Obligations yet to be incurred are as follows: To complete program of improving illumination of Capitol-- Administration, miscellaneous and contingencies. Furniture and furnishings, including consultants' fee__ Total $2, 365, 630 372, 079 663,000 651,000 4,051, 709 Mr. HORAN. What do you mean by consultants in this item? Mr. STEWART. We required expert advice of furniture consultants for design of the furniture, especially for such areas as the large reception rooms. The consultants will prepare the plans and specifications. This was done, I might say, as extra work by the associate architects on the extension of the Capitol project. Mr. STEED. In addition to what you mentioned here, part of this total item that has already been spent or obligated included the cleaning of the House and Senate wings, among other things, did it not? Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir. Mr. STEED. Again I am trying to point up the fact that there were many things included in this rather than just extension of the front itself, which seemed to have gotten the label of carrying the cost of all this. Mr. STEWART. There are other features attached to the work of the extension of the front. There were many things that could not be determined until an exploration was made. We worked in the absence of any detailed plans. We have discovered niches, arches that have been covered up, perhaps after the fire of 1814. We had no record of these construction features. Much of the work was by actual exploration. These conditions could not be estimated for in the beginning. When we finish, we will have complete plans for that section of the building. Mr. STEED. Is this the supplemental to the extension of the front that you mentioned, the $372,000? Mr. HENLOCK. That is the cost of change orders yet to be issued in the course of completing the work. The entire breakdown of items of expenditure and obligation is shown on pages 56 and 57, and there is shown the different purposes for which the moneys have been spent. The cost of the extension of the east front you speak of is actually $11,825,901. All other items listed were included in the program approved by the Commission. it? Mr. STEED. Are there any additional questions on this item? Mr. STEWART. By January 1, 1962. Mr. Bow. Complete? Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir. Mr. Bow. When are you going to start moving the first people into Mr. STEWART. I would say some time in August or September there will be some areas ready for occupancy. As soon as we get clearance on an occupancy plan, we must move quickly with furnishing plans. Mr. STEED. Part of this work of necessity has to await adjournment of this session of Congress so you can get access to some of it. Mr. STEWART. Part of this cost also is reflected in the fact that we do work at nights and over the weekends while the Senate and House are in session so as not to disturb your proceedings. We are working at every opportunity. Mr. Chairman, before you adjourn for lunch may I give you this directive signed by all five members of the Commission for the Extension of the United States Capitol. It is a directive for this appropriation for the extension of the Capitol. Mr. STEED. We will include this at this point in the record. (The letter follows:) COMMISSION FOR EXTENSION OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, Mr. J. GEORGE STEWART. Washington, D.C., April 12, 1961. DEAR MR. STEWART: Pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 242, 84th Congress, as amended by lublic Law 406, 84th Congress, and by Public Law 87-14, 87th Congress In order to complete the program of work heretofore approved by the Commission for Extension of the United States Capitol project, you are hereby authorized to incur obligations in an amount not to exceed $3 million in addition to the amount of $21 million heretofore authorized by the Commission to be obligated for such purpose. Of the $3 million herein authorized to be obligated, you are hereby authorized to request the Committees on Appropriations for an appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year 1962 and for the remaining $1,500,000 for the fiscal year 1963 in order to liquidate obligations under the $3 million when incurred. SAM RAYBURN, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman. LYNDON B. JOHNSON, EVERETT M. DIRKSEN, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. J. GEORGE STEWART, OVERRUNS ON PREVIOUS ESTIMATES Mr. STEED. Would you elaborate on the reasons why this directive was issued? What are the needs? We will probably be asked these questions on the floor. Mr. STEWART. I have a complete breakdown of the overrun. (The information follows:) Extension of the U.S. Capitol Principal items of overrun: Extension of east central front of Capitol: Originally estimated Alterations to existing building and related work: Originally Dome repairs and improvements: Originally estimated at $800,000-- Cleaning exterior of House and Senate wings: This item not in original program Birdproofing east portico of Capitol: This item not in original Furniture and furnishings, including consultants' fee: This item Total... Overrun $988, 401 737,000 456, 913 93, 824 31, 734 651,000 2, 959, 372 NOTE. The extension of the Capitol project was authorized in 1955. Contracts for construction work have been let progressively during the period 1956-61. During this period, there has been a rise of 17 percent in construction costs on a national scale. Mr. STEED. We will reconvene at 2 o'clock. AFTERNOON SESSION Mr. STEED. The committee will be in order. Mr. STEWART. Mr. Chairman, may I at this time call your attention to items on which action has been taken since we adjourned? Mr. STEED. Yes. Mr. STEWART. No. 1, with respect to the complaint that you received from the girls in the carryout station of the House Restaurant, Mr. Ridgell informed me that rubber mats were installed at lunchtime and they are well satisfied. Mr. STEED. That is fast action. MALE NURSES Mr. STEWART. No. 2, I had a conversation with Dr. Calver at lunchtime and he advises me that one of the male nurses he counted on remaining in his office has just notified him he will not stay, so he will be replaced with another aide on the Navy payroll, with the result that our Capitol building's appropriation request for 1962 can be reduced by one position of male nurse at $5,355 per annum. Mr. STEED. We will take up the item of Capitol Grounds, page 58 of the justifications and page 66 of the committee print. We will insert in the record at this point pages 58 through 61 of the justifications. (The pages referred to follow :) 1961 appropriation in annual act---- Deductions: Maintenance, Taft Memorial-decreased from $600 to $400-------Replacement of a 1949 11⁄2-ton dump truck with a new 2-ton dump truck-nonrecurring item allowed for 1961, not required for 1962_ $388, 300 200 3,200 -3,400 384,900 Base for 1962. Additions: Personnel compensation: Wage-rate increases authorized by Public Law 763, 83d Con- Under the provisions of Public Law 763, 83d Congress An increase of $6,482 is requested for 1962 to meet in a full-year basis the cost of increased wage rates established for these wage-board positions as a result of a general survey of Government and industrial employees' wages in the Washington metropolitan area, conducted during the past year. The new rates went into effect December 25, 1960, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 85-872, 85th Congress. This increase is necessary in order that the Capitol Grounds wage-board employees may be compen. sated on a full-year basis in the fiscal year 1962 in accordance with present prevailing rates. The gross cost of these changes is $9,600. Of this cost, $3,118 is being absorbed through savings. An increase of $1,518 is requested for 1962 to meet the Within-grade promotions authorized by the Classification Act Overtime and holiday pay increased by $1,000 to meet in- General annual repairs increased from $8,450 to $10,450---- Resurfacing Louisiana Avenue, New Jersey Avenue, NW., An allotment of $21,000 is requested for 1962 to renew 8,000 600 1,000 2,000 21,000 |