B-4469, June 30, 1939, 18 COMP. GEN. 1013

B-4469, June 30, 1939, 18 COMP. GEN. 1013

APPROPRIATIONS-SPECIFIC VERSUS GENERAL-PRINTING COST GREATER THAN THAT ORIGINALLY CONTEMPLATED AND APPROPRIATED FOR Where an appropriation provides that a specified amount thereof "shall be available only for the printing of a report of a survey of the Health Department of the District of Columbia," no greater amount may be expended for such purpose from the appropriation involved by reason of the printing cost being greater than that originally contemplated, nor may the difference between the amount so appropriated and the total cost of printing be paid from the regular appropriation for printing and binding of the District of Columbia, the rule being that where there is a specific appropriation for a purpose a general appropriation which otherwise might be charged is not available therefor in whole or in part.

Comptroller General Brown to the President, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, June 30, 1939:

There has been received your letter of June 13, 1939, as follows:

The Second Deficiency Act, fiscal year 1938, approved June 25, 1938, provides in pertinent part:

"For 1339, $6,100 of which $2,500 shall be available only for the printing of the report of a survey of the Health Department of the District of Columbia made in 1937-38 by the United States Public Health Service and collaborators."

The original request for this printing was submitted to the Public Printer, July 21, 1938, and in return an estimate for printing of this work of $2,641.40 was given. Following the submission of the original proof which was transmitted to the Public Health Service, certain alterations were made which resulted in an additional charge of $201.53, so that the total amount of the bill to date is $2,842.93. This work was performed under the Government Printing Office Jacket No. 86980, bill of May 5, 1939, the charge being made to reimburse the appropriation 0490105 Public Printing and Binding, Government Printing Office, 1939.

The Commissioners would appreciate advice from you as to whether the language in the deficiency act referred to alcove limits the amount that may be expended for the survey of $2,500.00, and whether they may use $342.93 of the regular appropriation for printing and binding contained in the 1939 Appropriation Act for the payment of this bill.

The question stated in the first part of the last paragraph of the above-quoted letter is answered in the affirmative, and the question stated in the latter part thereof is answered in the negative-- rule being that where there is a specific appropriation for a purpose a general appropriation which otherwise might be charged is not available therefor in whole or in part. (See 17 Comp. Gen. 23; id. 91; id. 974.)