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[[page number]] 141 [[/page number]]

In regard to the rates of pay of principal administrative officers, the discussion is summarized as follows.

The Secretary referred to his memorandum of May 7, 1974, to the Members of the Board of Regents.  The Chancellor observed that the cost-of-living increases were pushing salaries of some subordinates to the ceiling of $36,000.  He likened the Smithsonian's situation to that of the Judiciary.

The Secretary remarked that he normally has had responsibility and authority to employ assistants and to determine their compensation.  Accordingly, and in the terms of his memorandum, he felt bound to recommend the raising of the salaries of his principal assistants and to request the advice of the Regents.

Mr. Brown stated that he had always understood that the Secretary had the principal responsibility of appointing and setting the compensation of his assistants.

The Secretary recalled specific examples of salary difficulties in recruiting for the Directors of the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of History and Technology.  The assistance of the Regents is needed in convincing the Civil Service Commission that more of the existing supergrades should be allotted to the Smithsonian.

The Chancellor suggested creation of a subcommittee of Regents to support the Secretary.

It was the sense of the meeting that such a subcommittee be appointed for consideration of the problem but not to act until the time is appropriate.  No changes from federal to trust funds payroll are intended at present.