B-46169 December 21, 1944

B-46169 December 21, 1944

H. W. Shafferman, Authorized Certifying Officer, Office of War Information

Dear Mr. Shafferman:

I have your letter of December 7, 1944, as follows:

"There is attached for advance decision Bureau Voucher Number 5-899, in favor of Chester S. Williams, Room 3317 Social Security Building, Washington 25, D.C., in the sum of $58.15.

"The amount of this voucher represents expenditures by the payee and three other Government employees, who were reimbursed by the claimant, as evidenced by receipts attached and made a part of the claim, for the entertainment of British war workers, who were in this country as guests of the British Ministry of Information. Arrangements were made by the Office of War Information and the British Ministry of Information for the British war workers to make recordings for broadcasting, to participate in press conferences and to meet with American war workers in the four cities outlined on the voucher. The program as outlined was in furtherance of the war effort.

"Effective July 1, 1943, the Office of War Information's appropriation appearing in the National War Agencies Appropriation Act, 1944, Public Law 139, approved July 12, 1943 provides funds for 'xxx Entertainment of officials of other countries xxx'. "the question arises as to whether this language of the appropriation may be construed as being applicable to private citizens of allied country who are in the United States as guest of their own country."

The claim is stated on the voucher as for reimbursement of "expenses incurred in connection with the entertainment of British war-workers in New York, Boston, Buffalo and Washington," itemized as follows:

Date Amount

"12/20/43 Cocktails for war workers and newspaper reporters (no receipt available) 10.00

12/21/43 Luncheon for war workers (no receipt) 8.50

12/23/43 Sandwiches & coffee for workers (receipt attached) 4.00

12/26/43 Dinner for workers (no receipt available) 9.25

12/28/43 Taxis & redcap fees, also checking of luggage 7.40 (while in Boston) for trip, New York to Boston and Boston to Buffalo

12/29/43 Taxi & redcap fee for trip Buffalo to Wash. 4.00

12/30/43 Taxi from station to hotel (Wash.) 1.20

12/30/43 Luncheon for war workers at Pentagon Bldg. 6.80

1/2/44 Entrance fee & luncheon at Mt. Vernon 7.00

Total 58.15"

Reference to the hearings upon the budget estimates submitted for the appropriations for the Office of War Information for 1944 discloses the following justification was submitted to the subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, with respect to the funds requested for entertainment (pages 732 and 734 of the hearings):

"The basic considerations justifying the appropriation of funds for this purpose are: (1) Entertainment is valuable in maintaining cordial relations with officials of foreign governments, including officials of news, radio, publishing, and related agenceis, (2) In several key neutral countries, entertainment is used extensively by the Axis. Office of War Informationwithout attempting to match the lavishness of the Nazi effort, has found it necessary t entertain frequently those officials and businessmen who can assist in disseminating truthful information abouth this country, (3) The use of appropriation funds for entertainment by its representatives abroad is an established practice of the State Department, and is also used by other governmental agencies now operating in the foreign field.

"In the expenditure of entertainment funds, Office of War Information is guided by the regulations of the State Department governing its use of entertainment funds (i.e., 'representation allowances'). (See copy of regulations attached.)

"The Chairman. How much of the 1943 appropriation has been expended, and how much is still on hand?

"Mr. Eisenhower. It has all been allocated to the outposts, with monthly limitations. I may say that the Bureau of the Budget, working with the State Department, the Board of Economic Warfare, Lend-Lease, and other agencies, adopted standard regulations regarding the use of entertainment funds by all civilian personnel stationed abroad. We abide by those regulations.

"The Chairman. It is all expended abroad?

"Mr. Eisenhower. Yes.

"The Chairman. And none at home?

"Mr. Eisenhower. That is right.

"The Chairman. The statement will be included in the record.

"Mr. Taber. Where do you spend it? Do you spend it across the water?

"Mr. Eisenhower. Yes."

Similarly testimony was submitted in the hearings before the subcommittee of the Senate committee on Appropriations (pages 221,222).

Aside from any question whether the British war workers for whom the involved entertainment was provided are "officers of other countries" within the meaning of those words as used in the appropriation item here involved-- which question need not here be decided--I think it is clear from the referred-to hearings that the entertainment expenses covered by the submitted voucher for entertainment expenses in this country of British war workers who were in this country as guests of the British Ministry of Information, are wholly outside the scope and purpose for which the appropriation item was requested fo the Congress, as well as wholly outside the intent of the appropriation item as granted by the Congress. Therefore, in the absence of more explicit language in the appropriation to authorize payment of a class of expenditure such as here involved, certification of the voucher for payment is not authorized.

The voucher is returned herewith.

Respectfully,

Lindsay C. Warren Comptroller General of the United States

Enclosure