B-113026 January 19, 1953

B-113026 January 19, 1953

Mr. F. D. Peters, Authorized Certifying Officer Office of Price Stabilization Washington 25, D. C.

Dear Mr. Peters:

Reference is made to your undated letter, file 2933/FDP, received here on December 4, 1952, requesting a decision as to whether you are authorized to certify for payment Bureau voucher No. 53 2497, fo $26.05, in favor of the Washington Mat Service, 1232 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., for engraving and preparing in October 1952, 100 mats of new photographs of Mr. Tighe Woods and a representative of the National Association of Colored Women.

You express doubt as to the propriety of the payment of this moucher in view of 31 Comp.Gen. 452, and B-111336 of September 16, 1952, involving purchases of photographs of Government employees for use in press releases to newspapers and magazines.

It is stated in memorandum of November 21, 1952, from Mr. Robert S. Wood, submitted in support of the voucher, that the instant photographs were procured for distribution to 100 colored newspapers throughout the country in connection with an Office of Price Stabilization Information project, and that they supported the story of the launching of a campaign in which hundreds of committees of negro women were activated and were a necessary part of the news released.

The appropriation for Salaries and Expenses, Economic Stabilization Agency contained in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1953, approved July 15, 1952, 66 Stat. 637, is available for the necessary expenses of that agency during the fiscal year 1953. The primary duty of the Economic Stabilization Agency as set forth in Executive Order 10161 dated September 9, 1950, 15 F.R. 6106, is to preserve and maintain the stabilization of the country's econmy and to that end its Administrator is directed therein to "(2) Inform the public, agriculture, industry and labor concerning the need for stabilization and encourage and promote voluntary action to this end." It appears from the administrative statement that the procurement of the mats fo photographs in question was determined to be necessary in carrying out the duty there imposed upon the Administrator and such a picture and press release reasonably might further voluntary action of the committees involved toward economic stabilization. Thus, it would appear that these costs properly are chargeable to the above appropriation.

The voucher, together with the accompanying papers, is returned herewith and you are advised that certification thereof for payment is proper.

Very truly yours,

Frank L. Yates Acting Comptroller General of the United States

Enclosures