estimated that this amount will be sufficient to cover the expenses of 6,100 women, which is the estimated number who will desire to go during 1930 and in May and June of 1931. The CHAIRMAN. How do you arrive at your estimate of the number that will take advantage of this opportunity? Colonel GIBSON. That is purely an estimate. It is based, however, on a survey that we have made to determine those who desire to go in 1930. TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH TRIP MUST BE MADE The CHAIRMAN. What is the period of time in which they have to take advantage of it if they do go? Colonel GIBSON. The act of March The CHAIRMAN. I understand that, but what I mean is, in what space of time must the mothers go to take advantage of this appropriation? Is there any limit of time? Colonel GIBSON. There is no limit of time. The CHAIRMAN. I understood that there was a limit of time. Colonel GIBSON. The act which authorized it specifies that they may go at any time between May 1, 1930, and October 31, 1933. The CHAIRMAN. That is what I had in mind. Colonel GIBSON. The reservations which we have made on steamships run from the 1st of May until September of 1930. DISTRIBUTION OF ESTIMATE The CHAIRMAN. Can you tell us what the program is with reference not only to carrying them over there on the boats, but with reference to taking care of them while they are there? What does this expense include? Colonel GIBSON. I have a breakdown of the estimate here. The CHAIRMAN. I think it would be well for you to put your detailed statement in the record. You have it worked out there, have you not? Colonel GIBSON. Yes, sir; I can leave this copy. (The statement referred to is as follows:) Supporting data SALARIES AND WAGES Departmental service, office of the Quartermaster General: (From Mar. 1, 1930, to June 30, 1931) Clerical, administrative, and fiscal service: 4 stenographers, at $1,620 for 16 months. 3 assistant clerks, at $1,620 for 9 months. 3 assistant clerks, at $1,620 for 8 months. Grade 2, $1,440 to $1,740; average, $1,590 2 junior clerks, at $1,440 for 16 months.. 3 junior clerks, at $1,440 for 6 months. 1 junior clerk, at $1,440 for 5 months 1 junior operator, office devices, at $1,440 for 5 months. Total_ Field service: (1) In New York City Salary range, $2,300 to $2,800; average, $2,550— Salary range, $1,800 to $2,200; average, $1,950- Salary range, $1,020 to $1,320; average, $1,230— 7, 200 1, 530 Total.. 24, 075 Field service-Continued. (2) In Europe Salary range, $2,900 to $3,400; average, $3,150- 1 information clerk, at $1,620, for 13 months. 1 baggage and customs agent, at $1,500. for 9 months_ 1 clerk, at $1,200, for 9 months___ 2 stenographers, at $1,200, for 13 months. Salary range, $840 to $1,020; average, $930— 1 clerk, at $900, for 9 months.. Salary range, $600 to $840; average, $720- $2,000 1,867 2, 492 1,755 3, 375 1, 125 9, 000 900 2, 600 9, 000 675 2, 160 2 mail clerks, at $720, for 9 months.. 1, 080 3 checkroom attendants, at $720, for 9 months.. 1, 620 SUBSISTENCE AND SUPPORT OF PERSONS (SERVICE), INCLUDING TIPS FOR ALL PURPOSES While outside of Paris, France, and London, England, visiting cemeteries, 5,980, at $6.50 per day for 61⁄2 days.. While in Paris, France, and London, England, 5,980, at $8.50 per day for 7 days.. While in New York City, enroute to and from Europe, 6,100, at $9.50 per day for 3 days.. 173, 850 355, 810 252, 655 From Cherbourg to Paris, France, and return, 6,000, at $9.36 each... Railroad and sleeper or chair cars from home to New York City and return, 6,100, at an average cost of $104.04 634, 644 56, 160 From Southampton to London, England, and return, 100, at $4_ 400 Attendants: From Cherbourg to Paris, France, and return, 22 times, for 24 From Paris, France, to London, England, and return, 3 times, Fares by water: Pilgrims From New York City to Cherbourg or Southampton, Attendants-From New York City to Cherbourg, France, or Motor transportation: Pilgrims United States-Taxis and motor buses from train to hotel In Europe From train to hotel in Paris, France, and Lon- Attendants- Pilgrims United States-From homes to New York City $4, 942 321 2, 135, 000 14,000 24, 400 158, 905 810 151, 280 Attendants 13, 440 Mileage to officers: In United States-9 for 9 months, at $6 per day- 14, 580 64, 800 1,920 7, 200 In United States-30 round trips, Washington to New York, 24,000 miles, at $0.08 per mile. In Europe-10 officers at 1,000 miles per month for 9 months, at $0.08 per mile____ Miscellaneous travel expenses: Pilgrims Passport photographs and oaths and tourist taxes, 6,100 (Consists of passport photographs, at $1, tourists taxes, at $4 each and oaths, at 25 cents each.) Customary fees, deck chairs, etc., while en route to and from Europe: In United States, 9 months, at $500 per month_ SPECIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS CURRENT EXPENSES Laundry service: In United States, 6,100, at $4 per capita.. In Europe, 6,100, at $4.50 per capita.. $24, 400 Badges, 6,100, at $0.40 each....... Medical and surgical care and treatment, 17,600 hospital-days, at $20 per day. Burial expenses (estimated): 21, at $225 per capita (includes all expenses except transportation). 27, 450 4, 725 For all other necessary and unforeseen expenses which can not be anticipated..- 352, 000 2, 440 500, 000 911, 015 Total special and miscellaneous current expenses EQUIPMENT Office equipment (to include punch machines). Reception-room equipment.__ Furniture and equipment for rest rooms at cemeteries Total equipment___ 12. STRUCTURES 4 temporary buildings, at $5,000 each (for rest rooms and temporary shelter at each of the 4 larger cemeteries) – – . 980 600 8,875 10, 455 20, 000 5, 386, 367 134, 420 1, 300 24, 400 782, 315 10, 200 3, 462, 187 8,875 1, 875 19, 325 911, 015 10, 455 20, 000 5, 386, 367 Colonel GIBSON. This is broken down into salaries and wages for administrative forces which will be required in Washington, in New York, and in Paris. SALARIES, ETC., IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, AND PARIS The CHAIRMAN. You had better tell us first about the salaries, and so forth, in Washington, New York, and Paris. Colonel GIBSON. You would like to have me run through this in detail just as it is broken down? The CHAIRMAN. That is right. REIMBURSEMENT ΤΟ QUARTERMASTER CORPS FOR SALARIES AND WAGES ADVANCED Colonel GIBSON. The first item under salaries and wages is reimbursement for the amount which has been advanced from the funds appropriated for the Quartermaster Corps for clerks to do the work that has been done to date. |