2d Session.

No. 57.

NEW BUILDING FOR THE WAR, STATE, AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF STATE,

ΤΟ

HON. JAMES A. GARFIELD,

SUBMITTING

An estimate of $1,500,000 for continuing work on the building for the War, State, and Nary Departments.

JANUARY 26, 1875.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be

printed.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, January 23, 1875. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Committee on Appropriations, a copy of a letter of the 19th instant, from William A. Potter, esq., Supervising Architect of the Treasury, requesting an appropriation of $1,000,000 for the continuation of the work already commenced on the State, War, and Navy Departments building, and $500,000 for the commencement of work on the north front of said structure; also a copy of a letter from A. B. Mullett, esq., late Supervising Architect, dated 9th February, 1874, in regard to the removal of the War Department building, preparatory to the commencement of operations on the north front of the building.

The condition of the work on the east wing is such, that it seems to be but wise economy to make the appropriation asked for its prosecu tion. Should the committee be of opinion that the War Department building should not now be removed, the appropriation asked for the north front can be profitably employed in the preparation of granite for that part of the building. In this connection, I have the honor to call the attention of the committee to the fact that the contractors for the delivery of the granite have now in their employ well-organized gangs of good workmen, and that the cutting of the granite for this part of the building can be more advantageously and more economically accomplished in this way, than by allowing the dispersion of the men.

By the act making appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the year ending June 30, 1871,

in which was made the first appropriation for the new building, it was provided that its construction should be under the Secretary of State. I have the honor to call the attention of the committee to this feature of previous appropriations, and to request that, from and after the time when that portion of the structure specially apportioned to the Department of State will be completed and occupied, the Secretary of State may be relieved from further scrutiny and control in the construction of the remaining part of the building.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. JAMES A. GARFIELD,

Chairman of Committee on Appropriations,

HAMILTON FISH.

House of Representatives.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

OFFICE OF SUPERVISING ARCITECT, January 19, 1875.

SIR: I desire most respectfully to call attention to the fact that the appropriation at present remaining in the Treasury, on account of the construction of the new State, War, and Navy Departments building, is but $153,903.53, which sum will be required for the completion of the south wing of that building. And I have the honor to request that an appropriation of $1,000,000, for the continuation of the work already commenced, and $500,000 for the commencement of the north wing, may be obtained during the present session of Congress.

I also desire to call your attention to the letter from this office of February 9, 1874, in regard to the removal of the War Department from the premises now occupied, and the commencement of operations on the north wing of the building, which, in my opinion, is desirable, and which would greatly facilitate the completion of the building. Should this be deemed impracticable, I would still recommend that authority be obtained for the preparation of the granite work for the north wing, which would save considerable time and enable the Department to proceed with the work of the preparation of the granite for the basement and sub-basement stories, at the quarries on Fox Island, under the contract of the Bodwell Granite Company, it being desirable that work should not be suspended, inasmuch as the men are well organized and work is proceeding in a satisfactory manner.

Very respectfully,

Hon. HAMILTON FISH,

Secretary of State.

WM. A. POTTER,
Supervising Architect.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

OFFICE OF SUPERVISING ARCHITECT, February 9, 1874.

SIR: I desire most respectfully to call your attention to the fact that the appropriation at present remaining in the Treasury, to the credit of the new State Department, is $500,000, in addition to which there is a balance in the hands of the disbursing agent amounting to $58,852.18, which amount will, in my opinion, be sufficient for the completion of

the south wing and the approaches thereto. It will not, however, be, in my opinion, possible to proceed with the work on the east wing of the building unless Congress shall make an additional appropriation therefor, a question which it is very desirable should be decided at as early a date as practicable, in order to make arrangements for the preparation of the granite-work for the superstructure of said wing, which should be commenced at the earliest practicable moment.

I also desire to call the attention of the Department to the suggestions contained in my annual report under date of the 30th of September, in regard to the removal of the War Department from the premises now occupied, and the commencement of operations on the north wing of the building, which is, in my opinion, very desirable, and which would greatly facilitate the completion of the building. Should this be deemed impracticable, I would still recommend that authority be obtained for the preparation of the granite-work for the north wing of the building, which would save considerable time and would enable the Department to proceed with the work on the preparation of the granite for the basement story in the quarries at Fox Island, in which place it is desirable that work should not be suspended, inasmuch as the men are well organized and the work is proceeding in a satisfactory manner. I would therefore respectfully request to be informed of the decision of the Department on this question in order that estimates may be prepared accordingly.

2d Session. S

No. 58.

REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE HARLEM AND EAST RIVERS.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

OF

THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK, ,

FOR THE

Completion of the removal of obstructions in the Harlem and East Rivers.

FEBRUARY 1, 1875.-Referred to the Committee on Commerce and ordered to be printed.

STATE OF NEW YORK. IN ASSEMBLY,

Albany, January 25, 1875.

On motion of Mr. Hess: Whereas the work heretofore carried on to remove the obstructions in the East and Harlem Rivers at Hell Gate, in the city of New York, has been retarded and delayed; and

Whereas said obstructions are a serious detriment to the safe navigation of the Harlem and East Rivers, and a great drawback to the commerce of the city of New York: Therefore,

Resolved, (if the senate concur,) That the Congress of the United States be respectfully requested to make such appropriations of the public moneys as may, from time to time, be necessary for the speedy completion of the work of removing the obstructions of Harlem and East Rivers, in the State of New York, and that the proper authorities be directed to vigorously prosecute the same.

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the Senators and Representatives in Congress from this State. By order.

Concurred in without amendment.
By order.

HIRAM CALKINS, Clerk.

IN SENATE, January 26, 1875.

H. A. GLIDDEN, Clerk.