PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 253-JUNE 30, 1939 If only one position in a grade. Restriction not ap- plicable to clerical- mechanical service. No reduction in fixed salaries. 42 Stat. 1490. 5U.S.C.§666. Transfers without reduction. Higher rates per- mitted. If only one position in a grade. Contracts for sten- ographic reporting services. Options to purchase lands. Allowances for liv- ing quarters abroad. 46 Stat. 818. 5U.S.C. 118a. Advance payments. Employees predict- ing future prices of cotton; payments to, forbidden. Spray insecticides on fruits. etc., use of funds for certain lab- oratory investigations forbidden. Miscellaneous ex- penses. Vehicles. the total number of persons under any grade in any bureau, office, or other appropriation unit shall not at any time exceed the average of the compensation rates specified for the grade by such Act as amended and in grades in which only one position is allocated the salary of such position shall not exceed the average of the compensa- tion rates for the grade, except that in unusually meritorious cases of one position in a grade advances may be made to rates higher than the average of the compensation rates of the grade but not more often than once in any fiscal year and then only to the next higher rate: Provided further, That this restriction shall not apply (1) to grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the clerical-mechanical service, or (2) to require the reduction in salary of any person whose compensation was fixed as of July 1, 1924, in accordance with the rules of section 6 of such Act, (3) to require the reduction in salary of any person who is transferred from one position to another position in the same or different grade, in the same or different bureau, office, or other appropriation unit, (4) to prevent the payment of a salary under any grade at a rate higher than the maximum rate of the grade when such higher rate is permitted by the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, and is specifi- cally authorized by other law, or (5) to reduce the compensation of any person in a grade in which only one position is allocated: Pro- vided further, That the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to contract for stenographic reporting services, and the appropriations made in this Act shall be available for such purposes: Provided further, That the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to expend from appropriations available for the purchase of lands not to exceed $1 for each option to purchase any particular tract or tracts of land: Provided further, That not to exceed $54,000 of the appropriations available for salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture permanently stationed in foreign countries may be used for payment of allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light, as authorized by the Act approved June 26, 1930 (5 U. S. C. 118a): Provided further, That with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture employees of the Department of Agricul- ture stationed abroad may enter into leases for official quarters, for periods not exceeding one year, and may pay rent, telephone, sub- scriptions to publications, and other charges incident to the conduct of their offices and the discharge of their duties, in advance, in any for- eign country where custom or practice requires payment in advance: Provided further, That no part of the funds appropriated by this Act shall be used for the payment of any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture who, as such officer or employee, or on behalf of the Department or any division, commission, or bureau thereof, issues, or causes to be issued, any prediction, oral or written, or forecast with respect to future prices of cotton or the trend of same: Providedfurther, That no part of the funds appropriated by this Act shall be used for laboratory investigations to determine the possibly harmful effects on human beings of spray insecticides on fruits and vegetables. MISCEL LANEOUS EXPENSES, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE For stationery, supplies, materials, and equipment, freight, express, and drayage charges, advertising and press clippings, communication service, postage, washing towels, repairs, and alterations; for the main- tenance, repair, and operation of one motorcycle and not to exceed three motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles (including one for the Secretary of Agriculture, one for general utility needs of the entire Department, and one for the Forest Service) and purchase of 940 [53 STAT.
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