74TH CONGRESS

1st Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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REPORT No. 842

ERECTION OF MEMORIAL TO SURVIVORS OF DIRIGIBLE

"SHENANDOAH"

MAY 8, 1935.—Committeed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state

of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. KELLER, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the

following

REPORT

(To accompany H. R. 6321)

The Committee on the Library, having had under consideration H. R. 6321, a bill authorizing the erection of a memorial to the survivors of the dirigible Shenandoah, do respectfully report the same with the recommendation that it do pass.

AUTHORIZING THE ERECTION OF A STATUE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN GETTYSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY

May 18, 1935.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state

of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. KELLER, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the

following

REPORT

(To accompany H. R. 7731)

The Committee on the Library, having had under consideration H. R. 7731, a bill authorizing the erection of a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg National Cemetery, do respectfully report the same with the recommendation that it do pass, as amended.

Line 12, page 1, strike out the words “in addition to the appropriation authorized."

Line 13, page 1, strike out the word “herein."

Line 13, page 1, strike out the words "extention of” and insert in lieu thereof the words "carrying out".

The purpose of this bill is to erect on the battlefield, where the great immortal Lincoln delivered his great address, which has helped to make this spot a great national shrine, a statue to the man.

This idea has appealed to millions of our people who visit Gettysburg as well as to the National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior. We quote from a letter from Arno B. Cammerer, director, addressed to Hon. Harry L. Haines, under date of January 19, 1935:

One of the things I hoped to discuss with you is that I have always felt that something fine in the way of a statute of Lincoln should be erected where he made his great speech. My old friend, Charles Moore, the Chairman of the Fine Arts Commission, recently was at Gettysburg and he brings up the same idea in a letter that I have just received from him.

Perhaps you would be interested in introducing a bill in Congress toward that end.

The introduction of such a bill would call attention to this desirability.

Dr. Charles Moore, Chairman of the Fine Arts Commission, has said:

This statute would give a real focal point to Gettysburg. The battlefield gives the military side Lincoln would give the necessary historic character.

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PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC AMERICAN SITES, BUILDINGS, OBJECTS, AND ANTIQUITIES OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

May 9, 1935.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state

of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. ROBINSON of Utah, from the Committee on the Public Lands

submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 6670)

The Committee on the Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6670), to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, building, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes, after careful consideration of same, report favorably thereon with the recommendation that the bill do pass the House with the following committee amendments:

Page 1, line 4, after the word "national" insert the words "historical or archaeological".

Page 2 and 3, strike out all of subsection "(e)" and substitute the following language in lieu thereof:

(e) For the purposes of this Act, acquire in the name of the United States by gift, purchase, or otherwise any property personal or real, or any interest or estate therein, title to any real property to be satisfactory, to the Secretary: Provided, That no such property which is owned by any religious or educational institution, or which is owned or administered for the benefit of the public, shall be so acquired without the consent of the owner.

Page 3, line 14, after the word "national” insert the words "historical or archaeological”.

Page 3, line 19, after the word “national” insert the words “historical or archaeological”.

Page 4, line 15, after the word “national” insert the words "historical or archaeological”.

Facts concerning the proposed legislation are set forth in the letter of the President of the United States, dated April 10, 1935, and the favorable report of the Secretary of the Interior, dated March 26, 1935, which are hereinbelow set out in full and made a part of this report, as follows:

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, April 10, 1935. Hon. RENÉ L. DEROUEN, Chairman House Cominittee on Public Lands,

House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. DEROUEN: I refer to H. R. 6670, now pending before your committee, to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance in the United States.

I wish to make known my deep interest in the measure, the general purpose of which is to enable the Federal Government, with the cooperation of the States and other public and private agencies, to lay a broad legal foundation for, and to develop and carry on, a national program for the preservation and interpretation of the physical and cultural remains of our history.

The preservation of historic sites for the public benefit, together with their proper interpretation, tends to enhance the respect and love of the citizen for the institutions of his country, as well as strengthen his resolution to defend unselfishly the hallowed traditions and high ideals of America.

At the present time when so many priceless historical buildings, sites, and remains are in grave danger of destruction through the natural progress of modern industrial conditions, the necessity for this legislation becomes apparent.

In this connection I feel that the Department of Interior, through the National Park Service, to the jurisdiction of which I assigned this general activity by Executive orders of June 10 and July 28, 1933, should be authorized to carry forward this increased program and to acquire such property as it is decided is necessary to the furtherance of these ends. The general machinery for this work can be developed by the National Park Service with little additional expense. I am hopeful that this legislation may be passed by the present Congress. Very sincerely yours,

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, March 26, 1935. Hon. RENE L. DEROUEN,

Chairman Committee on Public Lands, House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I have received your letter of March 16, enclosing a copy of H. R. 6670, entitled “A bill to provide for the preservation of historic American sities, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes”, and requesting a report thereon.

This legislation proposes the adoption of a national policy covering the subject expressed in the title, and creates certain powers, duties and functions for effectuating that policy.

While all Americans may well be proud of the accomplishments of the Federal Government in preserving and making available to the public the natural and scenic treasures of our country, many are impressed with the fact that no welldefined national policy has obtained for setting aside, commemorating, and preserving historic sites and buildings which represent outstanding experiences in the life history of our Nation. Unfortunately, many buildings that would be highly prized today have already disappeared and many others are daily disappearing; Within the past few years public interest has been increasingly aroused and focused on the subject, and much has been accomplished by the States and by private associations and individuals.

The Congress, from time to time, has provided for the conservation and restoration of national historic shrines, but it has become apparent that, if the Federal Government is to perform the full measure of its duty in this respect, further legislation will be necessary.

The National Government cannot be expected to arrest all losses of these priceless relics of the past, but it can lend its authority and aid toward such an end, and can acquire by gift, or in some cases, by purchase, historic sites and buildings of national significance.

The bill provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall be charged with the duty of effectuating the national policy expressed in the bill. In connection with this, it is important initially that graphic records and other data of historic and archaeologic sites, buildings, and objects should be obtained and a comprehensive study made for the purpose of a proper classification for example, of those clothed