8 TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT

fited. But, since the wartime bonus which had been paid for sev-
eral years was canceled at the same time the increase was
granted, the net gains were minute. No other increases were
received by members of the staff until June 1, 1947, when the
Commissioner of State Employment authorized several changes
in classification, and the Salary Standard Board granted in-
creases in the salaries paid to some classifications already estab-
lished. That this last increase came too late in the fiscal year
to prevent additional resignations does not detract from its value
as a reward for the members of the staff who have remained
at the Hall of Records. Moreover, if, after the present infla-
tionary period has passed, salaries and prices become stabilized
at somewhere near their prewar level, the Hall of Records will
be in a much, better position to attract desirable workers than it
ever was before.

That we have been able to carry out the program which we
had set for ourselves at the beginning of the year is due almost
altogether to the efforts of those members of the staff whom we
have been fortunate enough to keep for many years now. In
addition to the Archivist, those members of the staff with long
experience who remained in their old positions are the two Assis-
tant Archivists, Messrs. Skordas and Thomas, Mrs. Jane Moss,
who is in charge of the repair room, and Mrs. Margaret White,
who is in the photographic department.

How exasperating rapid changes in personnel may be is
illustrated by the history of the Secretarial position during the
year. This is an extremely responsible post because, in addi-
tion to typing and dictation, it demands a knowledge of all the
procedures necessary to the functioning of any state office, espe-
cially those required in our business with the State Employment
Commissioner, the Comptroller, the Treasurer, and the Depart-
ment of Budget and Procurement. It also requires a good knowl-
edge of bookkeeping in order to handle the exacting system pre-
scribed by the State Auditor. All of these accomplishments must be
bought for $1,900 a year. When the year began, this position was
held by Mrs. Pledger, who was a veteran of three years' service.