REPAIRS TO FORT SAN CARLOS, FLA.

FEBRUARY 12, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

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

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 4502]

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 4502) authorizing an appropriation for repairs to old Fort San Carlos, Fla., and for the procurement and erection of a tablet or marker thereon, introduced by Mr. Yon, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass.

This is a measure to authorize an appropriation for repairs at Fort San Carlos, situated on the Fort Barrancas Military Reservation, Fla. Fort San Carlos is one of the oldest forts in the country and the scene of historical events, and it is estimated that the sum of $4,000 authorized to be appropriated would be sufficient to make the necessary repairs and to procure and erect a tablet or marker showing the history of said fort.

The letter from the Secretary of War explains the legislation and is therefore made a part of this report.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 15, 1929.

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 4502) authorizing an appropriation for repairs to old Fort San Carlos, Fla., and for the procurement and erection of a tablet or marker thereon, transmitted with your letter of October 28, 1929, with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate.

There are no applicable provisions of existing law on the subject matter of this bill.

Fort San Carlos is situated on the Fort Barrancas Military Reservation, Fla. It is one of the oldest forts in the country and was the scene of historical events. The question of the repair of this fort and the erection of a marker or tablet thereon is believed to be a matter of public policy upon which Congress in its

wisdom must express the final decision, and I therefore refrain from making any recommendation with regard thereto.

An investigation has been made by the War Department and it is estimated that the amount authorized to be appropriated by the proposed bill would be sufficient to make needed repairs to this old fort and to procure and erect a tablet or marker showing the history of said fort.

If any additional information from the War Department is desired, I shall be pleased to furnish it. Should hearings be held upon the proposed legislation, suitable witnesses will be designated to appear.

Sincerely yours,

BATTLE FIELD OF CHALMETTE, LA.

FEBRUARY 12, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. QUIN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the

following

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 6618]

The Committee on Military Affairs to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6618) to provide for the study, investigation, and survey, for commemorative purposes, of the battle field of Chalmette, La., introduced by Mr. O'Connor of Louisiana, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass.

This is a measure that will enable the War Department to classify, following a proper inspection and survey, the battle field of Chalmette, La. The act of June 11, 1928, to provide for the study and investigation of battle fields in the United States for commemorative purposes resulted in the general classification of these battle fields by the War Department.

No funds have been available for the study of each battle field, however, and the classification adopted by the department has not been approved by act of Congress. This bill is considered necessary to authorize the expenditure of $300 in making the survey.

The letter from the Secretary of War explains the measure and is therefore made a part of this report, as follows:

Hon. W. FRANK JAMES,

Chairman Committee on Military Affairs,

House of Representatives.

JANUARY 6, 1930.

DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill, H. R. 6618, a bill to provide for the study, investigation, and survey, for commemorative purposes, of the battle field of Chalmette, La., which you transmitted to the War Department under date of December 7, 1929, with a request for information and the views of the department relative thereto.

The applicable provision of existing law on this subject is: "An act to provide for the study and investigation of battle fields in the United States for commemorative purposes," approved June 11, 1926.

In pursuance of the above act preliminary investigations of battle fields in the United States for commemorative purposes are being made. The results of

such investigations made during the fiscal year 1928, are contained in the report which was submitted by the President to Congress December 12, 1928, and has been published in Senate Document No. 187, Seventieth Congress, second session. The battle field of Chalmette is listed on page 4 of the above report as under battle fields of Class II-A for commemoration. This report recommends that if Congress determines that any battle in this classification should be commemorated, the proper method would be to indicate the battle lines of the forces employed by a series of markers or tablets, and in the more important battles by a memorial monument in addition to the markers on the battle lines. Detailed surveys have not been made, but the preliminary investigation indicates that the cost of making a survey of the battle field of Chalmette is $300.

On page 4 of the above-mentioned report it is stated that no surveys or further investigations will be made of this battle field until Congress has indicated its desire in the matter and has authorized the necessary appropriation to carry its wishes into effect. The number of markers and monuments required and the location and value of the land necessary for placing them can be determined only after a survey is made. Detailed information can then be furnished to Congress as to the cost of commemorating this battle field.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is recommended.

RELIEF OF FARMERS IN THE STORM, FLOOD, AND/OR DROUGHT STRICKEN AREAS

FEBRUARY 12, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. HAUGEN, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S. J. Res. 117]

The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 117) for the relief of farmers in the storm and flood stricken areas of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

That the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized, for the crop of 1930, to make advances or loans to farmers in the storm, flood, and/or drought stricken areas of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and New Mexico, where he shall find that an emergency for such assistance exists, for the purchase of seed of suitable crops, feed for work stock, and fertilizer, and, when necessary, to procure such seed, feed, and fertilizer and sell the same to such farmers: Provided, That in New Mexico advances or loans may be made to individuals or groups of farmers for the purchase of materials and the employment of labor for the replacement of damaged or destroyed irrigation ditches, where such replacement is deemed necessary for crop production. Such advances, loans, or sales shall be made upon such terms and conditions and subject to such regulations as the Secretary of Agriculture shall prescribe, including an agreement by each farmer to use the seed and fertilizer thus obtained by him for crop production. A first lien on all crops growing or to be planted and grown during the year 1930 shall, in the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture, be deemed sufficient security for such loan, advance, or sale. All such advances, loans, and sales shall be made through such agencies as the Secretary of Agriculture may designate, and in such amounts as such agencies, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, may determine. For carrying out the purposes of this resolution, including all expenses and charges incurred in so doing, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $7,000,000.