2d Session No. 789 DONATING GUNS TO COHOES HISTORICAL SOCIETY, COHOES, N. Y. FEBRUARY 28, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. WAINWRIGHT, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 48] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 48) donating bronze trophy guns to the Cohoes Historical Society, Cohoes, N. Y., introduced by Mr. Corning, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass. The cannon described in this bill are among those already authorized for distribution and are to be placed on the grounds of the Van Schaick Mansion at Cohoes, headquarters of the Continental Army during August and September, 1777, which property is now being maintained as a point of historical interest. The report of the War Department explains the measure and is made a part of this report as follows: Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. JULY 11, 1929. DEAR MR. JAMES: I am pleased to comply with your request of June 21, 1929, for a report on a bill (H. R. 48) donating bronze trophy guns to the Cohoes Historical Society, Cohoes, N. Y. The existing law authorizing distribution of trophies is the act of May 26, 1928 (Public, 549, 70th Cong., 45 Stat. 773), which authorizes the Secretary of War to loan or give to soldiers' monument associations, veterans' associations, State museums, and municipal corporations obsolete guns and material. The Cohoes Historical Society is not included in the beneficiaries of the above law. As the cannon described in this bill are among those already authorized for distribution under the above law, but not yet requested by any agency to whom their donation is authorized, and as these guns are to be placed on the grounds of the Van Schaick Mansion at Cohoes, the headquarters of the Continental Army during August and September, 1777, which property is being maintained H R-71-2-VOL 2——41 as a point of historical interest, I consider the purpose of the donation suitable and desirable and there is no objection on the part of this department to the passage of this bill. The bill provides that there shall be no cost to the United States. If any additional information from the War Department is desired, I shall be pleased to furnish it. If you wish to hold hearings on the proposed legislation, a suitable witness will be designated to appear before your committee. Sincerely yours, PATRICK J. HURLEY, O TROPHY GUN TO F. D. HUBBEL RELIEF CORPS NO. 103, HILLSBORO, ILL. FEBRUARY 28, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. GLYNN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 4050] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 4050) donating trophy gun to F. D. Hubbel Relief Corps No. 103, of Hillsboro, Ill., introduced by Mr. Frank M. Ramey, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment: Line 4, strike out the word "Hubble" and insert in lieu thereof "Hubbel" The purpose of this legislation is clearly set forth in the letter from the War Department, which is made a part of this report, as follows: WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, July 20, 1929. Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. JAMES: I am please to comply with your request of June 25, 1929, for a report on a bill (H. R. 4050) donating a trophy gun to the F. D. Hubbel Relief Corps No. 103, of Hillsboro, Ill. The existing law authorizing distribution of old guns is contained in the act of May 26, 1928 (Public 549, 70 Cong., 45 Stat. 773), which authorizes the Secretary of War to loan or give to soldiers' monument_associations, posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, posts of the American Legion, and other recognized war veterans' associations, State museums, and municipal corporations, condemned or obsolete ordnance guns, projectiles, and other condemned or obsolete material, but there is no law existing at present which authorizes the donation of this specific bronze gun to the organization mentioned in the bill. As the cannon named in the bill is among those already authroized for distribution, and as it is to be used for decorative and memorial purposes by an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, I consider the purpose of the donation suitable and desirable, and there is no objection on the part of this department to the passage of the bill. The bill provides that there shall be no cost to the United States. Attention is invited to the fact that in the introductory clause the word "Hubbel" is used, while in line 4 it appears as “Hubble." If any additional information from the War Department is desired I shall be pleased to furnish it. If hearings on the proposed legislation are to be held, a suitable witness will be designated to appear before your committee. Sincerely yours, O PATRICK J. HURLEY, DONATING TROPHY GUNS TO VARINA DAVIS CHAPTER NO. 1980, UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, MACCLENNY, FLA. FEBRUARY 28, 1930.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. MCSWAIN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To acompany H. R. 6348] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6348) donating trophy guns to Varina Davis Chapter No. 1980, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Macclenny, Fla., introduced by Mr. Green, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass. The donation of these trophy guns is in accord with the policy of the War Department, as set forth in the following letter from the Secretary of War: Hon. W. FRANK JAMES, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives. JANUARY 20, 1930. DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 6348) donating trophy guns to Varina Davis Chapter No. 1980, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Macclenny, Fla., which was transmitted to the War Department under date of December 9, 1929, with a request for information and the views of the department relative thereto. No law exists at present which authorizes the donation of these cannon. Previous acts of Congress have authorized the Secretary of War, in his discretion, to deliver to certain named schools, colleges, academies, Grand Army posts, parks, cemeteries, cities and towns, one or more brass or bronze cannon with carriages and cannon balls, the property to be subject at all times to the order of the Secretary of War. (37 Stat. 508; 38 Stat. 1198; and 39 Stat. 831.) The two trophy guns in question are now located at Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, N. Y., and, although they are among those already authorized for distribution under the above laws which were enacted more than 10 years ago, their delivery has not yet been requested. In view of the above, no objection is foreseen on the part of the War Department to the passage of the proposed bill. Sincerely yours, O PATRICK J. HURLEY, |