PURCHASE OF GROUNDS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WASHINGTON, D. C.

MAY 11, 1912.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. HEYBURN, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following

REPORT.

[To accompany S. 139.]

The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the bill (S. 139) authorizing the purchase of grounds for the accommodation of public buildings for the use of the Government of the United States in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, have carefully considered the same and recommend its passage with the following amendment:

In line 20, page 2, strike out the word "ten" and insert the word "fifteen."

The bill under consideration provides for the purchase of the squares indicated upon the accompanying map and is in line with the plan of improvement which has been under consideration for some years for the purchase of the land lying between the Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, and between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets NW. The squares between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets and B Street and Pennsylvania Avenue were purchased under previous legislation. The bill contemplates the purchase by the Government of all of the ground not at present owned by it lying south of Pennsylvania Avenue and north of Maryland Avenue up to Sixth Street, where it intersects Maryland Avenue, and all of the ground not at present owned by the Government lying between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall up to Fourteenth Street NW.; also block No. 221, lying at the junction of Maryland Avenue and First Street immediately in front of the Capitol Grounds; also block No. 575, and reservation 12, lying immediately in front of the Capitol Grounds between Pennsylvania Avenue and B Street NW.

The purchase of this property involves blocks Nos. 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 292, 293, 294, 295, 349, 350, 380, 381, 382, 461, reservation A, reservation B, block 575, block 576, reservation 12, reservation D, and reservation C.

The area of land within this proposed purchase which the Government already owns consists of blocks Nos. 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 255, 323, 324, a portion of block 228, a portion of block 23, the Haymarket Square, the Central Market Square, and the streets and parks, making a total area of 1,685,149 square feet.

It is very important that in the future all Government buildings located at the National Capital shall be located upon this proposed purchase, and shall be of such harmonious architecture and arrangement as will make the Government buildings a combination of all that is beautiful and adequate to the wants of the service. The buildings could be constructed along varying architectural lines and yet be entirely harmonious, thus affording great possibilities for architectural accomplishment as well as for the development of a plan that will greatly enhance the beauty and usefulness of the Nation's home.

In the interval between the purchase and the actual use of the grounds for public buildings they could be used and maintained as an attractive pleasure ground in connection with the Mall.

Much of the land to be acquired can doubtless be purchased from the present owners, and that which can not be so acquired can be obtained by the ordinary process of condemnation.

The accompanying map indicates the several above-named blocks, and their relative situation, which it is proposed to purchase.

There is attached hereto and made a part of this report a letter from the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia and a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury.

Hon. GEORGE SUTHERLAND,

Chairman Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds,

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to submit the following on Senate bill 139, Sixty-second Congress, first session, "authorizing the purchase of grounds for the accommodation of public buildings for the use of the Government of the United States in the District of Columbia and for other purposes," which you referred to them for report.

It is proposed by the bill to acquire certain squares lying south of Pennsylvania Avenue, between Fourteenth Street and First Street NW., north of the Mall; reservation 12 and square 575, lying immediately north of Pennsylvania Avenue, between First and Third Streets NW.; and reservations C and D and square 576, lying south of the Mall, between First and Sixth Streets SW., as a site for the accommodation of public buildings for the use of the Government of the United States. The bill carries an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the purpose, payable out of the Treasury of the United States.

The acquisition of these squares is in accordance with the report of the McMillan Park Commission, in which it is stated that

"The area between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall should be reclaimed from its present uses by locating within that section important public buildings."

The last assessment of property in these squares made by the assessor of the District of Columbia gives the true value of the land and improvements as $13,114,000. From this it would appear doubtful whether the appropriation of $10,000,000 named in the bill is sufficient for the purpose.

The commissioners are, of course, heartily in favor of the purposes of the bill, and recommend favorable action thereon.

Very respectfully,

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT OF Columbia, By CUNO H. RUDOLPH, President.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 14, 1911.

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS,

United States Senate.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your request for a report on S. 139, authorizing the purchase of grounds for the accommodation of public buildings for the use of the Government of the United States in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, and, in reply, to inform you that the recognized desirability of the Government acquiring all the land between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall would seem to be a question for the sole determination of Congress, and one with which the Secretary of the Treasury has no official connection. Personally I approve the project. FRANKLIN MACVEAGH,

Respectfully,

LEVEE ACROSS A BRANCH OF ST. FRANCIS RIVER, MO.

MAY 11, 1912.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. REED, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following

REPORT.

[To accompany H. R. 21590.]

The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 21590) to authorize levee and drainage district No. 25, of Dunklin County, Mo., to construct and maintain a levee across a branch or cut-off of St. Francis River and to construct and maintain a levee across the mouth of the Varney River in the State of Missouri, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass without amendment.

The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the following House report, containing a copy of a communication from that department in favor of this bill:

[House Report No. 539, Sixty-second Congress, second session.]

The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 21590) to authorize levee and drainage district No. 25, of Dunklin County, Mo., to construct and maintain a levee across a branch or cut-off of St. Francis River, in Missouri, having considered the same, report thereon with amendment, and as so amended recommend that it pass.

The bill as amended has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached and which is made a part of this report.

Amend the title so as to read:

"To authorize levee and drainage district No. 25, of Dunklin County, Mo., to construct and maintain a levee across a branch or cut-off of St. Francis River, and to construct and maintain a levee across the mouth of the Varney River, in the State of Missouri."

The SECRETARY OF WAR.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, April 8, 1912.

SIR: 1. I have the honor to return herewith a letter, dated the 1st instant, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives, inclosing for the views of the War Department thereon H. R. 21590, Sixty-second Congress, second session, a bill to authorize levee and drainage district No. 25, of Dunklin County, Mo., to construct and maintain a levee across a branch or cut-off of St. Francis River, in Missouri.