place these before the Commission of Fine Arts for any corrections, comments, or suggestions they may wish to offer.

At the moment, Frances Bolton of Ohio and I plan to introduce identical bills in the House, and Margaret Smith of Maine will champion the cause in the Senate, assisted probably by Senator Hayden of Arizona or Senator Green of Rhode Island.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration of this proposed legislation, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

JOHN R. MURDOCK,

Member of Congress.

Copies of the bills were sent to the members of the Commission by the Secretary. The bill pertaining to the Capitol was drafted as follows:

Be it enacted, etc., That the Architect of the Capitol is authorized and directed (1) to erase that portion of the frieze in the Rotunda of the Capitol which was painted by Charles Ayer Whipple, and (2) to cause to be inscribed in the entire blank space remaining for the completion of such frieze a suitable inscription in memory of Constantino Brumidi, the artist who painted the first portion of the frieze.

The Commission considered this matter at a meeting held in New York City on May 25th, and generally agreed that it would be best to complete the frieze, and adopted a suggestion of Chairman Clarke that an appropriate tablet be placed in the Rotunda to honor Brumidi.

The Commission then considered and concurred in the draft of a bill to acquire title to the site of Brumidi's grave (numbered 6, lot 70, in Glenwood Cemetery), and provide a suitable marker for it.

Congressman Murdock was advised of this action by telegram as follows:

New York City, May 25, 1949.

Honorable JOHN R. MURDOCK,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

Commission of Fine Arts at meeting today gave careful consideration to your letter of May 6 and draft of legislation to honor Brumidi. Regarding painting in Rotunda of Capitol, Commission favor a simple inscription to be carved appropriately in Rotunda at eye level to honor Brumidi, leaving Whipple painting as is and completing frieze, including commemoration of World War II, by an artist to be chosen by limited competition. Commission endorses idea for marker at Brumidi grave.

GILMORE D. CLARKE,

Chairman.

MONUMENT TO THE FAMOUS INDIAN GUIDE, SACAJAWEA

Under date of May 10, 1949, Senator Lester C. Hunt of Wyoming, submitted the following letter:

MY DEAR MR. CAEMMERER: In accordance with your request, I am enclosing a copy of S. 806, a bill authorizing the erection of a monument to the famous Indian guide, Sacajawea.

You will note that the bill as now written provides for the appropriation of the sum of $275,000. However, I believe this amount will be changed to $25,000, which will be used in preliminary planning, when the bill is enacted.

It is thought by the sponsors of this bill that a fitting memorial might consist of a museum and an Indian Arts and Craft Center. Your opinion and advice is requested with respect to the amount and type of planning for the memorial which could be accomplished with this appropriation.

If possible I should be pleased to speak personally with some member of your staff at your convenience. Thanking you in advance for your kindness in this matter, I am,

Sincerely yours,

LESTER C. HUNT.

The Commission considered the bill, S. 806, which reads as follows:

A BILL

Authorizing the erection of a monument to
Sacajawea

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to erect a suitable monument to the memory of Sacajawea, the Indian woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark and rendered valuable service to them as a guide and interpreter on their expedition to the Northwest, at or near the place of her burial, on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. The design of such monument shall have the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts.

SEC. 2. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such sum, not to exceed $275,000, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

The Commission considered the bill at a meeting held on May 25, 1949, and reported to Senator Hunt, as follows:

DEAR SENATOR HUNT: In further reference to your letter of May 10th, enclosing copy of S. 806, a bill to authorize the erection of a monument to the famous Indian, Sacajawea, the Commission interposes no objection to the proposed legislation and agree with you that the appropriation should be limited to a relatively small sum to provide for preliminary studies.

It would seem to the Commission that a monument to the memory of Sacajawea would be appropriate.

On the other hand, in the event that the Bureau of Indian Affairs, through the Department of the Interior, feels that an Indian Arts and Crafts Center is necessary and desirable, then this suggestion of the sponsors should be considered.

Be assured that the Commission will be very happy to discuss this matter with you or with others who are interested in this particular project.

Sincerely yours,

GILMORE D. CLARKE,

Chairman.

MEMORIAL TO MOHANDAS K. GANDHI

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on October 17, 1949, the Commission took note of Public Law 309, 81st Congress, approved September 28, 1949, "To erect a memorial to the memory of Mohandas K. Gandhi," the same to be erected "in the city of Washington, on such grounds as may be designated by the Fine Arts Commission." The Act reads as follows:

JOINT RESOLUTION

To erect a memorial to the memory of Mohandas K. Gandhi.

Whereas India's greatest leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, has met the martyr's death; and Whereas the beloved Gandhi throughout his life had brought to the people of India and peoples everywhere the meaning of a selfless devotion to peace, and with it the gift of his own unbounded spiritual wealth; and Whereas

Mohandas Gandhi's uncompromisable strength led India to the independence for which it had sorely struggled; and

Whereas the impact of his personality upon history is undeniable; and

Whereas in consideration of the cordial relations exist. ing between the people of the United States and the people of India, and in the hope that a memorial to his memory in the United States may further those cordial cultural and spiritual relations between these two countries, and in the further hope that such a memorial will awaken and keep alive in people everywhere the sense of their individual dignity and independence as well as an abhorrence for civil, religious, and communal strife anywhere: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That authority is hereby granted to the India League of America, or any other organization which may be organized for this purpose, to erect, within five years from the date of the approval of this resolution, a memorial testifying to the wisdom and leadership of Mohandas K. Gandhi, as philosopher and statesman, in the city of Washington, on such grounds as may be designated by the Fine Arts Commission, subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library. The model of the memorial so to be erected

shall be first approved by the said Commission and by the Joint Committee on the Library, the same to be presented to the people of the United States without cost to the Government of the United States: Provided, That the cost of custodian maintenance of the edifice contemplated by this Act will be borne perpetually by the organization undertaking its original construction.

Approved September 28, 1949.

The Secretary reported that the India League proposes erecting a memorial building on a five-acre tract, the building to contain a library, an auditorium, and a memorial hall commemorating Gandhi's work for the liberation of India.

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on January 6, 1950, Chairman Clarke called attention to a letter received from Mr. J. J. Singh, President of the India League of America, of New York City, enclosing a copy of an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General of the United States, as well as a copy of a letter from Congressman Celler, advising that, under the Act of Congress providing for the Gandhi Memorial, the Commission of Fine Arts would be authorized to select public grounds for the memorial:

*The Fine Arts Commission is vested with authority to advise upon the location of statues, fountains, and monuments in the public squares, streets, and parks in the District of Columbia, 40 U.S.C. 104. The Joint Committee on the Library is composed of the chairman and four members of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the chairman and four members of the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, 2 U.S.C. 132b. Its duties relate primarily to the library and such other duties as may be conferred by law. There is nothing in the above-cited sections to indicate that either the Fine Arts Commission or the Committee on the Library has any peculiar duties in relation to securing sites in the District of Columbia.

Under the language of Public Law 309, it appears that the site for the proposed memorial is to be designated by the Fine Arts Commission, which has authority to advise on the location of monuments in the public squares, streets, and parks in the District. In view of the fact that the powers of the Commission are not enlarged for the purpose of this Act, and since the Commission has no apparent authority over private property, it would seem that the site must necessarily be on public land in one of those areas which come under the purview of the Commission's jurisdiction.

The Act provides that the memorial is to be constructed by the India League of America, or by any other organization that might be organized for that purpose, and donated to the United States. There is no authority in the Act to divest the United States of title to the land to be chosen for the site, but there

does appear to be authority to dedicate a tract of public land to be used for the memorial and an acceptance by the United States of the memorial when constructed.

In accordance with this authority, the Commission of Fine Arts proceeded to consider public grounds that would be suitable for the Memorial.

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on June 25, and 26, 1951, the Secretary submitted the following report on the subject:

On Friday afternoon, June 15th, Mr. J. J. Singh, President of the India League of America, 40 East 49th Street, New York City, Mr. de Weldon, Mr. T. C. Jeffers of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Mr. Merrel S. Sager of the Office of National Capital Parks, and I, drove to Barnard Hill Park in northeast Washington, about five miles from the White House, for inspection of the site, in particular by Mr. Singh.

We pointed out the relative importance of the location with reference to the Plan of Washington, adjacent to the Fort Drive; and while it is a considerable distance from the center of the city, the site is in a residential area. Mr. Jeffers explained that the National Capital Park and Planning Commission has plans for additional highways and that some of them will lead to the locality.

The entire park area comprises fully 15 acres. It is high ground with a tract of level ground in the center, comprising four or five acres. Mr. Singh said this would meet the needs of their memorial project, providing a site for a memorial building and space for a garden.

Part of the area is used for picnic grounds as well as tennis courts. It was decided that, if the India League of America accepts the site suggested for the Gandhi Memorial, a plot plan of the grounds should be made, showing the space reserved for the various features to comprise the entire tract, including parking lots.

Mr. Singh was considerably impressed with the site. He said he would take up the matter with his Memorial Committee, and advise the Commission of Fine Arts on the action taken.

Thereupon, the Secretary presented a letter received from Mr. Singh reporting on the action taken by his Executive Committee, particularly with reference to the Barnard Hill Park site as a location for their proposed memorial; they are in favor of it under certain conditions.

The Commission decided that a copy of Mr. Singh's letter be sent to the National Capital Park and Planning Commission and to the National Park Service, requesting their recommendations in the matter. The letter from Mr. Singh reads as follows:

June 21, 1951. DEAR MR. FINLEY: I would refer you to your letter of April 30.

On June 15, I was in Washington to see the sites mentioned by you in your letter of April 30, for the proposed Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Washington.

Mr. H. P. Caemmerer, Secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts; Mr. Felix W. deWeldon, sculptor member of the Commission of Fine Arts; Mr. T. C. Jeffers, of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission; and Mr. Merle Sager, of the National Park Service, were kind enough to drive me to all the three sites.

The site at Porter St. and Klingle Road has hardly about one acre of Government land. Therefore, as intimated in our previous correspondence, we could not consider this site.

The site near Fort Totten is so located that on one side there is an elevation of several hundred feet with apartment houses situated on it. It would not be suitable to have the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial overlooked by apartment houses.

This limits us to the site at the Barnard Hill Park, near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Bunker Hill Road, northeast.

At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the India League, held on June 19, the question of the sites was discussed, and I have been authorized to write to you to the following effect:

The Committee felt that the Barnard Hill Park site is, undoubtedly, far out. And as there are no good public transportation facilities, such as buses or streetcars, it would not be quite convenient for meetings and other functions at the Memorial.

The Committee felt that it would be much more suitable if the Memorial could be located in a more central part of the District of Columbia.

I informed the Committee that, notwithstanding the best intentions of the three departments involved to find a more suitable site, there just wasn't any other site that these three departments could offer.

I also said that inasmuch as the Barnard Hill Park, site stands at an elevation of about 100 feet above the surrounding areas, and that there was nothing in the near vicinity which would overlook the Memorial.

I told the Committee that because of the large area and the elevation, an excellent landscaping job could be done.

I also said that inasmuch as the Barnard Hill Park, covering an approximate area of fifteen acres, is government land, there will be no danger of any commercial or private project being erected on this land.

In short, I convinced the Committee that, barring the fact that the site was a little too far away from the center of the town, it had all other advantages.

As a result, I wish to inform you that the Barnard Hill Park site will be acceptable to us for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Washington, D.C.

However, we wish to add the following:

(a) That not less than half of the area of Barnard Hill Park should be allotted for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.

(b) That it is understood that no other building will be erected on the balance of the site.

(c) That it is also understood that whatever use is made of the other half of this site, it will be in keeping with the spirit of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.

(d) As I personally indicated to the representatives of the three departments who accompanied me to this site, the area which stands highest on the hill is to be designated for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.

I hope I have made all the points clear. However, if there is any additional information that your Commission would like to have, I shall be most happy to furnish the same.

I also hope that a recommendation for this land will be made to the Joint Committee on the Library at as early a date as possible.

Sincerely yours,

J. J. SINGH.

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on August 17, 1951, the Commission considered the reports by the National Park Service and by the National Capital Planning Commission agreeing to making the Barnard Hill Park site available for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, provided Mr. J. J. Singh, President of the India League of America, agrees to certain "provisos" set forth as a consequence of a number of stipulations made by him in connection with the proposed use of this location for the memorial. The National Park Service reported as follows:

July 20, 1951.

DEAR MR. FINLEY: Your letter of June 26, requested the views of the National Park Service regarding the proposed location of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Barnard Hill Park and the other questions raised by Mr. Singh, President of the India League of America in his letter to you of June 21.

The National Park Service will recommend the location of Barnard Hill Park for this memorial. However, Mr. Singh stipulates: "(a) That not less than half of the area of Barnard Hill Park should be alloted for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial." Our records show Barnard Hill plus adjacent Fort Drive property to contain more than 30 acres. It is my understanding that in previous talks Mr. Singh spoke of an area of 5 acres as being quite adequate for the memorial. Therefore, the National Park Service would be reluctant to allot more than 5 acres and under no circumstances would we agree to allot one-half of the reservation.

Mr. Singh's second stipulation was: “(b) That it is understood that no other building will be erected on the balance of the site." The National Park Service could not agree to a stipulation which would result in undesirable restrictions in the use and development of the remainder of the area. In conversation with Mr. Singh he was given assurance that the remainder of the park area would not be developed in a manner which would be incongruous or out of keeping with

the memorial. It is quite conceivable that such a development or use might require the erection of one or more buildings.

Mr. Singh's third stipulation: "(c) That it is also understood that whatever use is made of the other half of this site, it will be in keeping with the spirit of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial" is taken care of in the previous paragraph.

This Service is aware of no objection to Mr. Singh's fourth and last stipulation that the area which stands highest on the hill is to be designated for the memorial. Sincerely yours,

A. E. DEMARAY,

Director.

The National Capital Planning Commission reported as follows:

DEAR MR. FINLEY: In accordance with your letter of June 26, 1951, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, at its meeting on August 3, 1951, considered Barnard Hill Park as a site for the proposed Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. A study by the Commission's staff illustrated one possibility of development that would harmonize with the area to be retained for park use.

The Commission voted to approve the use of a part of Barnard Hill Park, in the vicinity of Eastern Avenue and Randolph Street, NE., as a site for the Gandhi Memorial, subject to acceptance of plans for the development of the site and for the building to be erected. Sincerely yours,

CONRAD L. WIRTH, Acting Executive Officer. Thereupon a letter was sent to Mr. Singh, asking for a specific reply before the matter is taken up further with the Joint Committee on the Library, which must finally approve the site, as follows:

August 17, 1951.

DEAR MR. SINGH: Upon the receipt of your letter of June 21, 1951, tentatively approving the Barnard Hill Park site for the proposed Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, it was decided, at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on June 25th, to request the views of the National Park Service and of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission as to the question of making the site available, in the light of stipulations which you presented:

(a) That not less than half of the area of Barnard Hill Park should be allotted for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial;

(b) That it is understood that no other building will be erected on the balance of the site;

(c) That it is also understood that, whatever use is made of the other half of this site, it will be in keeping with the spirit of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial;

(d) As I personally indicated to the representatives of the three departments who accompanied me to this site, the area whichs stands highest on the hill is to be designated for the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial.

I am enclosing a copy of a report from the National Park Service, replying to the stipulations as above stated.

The National Capital Park and Planning Commission, at a meeting held on August 3, 1951, "voted to approve the use of a part of Barnard Hill Park, in the vicinity of Eastern Avenue and Randolph Street, N.E., as a site for the Gandhi Memorial, subject to the acceptance of plans for the development of the site and for the building to be erected."

Before bringing this matter again to the attention of the Joint Committee on the Library, the Commission of Fine Arts desires that your Committee give further consideration to it, with a view to a concurrence in the provisos as set forth by the National Park Service and the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Commission of Fine Arts feels that they have made a reasonable compliance with your desires concerning the Barnard Hill Park site. Sincerely yours,

DAVID E. FINLEY,

Chairman.

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on April 30, 1952, Chairman Finley presented a letter dated April 9, 1952, that he had received from Mr. J. J. Singh, President of the India League of America, 40 East 49th Street, New York City, advising that "Our Committee will accept the Barnard Hill Park site for the proposed Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi." Mr. Singh asked that, instead of restricting the area of the Memorial to 5 acres, it be increased to from 5 to 6 acres.

The Secretary reported that he took up this matter with the Director of the National Park Service, who agreed to Mr. Singh's request, as follows:

April 29, 1952.

DEAR MR. CAEMMERER: I have considered the contents of Mr. J. J. Singh's letter of April 9, to Mr. David E. Finley, Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, which you transmitted on April 24, requesting that the National Park Service consider enlarging the original five acre track of land at Barnard Hill as a site for the erection of a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Realizing that a memorial which has not yet been designed should not be restricted and controlled too rigidly by a specific area, please convey to Mr. Singh the willingness on the part of the National Park Service to provide an adequate site not to exceed six acres for this memorial. It is understood, of course, that if less than six acres or less than the five acres originally indicated are sufficient, the National Park Service wil cooperate with Mr. Singh's organization in determining the actual area so assigned.

Sincerely yours,

CONRAD L. WIRTH, Director.

The Commission concurred in the letter from Director Wirth of the National Park Service. Accordingly, a letter was sent to the Honorable Theodore F. Green, Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library, United States Senate, recommending approval of the site by his Committee, as required by Public Law 309, 81st Congress.

Mr. Singh was informed of the action taken by the Commission of Fine Arts.

STATUE OF SIMON BOLIVAR

At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on July 20, 1950, the Secretary called attention to an Act of Congress (Public Law 157, approved July 5, 1949), authorizing the erection in the District of Columbia of a statue of Simon Bolivar. The act reads as follows:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to grant authority to the Simon Bolivar Memorial Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia, to erect a bronze statue of the liberator, Simon Bolivar, the gift of the Government of Venezuela, including pedestal, on an appropriate site on grounds now owned by the United States in the District of Columbia: Provided, That the design of the statue, including the pedestal, and the site chosen shall be approved by the National Commission of Fine Arts, and the United States shall be put to no expense in or by the erection of this statue and proper landscape treatment of the site, so as to provide a proper setting, including planting, walks, and curbs: Provided further, That unless the erection of this statue is begun within five years from and after the date of passage of this joint resolution, the authorization hereby granted is revoked.

The Secretary reported further that Dr. John M. C. Crane, of Washington, was acting as liaison officer in this matter. The site suggested was a triangle in front of the Interior Department Building adjacent to C Street. Choice of this site would place the statue near the Pan American Union.

On the afternoon of a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on May 20 and 21, 1951, the Commission inspected a model for an equestrian statue of Simon Bolivar at the studio of Mr. de Weldon, in northeast Washington. The Commission was well pleased with the model and congratulated Mr. de Weldon on his work. A report of approval was sent to the Simon Bolivar Memorial Foundation.