59146_1895-1899

COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY PUBLIC BUILDINGS. LVII

a portion of the fiscal year, was temporarily relieved from duty on the Commission, and reported to the Superintendent for regular service in the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

At the request ofthe Secretary of the Navy, two assistants were temporarily detailed, one for special triangulation in connection with the laying out of a speed-trial course in Long Island Sound, and the other for a survey on a large scale of the vicinity of the dry dock at Port Orchard, Puget Sound. The detail of an assistant for the Massachusetts Triangulation and Town Boundary Survey was continued during the greater part of the year, and another was temporarily detailed, at the request of the governor of Yirginia, to make a special survey of the Fox Islands, Chesapeake Bay.

Strenuous efforts have, as heretofore, been made to secure the earliest practicable publication of all important information affecting the interests of navigation and commerce, and the continued large demand for the Charts, Tide Tables, Coast Pilots, Notices to Mariners, and other publications of the Survey shoAvs the public appreciation of this service. Fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty-six Charts, 5,691 Tide Tables, and 594 Coast Pilots were issued during the year, and 123,500 Notices to Mariners were published for free distribution.

Office of Staiidard Weights and Measures,

^ During the year the usual amount of work was done for other Departments of the Government, and for States, colleges, surveyors, manufacturers, and others. The final comparisons of the weights and measures for the States of North and South Dakota were completed during the year, and the sets were forwarded to their respective destinations in June.

The new Eueprecht balance of precision purchased for the office has been mounted on a suitable pier, and a careful test has been made of its accuracy with very satisfactory results. By means of ingenious auxiliary devices the oscillations of the beam are noted from a distance, and the interchange of weights upon the scale pans is accomplished without approaching the balance.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

During the past year, work has been prosecuted on 70 buildings, including extensions and repairs specifically appropriated for, of which number-24 buildings have been completed for occupation, thus placing under the control of the construction branch of this Department 382 buildings, classified as follows: Completed and occupied , 306 In conrseof constrnction during year 70 Of which number there were completed and included in the above 24

46 Active operations not yet commenced ' 30

• ' - ' 3 8 2 Digitized for FRASER http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1895

LVIII REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The following statement shows the amount expended upon public buildings during the year ending September 30, 1895 :

For sites and construction of new public buildings $3, 459, 210. 03 For repairs and preservation of public buildings 172, 454.11 For heating apparatus for public buildings 93, 012. 46 For vaults, safes, and locks for public buildings ..• 39, 666. 03 For plans for public buildings ; 3,191. 51

3, 767, 534.14

The aggregate limit of cost fixed by Congress for the 46 publicbuildings now in the course of construction was $19,415,566.23, of which all except $3,849,000 has already been appropriated. Of the amount appropriated on account of these buildings, $2,290,760.30 is still unexpended, which, with the $3,849,000 yet to be appropriated, makes $6,139,760,30 yet to be expended upon them. There are 30 buildings upon which work has not yet been commenced, and their aggregate cost, as limited bylaw, is $12,340,000. It will thus be seen that the expendi-^ ture on account of public buildings now authorized by Congress amounts to $18,479,760.30. Whether it would be wise in view.of these facts to authorize the construction of additional public buildings at this time, except in cases where they are imperatively needed, is a question Avhich deserves the serious consideration of Congress.

' Yîth the limited force provided for in the office of the Supervising Architect, it is impossible to carry on work upon a great number of buildings at the same time, and much delay, and consequent loss, is incurred on this account. If the preparation of designs, plans, specifications, and Avorking drawings, and the supervision of construction is to remain exclusiAêly in the office of the Supervising Architect, it is scarcely necessary to say that adequate provision should be made for the performance of the work, and I hope the increased appropriation asked for this purpose will be made.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

The net expenditures on accouiit of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1895 were S6,176,891.19. The net revenues' deposited in the Treasury on this account for the same period were $3,673,641.76.

There have been issued and sold duringthe fiscal year $110,000 of the 3.65 per cent bonds to provide funds to pay additional interest on Board of Audit certificates redeemed under the act of Congress approved June 16, 1880, and to paj^ outstanding bonds known as ^ Greenback eight per centum bonds' ' as provided in the act approved August 13, 1894 (28 Stat., 271). There have also been issued and sold $46,000 3.65 per cent bonds to satisfy the award of the arbitrators in the cause of Samuel Strong V. The District of Columbia.

The issueof 3.65 per cent bonds is limited bylaw to $15,000,000. The total amountissued to the close of the fiscal year was $14,932,300,

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1895

RE:.FORT- OF T H E SECRETARY OF "THE TREASURY. LXI I I

either lose one day's, labor or break a long-established rule by wôrking on Sunday. As this is a hardshix> upon them, without any compensating benefit to the fisheries, it is respectfully urged that the lav/ be changed in this respect.

The law, as dra;wn, confers authority ux3on. the officers to protect the sakmon, but no. authority is given them to |)revent the xâcking of fish unfit for food, or to prevent the wanton waste of good fish, sometimes X3racticed by the xâckers. The law should be so amended as to confer this authority as a x^rotection to the consumers and in order that the useless destruction of fish may be prevented.

The- xâek for the current year is largely in excess of that of 1895, htimg 965,450 cases and 9,314 barrels.

The number of persons emx>loyed is estimated at 5,600, of which about 2,000 were white, 1,300 Indians, and 2,300 Chinese.

The value of the tin x>late used for cases amounted to $470,000, the duty on which amounted to about $140,000.

About $130,000 has been xâid in wages to resident whites and natives in Alaska by the xâcking companies, of which the Alaska Packers Association has paid, |100,,000. This association also maintains two medical stations in the Territory, one in Bering Sea and ono in the Kodiak District, at which X3laces the natives can obtain medical advice and medicine free of charge.

Hatcheries have been established, one at Karluk and one at Etholine Island. In the Karluk District 5,500,000 eggs have been secured and over 2,000,000 at: Etholine Island.

As suggested in the^ reports of inspectors, some x^rotection should be afforded, to those enigaged in prox3agating fish, so.that the result of their labor wôukl benefit them directly. This can be done by securing tho i3ersons engaged in these enterx3rises certain exclusive rights to the stream, or X3arts of the stream, on which the hatchery is located, and a X3ortion, at least,, of the beach, contiguous to the mouth of such stream. If such action is taken i t will x^robably result in the erection and maintenance of hatcheries at every packing station in the Territory.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

During the x ^ st year work has been x j ^ secuted on 53 buildings, including extensions and repairs sx^^cifically ax3prox>riated for, of which number 11 buildings have been comx3leted for occupation, thus placing under the control of the construction branch of this Department 383 buildings, classified as follows : Completed and oecupied. 317 In course of construetion during year 53 Oi wliicli number there were comipleted and included in the above. , 11

42 Active building operations not yet commenced 21

Total ; 383


1896

LXIV REPORT OF THE SECRETAR.Y OF THE TREASURY.

The following statement shows the amount exiDcnded U23on public buildings during the year ending September 30, 1896:

For sites and construction of nev^ joublic buildings $2, 881, 066. 99 For repairs and j)reservation of public buildings 273, 027. 36 For heating apx)aratus for jpublic buildiugs 127, 418. 27 For vaults, safes, and locks for ]3ublic buildings 39, 421. 64 For plans for public buildings 3, 207. 88

Total : 3,324,142.14

NAVIGATION.

The annual reiôrt of the Commissioner of -tâvigation * shows the tonnage, geographical distribution, material of construction, motive power, and employment of the documented merchant marine of the United States on June 30,1896, comiDared with June 30,1895, as follows:

Documented nierehant marine of the United States on June 30, 1896.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION^.

A t l a n t i c and. Gul f coas t s

N o r t h e r n l a k e s Wêstern r i v e r s

T o t a l

POWER AND MATERIAL. S a i l : t

W o o d I r o n a n d s teel .

T o t a l S t e a m :

W o o d ,

T o t a l

Bar<ês . . ....

T o t a l

TRADE. R e g i s t e r e d :

S t e a m i r o n a n d s tee l

Sai l , t w o o d a n d i r o n , a n d s tee l

T o t a l

E n r o l l e d a n d l i c e n s e d : S t e a m , i r on , a n d s t ee l S t e a m w o o d ., Sail , X w o o d a n d i r o n , a n d s tee l ,

T o t a l ".

COXSTRUCTION DURING THE YEAR.

iôtal b u i l t a n d d o c u m e n t e d

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

A t l a n t i c a n d Gul f coas t s Paci f ic c o a s t N o r t l i e r n l a k e s W e s t e r n r i v e r s

T o t a l

1895.

Number . 17,136 1,525 3,342 1,237

23,240

IG, 633 53

16,686

5,708 846

6,554

680 1,363

2,043

98 141

1,021

1,260

748 5, 567

15,665

21,980

694

453 74 93 74

691

Gross ions. 2,679,779

433,502 1, 241,459

281,220

4,635,960

2,361,227 61,932

2,423,159

1,304,777 908,024

2,212,801

75,051 382,632

457,683

214,391 37, 654

586,142

838,187

693,632 1,267,124 1,837,017

3,797,773

111,602

59,983 7,144

36,353 .8,122

111,602

189G.

Number. 16,786 1,560 3,333 1,229

22,90S

10, 244 69

16,313

5,707 888

6,595

682 1,357

2,039

103 141

1,013

1,257

785 5,566

15,300

21,651

723

•418 93

117 95

723

Gross ions. 2 667 313

437, 972 1,324,068

274,527

4,703,880

2,310,819 85,851

2,396, 073

1, .S03,09h 1 004 113

2, 307, 208

75,224 393 188

468,412

226,503 38, 379

580,072

814 954

• 777,609 1,264,716 1,81.6,602

3,858,927

227,096

91 724 10,818

108 782 15 772

227,096

*irall report omitted from this volume for f Including barges.

"want of space. I Including canal boats and barges.


1896

XLVIII REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

as many salmon canneries in Alaska as was possible with the limited means of transportation at hand, and notified the canners to remove such traps and obstructions as existed in violation of law. From the statistics submitted with the above reports, it appears that the supply of salmon in Alaska is.still plentiful, and, .under proper supervision by the Government, will so continue. This supervision can not be maintained, however, with the limited means provided for ' this purpose. The salmon inspector in Alaska not only has not the means of enforcing the salmon laws, but in many cases, owing to the meager facilities for traveling in that Territory, is dependent for transportation from one cannery to another upon the courtesy of the canners themselves. As long as this situation continues the efforts of the salmon inspectors to correct the. evils resulting from close competition in the salmon-canning industry in Alaska will be practically nugatory. It may be possible, however, to assign a revenue cutter to assist in enforcing the law. This will afford the inspectors better means of transportation.

It has been suggested that some amendments should be made to the present salmon fisheries laws, and among others that each packing company should have the exclusive right to take salmon in the streams adjacent to which it stands and along the beaches on each side of the mouth of the stream, under a lease for a term of years, subject to revocation by the Secretary of the Treasury. I am now having this whole matter carefully investigated, and may have some further recommendations to submit to Congress on the subject.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Work has been prosecuted during the past year on 54 buildings, including extensions and repairs specially appropriated for, of which 21 buildings have been completed, thus placing under the control of the construction branch of this Department 384 buildings, classified as follows: Compl eted and occupied huildings at date of last report 317 Destroyed by fire, and to he deducted from this nuniber, Ellis Island Immi

gration Station, which is considered below, in buildings not yet commenced 1

316 Completed and occupied during the year 21 In course of construction daring the year 54 Less buildings occupied and completed, as above 21

33 Buildings the work on which has not yet commenced 17

387 To be deducted from this number for the following reasons:

Bridgeport, Conn., post office, extension to buildiug, included in completed and occupied buildings above, and also included in buildings not yet commenced 1

Little Rock, Ark., courthouse, post office, etc., extension, included in buildings completed and occupied, and also in buildings in course of erection.... 1

Los Angeles, Cal., courthouse, post office, etc., alterations to present building, included in buildings completed and occupied, and also in buildings completed during the past year 1

3

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1897

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. XLIX

The following statement shows the amount expended upon public buildings during the year ending Septeinber 30, 1897:

For sites and construction of new public buildings $3, 508, 243. 01 For repairs and preservation of public buildings 217, 598. 20 For heating apparatus for public buildings 140, 076. 59 For vaults, safes, and locks for public buildings 37,105. 65 For plans for public buildings 2,771. 60

Total..... 3, 905, 795. 05

The necessity for the erection of a suitable fireproof building for the safe-keeping of the records and official papers of the several Departments has for a long time been palpable and urgent. By act of Congress, approved June 11, 1896, the Secretary of the Treasury was directed, after a conference with other officers, to report as to the suitability of a designated site for a hall of records. The need for such a building is imperative. Attention is therefore invited to a communication addressed under date of January 7, 1897, by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives. Nothing has since developed to modify or change the conditions as then stated, and it is urged that legislation be enacted extending the powers of the Secretary of the Treasury and making such an appropriation as may be necessary to pursue the inquiry further.

Plans showing the general scheme and project are now being prepared and will be submitted.

For a number of years the question of improving the architecture of Federal buildings has received serious consideration at the hands of those best qualified to judge in such matters, and this desire at last found expression in the act of Congress, approved February 20, 1893, which provides, in brief, that the Secretary of the Treasury may, in his discretion, obtain designs, plans, and specifications for the public buildings erected under his supervision by competition among members of the architectural profession at large.

After careful consideration of the subject, it was determined to enforce the act referred to, under certain prescribed regulations, the preparation of which was found to be difficult, because none of the administrative statutes which govern the erection of public buildings were repealed by the act of February 20,1893. Most of the difficulties, however, were finally overcome, and the necessary regulations were approved July 3, 1897. At this date two buildings, the United States courthouse and post office building at Norfolk, Va., and the new immigrant station at Ellis Island, New York, have been placed under competition, as provided by law and the regulations, with satisfactory results thus far.

This procedure being without precedent in governmental construction, ° it is probable that further working tests of the law may reveal defects

FI 97 IY


1897

L REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. 0

in its administrative features; and should such contingencies arise. Congress will be requested to pass such remedial legislation as may be necessary.

The character and greatness of a nation may be fairly judged by its public structures, and with this conviction the best efforts will be devoted to securing the highest expression of good architecture in the buildings which are to symbolize the greatness of the Government which erects them. -


The net expenditures on account of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1897 were $6,508,539.34. The net revenues deposited in the Treasury on this account for the same period were $3,597,790.87.

Under the operations of the sinking funds the net reduction of the bonded debt during the year was $557,300, and of the annual interest charge $19,885.

The acts of the legislative assembly of the District of Columbia authorizing the issue of the 7 per cent water-stock bonds provided that not less than $15,000 should be set apart annually for their gradual redemption.

On July 1, 1878, when the Treasurer of the United States assumed the duties of the late sinking fund commissioners, the amount of these bonds outstanding was $423,000, requiring annually $29,610 for interest and $15,000 to be set apart for a sinking fund, aggregating for both purposes $44,610. This amount has been annually appropriated since that time, to be paid wholly from the revenues of the^ water department. By the operations of this sinking fund these bonds have been retired to the amount of $80,000, leaving outstanding $343,000, maturing as follows: $329,000 due October 1, 1901, and $14,000 due July 1, 1903. In addition to the water-stock bonds retired, there have been purchased with this sinking fund other bonds of the District, amounting to $309,450. There are sufficient funds uninvested to purchase $33,550 additional bonds, of the old funded debt, making a total of $343,000 to be redeemed by the sinking fund for those obligations. This sum equals the amount of the water-stock bonds outstanding.

The interest accumulations on the bonds of the old funded debt retired with this sinking fund are available to pay interest on the water-stock bonds. The estimated amount accruing during the fiscal year 1898 is $17,389.87, while the total amount required for interest is $24,010. The difference between these sums—$6,620.13—is all that is required to be appropriated from the water fund for the fiscal year 1898.

Under the authority contained in the District appropriation act approved March 3, 1897, the balance remaining on the 1st day of July, 1897, of the principal of the debt incurred for increasing the water


1897

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF T H E TREASURY. LI

The receipts from the same sources for the fiscal year ended Jurie 30, 1897, were $30,710,297.42, showing an increase of $5,520,224.95 for the year ended June 30, 1898.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

During the past year work has been prosecuted on 43 buildings, including extensions to buildings, etc., marine hospitals, and quarantine stations, of which 15 have been completed. No new buildings have been authorized since the last report, legislation enacted simply embracing extensions to the temporary post-office at Chicago, the improvement of the old custom-house, etc., at Detroit, Mich., and the extension of limit of cost of the United States post-office, court-house, and customhouse at St. Paul, Minn. The number of buildings, therefore, under the construction branch of this department is 384, classified as follows:

Completed and occupied buildings at date of last report 337 Completed and occupied since last report 15 In course of construction at date of last report 33 Commenced since last report 10

43 Completed and occupied since last report, as above 15

28 Buildings on wliich work has not yet been commenced 11

391 Extension to buildings at Bridgeport, Conn., Little Rock, Ark., and Los

Angeles, Cal., as per last report, to be deduct.ed, and buildings already included in prior reports, New York court-house and post-office, law library, and approaches for Helena, Ark., Columbus, Ga., and Charleston, S. C 7

Total buildings under construction branch 384

The following statement shows the amount expended upon public buildings during the year ended September 30, 1898:

For sites and construction of new public buildings. $3, 407, 603. 86 For repairs and preservation of public buildings 261,738.07 For heating apparatus for public buildings 100, 975. 59 For vaults, safes, and locks for public buildings 25,496.83 For plans for public buildings .' 2, 894. 80

Total 3,798,709.15

Since the date of the last report effect has been given to the requirement of the act approved February 20, 1893, in relation to securing competitive designs for public buildings, by inviting competition in designs for court-hoase and post-office, Norfolk, Va.; post-office, customhouse, etc., Camden, N. J.; immigrant station, Ellis Island, New York Harbor; and contracts have been entered into for the preparation of drawings, specifications, etc., forming the basis for the invitation of proposals for the erection of the buildings named.

Active building operations have as yet, however, been commenced on only one, that being the immigrant building at Ellis Island. It is


1898

LII REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

too early./therefore, to form any just opinion as to the probable results as to cost or successful administration. The accepted drawings for this building, however, were highly creditable, and displayed careful thought and study on the part of the successful architects.

Sail of records.

The necessity for a hall of records in this city, in which may be safely stored, against accident from fir^, the large accumulation of valuable documents which now encumber the files of this and coordinate Departments, is again called to the attention of Congress. The Secretary of War, in 1878, called attention to the dangerous situation of records of great value in the Qaartermaster-General's office.

At various times Congress has recognized the situation and has enacted legislation, the earliest being in the sundry civil bill, approved August 7, 1882, in which the Supervising Architect of this Department was directed to make a report to the following session of Congress in regard to the matter. The Supervising Architect, on January 17, 1883, reported in favor of a site known as ^'Armory Square," between Sixth and Seventh streets SW. Plans and specifications were prepared for the^ building on this square, and it was estimated that the probable cost would be $1,036,054.

Under date of December 19, 1883, the President transmitted to Congress a communication from the Secretary of War, setting forth the necessity for a fireproof building, and renewed the recommendations of former years. An interval of nearly ten years then elapsed without any further action being taken, either by Congress or by the Executive Departments.

In April, 1896, the Secretary of the Treasury addressed letters to the Committees on Pablic Buildings and Grounds, referring to House Bill NQ. 7614, then under consideration in the House Committee, reiterating the necessity for the construction of such a building.

The act of Congress approved June 11, 1896, directed the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress a plan giving the size and general characteristics of a structure to be used as a hall of records in this city. He was required to confer with the heads of the various Departments, and inquire into and report upon the suitableness of a site for such a building on the public reservation at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with Tenth and Twelfth streets, or any other grounds located in the city within a reasonable distance from the Departments.

January 7, 1897, a report from the Secretary of the Treasury was presented to the President of the Senate, intimating that the reservation mentioned was conveniently located as a site for the building. Final

' report could not then be made, however, by reason of the fact that questions had arisen concerning the character of the soil and the practica-


1898

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. LIII

bility of securing satisfactory foundations. It was also necessary, in order to pursue the inquiry, that an appropriation be made for that purpose.

January 4, 1898, the Secretary of the Treasury addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Senate Committee on Public Buildings and.Grounds, reporting on the Senate bill authorizing the acquisition of a site at the corner of Ohio avenue and Fifteenth street. It was said that.until it could be definitely determined by tests, borings, etc., that the site at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with Tenth and Twelfth streets was not available for the erection of a hall of records thereon, the Department did not feel justified in recommending the purchase of a site for such building. The proposed site at Fifteenth street and Ohio avenue seemed also to be somewhat remote when considered in connection with the Capitol and Interior Department.

January 14,1898, the Secretary of the Treasury addressed a letter to the Speaker of the House, transmitting tentative plans for a building at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with Tenth and Twelfth streets.

Before any definite conclusion is reached as to the location of the building, careful consideration should be given to the fact that locating the building on land at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with Tenth and Twelfth streets would entail great expense for foundations, and would be most unfortunate, for the reason that that section of the city is subject, at intervals, to inundations.

The expressions of urgency so frequently met with in annual reports from the accounting officers justify the greatest insistency from the Treasury Department in its recommendations for a new and proper hall of records. It is a public necessity. The custody of the files of this and other Executive Departments is a matter involving most jealous care. The officials and employees are trained to look upon the preservation of records as a high duty. For many years the Treasury Department has kept its files in the Treasury building, but it finally became so engorged as to interfere materially with the working force, and it became necessary to secure another place of storage. A building at 1707 New York avenue has been leased. It is not fireproof, nor is it possible to obtain a fireproof building suitable for the purpose. In the event of the destruction of the records now stored therein, the Department would suffer irreparable loss. Even at this time, the fact that the records of 1833 and 1814 were burned is made apparent by frequent embarrassment to the public business. The Department trusts that a worse calamity may not prove more detrimental to its interests in the future.


The net expenditures on account of the District of Columbia for "the fiscal year 1898 were $6,319,725.84. The net revenues deposited in the Treasury on this account for the same period were $3,727,893.10.


1898

XLIV REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

1898, were $36,230,522.37, showing an increase of $16,262,685.27 for the year ended June 30, 1899.


The net expenditures on account of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1899 were $6,735,039.16. The net revenues deposited in the Treasury on this account for the same period were $4,060,226.74. x

Under the operations of the sinking funds, the net reduction of the bonded debt during the year was $149,900, and of the annual interest charge, $5,252.50.

The water-stock bonds outstanding amount to $343,000. The bonds of the old funded debt retired with the sinking fund provided for this loan amount to $342,950, and there remains to be purchased with an unexpended balance in this fund one bond for $50, to equal in amount the water-stock bonds outstanding.

The Treasurer estimates that the total appropriations required for interest and sinking fund for the water-stock bonds from July 1, 1878, to the date of their maturity will aggregate $873,752.46. If no provision had been made for a sinking fund for these bonds, they would have cost for the same period for interest and redemption of the principal at maturity $1,129,422.50. The difference in favor of the sinking fund is, therefore, $255,670.04. . \

The act of Congress approved March 1, 1899, entitled *'An Act to provide for the disposition of assessment certificates of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes," directed the Treasurer to deliver to the Commissioners of the District all assessment certificates remaining in his custody issued for unpaid assessments for special improvements, and to deposit in the Treasury as general revenues ofthe District all-moneys in his custody derived from special-improvement taxes, except the amount necessary to pay outstanding 8 per cent certificates of indebtedness and coupons therefrom called for payment prior to the act of Congress approved August 13,1894, entitled ^Ân Act to provide for the payment of the eight per centum green-back certificates of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes."

In compliance with the provisions of this act, the Treasurer delivered to the Commissioners all assessment certificates remaining in his custody, and forwarded to them a check for $7,607.11 for account of the general revenues ofthe District, and retained $1,000 to pay outstanding 8 per cent certificates and coupons, as provided in the act;

Detailed information in regard to the affairs of the District of Columbia will be found in the report to be submitted by the District Commissioners and by the Treasurer of the United States, ex officio Commissioner of the sinking fund of the District.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Previous reports of the Supervising Architect of this Department covered a period ending September 30 of each year, while the current


Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1899

SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. XLV

report is under date of June 30, 1899, involving only nine months. Succeeding reports will embrace one year ending June 30.

The following statement of buildings completed and occupied, in course of erection, and those not yet commenced is based on the report of the Supervising Architect above referred to, and is brought down to June 30 of this year; but attention is called'to the fact that since that time the public buildings at Paterson, N. J., Pottsville, Pa., St. Albans, Vt., Savannah, Ga., and Washington, D. C. (post-office), have been completed and occupied, while work on the erection of the United States post-office at Newport, Ky., and extensions to the buildings at Canton, Ohio, Chicago, 111. (temporary post-office), and Minneapolis, Minn., has been commenced and is being prosecuted. Of the 39 sites of public buildings selected, 25 were secured prior to June 30 last and 14 between that date and the present time.

The following summarizes the operations of the office of the Supervising Architect: Total number of buildings at date of last report 384 Number of buildings authorized since date of last report, including extensions, etc.. 70

Total number of buildings, extensions, etc., including marine hospitals and quarantine stations..... 454

To be deducted: Number of extensions, etc 14 Atlanta, Ga., exposition (transferred); Astoria, Oreg., old site, became

part of site of new building; Chicago, 111., old post-oflBice (torn down) ; immigration station, Ellis Island, New York (burned) ; Milwaukee, Wis., old post-office (sold); Nashville, Tenn., exposition buildings (sold) ; Omaha, Nebr., exposition (sold); Omaha, Nebr., old post-office (transferred to War Department); Savannah, Ga., old site, and Washington, D. C., Bureau of Engraving and Printing 10

—T- 24

Total number of buildings under the construction branch (exclusive of extensions, but including marine hospitals and quarantine stations) 430 i

The above gives the total number of buildings proper, but does not include extensions, improvements, etc., and is amplified as follows: Completed, as stated in last report 352 Deduct extensions and improvements.... 5

- ^ - 347 In course of construction at date of last report 28 Number of buildings completed since last report 12 12

16 Commenced since last report , 4

20 Number of buildings, extensions, etc., not commenced (including 70 author

ized since date of last report) .' 77

97 Deduct extensions, etc., not commenced (16) and the buildings enumerated in

foregoing statement (10) 26 •' 71

Total .; 430



XLVI REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The completed and occupied buildings are classed as follows:

Court-houses, custom-houses, post-offices, etc 328 Less number to be deducted " 10

318 Marine hospitals 20 Quarantine stations 11

Total number of buildings completed and occupied at this date 349

Expenditures from appropriations for puhlic huildings, for the period from October 1, 1898, to June 30, 1899.

For sites for and construction of public buildings, extensions, and repairs, especially appropriated for $2, 428, 286. 36

For repairs and preservation of public buildings 256, 758.17 For heating apparatus for public buildings.... 105, 924. 49 For vaults, safes, and locks for public buildings 32, 019. 73 For photographic duplication of plans for public buildings 2, 910. 88

Total , r. 2,825,899.63

As will be seen from the foregoing statements, work has been prosecuted since the date of the last report on 32 buildings, including extensions, etc., of which 12 have been completed and occupied. There were b^ new buildings and 14 extensions, additional land, etc., authorized at the last session of Congress. Of .the new buildings authorized, 39 sites have been selected. Action in securing sites for the remaining buildings has been barred by reason of the lack of acts of cession of jurisdiction in some instances, while in others the prices of land are such as would involve an expense disproportionate to the limit placed as the cost of site and building. I t is proper, also, in this connection, that attention should be called to the fact that, owing to the recent rise in prices of building materials, plans and specifications for some of the buildings when placed upon the market have had to be recalled and modifications made to suit the conditions, or further work suspended, because the balance of appropriation available was not such as to permit of continued operations.

The United States post-office building in this city, as provided for by legislation, was transferred to the Post-Office Department on September 30, 1899.

The Tarsney Act, which provides for competition among architects for public buildings under this Department, has been enforced with reference to three buildings, namely: The immigrant station, Ellis Island, N. Y., the United States post-office building at Camden, N. J., and the United States court-house and post-office building at Norfolk, Ya. So far, results have been, fairly satisfactory.

The law is not sufficiently explicit in its administrative features, and although the Secretary of the Treasury is given authority under the act to frame proper regulations for its enforcement, no portions of the administrative laws relating to the erection of public buildings were



SECRETARY OP THE TREASURY. XLVII

repealed, so that any regulation made must be in harmony witli existing statutes.

If it shall continue to be the policy of the Government to erect public buildings by architects selected in competition, it is suggested that further legislation should be enacted, especially with reference to the administrative features of the work.

One of the chief difficulties attending the enforpement of the law is the division of responsibility between the Supervising Architect and the architect in charge of the building, and the attention of Congress is called to this feature of the act.

I t is the purpose of the Department to place under the operation of this law a number of the buildings authorized by the last Congress, and it is important that remedial legislation, if enacted, should be. passed without delay.

Hall of Becords.

The earnest consideration of Congress is again invited to the necessity for providing a Hall of Records in this city, in which the uncurrent files of the various Executive Departments and other branches of the Government may be stored. .

This matter has been the subject of agitation for many years past, but with no practical results. The growth of the Government's business is so rapid, and the accumulation of the files so great as a consequence, that all of the Executive Departments are cramped for room in which to store the files which by law must be preserved. The destruction by fire of any one of the Executive Departments would cause almost irreparable injury, confusion, and delay in the transaction of its business, and this is especially true of the Treasury. This Department is the great clearing house of the Government. Here all its debts are paid, and here are preserved the evidences of such payment. The files stored in this building are in such condition that a fire may ensue at any time, and in the event of their destruction, numberless claims against the Government would at once arise to embarrass it.

In the Secretary's opinion, there is no public improvement more needed for the welfare of the nation than a Hall of Records in this city, and the matter is presented for the careful consideration of Congress, with the hope that action will be taken at this session looking to the erection, of such building;

IMMIGRATION.

There arrived during the fiscal year 1899 at ports of the United States and Canada 311,715 immigrants, exclusive of about 25,000, who, says the Commissioner-General, came as cabin passengers, and an unknown number from Mexico and Canada. The total was composed of 297,349 from Europe, 8,972 from Asia, 51 from Africa, and 5,343 from all



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59146_1895-1899