Abstract The article presents information on the statistical data on depreciation bases. As a result of the drastic rise in construction costs in the past few years and the expectation of a continuation of a high level of prices, it is not surprising that there is considerable discussion today on the problem of the basis to be used for the depreciation of plant assets. This article is devoted instead to the presentation of a series of data showing in a statistical manner the precise nature of the problem. To limit the problem, only depreciation of building cost is considered. The data included herein are taken from the records of a number of residence halls for men and women students at the University of Michigan. The depreciation expense per student per year varies widely that a noticeable effect on comparative operating results of the several halls will be obtained from accruing depreciation on a cost basis. Especially is this the case when it is remembered that revenue rates, salary and wage rates, and food prices, the three major items in a residence hall operating statement, are essentially the same for all halls.

Abstract The article describes the detailed accounting procedures particularly those in effect in classifying and controlling expenditures in the U.S. Navy Department in general and the Navy Bureau of Ordnance in particular, as of January 1946. During the last two years, the Navy Department has been studying various phases of its accounting procedures with the intention of revising these procedures wherever it seemed appropriate. As a result of this study certain revisions in accounting for the expenditures of the Navy Department were placed in effect as of July 1945. No attempt will be made in this article to compare to any extent the old and the new procedures for expenditure accounting, but the procedures in effect since July 1945, will be described. The author informs that the expenditures of a federal department are subject to various controls outside the department itself. Such controls include those over the accounting classifications used to report money expended, as well as the usual control over the amount of money expended. Exclusive of the General Accounting Office, which is essentially an organization to audit expenditures of the U.S. government, the principal extra-agency controls for expenditures of the Navy Department arise from the U.S. Congress and from the U.S. Bureau of the Budget.

Abstract In this article Navy expenditure classification by objects is considered. The Bureau of the budget prescribes an "object" classification by which budget estimates are to be submitted. Therefore, spending agencies provide an expenditure analysis by such objects to support their budget estimates and to meet the Bureau of the Budget's requirement for such a classification. This classification of expenditures by objects is accomplished in the Navy Department by coding disbursement and expenditure documents; procurement requisitions, contracts, etc., leading to public vouchers, the Analysis of Labor Roll Summary by Expenditure Classifications, a monthly report for labor similar to the Analysis of Materials Summary by Expenditure Classifications; and a Schedule of Collection Provision for this classification may be noted on the sample form of the Analysis of Materials Summary by Expenditure Classifications at the bottom of the form in a separate schedule. The object classification required by the Bureau of the Budget of all Federal departments permits the preparation of a statement of the total expenditures of the Federal government by broad classifications of expenditures. It may also he used to compare in a broad manner the operation of various departments in several respects, for example, the proportion of total expenditures charged for personal services.