complete information. This takes the place of the usual "mill bid" of commercial practice, where there is always a chance of misunderstanding as to limits of requirements, and which furthermore requires each and every bidder to list off the materials, for which unnecessary multiple service the state would have to pay. Such work naturally increases overhead costs, but this is considerably more than offset by the lower bids received for the materials. All necessary mechanics and laborers are employed direct, this alone requiring considerable attention by the office force, due to the necessity of securing such assistance through the medium of the Civil Service Commission, with the attendant additional burden of clerical work. All accounts are audited as mentioned under contract work, these representing much more detail, since all claims for labor and every individual purchase of materials must be taken care of separately. Day labor construction work is handled in the field by a competent superintendent of construction; this agent of the Division being an active director of construction work rather than one who simply inspects the work of others as in the case of contract work. At weekly intervals on day labor work he reports to the office on the total amount of work done on a project, which, with the segregation of his payroll and cost accounting system maintained in the central office, enables the Division. at any time to know whether or not a project is being completed within the original amount estimated. Miscellaneous Work. This subdivision includes all the activities of various sections of the Division over and above those directly related to projects for which money has actually been appropriated. Assistance of an advisory nature is constantly being rendered the various departments and institutions, in connection with technical subjects. Sketches and estimates are prepared for considerable proposed work that is never carried to completion. Development plans for the new institutions, and for proposed changes in the older ones, are constantly being worked on. Also plot plans showing existing conditions, that the Division has never been able to finance in a comprehensive way, and the lack of which represents a serious handicap, are kept up to date to the best of our ability. It is not possible to give an accurate account of the amount of time spent by the employees of the Division on this miscellaneous work. It is safe to say, however, that as a minimum estimate one-third of the time of the employees included in the skeleton organization is devoted to the handling of these miscellaneous details. When working drawings for a project are started in the drafting room, a decision is made by the executive head of the Division on the method of construction to be followed; that is, whether the work shall go ahead on a basis of contracts, subcontracts, or day labor. The contract method is used where the work is conveniently located, where the estimates indicate that the cost will be large enough to attract sufficient bidding, where the state is unable to supply any labor or materials, and when some special type of labor or equipment is needed for the proper execution of the work. Subcontracts are made in some cases rather than a general contract, where it can be demonstrated that a saving to the state can be effected in handling the work in this manner. When such a procedure is followed, the Division of Architecture acts in the same capacity as a general contractor. Construction work on the Sacramento state buildings is being carried on by the subcontract method. The day labor plan is adopted at some institutions where inmate labor is available for construction work, at isolated institutions which do not attract the bidding of contractors, and on some repair and alteration jobs which are often difficult to cover by contract. In many cases where a job is handled by day labor, certain portions of the work are let to subcontractors where it is demonstrated that a saving to the state can be made or a better grade of work secured. In view of the fact that from four to six weeks elapse from the time obligations accrue until the claims covering them can be approved and paid, the legislature has provided for the use of the Department a cash revolving fund of $30,000 appropriated by chapter 419, Statutes of the year 1917, to be used in advancing cash payments for labor, material and supply bills where such payments are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Department. This cash revolving fund of $30,000 is for the joint use of the Division of Engineering and Irrigation and the Division of Architecture, $5,000 having been allotted to the Division of Engineering and Irrigation and $25,000 to the Division of Architecture. The volume of day labor work being done by the Division of Architecture, as indicated hereinabove, is such that this amount of $25,000 has proven insufficient, so much so that the Department of Finance. has loaned to the Division, to be paid back on demand, the sum of $22,000. FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK. On July 1, 1922, there was available for construction $6,178,452.51. To this amount must be added $1,131,510 appropriated by the 1923 legislature and $67,484.80 transferred to the Division of Architecture from contingent and other funds of institutions and departments, which total $7,377,447.31. During the biennium $224,144.01 was transferred to the institution for the purchase of equpment, etc., and on June 30, 1924, there was a balance of $2,643,702.31 still available for construction purposes. Deducting these two latter amounts from the $7,377,447.31 available on July 1, 1922, left $4,509,600.99 expended during the biennium for construction purposes. PROGRESS OF WORK USING AVAILABLE FUNDS. Using the funds mentioned above, the following report indicates the progress made on construction work by the Division of Architecture during the period from July 1, 1922, to July 1, 1924. The report shows the work grouped under the various institutions indicates the funds used, the various projects with actual or estimated costs under these funds and the status of the work on July 1, 1924. Report indicating status of construction work provided by the 1923 Legislature and showing the progress which has been made during the period of July 1, 1923, to July 1, 1924. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvements, $7,000. Agnews State Hospital, Agnew. Sketches prepared. California School for Blind, Berkeley. Chap. 121-1923-Construction and equipment of new buildings, $90,000. Sketches prepared. California Schools for Deaf and Blind, Berkeley. Chap. 121-1923-Repairs, improvements and equipment, $14,550. California School for Girls, Ventura. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvements, $300. To be used for miscellaneous repairs. Chico State Teachers College. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvements and repairs, $10,000. Pro. 319, W.O. 583-Miscellaneous repairs to buildings and grounds, $8,000. Under construction. App. 353, W.O. 496-Transfer to institution, $600. Folsom State Prison, Represa. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvements, $23,000. Pro. 278, W.O. 497-Repairs to gates in power house, $3,500. Under construction. Pro. 279, W.O. 498-Repairs to cottages, plumbing, wiring, etc., $9,250. Under construction. App. 388, W.O. 499A-General repairs and improvements, $7,000. struction. Under con App. 388, W.O. 499B-Ice storage house, $1,250. Under construction. Fresno State Teachers College, Fresno. Chap. 121-1923-Repairs, $5,000. Pro. 267, W.O. 488-Repairs to cafeteria and general repairs, $1,500, Under construction. Pro. 334, W.O. 599-Purchase and installation of deep well turbine pump, $1,500. Pro. 335, W.O. 606-Exterior painting of buildings, $1,800. Chap. 121-1923-Paving, $10,000. App. 406, W.O. 540-Transfer to institution, $10,000. Under construction. Industrial Home for Adult Blind, Oakland. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvements, $10,000. Pro. 302, W.O. 530-Removal of bake shop from basement to first floor, rearrangement of kitchen and reconstruction of dining room for help in building containing existing kitchen, $7,300. Completed. Pro. 302A, W.O. 563-Purchase and installation of equipment for reconstruction of bake shop, dining rooms and kitchen, $2,700. Completed. Chap. 121-1923-New equipment, $1,762.30. Pro. 313, W.O. 573-Purchase of kitchen equipment, $734.80. Completed Mendocino State Hospital, Talmage. Chap. 121-1923-Permanent improvementss, $59,900. Pro. 282, W.O. 503-Remodeling of wards A, B, C, 4, 5 and 6, $45,000. Under construction. Pro. 283, W.O. 504-Alterations and remodeling work in Assembly Hall, $5,500. Under construction. Pro. 293, W.O. 518-Replastering and painting of ranch ward, $3,700. Under construction. Chap. 121-1923-New equipment, $13,900. Pro. 375, W.O. 501-Installation of new compressor and accessory equipment as required for cooling three existing cold storage rooms, $7,500. Completed. |