An Act Making Appropriations for Sundry Expenses of the Insular Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June Thirtieth, Nineteen Hundred and Nine, and other Designated Periods

June 19, 1908

ACT NO. 1873

AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUNDRY EXPENSES OF THE INSULAR GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE THIRTIETH, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINE, AND OTHER DESIGNATED PERIODS

SECTION 1. The following sums, or so much thereof as may be respectively necessary, are hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in compensation for the service of the Insular Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine, unless otherwise stated.

Executive

For salaries as follows: Governor-General, at thirty thousand pesos per annum; Secretary of the Interior, at twenty-one thousand pesos per annum; Secretary of Commerce and Police, at twenty-one thousand pesos per annum; Secretary of Finance and Justice, at twenty-one thousand pesos per annum; Secretary of Public Instruction, at twenty-one thousand pesos per annum; one Secretary of Department newly created, at twenty-one thousand pesos per annum; private secretary to the Governor-General, at five thousand pesos per annum; five private secretaries, at four thousand eight hundred pesos per annum each; one hundred and sixty-four thousand pesos.

Legislative

Philippine Commission

For salaries of the President and four Commissioners, at ten thousand pesos per annum each; four Commissioners, not secretaries of departments, at fifteen thousand pesos per annum each; Secretary of the Commission, at six thousand pesos per annum; three private secretaries, at two thousand eight hundred pesos per annum each; one hundred and twenty four thousand four hundred pesos: Provided, However, That if the President of the United States should not create a new executive department the sum of two thousand eight hundred pesos from the amount appropriated under the head of "Executive" is hereby made available for the payment of a private secretary under this head: And Provided further, That should the President of the United States create a new executive department and the new Commissioner is appointed as Secretary thereof, he shall, as Commissioner, receive a salary not to exceed ten thousand pesos per annum. IDaEHC

Philippine Assembly

For salary of the Speaker of the Assembly, at sixteen thousand pesos per annum; for salary of a private secretary, at three thousand six hundred pesos per annum; for per diems of Delegates, each at thirty pesos for each day of session: Provided, That the Assembly may direct the payment of per diems to Delegates who, during the recess of the Legislature shall be engaged in work ordered by said Assembly; for salary of the Secretary, at six thousand pesos per annum; for salaries and compensation of subordinate personnel; expenses of the committee heretofore authorized to have charge of the compilation and codification of laws, all the members of which committee shall be appointed by the President of the Commission and the Speaker of the Assembly acting jointly, anything in existing laws or resolutions of the Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding, and the expenses of other committees authorized by law or resolution of the Legislature to act during the recess of the Legislature: Provided, That members of the Assembly serving on such committees shall receive their regular per diem for each day of attendance on the committee or of actual service rendered to the committee, and that members of committees who are not members of the Philippine Commission or of the Philippine Assembly shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the President of the Commission and the Speaker of the Assembly not exceeding the per diems allowed Assembly Delegates, and that members of the Commission serving on such committees shall receive no other compensation: And provided further, That the Governor-General and Speaker of the Assembly shall fix the minimum of hours of session of such committees; for traveling expenses of the Speaker of the Assembly when making inspection trips; traveling expenses of Delegates and subordinate personnel, printing and binding, rentals of buildings, postage and telegrams, equipment and office supplies, installation of library, expenses of a committee of three, hereby authorized, which shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, to prepare the record of the proceedings of the Assembly for the inaugural, first, and special sessions of the First Philippine Legislature, and who shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the President of the Commission and the Speaker of the Assembly, not exceeding the regular per diem allowed to members of the Assembly, incidental expenses; three hundred and fifty thousand pesos.

Resident Commissioners to the United States

For salaries of two private secretaries, at four thousand pesos per annum each; for traveling expenses of private secretaries; nine thousand pesos.

Executive Bureau

Executive Bureau: For salaries and wages of Executive Secretary, at eighteen thousand pesos per annum ; Assistant Executive Secretary, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Second Assistant Executive Secretary, at seven thousand pesos per annum; Special Agent, at eight thousand pesos per annum.

Division of legislative records

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Bureau of Audits

Bureau of Audits: For salaries and wages of:

Administration:

Insular Auditor, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Deputy Insular Auditor, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Civil Service

Bureau of Civil Service: For salaries and wages of Director of Civil Service, at ten thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Civil Service, at seven thousand pesos per annum;

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Department of the Interior Bureau of Health

Bureau of Health: For salaries and wages of —

General Office:

Director of Health, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; one messenger, at thirty pesos per month.

Inspection division:

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Bureau of Lands

Bureau of Lands: For salaries and wages of Director of Lands, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Lands, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Sciences

Bureau of Science: For salaries and wages of Director of the Bureau of Science, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; chief of the biological laboratory, at ten thousand pesos per annum; chief of the division of mines, at six thousand pesos per annum; chief of the division of ethnology, at six thousand pesos per annum; chief of the chemical division, at six thousand pesos per annum; DTCSHA

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Bureau of Agriculture

Bureau of Agriculture: For salaries and wages of Director of Agriculture, at ten thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Agriculture, at six thousand five hundred pesos per annum; chief of division of experiment stations, at five thousand pesos per annum; superintendent of agricultural extension work, at five thousand pesos per annum; chief veterinarian, at five thousand pesos per annum; Assistant to the Director of Agriculture, at four thousand five hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Forestry

Bureau of Forestry: For salaries and wages of Director of Forestry, at eight thousand pesos per annum; one forester, at four thousand eight hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Quarantine Service

Bureau of Quarantine Service: For the salaries, allowance and commutation of quarters of officers of the United States Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service as provided for by the regulations of said Service; one chief clerk, cashier, and pharmacist, at four thousand four hundred pesos per annum; one female medical inspector, at two thousand four hundred pesos per annum; one engineer, class nine; two clerks, at two thousand and forty pesos per annum each; one clerk and disinfector, at one thousand nine hundred and twenty pesos per annum;

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Weather Bureau

Weather Bureau: For salaries and wages of Director of the Weather Bureau, at five thousand pesos per annum; three assistant directors of the Weather Bureau, at three thousand six hundred pesos per annum each; one secretary, at three thousand two hundred pesos per annum; four observers, at one thousand eight hundred pesos per annum each; four calculators, at one thousand four hundred and forty pesos per annum each; three assistant observers, at one thousand two hundred pesos per annum each; three assistant calculators, at six hundred pesos per annum each;

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Department of Commerce and Police

Bureau of Constabulary

Bureau of Constabulary: For salaries and wages, including pay from Insular funds of Army officers detailed, under provisions of Act Numbered Sixteen hundred and seventy-nine: Provided, That in the event of the vacation of the position of Director of Constabulary by an Army officer, the Governor-General may fill the position by the appointment of a civilian, at a salary of twelve thousand pesos per annum: And provided further, That upon the vacation of the positions of Assistant Directors now occupied by Army officers, the Governor-General may fill the positions by the appointment of civilians, at seven thousand pesos per annum each.

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Bureau of Public Works

Bureau of Public Works: For salaries and wages of —

General Office:

Director of Public Works, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Public Works, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Navigation

Bureau of Navigation: For salaries and wages of —

Office of the Director:

Director of Navigation, at ten thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Navigation, who shall perform the duties of Superintendent of Interisland Transportation, at six thousand five hundred pesos per annum: Provided, That so long as the division of port works remains a part of this Bureau, the salary of the Director of Navigation shall be at the rate of twelve thousand pesos per annum and that of the Assistant Director of Navigation at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum; CScTED

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Bureau of Posts

Bureau of Posts: For salaries and wages of —

Office of the Director:

Director of Posts, at twelve thousand pesos per annum: Provided, That the Director of Posts shall act as postmaster of Manila ex-officio; Assistant Director of Posts, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum; superintendent postal division, at six thousand five hundred pesos per annum; superintendent telegraph division, at six thousand pesos per annum; chief postal savings bank division, at six thousand pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Cost and Geodetic Surveyxxx xxx xxx.

Bureau of Labor

For salaries of Director of Labor and Assistant Director of Labor; compensation of employees; and contingent expenses; eighteen thousand five hundred pesos.

Consulting Architect

For salary of the Consulting Architect, twelve thousand pesos; Provided, That the expenses of authorized assistants, office supplies, per diems, and other necessary charges shall be paid from appropriations for the Bureau of Public Works.

Supervising Railway Expert

Supervising Railway Expert: For salaries and wages of Supervising Railway Expert, at twenty-four thousand pesos per annum; one chief clerk, at six thousand pesos per annum;

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Department of Finance and Justice

Bureau of Justice

Bureau of Justice: For salaries and wages of Attorney-General, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Solicitor-General, at ten thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Attorney-General, at nine thousand pesos per annum; eleven assistant attorneys, at not to exceed six thousand pesos per annum each; chief clerk, at four thousand eight hundred pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Customs

Bureau of Customs: For salaries and wages of —

Insular Collector of Customs, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Special Agent, at five thousand pesos per annum;

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Bureau of Internal Revenue

Bureau of Internal Revenue: For salaries and wages of Collector of Internal Revenue, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, at eight: thousand five hundred pesos per annum Provided, That upon the vacation of the office by the present incumbent the salary shall be seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum; one deputy collector of internal revenue, at six thousand pesos per annum;

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Bureau of the Treasury

Bureau of the Treasury: For salaries and wages of the Insular Treasurer, at fourteen thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Insular Treasurer, at eight thousand pesos per annum; chief of division of banks and currency, at seven thousand pesos per annum. cDCEIA

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Department of Public Instruction

Bureau of Education

Bureau of Education: For salaries and wages of —

Office of the Director:

Director of Education, at twelve thousand pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Education, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum; Second Assistant Director of Education, at six thousand pesos per annum;

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Philippine Medical School

Philippine Medical School: For appropriation by the board of control, for the ends specified by law, in accordance with section three, letter (c), of Act Numbered Fourteen hundred and fifteen, including the payment of the premium on the bond of the property clerk of said school; for the establishment and maintenance of free beds for clinical purposes in a hospital or in hospitals to be designated by the board of control, one hundred and forty-five thousand pesos.

The Governor-General is hereby authorized to appoint employees of the Departments and Bureaus of the Government to positions in the Philippine Medical School at a compensation to be fixed by the board of control, such compensation to be paid from the appropriation of the Philippine Medical School, Act Numbered One hundred and forty-eight to the contrary notwithstanding.

The unexpended balance of the amount appropriated by section four of Act Numbered Sixteen hundred and thirty-two for carrying out the purposes of section three of said Act are hereby made available for expenditure for the holding of examinations during the fiscal year nineteen hundred and nine and other subsequent fiscal years and for the other purposes set forth in said section three until expended, and any expenditure of said funds made since the passage of said Act Numbered Sixteen hundred and thirty-two for the purposes mentioned in section three thereof are hereby confirmed.

Bureau of Prisons

Bureau of Prisons: For salaries and wages of Director of Prisons, at seven thousand five hundred pesos per annum; Assistant Director of Prison, at six thousand pesos per annum; Second Assistant Director of Prisons, at three thousand eight hundred pesos per annum;

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Judiciary

Judiciary: For salaries and wages —

Supreme Court: Chief Justice, at twenty thousand pesos per annum; six associate justices, at twenty thousand pesos per annum each; clerk of the court, at six thousand pesos per annum; two deputy clerks, at four thousand pesos per annum each; DHESca

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Reporter of the Supreme Court: Reporter of the Supreme Court, at seven thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Manila: Three judges, at eleven thousand pesos per annum each; clerk, at four thousand pesos per annum; one assistant clerk, at three thousand two hundred pesos, per annum; two deputy clerks, at two thousand four hundred pesos per annum each;

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Courts of First Instance, First District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Second District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Third District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Fourth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum ;

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Courts of First Instance, Fifth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum; one clerk, Bulacan, at two thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Sixth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum; one clerk, Bataan, at one thousand six hundred pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Seventh District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Eighth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Ninth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Tenth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Eleventh District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum ;

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Courts of First Instance, Twelfth District: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Thirteenth District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Fourteenth District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Fifteenth District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum;

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Courts of First Instance, Mountain District: One judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum; one fiscal for Benguet, Lepanto-Bontoc, and Nueva Vizcaya, at three thousand two hundred pesos per annum;

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Judges of First Instance and employees at large: Four judges, at nine thousand pesos per annum each;

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Court of Land Registration: One judge, at ten thousand pesos per annum; one associate judge, at nine thousand pesos per annum; clerk of court, at five thousand pesos per annum; assistant clerk of court, at four thousand pesos per annum; TEHIaD

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Miscellaneous:

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Provincial Government of Mindoro

For salaries and wages of provincial governor, at four thousand five hundred pesos per annum or per diems of ten pesos to the United States Army officer filling the position by detail; provincial secretary, at three thousand pesos per annum; provincial treasurer, at four thousand five hundred pesos per annum; provincial fiscal, at nine hundred pesos per annum;

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Provincial Government of Palawan

For salaries and wages of provincial governor, at three thousand two hundred pesos per annum or per diems of ten pesos to the United States Army officer filling the position by detail; provincial secretary-treasurer, at three thousand two hundred pesos per annum;

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Miscellaneous

For the commutation and payment of all claims for salary, part salary, accrued leave, traveling expenses, and transportation, and so forth, lawfully incurred and not otherwise provided for; fifty thousand pesos.

For the payment of salaries and wages of the officials and employees of the Government of the subprovince of Apayao, seven thousand pesos.

For the payment of salaries and wages of the officials and employees of the government of the subprovince of Batanes, seven thousand pesos.

For the salary, per diems, and travel expenses of the lieutenant-governor of Samar as authorized by Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and fifty-nine and for other necessary official expenses in connection therewith: Provided, That no appropriation shall be set up by the Insular Auditor for this purpose until the balance of funds heretofore appropriated shall have been expended for these purposes.

For the salaries of the chief and assistant chief of police of the municipality of Cavite as provided by Act Numbered Twelve hundred and eighty-one; and allowance of forty pesos per month in lieu of official transportation in kind; and for salaries of substitutes when necessary; eight thousand pesos.

For part of the expenses of the Philippines Carnival for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and nine, ten thousand pesos.

For the services of an expert accountant in connection with the improvement of the present system of Government accounting; thirty thousand pesos.

For the necessary expenses of the Board of Rate Regulation, as contemplated by Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, including compensation of its secretary, subject to approval by the Governor-General; five thousand pesos. DETACa

The Delegate appointed in accordance with Act Numbered Eighteen hundred and twenty as the representative of the Philippine Government at the International Conference on Navigation at Saint Petersburg, Russia, after the termination of the said conference, is hereby authorized to proceed to England, Switzerland, and Egypt, returning to the Philippine Islands by way of the United States and Japan, for the purpose of acquiring information which may prove of value to the Philippine Legislature, especially information touching the organization of the Japanese Diet, the governmental organization of Switzerland, and the operations and results achieved by the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, as well as the establishment and operation of the irrigation system in that country. The said Delegate and the personnel authorized by the said Act shall be entitled, to receive the compensation and traveling expenses therein specified until their return to the Philippine Islands: Provided, However, That the total expense shall not exceed the amount provided by Act Numbered Eighteen hundred and twenty; and the funds appropriated by said Act are hereby made available for said purposes.

The sum of fifty thousand pesos appropriated by Act Numbered Eighteen hundred and fifty-seven for the creation of special classes of superior instruction for municipal teachers, and for other purposes, shall be charged to the revenues of the Insular Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine.

The unexpended balance of funds appropriated by Act Numbered Sixteen hundred and severity-nine for payment as contemplated by resolution of the Commission of February ninth, nineteen hundred and seven, on account of transportation service between Dagupan and Baguio, is hereby made available for the payment of a subsidy for further transportation service and any new contract which may be entered into for transportation service between Dagupan and Baguio or Camp One and Baguio during the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine.

The Governor-General is hereby empowered to take all steps of every nature and kind which in his judgment are necessary, in order to carry to a conclusion the straightening of streets and street widening in the city of Cebu, in accordance with the plan already adopted or any modification thereof which may be approved by the Governor-General for such widening and straightening, and the Governor-General is expressly authorized and empowered to acquire, by purchase, gift, or exchange, such private property as may be necessary for such widening and straightening of said streets. The unexpended balance of all moneys heretofore appropriated for the improvement of the so-called "burnt-area" in Cebu is hereby made available for such purposes, and the Governor-General is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to expend said balance for the improvement of said so-called "burnt-area" in the municipality of Cebu, including payment for real estate taken for public purposes and for services contemplated by section two of Act Numbered Sixteen hundred and fourteen.

The action of the provincial board of Bulacan in constructing the dormitory for the provincial high school at Malolos without previously advertising the same for public bidding is hereby approved, the provisions of section fifteen of Act Numbered Eighty-three and section five of Act Numbered Fourteen hundred and one to the contrary notwithstanding.

Total miscellaneous, one hundred and seventeen thousand pesos.

Section three of Act Numbered One hundred and twenty-nine is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. The disbursing agent shall receive a salary of three thousand pesos per annum."

Total of appropriations for all purposes, sixteen million eight hundred and eighty-three thousand eight hundred and forty-five pesos.

SECTION 2. Of the amount appropriated for public works and public improvements in Act Numbered Eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, the Insular Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to charge the sum of two million pesos to the revenues of the fiscal year nineteen hundred and nine.

SECTION 3. Officers and employees of the Insular Government when traveling on official business or when absent from their permanent stations may receive, in the discretion of the chief of the Bureau or head of Department, in lieu of traveling expenses other than transportation, per diems or fractional parts thereof as follows. Provided, However, That chiefs of Bureaus shall make such examination in passing upon per diems as may be necessary to satisfy their minds that the per diems allowed will not more than reimburse employees for necessary traveling expenses and will not constitute an increase of salary:

Officers and employees receiving a salary of less than one thousand two hundred pesos per annum, a per diem of one peso;

Those receiving one thousand two hundred pesos or more per annum, but not exceeding one thousand eight hundred pesos per annum, a per diem of two pesos;

Those receiving more than one thousand eight hundred pesos per annum, but not exceeding two thousand four hundred pesos per annum, a per diem of three pesos ;

Those receiving more than two thousand four hundred pesos per annum, but not exceeding six thousand pesos per annum, a per diem of four pesos ; and

Those receiving more than six thousand pesos per annum, a per diem of five pesos: Provided, That members of field parties and other officers and employees, for whom subsistence in kind or other special provision shall be made to cover traveling expenses other than transportation, shall not be paid the per diem herein stated: And Provided Further, That in the discretion of a chief of Bureau, employees whose compensations are stated at rates other than per annum may be given the allowances authorized by this section for employees at a corresponding per annum compensation: And Provided Further, That when traveling by water transportation which does not include subsistence, officers and employees shall receive, in lieu of per diems, reimbursement of the amounts actually and necessarily expended by them for subsistence: And Provided Further, That all per diems and traveling expenses of the judges of the Courts of First Instance and of the Court of Land Registration, beginning July first, nineteen hundred and seven, shall be paid from the appropriation from the judiciary, at the rates provided by this section for other officers receiving similar salaries: And Provided Further, That officers of the United States Army or Navy detailed for duty with the Insular Government shall receive, when traveling on official business of this Government, the per diems corresponding to the salary of the position which the officer is filling under detail, and, if no salary be fixed by law for such position, the officer shall be considered as included in the class for which a per diem of five pesos is authorized, subject to the provisions applicable to officers of the Insular Government. TaDCEc

SECTION 4. The appropriations herein made for each Bureau, province, or Office shall be available for payment of authorized commutations of accrued leave of absence of the officers and employees thereof, and for payment of such expenses as may accrue to such Bureaus, provinces, or Offices by reason of the operations of Act Numbered Fifteen hundred and nine.

SECTION 5. For services and supplies furnished to other branches of the Government or other persons, a chief of Bureau or Office may charge the cost or such other rate or rates as shall have been prescribed by law or approved by the proper head of Department; and may spend the proceeds of such charges for duly authorized purposes in the discretion of the head of such Department: Provided, That the sums collected under this section shall be deposited in the Insular Treasury to the credit of the current account of the Bureau or Office concerned: And Provided Further, That the proceeds of all fees, fines, and court costs; the net proceeds of all receipts of the Bureau of Customs, except for import, export, wharfage, and immigration dues, coastwise license fees, and customs revenue stamps; and all other receipts of Bureaus or Offices of the Insular Government and of the judiciary, the disposition of which is not otherwise specifically provided by law shall be considered as coming within the provisions of this section, the purpose of which is to require the separation of revenue receipts which may properly be termed proceeds of taxation from those funds which accrue from inter-Bureau transactions and specific services to private persons.

SECTION 6. Subject to approval by the head of the proper Department, upon recommendation by the Insular Auditor, refunds may be made by Chiefs of Bureaus or Offices on account of receipts from sale of fabricated articles or supplies; or services rendered to other branches of the Government or private parties, when such action shall be consistent with good business practice and equity, from funds to be designated in each case by the Insular Auditor.

SECTION 7. After payment of all obligations actually incurred in the fiscal year nineteen hundred and eight and prior fiscal years, including completion of permanent improvements duly authorized, all balances of appropriations heretofore made for the current expenses of Bureaus and Offices of the Insular Government shall revert to the general fund: Provided, That, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department concerned, the Governor-General may direct the restoration of any part of the funds hereby reverted to the credit of the Bureau or Office for which such funds were originally appropriated.

SECTION 8. Whenever in the opinion of the Insular Auditor it shall be advisable to create a reimbursable fund for the purchase of supplies for any Bureau or Office of the Insular Government, he shall so certify to the Secretary of the Department concerned stating the amount he recommends for such fund, which certificate shall be forthwith transmitted by said Secretary to the Governor-General with his recommendations. The Governor-General may thereupon create such fund and fix the amount thereof, and such fund shall thereafter be administered by the Bureau or Office concerned under regulations promulgated by the Insular Auditor with the approval of the Governor-General.

There is hereby created a continuing annual appropriation for each of the Bureaus for which a reimbursable fund for the purchase of supplies shall be created as hereinbefore provided and all receipts derived from the transfer of supplies to operation or construction accounts of the Bureau are hereby made available for expenditure for the purpose of replenishing the supplies of the said Bureau and for no other purpose. The capital amount of such reimbursable fund for the purchase of supplies shall at all times be represented by cash in the Treasury or supplies in the possession of the Bureau or Office concerned, unless destroyed by fire or other unavoidable casualty, and in such case the amount of such loss shall be restored in the manner provided for losses in Act Numbered Three hundred and fifty-seven: Provided, That no loss that is covered by insurance under the provisions of Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and twenty-eight shall be so restored.

At least once in each fiscal year an inventory of said supplies and cash shall be taken and the amount of depreciation determined by inspection as provided in Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and ninety-two, and the amount of depreciation so determined shall be charged against the current expense appropriation of the Bureau or Office concerned and credited to the reimbursable fund herein created: Provided, That in case of need temporary transfers from appropriations for public works with the prior approval of the Secretary of the Department concerned may be made to the credit of the fund created by this section, to, the end that no supplies shall be charged to public works project until such supplies are actually used therein.

SECTION 9. The appropriation for current expenses of the various Bureaus and Offices of the Government shall lie available for the payment, to the credit of the Fidelity Bond Premium Fund, of two-thirds of the premium fixed, in pursuance of section three of Act Numbered Seventeen hundred and thirty-nine, on behalf of Insular officials and employees pertaining to the respective Bureaus and Offices.

SECTION 10. The appointment is hereby authorized of a committee of fourteen members, one-half to be composed of members of the Commission, to be named by the President thereof, and the other half of members of the Assembly, to be named by the Speaker thereof, to act during the recess of the Legislature, to investigate the organization and operation of the Bureaus and Offices of the Insular Government, to prepare a proposed appropriation bill for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and ten, to make report as to any other legislation or appropriations submitted to it for consideration by the Legislature or by the presiding officer of either Chamber, and also to discharge the duties of the committee for which provision is made by Act Numbered Eighteen hundred and nine during said recess.

SECTION 11. This Act shall take effect as of date July first, nineteen hundred and eight.

ENACTED, June 19, 1908.