section of the city but to the beautification of the park itself. It is easy of access and within a few years will undoubtedly be surrounded by quite a dense population.

The acquisition of the land contained in Hall & Elban's subdivision, or Meridian Hill, is believed to be particularly desirable. About 10 acres lie between Euclid street, Columbia avenue or Fifteenth street W street or Florida avenue and Sixteenth street extended. The reservation proposed is similar to the smaller reservations or parks now existing throughout the District of Columbia, such as Lincoln Park, Judiciary square, Franklin and Lafayette squares. There are no parks of this type north of Florida avenue nor south of Pennsylvnnia avenue, the breathing spaces nearest thereto being located about a mile from each of said sections. The territory surrounding it is being rapidly improved, and a park in the midst of one of the densely populated portions of the city would demonstrate its utility as well as its beauty. In addition this proposed reservation might also be utilized for govermental purposes, such as the construction of buildings, the laying out of gardens, etc. From the crown of the hill there is a commanding view of the city and the Potomac River.

For these reasons your committee are unanimously of the opinion that the bills now pending before Congress should be enacted into laws. It is believed that the prices indicated are as good as can be secured and considerably less than they will be for many years to come. The Senate has already placed itself on record as favoring the procurement of these tracts, and it is hoped that the House will take similar action.

59TH CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPORT 2d Session. No. 6397.

MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CORPORATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH POLITICAL ELECTIONS.

JANUARY 15, 1907.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed.

Mr. GAINES, of West Virginia, from the Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress, submitted the following

REPORT.

[To accompany S. 4563.]

The Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress, to whom was referred the bill (S. 4563) to prohibit corporations from making money contributions in connection with political elections, having had the same under consideration, report it favorably with amendment and recommend that it pass as

amended.

The first provision of the bill makes it

unlawful for any national bank or any corporation organized by authority of any laws of Congress to make a money contribution in connection with any election to any political office.

This power Congress unquestionably has as a regulation of Federal corporations.

The second provision is as follows:

It shall also be unlawful for any corporation whatever to make a money contribution in connection with any election at which Presidential and Vice-Presidential electors or a Representative in Congress is to be voted for, or any election by any State legislature of a United States Senator.

Congress unquestionably has the right to prevent such contributions in the matter of elections of the character mentioned.

Many members of your committee believe that Congress has power to go much further than this bill in legislating against corruption which might affect the election of Presidential electors, United States Senators and Representatives in Congress, and that the time has arrived when Congress should give the United States courts the power to punish the corrupt use of money in connection with elections at which Members of Congress are voted for. However, the proposed

legislation is in the right direction, can not possibly do harm, and may do much good.

Your committee recommends the following amendment:

Strike out all after the word "shall," in line 2, page 2, and add the following:

upon conviction be punished by a fine of not exceeding one thousand and not less than two hundred and fifty dollars, or by imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

BRIDGES ACROSS TUG FORK OF BIG SANDY RIVER.

JANUARY 15, 1907.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed.

Mr. GAINES, of West Virginia, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following

REPORT.

[To accompany H. R. 24109.]

The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 24109) to authorize the Norfolk and Western Railway Company to construct sundry bridges across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass.

This bill was introduced to take the place of H. R. 23218 favorably reported by the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce January 11, 1907, for the purpose of making some slight changes. The bill H. R. 23218 was submitted to the War Department and received a favorable recommendation, as will appear by indorsements from the Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers, hereto attached and made a part of this report.

[Second indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
Washington, January 9, 1907.

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. The accompanying bill, H. R. 23218, Fifty-ninth Congress, second session, to authorize the Kentucky and West Virginia Bridge Company to construct a bridge across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River at or near Williamson, W. Va., makes ample provision for the protection of navigation interests, and I know of no objection to its favorable consideration by Congress so far as those interests are concerned. A. MACKENZIE,

Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army.

[Third indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, January 9, 1907.

Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com merce, House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army.

о

HR-59-2-Vol 1-18

ROBERT SHAW OLIVER,
Assistant Secretary of War.