Evening star., 1935-06-09
BILLS SEEK TO AID
HISTORICAL SITES
President Backs Measures
Asking Federal Aid in
Development.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

The part the Federal Government
should take in preserving for future
generations historic buildings and OBJ
jects throughout the country may be
defined by the enactment OF perma-
nent. comprehensive legislation before
the present session ends.
Two bills to accomplish the purpose
have Just been reported favorably to
the Senate from the Public Lands
Committee by Senator Murray, Demo-
crat, Of Montana.
One bill would declare II TO be
national policy to preserve for public
use. historic sites. buildings and OBJ
jects. for the inspiration and beneht
OF the people Of the United States.
The National Park Service Is desig-
mated as the agency to carry on the
necessary research and formulate
plans.
The other, a companion measure,
sets up a national trust fund board
to receive and administer gifts or be-
quests intrusted to the National Park
Service.
Backed by President.
Letters included In Senator Muir
rays report reveal that the bills have
the backing of President Roosevelt
and Secretary Of Interior Ickes.
1t Is not the purpose Of the legisla-
tion in its present form to vest the
Government with compulsory power
to take over those historic places al
ready being preserved for the benefit
of the public by the States or by pri-
vate or patriotic organizations. 1t
would enable the Government. how
ever, to proceed in systematic way
with surveys and research to deter
! mine the historic and archaeologic
places which possess exceptional value
as commemorating or Illustrating the
history of the United States.
| In his letter to the Public Lands
Committee, the President said he
wished to make known his deep in
terest In the measure. the general
purpose of which Is to enable the
Federal Government. with the CO.
! operation Of the States and other
public and private agencies, to lay a
broad legal foundation for, and to
develop and carry on: a national pro-
gram for the preservation and inter-
pretation of the physical and cultural
remains Of our history"
President Emphasizes Need.
Another part OF the Presidents let
ter read as follows:
"At the present time. when so many
priceless historical buildings. sites and
remains are in grave danger Of de-
struction through the natural prog
ress OF modern industrial conditions,
the necessity for this legislation be-
comes apparent.
In this connection. feel that the
Department Of the Interior. through
the National Park Service. TO the
Jurisdiction of which I assigned this
general activity by executive orders
Of June 10 and July 2s, 1888. should
be authorized to carry forward this
increased program and to acquire
such property as 1t Is decided Is nec-
essary to the furtherance Of these
ends. The general machinery for
this work can be developed by the
National Park Service with little ad-
ditional expense
AS reported by the committee. the
btiA VIC 0~HuAsiIiOii Va kiAStOLIC
property. by gift or otherwise, one Of
the functions Of the Government, hiit
only when authorized by Congress.
The bill also contains a proviso that
no such property which is owned by
any religious and educational insti-
tuition, or which is owned or admin
istered for the benefit of the public,
shall be SO acquired without the con-
sent Of the owner"
Ickes Sees Need for Policy.
In his Endorsement of the leRisla-
ton Ickes said that, while all Amer
leans may well be proud of the &C.
complishments Of the Federal Gov
ernment in preserving the natural
and scenic treasures of the country.
many are impressed with the fact
that no well-defined national policy
has obtained for setting aside. COM
memorating and preserving historic
sites and buildings which represent
outstanding experiences of the lfe
history OF our Nation. Unfortunately.
many buildings that would be highly
prized today have already disap-