——'s ™ 
eee a ea 
‘“ FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1897-1899. 1807 
. 
January 25, 1899—House. 
Mr. Samuri W. McCatu presented petition of the American 
Library Association urging Congress to appropriate $10,000 to be 
expended under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution in pre- 
paring the Catalogue of American Scientific Literature for the coming 
year, inaccordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of State. 
Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 
January 28, 1899—House. 
Mr. Samurn W. McCatt presented petition of the trustees of the 
public library of the city of Boston recommending an appropria- 
tion to be placed at the disposal of the Smithsonian Institution to 
enable that Institution to render necessary service in connection with 
the Royal Society index of scientific publications. 
Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 
February 9, 1899—House. 
Mr. Jaxirs R. Mann presented resolution of the board of directors 
of the John Crerar Library, Chicago, Illinois, favoring an appropria- 
tion for an international catalogue of scientific literature. 
Referred to Committee on Appropriations. 
Mr. H. 8. Bourett, of Illinois, presented resolution of board of 
directors of the John Crerar Library, Chicago, Illinois, for an inter- 
national catalogue of scientific literature. 
Referred to Committee on the Library. 
: ROCK CREEK PARK. 
January 27, 1898—House. 
Mr. Aurrep C. Harmer introduced bill (H. 7336): 
Whereas it is considered desirable that Congress shall authorize the several States 
of the Union to construct within the limits of Rock Creek Park houses known as 
exhibition buildings, in which each State for itself may keep on constant exhibition 
any and all articles or things connected with its natural or industrial resources or 
evidencing its social, scientific, or artistic progress and development; and 
Whereas the extent of such park, containing, as it does, about 1,800 acres of land, 
is sufficiently great to justify the appropriation of a part of it to purposes so useful 
and beneficial as a perpetual exhibition at the nation’s capital of the natural and 
industrial resources which distinctively mark the growth and development of the 
several States which comprise the Union; and 
Whereas it is believed that such use will greatly add to the interest and enjoyment 
oi the park without in any conceivable manner lessening its attractions as a resort for 
health, recreation, or pleasure: Therefore, 
Be it enacted, etc., That the Rock Creek Park Commissioners, with the consent and 
approval of the President of the United States, are hereby authorized, on the appli- 
_ cation of the governor of any one of the States of the Union, to set aside, by properly 
designated metes and bounds, within said park, a lot or tract of ground, not less than 
one acre nor more than six acres, to enable such State to construct the necessary 
building or buildings within which to arrange the exhibits herein contemplated. 
In these buildings shall be deposited and kept, under the custody and care of 
agents and officials of the States, respectively, but subject in all respects to the gen- 
eral jurisdiction and police control of the United. States, such specimens of woods, 
minerals, marbles, stones, grains, and fruits, and other articles as distinctively mark 
