MILITARY ACADEMY APPROPRIATION BILL. FEBRUARY 5, 1915.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. HAY, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 21328.] The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the estimates for the support of the Military Academy for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report the accompanying bill with the recommendation that it do pass. The total estimates submitted aggregate $1,742,337.87. The amount appropriated for the last fiscal year was $997,899.54. The accompanying bill carries $1,037,983.37, a reduction of $703,354.50 from the estimates. There is no legislation in the accompanying bill except the provision on page 2 of the bill providing for the continuation of the law which permits the appointment of a cadet "whenever any cadet shall have finished three years of his course at the academy his successor may be admitted," and the further provision on page 27 of the bill authorizing the Secretary of War to collect from ve els using the wharf such wharfage dues as he may deem just, reasonable, and necessary. O 63D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPORT 3d Session. No. 1371. POST OFFICE AT CARLISLE, PA. FEBRUARY 5, 1915.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. LOGUE, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 18645.] The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to which was referred the bill (II. R. 18645) providing for the acquisition of additional site and improvements on Federal post office at Carlisle, Pa., having considered the same, beg to report thereon with the recommendation that the bill pass amended as follows: Line 6, strike out the figures "$20,000" and insert in lieu thereof the figures $3,500." 66 Lines 6 and 7, strike out the words "for the acquisition of additional land for a site and." Briefly, the purpose of this bill is to authorize the expenditure of $3,500 in order that the steps leading to the entrance of the building at Carlisle may be placed in a safer and more attractive condition. In their present condition the steps are rather steep and the tread very narrow, making them somewhat dangerous. The following letters will explain the matter in detail: Hon. ARTHUR R. RUPLEY, Washington, D. C. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, CUSTODIAN AND JANITOR SERVICE, DEAR SIR: Permit us at this time, please, to call your attention to a few facts which we feel may be of value to you in connection with your bill, 18645, "for the acquisition of additional site and improvements on Federal post office at Carlisle, Pa. As you perhaps know, our most urgent need is an improved approach to our building, for two reasons: First, the steps in use at the present time are not in harmony architecturally with the building, and to a great extent mar its appearance; otherwise it is a splendid structure, well suited to our requirements and the needs of our patrons. In the second place, the steps as now constructed are really dangerous, due to their unusual rise and narrow tread. The dangerous condition has been to some extent relieved by the erection of handrails, but these are not always used and accidents continue to happen, and we fear that sooner or later a suit for damages against the department will be the result. The steps run about 5 feet above the pavement and are eight in number. As there is but one front door, a direct approach is necessary, and it is rather difficult and unsatisfactory. We personally called upon the Supervising Architect and drew his attention to these matters, and he acknowledged that the present steps should never have been placed in position, that they were not in harmony with the building, and that the measurements showed they were designed for inside and not outside use. He immediately had plans prepared for a new set of steps and entrance, which met with our approval. These plans, together with all other details, are on file in the Office of the Supervising Architect, and we respectfully refer you to him for such additional information in connection with this matter as you might desire. We might also add that the location of the office is such that a great many patrons find it necessary to call for their mail and supplies daily; sometimes more frequently. Quite a number use the general delivery, and there is installed 416 lock boxes-a large number of which are in use. The building is further occupied by other Government officials-a deputy revenue collector, board of pension examiners, post-office inspector, and the Civil Service Commission. The above is submitted for your consideration and such use as you may deem proper. Respectfully, Hon. ARTHUR R. RUPLEY, Washington, D. C. FISK GOODYEAR, Custodian and Postmaster. UNITED STATES POST OFFICE, MY DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry of recent date regarding steps at main entrance to the United States post-office building, Carlisle, Pa., beg leave to submit the following information: During the erection of the building, at the time steps were placed in position, we called the attention of the superintendent of construction to the narrow tread, he informing us that the same were in accordance with the drawings and specifications, and that no change could be made. The post office occupied the building on May 15, 1910, and until June, 1912, we continued to receive complaints from our patrons regarding the steps. A number of persons tripped on their way down, and it was fortunate that no serious accident occurred. During the winter months the condition was extremely dangerous. In connection with a leak on the roof of our building, Superintendent of Construction J. C. Elliott visited this office during January, 1912. We called his attention to the bad condition of the steps. I quote from his report to the Supervising Architect under date of January 25, 1912: "My attention was called to the condition of the front-entrance granite steps of this building; the tread is 10 inches and the rise is 64 inches. Several persons have fallen down those steps of late, but there has been no complaints as yet. These steps are very dangerous, in my opinion, and under the circumstances railings should be placed at intervals, so as to assist the public in going down the steps. Going up is not so bad. This condition exists whether there is any ice or not." Four handrails were erected June, 1912. Respectfully, WM. Z. MAHON, Assistant Postmaster. TREASURY DEpartment, The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives. SIR: I have your request of even date regarding H. R. 18645, providing for the acquisition of additional land adjacent to the site of the present Federal building at Carlisle, Pa., and improvements to said building. I note your request for an immediate report on that part of the bill which relates to the improvement of the existing structure. This is a matter which was brought to the attention of this department by Representative Rupley, of Pennsylvania. In accordance with his request, the Office of the Supervising Architect was instructed to prepare certain tentative sketches and |