A-56774, AUGUST 9, 1934, 14 COMP. GEN. 109

A-56774, AUGUST 9, 1934, 14 COMP. GEN. 109

NEWSPAPERS - TELETYPE MACHINES - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT A TELETYPE MACHINE FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURNISHING NEWS TICKER SERVICE, BEING, FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, A SUBSTITUTE FOR NEWSPAPERS, IS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL LIMITATION IN SECTION 192, REVISED STATUTES, LIMITING THE AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE EXPENDED IN ANY ONE YEAR BY ANY DEPARTMENT EXCEPT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR NEWSPAPERS TO $100.

COMPTROLLER GENERAL MCCARL TO THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, AUGUST 9, 1934:

THERE WAS RECEIVED JULY 24 YOUR UNDATED LETTER AS FOLLOWS:

A TELETYPE MACHINE WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED IN THE OFFICE OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT WITH NEWS-TICKER SERVICE. THERE WAS NO INSTALLATION CHARGE FOR THIS MACHINE, THE ONLY EXPENSE ENTAILED BEING A MONTHLY CHARGE AT THE RATE OF $75 PER MONTH FOR PAPER, RIBBONS, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE. IT IS FURNISHED BY THE WASHINGTON CITY NEWS SERVICE, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE UNITED PRESS, AND THE SERVICE IS SAID TO BE THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT SIMILAR MACHINES HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND THE NATIONAL RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION.

YOUR DECISION IS SOUGHT AS TO THE PROPRIETY OF AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF THE MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGES ON THIS MACHINE OUT OF THE APPROPRIATION FOR "CONTINGENT EXPENSES, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, * * * MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.' IF THE APPROPRIATION MENTIONED IS NOT PROPERLY CHARGEABLE WITH THE COST OF MAINTAINING THIS MACHINE, PLEASE ADVISE WHAT APPROPRIATION AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE SO CHARGEABLE.

SINCE THIS IS A MATTER OF SOME URGENCY AN EARLY DECISION WILL BE APPRECIATED.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD FROM YOUR SUBMISSION THAT THE SERVICE IN QUESTION FURNISHES INFORMATION OTHERWISE OBTAINABLE FROM NEWSPAPERS. IN OTHER WORDS, THAT IT IS FOR ALL PRACTICABLE PURPOSES A SUBSTITUTE FOR OR IN LIEU OF NEWSPAPERS. SECTION 192, REVISED STATUTES, PROVIDES:

THE AMOUNT EXPENDED IN ANY ONE YEAR FOR NEWSPAPERS, FOR ANY DEPARTMENT, EXCEPT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, INCLUDING ALL THE BUREAUS AND OFFICES CONNECTED THEREWITH, SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. AND ALL NEWSPAPERS PURCHASED WITH THE PUBLIC MONEY FOR THE USE OF EITHER OF THE DEPARTMENTS MUST BE PRESERVED AS FILES FOR SUCH DEPARTMENT.

I DO NOT FIND IN THE APPROPRIATION FOR "CONTINGENT EXPENSES, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT," ACT OF MARCH 15, 1934, 48 STAT. 443, OR IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATION AVAILABLE TO YOUR OFFICE, ANY AUTHORIZATION TO EXPEND MORE THAN $100 PER YEAR FOR NEWSPAPERS OR SUBSTITUTES FOR NEWSPAPERS. SEE 3 COMP. GEN. 491; 10 ID. 531. IT MUST BE HELD, THEREFORE, THAT NO APPROPRIATION UNDER YOUR CONTROL IS AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT FOR THE SERVICES IN QUESTION.