He felt masonry where it could be used and adapted to the new conditions. very strongly, however, as we do, the defect that on the east front the dome does not appear to be supported; in fact, it overhangs the wall of the building and seems to rest partly upon the portico. He was right in wishing to have this defect corrected * Substantially the same conclusions have been reached by the present Architect of the Capitol as set forth in his statement in the hearings before a subcommittee of this committee held on January 22, 1935. It is apparent then that the consensus of expert opinion is and has been that this change is necessary to remedy the existing architectural defect caused by the overhang of the dome and to complete and perfect the architectural composition of the structure. The question of the exact distance of the extension which is best calculated to bring about the effect desired has naturally been the subject of some differences of opinion. Mr. Walter's recommendation was that the central portion be extended at least as far as the line of the wings. Carrere & Hastings in their report expressed the opinion that this amount of projection would be excessive and presented two alternate sketches referred to in the bill as "scheme A" and "scheme B", recommending the adoption of scheme A which provided the least amount of projection which would provide the desired appearance of support for the skirting of the dome. Mr. David Lynn, the present Architect of the Capitol, having made further studies of the problem, submits a plan which is a modification of scheme B as proposed by Carrere & Hastings. This plan, while not intended to be taken as final and conclusive, is considered to offer certain advantages both from a practical and aesthetic point of view. First, except for a slight modification in the width of the central portico and the steps leading thereto (considered desirable in order to give additional emphasis to the central entrances), it preserves without change the original architectural design and detail of the central portion of the building. Second, it provides for certain practical necessities which were felt even at the time when Carrere & Hastings prepared their report and which have since become of more serious importance. These are briefly the provision of a cross corridor between the wings on the gallery floor, where there is at present no direct means of passage from one end of the building to the other, the provision of additional space for the service of the committees (particularly those of the House of Representatives where the Appropriations Committee now occupies rooms on three separate floors) and by releasing space now used by these committees allows the provision of adequate space for the reception of those having business with Members. Your committee in reporting this bill reached the conclusion that it is highly desirable that the central portion of the Capitol be extended eastward to correct the architectural defect now existing. It considers that the exact distance to which the front should be extended may best be determined through the preparation of complete architectural drawings and designs as well as scale and full-size models, and that this detail may safely be left to the determination of the commission proposed to be created by the bill. It further concludes that such portions of the building as are now built of sandstone should be refaced with white marble so that the central portion will conform to the House and Senate wings. 74TH CONGRESS 1st Session } SENATE { REPORT No. 436 DEFINING EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION, N. MEX. APRIL 9, 1935.-Ordered to be printed Mr. HATCH, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 2213] The Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2213) to define the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it do pass with the following amendments: On page 5, line 11, after the word "south" insert "one mile, thence east one mile, thence south". On page 6, line 10, after the semicolon insert "also section 18, township 18 north, range 11 west;". On page 9, line 8, after the word "the" insert the following: Assignment of said leases to the Navajo Tribe of Indians on a renewable and preferential basis, and provided the legislature of said State enacts such laws as may be necessary to avail itself of the exchange provisions contained in section 2 of this act, and disclaim any right,. On page 9, after line 12, insert a new section reading as follows: SEC. 5. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to make rules and regulations to restrict the number of livestock grazed on the entire Navajo Indian Reservation to the safe carrying capacity of the ranges, and to promulgate such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to protect the ranges from deterioration, to check the erosion of the soil and to make possible the restoration of vegetative cover on the ranges. This bill was introduced at the request of the Secretary of the Interior, as set forth in his letter of March 7, 1935, a copy of which, together with tables showing areas, different classes of lands and cost of the proposed extension is appended hereto and made a part of this report, as follows: Hon. ELMER THOMAS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Chairman Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Transmitted herewith is the draft of a proposed bill to define the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and for other purposes. Section 1 establishes certain definite lines as the exterior boundary of the Navajo Indian Reservation within the State of New Mexico. These lines would add certain areas to the present reservation on the east and south and also define four small outside areas for different Navajo groups. In general, the additional areas involved are thickly populated with Navajo Indians and have practically been used by them exclusively for grazing purposes for years. The areas include public lands interspersed with tracts purchased for the Indians with their own tribal funds, also lands consolidated in the Government for their benefit pursuant to the act of March 3, 1931 (41 Stat. 1225-1239). Provision is made in this section that all prior valid rights and claims shall not be affected by the proposed legislation. Certain small areas of the Cibola National Forest will be eliminated from the forest and added to the reservation. In addition, section 1 will reserve 40 acres of public land upon which the Huerfano Indian Day School is located. Section 2 would grant the State of New Mexico the right to relinquish to the Government for the Indians such tracts of school or other State-owned lands within the proposed extension as it may see fit, and to make lieu selections of equal value from the available vacant public domain within the State. Section 3 is for the purpose of clarifying the Indian title to lands already consolidated for Indian purposes within the proposed extension, pursuant to the act of March 3, 1921, supra. This section will also extend the provisions of said act to three other counties and also provides that no further allotments or Indian homesteads on the public domain shall be made to Navajo Indians within the counties involved, unless filed prior to July 6, 1931, the date upon which a general temporary withdrawal was made by this Department of all public lands in this area in aid of this proposed legislation. This is agreeable to this Department for the reason that in effect it is trading this preference right of the Indians in order to get solid areas which can be developed for them. Section 4 provides for the acquisition, through purchase, of certain privately owned lands, together with the improvements thereon, located within the proposed extension. This section also provides in addition to purchasing the surface of the land only, that the improvements on leased State school land within the extension may be purchased under certain conditions as set out in said section. As authorization is included in this section for the appropriation of $482,136.22 to purchase privately owned lands which are located not only within the boundaries as described in section 1 of this proposed bill but also within the area in southeastern Utah described in the act of March 1, 1933 (47 Stat. 1418). The amount mentioned indicates the money actually needed based upon careful field examination and report by one of our field agents. The provision is made that if the above sum is appropriated it shall be reimbursable from funds according to the Navajo tribal funds as and when such funds accrue. This proposed boundary extension represents the ultimate to which these Indians can hope to expand their reservation. This fact is realized by the Indians themselves as evidenced at their last tribal councils. They are aware that they must reduce the number of their sheep and goats to prevent overgrazing, and in fact have disposed of over 200,000 head within the past 2 years to that end; further, that erosion and range control must be conducted continuously if they are to survive and make substantial progress. The proposed extension actually will not add any large blocked out areas of public land to the present reservation. Only approximately a total of 340,000 acres of public domain are involved, but it should be borne in mind that this acreage is largely within areas consolidated or purchased for the Indians with their tribal funds or else embraces an area heavily allotted to individual Indians. During the past 3 years representatives of the Indian Office held meetings with various groups of local interested persons and insofar as the boundary lines set out in the bill are concerned, it may be said that except for factional and minority differences of opinion, local opposition has been minimized. This proposed legislation is indeed an emergency measure as the future livelihood of these Indians absolutely depends on favorable action being taken. It not only is an emergency measure in regard to the Indians, but also to the Federal Government, for the reason that if enacted, proper range management and control of soil erosion, now in progress, on the reservation, will be continued, and unless this work is continued in the Navajo country, which is tributary to the Colorado River, soil erosion within the area in question will increase tremendously within the next decade and result in heavy silt deposits within the Boulder Dam Reservoir, thus seriously damaging the future effectiveness of that project, coupled with the concurrent loss to the Government on its investment therein. In view of the facts stated, I recommend that favorable consideration be given the enclosed draft of proposed legislation. The Acting Director of the Bureau of the Budget has advised that the expenditure contemplated by the proposed legislation would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. Sincerely yours, HAROLD L. ICKES, Approximate acreages of areas within proposed Navajo extension, New Mexico Area and value of different classes of lands and improvements to be purchased for Navajos of New Mexico and Utah Value of improvements on lands listed above.. 3 townships in Gallup area included in bill upon request of local interests just as General working balance to take care of any incidentals that might arise through revaluations, additional tracts, pay for additional improvements placed on properties since the appraisements were made, etc.... 1 property, land and improvements, not reported separately as to valuation... Another property, land and improvements, area not reported, valued at. Total cost of land and improvements in New Mexico.. |