62D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. J REPT. 559, 2d Session. IMMIGRATION OF ALIENS INTO THE UNITED STATES. APRIL 25, 1912.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. SABATH, from the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, submitted the following VIEWS OF THE MINORITY. [To accompany H. R. 22527.] The undersigned dissent from the report of the majority of the committee reporting the bill H. R. 22527. The illiteracy test provided in the bill will not serve to keep out the viciously inclined, the criminal, or the otherwise really undesirable alien. Experience has demonstrated the fact that, with the educational facilities afforded in this land, thousands of illiterates, who, unhappily, were denied educational opportunities in their native lands, have learned to read and write here; and have shown an eagerness to acquire knowledge and fit themselves to become good citizens. It will also be noted that the exceptions provided in the bill are not broad enough to fully guard against the separation of families, though the majority of the committee admit that on humane and moral grounds separation of families should, as far as possible, be avoided and prevented. In our opinion the desirable immigrant is the healthy, law-abiding worker, who comes to this country in good faith, and the undesirable immigrant is the clever and educated schemer, who, immediately upon arrival, begins to find fault with our institutions. CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. No. TRANSFER OF CERTAIN LAND TO SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEX. APRIL 17, 1912.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. NELSON, from the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 11149.] The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 11149) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to convey to the city of Sulphur Springs, Tex., certain land for street purposes, beg to report the same with the recommendation that the bill do pass. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to convey to the city of Sulphur Springs, Tex., for sidewalk purposes, and no other, a strip off the east end and a strip off the south side of the present Federal building site in that city, not exceeding 9 feet in width. A revocable license to use this strip for sidewalk purposes was granted to the city of Sulphur Springs with the understanding that legislation would be sought deeding the property to the city. The bill is in furtherance of this understanding with the city of Sulphur Springs, and the views of the Secretary of the Treasury are set forth in the following letters: Hon. MORRIS SHEPPARD, House of Representatives. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR: In compliance with your verbal request during your call at the department to-day, I have the honor to transmit herewith a draft of a bill to empower the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the city of Sulphur Springs, Tex., the strips of land on the east and south sides of the Federal building site there now covered by sidewalks. This transfer is practicable, because the adjoining owner on the west side of the site has deeded to the United States the 9-foot strip along that side of the site, and the First Christian Church of Sulphur Springs has granted the United States an easement in the 5-foot-wide strip of land along the north side of the site, covenanting that said lastmentioned strip shall never be built upon. (For precedent, see Biloxi (Miss.) case, vol. 36, p. 186.) The department will take up with the city authorities the question of the width of the sidewalks. Respectfully, R. O. BAILEY, TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 26, 1912. CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, House of Representatives. SIR: Referring to your request of the 29th ultimo for a report on H. R. 11149, to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to convey to the city of Sulphur Springs, Tex., certain lands for street purposes, I have the honor to submit the following: When the Federal building site at Sulphur Springs was deeded to the United States, the grantors included the land covered by the sidewalks of the abutting streets, which space appears to have been owned by said grantors. The department intended to acquire only clear building space, exclusive of all sidewalks, and when it was discovered that the sidewalks were not owned by the city, steps were taken to secure correction of the condition. Accordingly, the owners of the land to the west of the site deeded to the United States a strip 9 feet wide along the entire western edge of the site, and the owners on the north gave an easement to the 5-foot wide strip adjoining the site on that side; thus virtually restoring to the United States the amount of ground to be deducted on account of sidewalks. Upon securing this amendment, the department gave the city of Sulphur Springs a revocable license to use for sidewalk purposes the 9-foot strip off the east end of the site and the 6-foot 2-inch strip off the south side, with the understanding that legisla tion would be asked for which would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to deed the last-mentioned strips of land to the city for street purposes. The above-mentioned bill seems to be in furtherance of this understanding, though it should be noted that it is proposed to convey to the city only 6 feet 2 inches off the south side of said site. It is true that the terms of the bill as drawn, if enacted into law, would permit the transfer of a strip less than 9 feet wide. This department sees no objection to the adoption of the proposed measure. FRANKLIN MACVEAGH, Secretary. It will not be necessary to convey more than 6 feet 2 inches off the south side, although under the terms of the bill a strip not exceeding 9 feet could be conveyed. The letter of the Secretary of the Treasury will show the necessity of conveying only 6 feet 2 inches off the south side and a 9-foot strip off the east side. In view of the fact that the interests of the Government will in no way suffer by the conveyance of this property, and in order that jurisdiction over it may be clearly defined, the committee unanimously recommends the passage of the bill. TRANSFER OF OLMSTEAD LANDS IN NORTH CAROLINA. APRIL 17, 1912.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. HAWLEY, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 20738.] The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 20738) for the transfer of the so-called Olmstead lands from the Solicitor of the Treasury to the Secretary of Agriculture, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass. The facts in the case are stated in the papers printed herewith. Hon. W. C. HAWLEY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, House of Representatives. FOREST SERVICE, Washington, April 8, 1912. DEAR MR. HAWLEY: In accordance with your verbal request I inclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Solicitor of the Treasury to the Secretary of Agriculture dated April 15, 1911, in regard to the proposed transfer to this department of the Olmstead lands in Graham and Clay Counties, N. C. I also inclose a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury dated July 5, 1906, and a letter from the Solicitor of the Treasury to the Secretary of the Treasury dated July 3, 1906. In addition to these letters I inclose a copy of a memorandum prepared by Mr. Clyde Leavitt, of this office, giving a brief historical sketch of the Olmstead lands and their present status. These papers will, I believe, give you the information which you desire to have in regard to these lands. Very sincerely, yours, WM. L. HALL, Assistant Forester. [Memorandum.] JUNE 17, 1911. On March 15, 1869, Levi Stevens and wife conveyed to the United States certain land in North Carolina, in compromise and settlement of an indebtedness due by E. B. Olmstead to the United States. The area of land so conveyed is approximately 32,483 acres, of which 6,280 acres are located in Clay County and the balance in Graham County, N. C. |