William W. Bishop, superintendent of reading room, June 25 to 30, 1909: Destination: Bretton Woods, N. H. Business: In attendance meeting American Library Association. Amount, $48.30. Charles H. Hastings," chief of card section, June 26 to 30, 1909: Business: Attendance meeting American Library Association. J. C. M. Hanson, chief of catalogue division, June 27 to 30, 1909: Business: In attendance meeting American Library Association. TRANSFER OF PROPERTY IN PORTO RICO TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, SUBMITTING, WITH ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS, A RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN MILITARY PROPERTY IN PORTO RICO. DECEMBER 10, 1909.-Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 3, 1909. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the commanding general, Department of the East, to the governor of Porto Rico, dated April 12, 1909, in regard to certain exchanges of property in Porto Rico with the insular government, with a view to centering military interests and operations at San Juan and saving the heavy drain upon transportation required by the maintenance of garrisons at other points. It is proposed that the insular government shall transfer to the United States the buildings and grounds of the insane asylum, otherwise known as the "Beneficencia Building," and the buildings and grounds known as the "San Juan Military Hospital," in San Juan, P. R., in exchange for other property described in said letter. The proposed exchange is regarded as advantageous to the Government and as in the line of the economical administration of military affairs in the island, and is favorably indorsed by the Surgeon-General, the QuartermasterGeneral, and the commanding general, Department of the East. For the reasons stated, it is believed that the proposed exchanges should be made; and I inclose draft of item for the sundry civil or other appropriate bill for authorizing the proposed transfers, and recommend favorable action thereon. Very respectfully, J. M. DICKINSON, The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. SAN JUAN, P. R., April 12, 1909. DEAR GOVERNOR: Referring to our recent conversation relative to the transfer of certain property of the insular government of Porto Rico to the War Department, in consideration of the transfer by the War Department of certain of its property to the insular government. As I understand it, we are of the opinion that the proposed transfer will be to the advantage of both the War Department and the insular government, and will bring to an end the rather unsatisfactory condition which now exists, under which the military authorities of the United States are occupying a considerable amount of insular property, and the insular government is in possession of a considerable amount of War Department property. Much of this property requires rather extensive repairs, and neither the insular government nor the military authorities care to make any until it has acquired ownership of the property. The transfer, as proposed, will result in the consolidation, and therefore more economical administration of the military establishment in the island, and will at the same time place in the permanent possession of the insular government various buildings and lands much needed by it. I understand the basis of transfer to be substantially as follows, subject to the approval of the United States and insular authorities: 1. The military authorities are to retain possession of the fortresses of the Morro and San Cristobal, and the remaining fortifications, including the walls at San Juan, which are now in their possession. These fortifications to be under the full control of the military authorities. 2. In order to concentrate the military establishment in San Juan, and to provide suitable quarters, it is most important that the insane asylum, or beneficencia, bordering upon the military reservation, be definitely transferred to the military authorities; also the hospital building at present occupied by the military authorities. The buildings have been valued by the insular assessor as follows: Insane asylum__. Hospital building Total $260, 670 178, 320 438, 990 3. In exchange for these (insane asylum and hospital building in the city of San Juan) it is proposed to transfer to the insular government the following buildings and land on the military reservations in Porto Rico: Valuation. San Domingo Barracks, quartermaster's corral, buildings and lands_-- $185, 490 The present quartermaster's corral and the land on which it is situated to continue to be occupied by the military authorities until the land is required by the insular government for its purpose, and in any case the military authorities shall be given sufficient time to erect proper stables and corrals elsewhere. Henry Barracks and land, Cayey, P. R... The military authorities to retain possession of the present hospital building, the commanding officer's quarters, and the surgeon's quarters, which are all under one roof; also the guardhouse and administration building, the stables and storehouses (quartermaster's and commissary's) immediately adjacent, and the following land: The land upon which these buildings are located and that portion of the present reservation lying between the hill and the neighboring town, approximately 15 acres, including the military road leading from the public road to the hospital building in question. The mili 75,000 tary authorities to be guaranteed the right to the use of the water and water system at present installed, without charge; they, the military authorities, to maintain in repair that portion of the water system which supplies the buildings above referred to; the remaining portion of the system to be maintained by the insular government in such condition as to furnish the amount of water necessary for the service of the buildings above referred to. For reasons of economy it is desirable to bring the companies now at Cayey to San Juan with as little delay as practicable; and if the insular government desires to obtain this reservation, which is understood to be the case, on the terms above set forth, the military authorities stand ready to vacate it with as little delay as practicable. Barracks near Aibonito, P. R--- Aguadilla Barracks and Fort, Aguadilla. Mayaguez Hospital____ Mayaguez Barracks Mayaguez Fort. Valuation. $5,000 7,500 35, 000 125,000 5, 000 437, 990 If you agree to the transfer on the lines above indicated, please inform me as soon as convenient in order that I may present the matter to the War Department with a view to the question of transfer being taken up through the regular channels. Very truly, yours, His Excellency the GOVERNOR OF PORTO RICO, LEONARD WOOD. San Juan, P. R. DRAFT FOR SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. To give effect to a provisional agreement between the governor of Porto Rico and the commanding general, Department of the East, the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed, upon the release to the United States by the government of Porto Rico of all its rights and title to the buildings and grounds of the insane asylum, otherwise known as the "Beneficencia Building," and the buildings and grounds known as the "San Juan Military Hospital," in San Juan, Porto Rico, to convey to the said government of Porto Rico all the right and title of the United States in and to the following property: The building and grounds of Santo Domingo Barracks and the “Quartermaster's Corral" at San Juan; Fort Mayaguez, Mayaguez Barracks, and Mayaguez Hospital, at Mayaguez; the military land and buildings near Aibonito; Aguadilla Fort, at Aguadilla; and all of Henry Barracks, at Cayey, except "Hospital Hill," on which are located the hospital, commissary quarters, administration buildings, guardhouse, stables, and so forth, with metes and bounds as shown on map of survey by First Lieutenant William H. Armstrong, September twelfth, nineteen hundred and nine, and except so much of the water system of Henry Barracks as the Secretary of War shall determine is necessary to be retained in connection therewith. |