CREATION OF A NATIONAL PARK TRUST FUND BOARD 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. 6734] The Committee on the Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6734) to create a National Park Trust Fund Board, 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 2, lines 10 to 14, inclusive, beginning with the word "Any" strike out all of the language up to and including the word "Interior". Page 2, line 19, section 2, strike out the words "and by the Secretary of the Interior". Page 2, line 24, and page 3, lines 1 to 13, inclusive, beginning with the word "The" strike out all of the language up to and including the word "it" and substitute the following language in lieu thereof: The income, as and when collected, shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States in a trust-fund account to be known as the "National Park Trust Fund", subject to disbursement by the Division of Disbursement, Treasury Department, for the purposes in each case specified: Provided, however, That the Board is not authorized to engage in any business, nor shall the Secretary of the Treasury make any investment for account of the Board that may not lawfully be made by a trust company in the District of Columbia, except that the Secretary may make any investments directly authorized by the instrument of gift, and may retain any investments accepted by the Board. Page 3, lines 14 to 24, inclusive, beginning with the word "Should" strike out all of the language up to and including the figure "$5,000,000." Page 4, lines 21 to 25, and page 5, lines 1 to 10, inclusive, strike out all of section 6. This bill is a companion bill to H. R. 6670, providing for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, which was favorably reported to the House by this committee, and the bill H. R. 6734 creates the Board which is to administer such gifts or bequests of personal property as shall be made in connection with H. R. 6670. The amendments made by the committee on this proposed legislation were suggested by and have the sanction of the Bureau of the Budget, of the Treasury Department. AUTHORIZING THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CO., BY MAY 9, 1935.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. PATMAN, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 6656] The Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6656) to authorize the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., by means of an overhead bridge, to cross New York Avenue NE., in the District of Columbia, having considered the same, report the same favorably with amendments and recommend that the bill, as amended, do pass. The committee amendments are as follows: On page 2, strike out, in line 1, after the word "through" down to and including line 13, and insert in lieu thereof: square numbered 4105 along and adjacent to the existing main line tracks, thence into and through squares numbered 4104 and 4099, crossing New York Avenue by means of a suitable overhead bridge, thence to and through square S. 4099 and the parcels of land known and identified on the plat books of the surveyor's office of the District of Columbia as parcels 153/44, 143/25, 142/25, and 142/28, to and through the square known as and numbered 4038 (portions of which are included in parcel 142/28), 4093, south of 4093, and 4098, with all switches, crossings, turn-outs, extensions, spurs, and sidings as may be or become necessary for the development of the squares and parcels of land above indicated for such uses as may be permitted in the use district or districts in which said squares and parcels of land are now or may hereafter be included, as defined in the zoning regulations of the District of Columbia and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission. On page 2, at the end of line 23 insert the following: The said railroad shall, when and as directed by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, construct, at its entire cost and expense, an additional overhead bridge for the track hereby authorized to be established over such other street located between Montell Avenue and New York Avenue as such street H. Repts., 74–1, vol. 2—43 1935, which are herein below set out in full and made a part of this report, as follows: Hon. RENÉ L. DEROUEN, Chairman House Committee on Public Lands, THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, April 10, 1935. 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, 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 |