ih, offices, a principal concern at that time was with what is now the activity of the Los Alamos Field Office. In connection with the establishment of SFOO as a staff echelon, there were concurrent problems, organization-wise, of redefining various delegations and issuances to establish appropriately the staff relationship of the SFOO headquarters to the field offices. Machine Records Introduction of machine records procedures for accumulating personnel budgeting, machine tool inventory, weapons storage, Los Alamos telephone directory and housing data has resulted in significant economies in terms of time, expense, and accuracy. Placement An approach has been made to some refinement of the in-service placementactivity for more precise compliance with the principles set forth in GM-PER-1 respecting assur- ance to employees that they are not by-passed for consideration for better opportunities, and including appropriate use in identifying employee candidates of the occupational coding devices developed for purposes of job-sheet control, as well as for purposes of recruiting. Initial phases have been completed of a plan to validate the present applications of objective testing devices now used in employing secretarial and protective force personnel, and to determine whether appropriate extension in the use of such devices would prove economical and of value in connection with all office jobs, with custodial jobs, and with inspector jobs. The latter program will be carried out with consultant assistance from Civil Service Com- mission technicians. Expense Control The total personnel utilization program has been developed with reference to coordi- nating direct AEC costs and applying principles of decentralization to develop expense con- sciousness and fix responsibility for economy in operation with the respective operating officials. The significance of realistic hiring plans in relation to economic utilization of personnel was emphasized. Tendencies to over-plan personnel requirements, and tendencies toward over-optimism in anticipating early hiring dates for additional employees required in a constantly expanding program have been corrected. Reductions of personnel and their re-employment elsewhereis illustrated in the followingtable: SFO-AEC Employment by Program (Fiscal Years 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953) Program . 1950 June 30 1951 June 30 1952 June 30 1953 June 30 3000 6000 648 0 569 0 127 3 7002 0 8000 600 689> 814¢ 795 7000 TOTAL 120 , 1, 368 150 1, 408 123 1, 667 129 1,6 ALCO a Increase in storage site personnel, 65 c Addition of 3 field offices and related personnel, 51; plus 35 additional personnel for field offices identified under b b . Addition of 2 field offices and related personnel, 21 i be Pads . goa /Go 155