Memorandum from Richard Neustadt to Charles Murphy, with Attachment

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON TRUMAN s. June 23, 1951 SERVICE MEMORANDUM FOR MR. MURPHY Es COUNTAGE Subject: Senate and House amendments affecting White House appropriations in the Independent Offices Appropriation Bill (H.R. 3880) There are six amendments to the Independent Offices Appropriation Bill which would appear to affect the White House directly. These are as follows: (1) The Williams Amendment adopted by the Senate (CR 6/19 p. 6869). This reduces the salaries and expenses of the White House Office from $1,883,618 as requested in the Budget and passed by the House, to $1,585,553, the amount appropriated for the current fiscal year. This is a reduction of $298,065. The increase over this year's appropriation, which would be elimi- nated by the Senate, was intended to provide 35 new staff positions and in- crease travel funds available for White House staff. Nineteen of the new positions and virtually all of the travel increase were intended to cover Harriman's operation. Harriman's personnel have been financed this year on a catch-as-catch-can basis and have absorbed almost all the safety-factor included in White House personnel estimates to take care of unexpected Presi- dential needs. In order to finance travel for the Harriman operation, it has been necessary this year to dip into the President's Emergency Fund and other unlikely sources. In addition to the Harriman operation, the increase requested would have provided for an assistant to each Administrative Assistant and 4 new positions for the Staff Room to take care of the night typing pool. (2) The Ferguson Amendment adopted by the Senate (CR 6/18 p. 6795). This would reduce from $315,000 to $300,000 the appropriations for care and main- tenance of the Executive Mansion and for the President's travel expenses. The full $315,000 was requested in the Budget and approved by the House. The funds requested were $49,000 over the $266,000 appropriated in the current fiscal year. The increase was explained to the Appropriations Committees as an estimate of what would be needed because of the increased floor space in the renovated White House and the operation of a complete air conditioning system in the White House during an anticipated 7 months of operation in the next fiscal year. Senator Ferguson's amendment originally called for a reduction of $25,000. Senator Maybank agreed to go to Conference with a $15,000 reduction and this was what was voted. Senator Saltonstall stated on the floor that the