House of Representatives, clearly sets forth the views of the department and is hereby made a part of this report:

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 21, 1930.

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's letter of April 5, 1930, transmitting the bill (H. R. 11367) to provide for certain public works at Parris Island, S. C., and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to inform the committee as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to proceed with the construction of certain public works at Parris Island, S. C., by the replacement of temporary buildings erected during the World War-four barracks buildings, $1,209,000; one service building, $160,000; one heating plant, $20,000; roads, steam lines, electric lines, sewers and water mains in part, $260,000; total $1,649,000, to be accounted for as one fund, and to authorize the appropriation of the said sums.

Parris Island is the only station on the east coast of the United States where Marine Corps recruits receive their initial training. Practically all the buildings used at Parris Island for the housing of enlisted personnel are of temporary wartime construction.

The replacement of the temporary war-time construction at the Marine Barracks, Parris Island, in permanent construction is very desirable and undoubtedly will eventually become essential to the needs of the Marine Corps at Parris Island. However, there are many items of development that are considered to be more essential to the Navy the need of which is felt at the present time and has been anticipated for a number of years.

The Navy Department could only recommend the enactment of the proposed bill if such action could be taken without prejudice to the priority of the items considered more urgent and essential to the Navy. If the proposed bill be enacted, the projects therein would thereby be given priority over items of more urgency, many of which are of long standing in the list of urgent projects contained in the base development program and many of which have been sought from Congress but not yet obtained.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 11367.

2d Session

No. 1796

TABLET IN MEMORY OF GARRISON AT FORT SUMTER DURING SIEGE, 1861

JUNE 5, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. WAINWRIGHT, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 11409]

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 11409) to authorize the erection of a tablet in the Fort Sumter military reservation to the memory of the garrison at Fort Sumter during the siege of 1861, introduced by Mr. Wainwright, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass.

The history of Fort Sumter and the part played by its gallant command in the Civil War are outstanding, and it has generally been accepted as the beginning of that conflict. While the official records of the War Department and every authentic history of the United States contain accounts of the actions at Fort Sumter, no provision has ever been made by the Government for a tablet or marker on the reservation giving the names of all the members of the garrison at the time of its historic defense and surrender. In view of the political importance of this event, your committee recommends favorable action.

The report of the Secretary of War gives an explanation of the legislation and is made a part of this report as follows:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
June 4, 1930.

Hon. W. FRANK JAMES,

Chairman Committee on Military Affairs,

House of Representatives.

DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill H. R. 11409, a bill "To authorize the erection of a tablet in the Fort Sumter military reservation to the memory of the garrison at Fort Sumter during the siege of 1861," which you transmitted to the War Department under date of April 8, 1930, with a request for information and the views of the department relative thereto.

There are no applicable provisions of existing law on this subject, except the act of May 11, 1928, authorizing the erection at private expense of a flagstaff and memorial to Gen. Robert Anderson.

The history of Fort Sumter and the part played by its gallant command in the Civil War are outstanding, and the engagement resulting in its surrender has generally been accepted as the beginning of that great conflict. While the official records of the War Department and every authentic history of the United States contain accounts of the actions at Fort Sumter, no provision has been made heretofore by the Government for a special tablet or marker on the reservation giving the names of all of the members of the garrison at the time of its historic defense and surrender.

In the opinion of the War Department, a tablet or marker of the character proposed by the bill would serve as a means of honoring these gallant men and likewise perpetuating their names.

In view of the action of Congress in enacting the law approved May 11, 1928, for the erection at private expense of a flagstaff commemorating the defense of the fort by Gen. Robert Anderson, it would seem appropriate to provide a tablet or marker showing the names of the members of the garrison. For the above reasons the War Department recommends that the bill be enacted into law. PATRICK J. HURLEY, Secretary of War.

Sincerely yours,

O

2d Session

No. 1808

MEMORIAL TABLET TO COMMEMORATE THE OFFICERS AND MEN LOST IN THE U. S. SUBMARINE "S-4"

JUNE 6, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. HALE, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, submitted the

following

REPORT

[To accompany S. J. Res. 140]

The Committee on Naval Affairs of the House of Representatives, to whom was referred the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 140) to provide for the erection of a memorial tablet at the United States Naval Academy to commemorate the officers and men lost in the United States submarine S-4, having had the same under consideration, report favorably thereon, without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

The resolution provides that the Secretary of the Navy shall place a memorial tablet in Memorial Hall at the Naval Academy in commemoration of the officers and men who lost their lives in the sinking of the S-4, and also provides that the sum of $400 is authorized to be appropriated to provide for said tablet.

The bill meets with the approval of the Navy Department as shown by the Acting Secretary's letter of March 21, 1930, addressed to the chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs of the United States Senate, and which is hereby made a part of this report.

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 21, 1930.

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's communication dated February 11, 1930, transmitting Senate Joint Resolution 140, to provide for the erection of a memorial tablet at the United States Naval Academy to commemorate the officers and men lost in the U. S. submarine S-4, and requesting the views of the Navy Department relative to this measure, I have the honor to inform the committee as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to provide for the placing of a memorial tablet in Memorial Hall at the United

States Naval Academy in commemoration of the officers and men who lost their lives in the U. S. submarine S-4 on December 17, 1927. The sum of $400, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of the act.

The Navy Department considers that the installation of such a memorial tablet is most desirable, both in commemoration of the services and character of the officers and men who died on the S-4, and as an inspiration to the midshipmen of the future.

In view of the above, the Navy Department recommends that Senate Joint Resolution 140 be enacted.