TRAVEL PER DIEM, NON-DESIGNEE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP57-00384R000400130138-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 23, 2001
• Sequence Number: 138
• Publication Date: January 29, 1948
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2006/09/27: CIA- 7-00384R000400130138-3
140 SEC
OGC Has Reviewed 29 January Y L3
.E :oruJ u!L FOR ADSU
From: C3Fi;
Subject: Travel Ter Diem, Non-Designee Civilian Employees.
1. ADSU and the F; _ecuti ve, 050, have been designated by the
Director, CL I,, as the proper authorities in OSO to direct and ai:t ior-
ize travel. inherent in such designation is the authority and re-
sponsibility of establishing proper travel per diem rates ti'rithir. the
limits established in Standardized Oo rernrient Travel Regulations and
Bureau of Budget Circular A-7.
2. The present per diem. rates established administratively: are
generally as follows:
a. Travel in continental U.S.--:6.00 per day;
b. Air travel out- side Conti nenta.l U.S.--4 7.00 per day less;
20;x" for each meal;
c. ShiYpboard travel--'17.00 per day less 20 for each meal
furnished.
3. Until 1 January, 1})78, deduction of 20;% was also made for
each night aboard a plane, even though the traveler sleet in chair,
and a like deduction was Made for berth aboard shins and trains. At
that time official interpretation of pertinent regul5-.t'.ons indicated
that deductions of 20;' for lodgings should not be made during travel
aboard trains, plat es, and stea aers. Accordingly, S ecial Funds
ceased to iftake such deduct-ins as of that date. Titus, OSO, which had
been -,a;ring x:7.00 i. cr day less 801/0 for ;heals and lodgings for a net
of 1.40 per day, is now only deducting 60% for meals for a net of
~?'2.80 per day.
4. Likewise, as of 1 January, l9I6, the application of Foreign
iim ediately reveals the major differe.ace that per diem payiamts are
made to de, >endents of e. !ployees . In addition, the following per diem,
rates are authorized which are at variance with those in effect for
non-des inee OSO ein loyees :
i studs of suca regulations
a. Air travel outside continental U,S.-r`#>7.O0 per day with no
deductions for meals or lodging (aboard plane);
b. Shipboard travel outside continental U.S.--.'x.00 her day
with no deduction for meals or lodging.
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5. These radical rate different'als indicated the advisability
of a review of OS() er diem rates for two reasons:
a. The probability that the 030 per them rates under
Standardized Goverment Travel Regulations are too low,
resulting in unTvarranted loss to the em" i_c~-ee;
b. The psychological effect of radical per diem differ-
entials for two groups of employees identical in func-
tion 25X1
6. Offhand it would seem most desirable that all employees of OS~
be subject to the sate adi:l:i nistrative regulations as to travel l er diei;ms.
However, in the absence of sy:.ecific authorizing legislation to ply 25X1
other than Standardized Goverment Travel Regulations to OSO employees,
it is understood that the Director, CIA, has authorized the application
of Foreign Service Travel Regulations
7. Therefore, disregarding the basic desirability of standardiza-
tion., a review has been made of the present OSO per diem rates as to
their adequacy in terms of the expenses they are intended by law-.- to cover.
In this connection it seems desirable to review the basic princilples of
per diem. Without citing the lengthy statues and regulations, the two
most important factors are probably the following :
a. Per diem is never to be a gratuity to the e:nloyee;
b. Per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses is held to include
all charges for meals; lodgings; all fees and tips to waiters,
porters, baggage Tien, maids, dining room ste.re.rds, and others
on vessels; laundry; cleaning and pressing; etc.
8. A review of shipboard expenses on the average lst Class Journey
to Europe discloses the following normal tipping costs:
Head gaiter
2.00
Naiter
8.00
Boom Steward
8.00
maid
2.00
Boots
4.00
Deck Steward
4.00
$20.00
Making a reasonable allowance for laundry and cleaning expense, together
with tips to bagageraen and ~porters in embarking and diseirbaxkir y, it is
clear that the employee incurs expenses within the scope of the term sub-
sistence in excess of X30.00 during a six (6) day period.
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9. A per diem of '5.0O per day would accordi.:ztly not be a
gratuity to the ern-loyee but only equitable reiiiburse neat for n eces-
sary subsistence exl..enses.
10. Because per diems have considerable political significance
in government, a check arras bade Frith the current policies of 'dar and
Navy. Both of those fepartr:ents ostensibl;~r pay no per diem to c=ivil-
ian employees. .iorcver, attention is called to the fact that most
civilian employees of these departments travel on government vessels
on which tipping is proiibited. Secondly, War Department civilian
employees draw 25 ' :overseas _Iay effective with the date of sailing.
A '300/r onth employee accordingly haws apnroxii.ui tell,, ')2.50 per aft
even though he has no acc omm anying expenses . Last',,--, re are informed
the civilian erployees of Iilitory Intellikence are granted a per
diem of at least X2.00 per day on comnercial vessels in addition to
their 25%, overseas pay. A '30O/?iorith employee would accordingly be
drawing approximately.
'x..50/day.
11. In view of the above, the suggested commercial shipboard per
diem rate of 15.00 'er day would appear to be not only equitable but
politically defensible. Add to this, the morale. effect of extre
per then differentials as between Croups of employees and the dEesir-
ability of increasing the OSO non-designee per diem rates is extremely
great.
12. Should it be determined that per diem rates should be in-
creased, it can be accomplished in the following two rray-s:
a. By administrative determination of ADSO for OSO only;
b. By adni.nistra,tive determination of the Director, CIA, for
all or an;?- part of CIA,
In this connection it right be desirable to establish a uniform - olicy
in this resrect tkircughout CIA since increased per diem rates in JSO
only might create general c iesatisf action in the other offices of CIA.
13. if you concur with the sug_estion that per dienri rates be in-
creased, it is suggested that the Office of the General Counsel prepare
the necessary OSO or CIA authorization or directive depending; uu on
whether all of CIA or only OSO is to be affected.
2C7 25X1
Chief 3 SFD
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