tration, taxes, experimental work, stock bonuses, pensions, etc. Having considered these items in figuring the cost, the committee feels that the question of percentage of profit to be allowed is simply that which would arise in an ordinary business; or, in other words, that any risk due to the hazardous character of the business is compensated for in the various items of fire loss, rejections, etc. The committee feels that a careful examination of the testimony taken will amply substantiate what it believes to be the conservative position it has taken in the matter. It developed further in the testimony that while the Navy was running its plant at a full twenty-four hour capacity the Army plant at Picatinny was being run at only a little over one-sixth of its twentyfour hour capacity. It seemed, therefore wise to the committee to indicate as the will of Congress that this plant should be operated at at least one-half of its capacity, which would result in a very material saving, and it accordingly makes such recommendation. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT. The following shows, by items, the appropriations made in the last fortification act, the amounts submitted at this session in the annual estimates, and the amounts recommended in the accompanying bill: H R-62-3-vol 1-16 Fortifications and other works of defense: Construction of gun and mortar batteries. Modernizing older emplacements. Construction of fire-control stations and accessories. Power and lighting plants at seacoast fortifications. Searchlights for important harbors. Purchase or reclamation of land for sites.. Protection, preservation, and repair of fortifications.. Plans for fortifications.. Tools, etc., electric plants.. Construction of sea wall and embankments.. (1) 30,000.00 Preservation and repair of structures erected for torpedo defense. 20,000.00 30,000.00 20,000.00 Mountain, field, and siege cannon, purchase, equipment, etc.. Ammunition, subcaliber guns, seacoast artillery practice.. Alteration and maintenance of mobile artillery. Ammunition, subcaliber guns, etc., for mountain, field, and siege artillery practice.. Alteration, sights, etc., 3.2-inch batteries. Alteration and maintenance of seacoast artillery. Total, armament of fortifications Fortifications in insular possessions: Seacoast batteries, Hawaiian Islands.. Searchlights for important harbors, Hawaiian Islands.... Searchlights for important harbors, Philippine Islands... 1 Reappropriation of $25,000. Reappropriation of $125,000 additional to this amount. In addition to this sum authority was given to contract for the further amount of $300.000. Fortifications in insular possessions-Continued. Protection, preservation, and repair of fortifications, Hawaiian Islands. 1 Authority was given to contract to the extent of $71,400. AMENDMENT TO GENERAL PENSION ACT OF MAY 11, 1912. JANUARY 18, 1913.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed. Mr. RUSSELL, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 28093.] The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 28093) to amend the pension act of May 11, 1912, report thereon with the recommendation that the bill do pass. There was previously introduced by Mr. Russell House bill 26061, which had for its purpose the same as those intended by the present bill, and said bill was by Mr. Russell, as a member of this committee, referred to the Secretary of the Interior for his consideration and opinion. The Secretary after considering the said bill approved its purposes, but suggested an amendment thereto, and the present bill was introduced by Mr. Russell incorporating the amendment suggested, and which your committee approves. The letter from the Secretary of the Interior is as follows: Hon. JOSEPH J. RUSSELL, House of Representatives. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, SIR: Under date of August 1, 1912, you inclosed to the Commissioner of Pensions a copy of H. R. 26061, introduced by you July 31, 1912, being a bill to amend the general pension act of May 11, 1912, with a request that you be advised as to the views of the department respecting the proposed measure. În your said letter you state: "It has always occurred to me that the increase of pensions by reason of age ought to be allowed automatically, but I realize that your department can not, without much additional work in preparing lists, tell when the increase should begin, but I can see no necessity for formal applications when all the necessary proof is already on file. Many old soldiers are poor, afflicted, and many miles from a notary public, and if a written notice was sufficient it would save them much trouble and expense and often avoid delay." To accomplish this end the proposed bill amends the general pension act of May 11, 1912, by adding thereto the following section: "That it shall hereafter be the duty of the Commissioner of Pensions in all cases where pensions are now being paid and where the records on file in his office show the age of the soldier to grant the increase allowed by the provisions of said act, by reason |