This, I take it, is a sample of the feeling of those who are interested in having the work finished. Of course, our personal interest is as strong as ever and the matter of 1939 income tax makes it an important personal matter to me, not to mention the strain upon personal finances. If you have any delicacy about appearing as the principal in the matter on account of the expiration of the bicentennial authority I feel sure that you can obtain the introduction of the bill through another channel and that I can confidently relay upon your best efforts to support of it. These efforts. I am equally sure, from past observation, will insure the passage of the bill. I am further afraid that the Printing Office may take the stand that it must destroy the last printed and unbound, but completed volumes from lack of storage space. This would be a tragedy and a further useless expense to the Government because at sometime in the future the work, undoubtedly, will have to be done over again. Best wishes. Sincerely yours. Editor. 66 DR. JOHN C. FITZPATRICK TO DR. SOL BLOOM SEPTEMBER 8, 1939. Mrs. Clagett and I feel that it would be inadvisable to give up our George Washington bicentennial corner in the Manuscript Division and scatter the reference books and other evidences of official existence until the Government Printing Office has finished and finally issued the last volume of the writings. Mrs. Clagett has explained to you, I believe, how our work is dependent upon the Government Printing Office and, although it might be possible by a fast drive to clear up those things which could be half-way finished if the Public Printer were moving along with us, in a month or so, it seems to me better to slow down than to rush ahead to the point of having nothing further to do until the G. P. O. gets into action. "I hope there will be no delay in the appropriation when Congress next convenes, even if it is in extra session, as it is rather discouraging to have to draw upon savings for daily living expenses. " AUGUST 12, 1939. DEAR MRS. CLAGETT: Thanks for yours of August 11. I will await SB's letter with interest. Hardly know what to say about the finish of the writings beyond what has been said. I would put it this way: So far as the Library of Congress is concerned, i. e., our possession of the corner in the Manuscript Division, the writings are not finished and the work is going on until we decide to vacate. So far as our pay is concerned, i. e., the amount coming to us that will be a matter of calculation after the GPO has taken the page proof for the last time. and I will decide on that in the future. So far as the situation stands now I see no reason for a decision and I hope I will not be forced into making one without full consultation with you. I am quite sure that it is equally important and fair that you should express your opinion, as I should mine, in the matter. You I imagine there are a few letters just now. I am well convinced of your conscientiousness and sense of duty and am content to trust to that. Sincerely, JOHN C. FITZPATRICK. AUGUST 15, 1939. Dr. JOHN C. FITZPATRICK, Hotel Stockton, Sea Girt, N. J. DEAR DOCTOR FITZPATRICK: I talked to Mrs. Clagett the other day and explained the situation to her concerning the completion of the Writings of George Washington It just proved impossible to do anything before adjournment because during the last several months it became literally a "runaway Congress.' I am confident, however, that there will be no difficulty in securing the prompt enactment of necessary legislation as soon as Congress convenes again in January. H. Repts., 81-1, vol. 5- -102 I explained to Mrs. Clagett that while I had no authority to say anything definite regarding the matter I felt sure that there would be no further delay in the enactment of such legislation after the first of the year. With kindest personal regards and trusting that you are now well on the road to complete recovery and good health, I am, Sincerely yours, SOL BLOOM. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Mrs. K. H. CLAGETT, Harwood, Md. MY DEAR MRS. CLAGETT: In reply to your oral inquiry, it gives me pleasure to say, of course personally and unofficially, that you returned to this Division all the reference books which the late Dr. John C. Fitzpatrick and you had used in connection with the preparation for publication of the Writings of George Washington In the latter part of 1940 I understood you to say that you were then terminat ing that work on the writings and transmitting the copy, etc., to the Government Printing Office; but, of course, this was in a purely personal, informal conver sation. There would be no record of such action in this Division, as you were not then employed in this Division, or so far as I know in the Library of Congress. We all well know the devotion and industry with which you continued the work after June 30, 1940. I hope that this may be of service to you. Sincerely yours, I am. FRED B. NISWONGER AUGUST 9, 1949.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. DENTON, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 38041 The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 3804) for the relief of Fred B. Niswonger, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. The purpose of the proposed legislation is to pay the sum of $966.64 to Fred B. Niswonger, of Weed, Calif., for reimbursement for the loss of salary which he sustained, for the period beginning February 1, 1946, and ending May 31, 1946, as a result of not being restored to his former position of postal clerk in the United States post office at Weed, Calif., immediately following his honorable discharge from the Army on January 31, 1946. The said Fred B. Niswonger was subsequently restored to such position pursuant to order of the Civil Service Commission. STATEMENT OF FACTS It appears that Mr. Niswonger was a clerk in the Weed, Calif., post office, having been appointed originally in the Burlingame, Calif., post office on May 16, 1931. He resigned his position as post-office clerk on August 16, 1942, ostensibly for the purpose of entering the military service. He was not inducted into the armed forces until October 7, 1942, which raised a question as to whether his resignation August 26, 1942, was actually for the purpose of enlistment. Upon his discharge from the Army Mr. Niswonger applied for reinstatement February 1, 1946. In view of the fact that he had resigned bis position as clerk the postmaster was in doubt as to his reemployment rights and did not restore him pending a decision by the Civil Service Commission. The Commission subsequently ruled that Mr. Niswonger was entitled to reemployment rights, as he claimed that I explained to Mrs. Clagett that while I had no authority to say anything definite regarding the matter I felt sure that there would be no further delay in the enactment of such legislation after the first of the year. With kindest personal regards and trusting that you are now well on the road to complete recovery and good health, I am, Sincerely yours, SOL BLOOM. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Mrs. K. H. CLAGETT, Harwood, Md. MY DEAR MRS. CLAGETT: In reply to your oral inquiry, it gives me pleasure to say, of course personally and unofficially, that you returned to this Division all the reference books which the late Dr. John C. Fitzpatrick and you had used in connection with the preparation for publication of the Writings of George Washington In the latter part of 1940 I understood you to say that you were then terminating that work on the writings and transmitting the copy, etc., to the Government Printing Office; but, of course, this was in a purely personal, informal conversation. There would be no record of such action in this Division, as you were not then employed in this Division, or so far as I know in the Library of Congress We all well know the devotion and industry with which you continued the work after June 30, 1940. I hope that this may be of service to you. I am, Sincerely yours, ST. GEORGE L. SIOUSSAT, Chief, Division of Manuscripts. O FRED B. NISWONGER AUGUST 9, 1949.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. DENTON, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 38041 The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 3804) for the relief of Fred B. Niswonger, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. The purpose of the proposed legislation is to pay the sum of $966.64 to Fred B. Niswonger, of Weed, Calif., for reimbursement for the loss of salary which he sustained, for the period beginning February 1, 1946, and ending May 31, 1946, as a result of not being restored to his former position of postal clerk in the United States post office at Weed, Calif., immediately following his honorable discharge from the Army on January 31, 1946. The said Fred B. Niswonger was subsequently restored to such position pursuant to order of the Civil Service Commission. STATEMENT OF FACTS It appears that Mr. Niswonger was a clerk in the Weed, Calif., post office, having been appointed originally in the Burlingame, Calif., post office on May 16, 1931. He resigned his position as post-office clerk on August 16, 1942, ostensibly for the purpose of entering the military service. He was not inducted into the armed forces until October 7, 1942, which raised a question as to whether his resignation August 26, 1942, was actually for the purpose of enlistment. Upon his discharge from the Army Mr. Niswonger applied for reinstatement February 1, 1946. In view of the fact that he had resigned bis position as clerk the postmaster was in doubt as to his reemployment rights and did not restore him pending a decision by the Civil Service Commission. The Commission subsequently ruled that Mr. Niswonger was entitled to reemployment rights, as he claimed that |