PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 92-APR. 24 , 1945 Pay rates for me- chanical labor force. Personal services, limitation. Telephone service. Personal services, limitation. Use of present fur- niture. Transfer of funds to Bureau of Standards. Deficiency appro- priation. PUBLIC BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION Operating force: For personal services in connection with the opera- tion of public buildings, including the Washington Post Office and the Customhouse Building in the District of Columbia, operated by the Post Office Department, together with the grounds thereof and the equipment and furnishings therein, including telephone operators for the operation of telephone switchboards or equivalent telephone switch- board equipment in such buildings jointly serving in each case two or more governmental activities, $27,164,000: Provided, That in no case shall the rates of compensation for the mechanical labor force be in excess of the rates current at the time and in the place where such services are employed. Operating supplies, public buildings: For fuel, steam, gas, and electric current for lighting, heating, and power purposes, water, ice, lighting supplies, removal of ashes and rubbish, snow and ice, cutting grass and weeds washing towels, telephone service for custodial forces, and for miscellaneous services and supplies, accident prevention, vacuum cleaners, tools and appliances and repairs thereto, for the operation of completed and occupied public buildings and grounds, including mechanical and electrical equipment, but not the repair thereof, operated by the Post Office Department, including the Wash- ington Post Office and the Customhouse Building in the District of Columbia, and for the transportation of articles and supplies authorized herein, $6,500,000: Provided, That the foregoing appropriation shall not be available for personal services except for work done by contract, or for temporary job labor under exigency not exceeding at one time the sum of $100 at any one building: Provided further,That the Post- master General is authorized to contract for telephone service in public buildings under his administration by means of telephone switchboards or equivalent telephone switching equipment jointly serving in each case two or more governmental activities, where he determines that joint service is economical and in the interest of the Government, and to secure reimbursement for the cost of such joint service from avail- able appropriations for telephone expenses of the bureaus and offices receiving the same. Furniture, carpets, and safes, public buildings: For the procure- ment, including transportation, of furniture, carpets, safes, safe and vault protective devices, and repairs of same, for use in public buildings which are now, or may hereafter be, operated by the Post Office Department, $550,000: Provided, That excepting expenditures for labor for or incidental to the moving of equipment from or into public buildings, the foregoing appropriation shall not be used for personal services except for work done under contract or for tem- porary job labor under exigency and not exceeding at one time the sum of $100 at any one building: Provided further, That all furni- ture now owned by the United States in other public buildings or in buildings rented by the United States shall be used, so far as practicable, whether or not it corresponds with the present regulation plan of furniture. Scientific investigations: In the disbursement of appropriations contained in this title for the field service of the Post Office Depart- ment the Postmaster General may transfer to the Bureau of Stand- ards not to exceed $20,000 for scientific investigations in connection with the purchase of materials, equipment, and supplies necessary in the maintenance and operation of the Postal Service. Deficiency in postal revenues: If the revenues of the Post Office Department shall be insufficient to meet the appropriations made 74 [59 STAT.
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