CONGRESS PUBLIC PARK AT FORT THAYER, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. MARCH 12, 1908.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. BURKETT, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following ADVERSE REPORT. [To accompany S. 5132.] The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the bill (S. 5132) providing for the establishment of a public park at Fort Thayer, in the District of Columbia, having had the same under consideration report the bill back adversely with the recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed. The committee herewith append the report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia on said bill. OFFICE COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Washington, February 21, 1908. SIR: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have the honor to submit the following on Senate bill 5132, Sixtieth Congress, first session, "Providing for the establishment of a public park at Fort Thayer, in the District of Columbia," which you referred to them for investigation and report. The amount proposed to be appropriated is $13,000, which is at the rate of about 12 cents per square foot for the area of the tract. The Commissioners invite attention to their report on Senate bill 4320 of the present Congress, which provided for the establishment of a public park in this vicinity, and in which mention was made of the park proposed by this bill. There can be no question of the value of establishing small parks in the various suburbs surrounding the city of Washington before the value of the land becomes too great, and the Commissioners are in favor of the purchase of such parks by the United States. They are, however, of the opinion that it would be better to authorize a general fund for the purchase of parks and thus allow the choice of such locations as may be acceptable to be obtained at the most advantageous price. In this way it is thought that considerable economy can be secured, while if appropriations are made for certain definite pieces of land for parks such good terms might not be obtained. The Commissioners do not recommend favorable action on this bill. Very respectfully, Hon. N. B. SCOTT, HENRY B. F. MACFARLAND, President Board of Commissioners District of Columbia. Chairman Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, United States Senate. Mr. SCOTT, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 1770.] The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the bill (S. 1770) to provide for the purchase of a site and the erection of a public building thereon at Albany, in the State of Oregon, having considered the same report back the bill with amendments with the recommendation that the bill do pass. Page 1, line 11, strike out the words "one hundred" and insert "fifty," so as to read, "the sum of fifty thousand." On page 2, commencing with line 15, strike out all that follows down to and including line 11, page 3. Your committee herewith append the report of the Secretary of the Treasury upon this bill. TREASURY Department, SIR: Referring to your request for a report in connection with S. 1770, providing for a site and building at Albany, Oreg., for the use of the United States post-office, at a cost not to exceed $100,000, I have the honor to submit the following: There are no branches of the Federal service at Albany. Oreg., except the post-office. It is estimated that a one-story building, having 3,600 square feet floor space, will be sufficient, and that such a building of fireproof construction will cost $85,000, exclusive of site. A nonfireproof building of the same capacity will cost $80,000. It is estimated that a suitable site can be secured for $10,000 additional. The usual 40 feet fire limit and sufficient ground to provide for a possible 30 feet extension of the building hereafter are included in the estimate for the site. Referring to that portion of said bill which relates to the appointment of a commission of not more than three persons in connection with the matter of the selection of the site, the Department begs to suggest that the same be eliminated, as past experience has developed the fact that the usual practice of sending an agent to make an examination of all available sites, and thereupon to submit a written report of his conclusions for final action by the Department, is the more satisfactory and economical method. 1st Session. No. 365. EXTENSION OF PUBLIC BUILDING AT MANCHESTER, N. H. MARCH 12, 1908.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. SCOTT, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 5123.] The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to whom was referred the bill (S. 5123) to authorize the extension of the public building in the city of Manchester, N. H., and for other purposes, report back the bill with an amendment with the recommendation that the bill do pass. In line 7 strike out "forty" and insert in lieu thereof "twenty-five." Your committee herewith append the report of the Secretary of the Treasury upon this bill. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SIR: Referring to your request for a report in connection with S. 5123, providing for the extension and alteration of the public building at Manchester, N. H., at a cost not to exceed $40,000, I have the honor to submit the following: There are no branches of the Federal service at Manchester, N. H., requiring additional accommodations except the post-office. It is estimated that a one-story and basement extension, having 1,850 square feet ground area, will be sufficient, and that such a structure of fireproof construction, including necessary changes in the present building, will cost $30,000. Respectfully, Secretary. GEO. B. CORTELYOU, United States Senate. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, EXTRA OFFICERS FOR THE ARMY. MARCH 12, 1908.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. LODGE, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 2671.] The Committee on Military Affairs, which has had under consideration the bill (S. 2671) authorizing extra officers for the Army, reports it back to the Senate favorably, and recommends that it be passed. Your committee regards the passage of this bill as in the highest degree desirable. It will be observed by examination of the list of officers on detached duty given below that it is impossible materially to reduce these assignments. The total of officers on detached duty is 682. The number provided for in this bill is only 612, but this will be sufficient to relieve the present situation. We have reached the point now where the number of officers on duty with their companies has not only been brought to the lowest point compatible with safety, but even beyond it. At this moment there are many companies without any commissioned officers and there can be no question that this state of things is one cause of the increase in desertions. On the other hand, it is not possible, as has been said, materially to reduce the number of officers assigned to detached duty. Most of them are on the staff at West Point and at the military schools, and there they must remain in undiminished numbers, as it is impossible to carry on the schools without them. No increase of detachments is possible, and the result is that the States are deprived of suitable officers for the drill and instruction of their militia. Your committee is of the opinion that nothing is more important than the improvement of the militia and the maintenance of its drill and discipline at the highest point. This can not be done without the presence of officers of the Regular Army, who ought always to be young and active men, thoroughly able to perform these arduous duties in the best possible way. If we would keep our Army properly officered, maintain our military instruction at the point at which it ought to be maintained, and give proper attention to the |