tration." A 60-week course of systems analysis in Spanish was initiated this year. In addition, a home study course in Spanish covering fundamental accounting, principles, and practices is also being offered. Recommendation No. 3.-AID should emphasize the need to complete with expediency those cadastral surveys underway and stress the need for additional surveys to be made. The Alliance has stimulated Latin American interest in property taxation, and AID itself has actively encouraged the development of real estate taxation as a desirable aspect of overall tax reform. AID's participation in cadastral survey projects reflects that continuing interest. Response.-The cadastral surveys in Costa Rica and Panama are being brought to conclusion. In addition, consideration is being given to initiating cadastral project surveys in Uruguay and Colombia. EQUITABLE INCOME DISTRIBUTION Recommendation.-AID should analyze income distribution data when it is gathered with a view toward directing its resources to achieve a more rapid equitable distribution of income. Response.-AID efforts to collect and store data on income distribution is progressing as planned. Through the use of computer technology, a capacity will soon exist to reflect the distribution of income schematically and to compare the relative degree of equitable income distribution. The Agency continues to make efforts to improve the quality of the data collected. This summer the services of Dr. William Čline of Princeton University were obtained to investigate the quality of the data in selected countries and to propose means through which improvements should be pursued. An initial draft report has been received. Additional comments and revisions from Dr. Cline are anticipated. MINIMUM GROWTH RATE GOALS Recommendations.-AID should work closely with the members of the Alliance for Progress to evaluate the per capita growth rate progress made during the first 6 years of the Alliance in order to create a realistic and reasonable rate against which progress can be measured. Response.-AID expressed its view that the 2.5 percent per capita income goal is about the minimum consistent with the achievement of the other Alliance objectives in its initial report on committee recommendations. As indicated in the October 31, 1969, speech of the President, the Latin American Bureau will be working more closely with Latin American leaders through the inter-American system and will encourage and support Latin American initiatives. Through meetings such as the Inter-American Economic and Social Council presently underway, revisions and improvements in the goals of economic assistance will be framed for the President's proposed "Action Program for Progress." PRIORITIES Recommendations.-AID/Washington and its missions should develop among all operations personnel a clearer awareness of specific priorities and goals involving the programs in which they individually take part, as well as the overall plan for the region and each country. Each mission should maintain an up-to-date list and explanation of specific priorities and goals, which would be readily available to all cleared personnel. Response.-The Agency is responding to the recommendation of the committee along the lines presented in the initial report to the committee. Continued attention will be given to assuring that field and Washington staff have access to and familiarize themselves with country goals and priorities. [COMMITTEE PRINT] 91st Congress 1st Session } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS RELATING TO IMPROVEMENT OF FEDERAL AGENCY ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1968, B-115398 35-945 A REPORT TO THE CONGRESS BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 1969 Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Operations U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1969 |