2d Session. No. 305. CUSTOM-HOUSE AT TOLEDO. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, IN ANSWER TO A resolution of the House of 18th ult., relative to the custom-house at Toledo, Ohio. JUNE 3, 1868.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, June 1, 1868. SIR: The following resolution, adopted by the House of Representatives on the 18th of May last, was duly received: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to inform this house of the condition of the custom-house and post office at Toledo, Ohio, and what appropriation is needed for such additions and repairs to said building as have been reported necessary for the safety of the public property, and the safe conduct of the public business therein; also whether the interests of the government would not be better subserved by selling the present building and erecting a new one. Herewith I have the honor to hand you a communication from the supervising architect of the Treasury Department, which is intended to answer fully the resolution referred to. SIR: In accordance with your instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report on the condition of the custom-house building at Toledo, Ohio, with estimates of the cost of repairing and completing the building, and fencing and grading the grounds. I also submit for your consideration my views in regard to the propriety of disposing of the present building, and erecting a suitable and commodious structure in a proper location: The building is wretchedly constructed, and was never adapted to the wants of the government, and is now less so than ever, in consequence of the great increase in the trade of Toledo. The grade of the streets adjoining the building has been reduced several feet since its erection, greatly increasing the difficulties of access, and rendering a large expense for grading, paving, and refacing the basement story of the building, inevitable. The building is at present in so bad a condition that it is scarcely habitable, and requires immediate repairs. An appropriation of $10,000 for the repairs of the building was made in 1866, and plans prepared for such alterations and repairs as were deemed indispensable. Careful estimates were prepared, and, as it was found that that sum was entirely inadequate, no further action was taken. These estimates have been revised in accordance with your instructions, and I am of the opinion that the necessary work cannot be done for less than $35,000 or $40,000. The result would even then be only an unsatisfactory and inconvenient building. The following extract from the annual report of this office, made September 30, 1863, will show the condition of the building at that time, viz : This building was never properly completed, and is somewhat out of repair. Repairs have been ordered which will, it is hoped, protect it during the winter, and nothing but an almost, if not entire, reconstruction can remedy the evil. The lot has never been fenced or graded, and is, in its present condition, a disgrace to the department. The roof was slightly repaired, but since that date no repairs have been put upon the building, and it is now a still greater disgrace to the government. As regards the advantages to be derived from selling the present customhouse, and erecting a suitable building in a more eligible and central locality, I cannot speak with confidence, but I am advised by prominent citizens of Toledo that the property could be sold at its original cost, say, $55,000 or $60,000, and that a number of sites, each more desirable, can be procured for a sum not exceeding $35,000 or $40,000. Under these circumstances, I am of the opinion that it would be more desirable to dispose of the present property than to expend so large a sum in repairing a structure that will be at best unsuitable and inconvenient, and will probably be in a few years entirely inadequate for the transaction of the business of the port. If the property, as it stands, could be sold for $60,000 or $65,000, and a new and more central location procured for $30,000 or $35,000, there would be a surplus of $30,000 or $35,000, which, added to the estimated cost for necessary repairs for the present building, $40,000, and there would be a building fund of $70,000 or $75,000. A small appropriation in addition to this amount would enable this department to erect a building which would be adequate to the wants of the growing city and the necessities of the government. Very respectfully, Hon. HUGH MCCULLOCH, A. B. MULLETT, Secretary of the Treasury. An appropriation for a bridge to connect Rock Island arsenal with the city of Rock Island, Illinois. JUNE 9, 1868.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, June 8, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to send herewith, for the consideration of the proper committee, a communication of June 3, from the Chief of Ordnance, recommending an appropriation of $100,000 for the construction of a bridge to connect Rock Island arsenal with the city of Rock Island, Illinois. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SCHUYLer Colfax, J. M. SCHOFIELD, Secretary of War. Speaker of the House of Representatives. ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR Department, SIR: The temporary bridge connecting Rock Island arsenal with the city of Rock Island, on the Illinois shore, was destroyed by ice and flood during the past winter, and there are now no means of communication between them but a temporary ferry. The necessities of the public service require frequent communication of persons and transfer of materials between the city and arsenal, and the re-establishment of a bridge is necessary. A permanent bridge is preferable for every reason, and on the ground of economy. The estimate for the construction of such a bridge is $100,000, and I recommend that an appropriation of that sum be requested from Congress for the purpose. I enclose herewith a letter from Brevet Brigadier General Rodman, commanding Rock Island arsenal, on the subject of this bridge, and also of another between the arsenal and the town of Moline. The appropriation for the latter is not now requested, because not deemed immediately necessary. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. DYER, Brevet Major General, Chief Ordnance. Hon. J. M. Schofield, Secretary of War. ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, May 13, 1868. SIR: I deem it proper respectfully to call the attention of the department to the importance of re-establishing communication, by bridge, between this arsenal and Rock Island city, during the coming summer and fall. We shall, otherwise, be entirely cut off from access to the main land during the periods of forming and of breaking up of ice in the river. These periods usually vary from two to four weeks in the fall, and perhaps a shorter period in the spring. And as there must be a permanent bridge erected at the point named at no distant day, I have no doubt as to the propriety, even on the score of economy alone, to say nothing of the greater convenience and safety to life and property, of building a permanent bridge at once. I would therefore suggest that Congress be asked to appropriate, as soon as practicable, the necessary funds, say $100,000, for the erection of a permanent bridge at the point above named. When in Washington I named $80,000 as the amount required for this bridge. That estimate contemplated a bridge of three spans of 150 feet each; but on examination, since my return, I find that the width of the channel, or inlet of water, at the head of the island, is about 600 feet, and the outlet or width of waterway at the foot of the island ought to be about as great; otherwise the amount of the contemplated water power will be diminished by the accumulation of water below the dam and above the bridge. The citizens of this vicinity, and especially those of Moline, are very anxious that a permanent bridge be constructed from Rock Island to that town. And the same argument as to economy, &c., applies to this as to the Rock Island bridge, though it is not at this time so essentially necessary to the public interest; nevertheless it is in my judgment of sufficient public importance to justify its erection at the earliest practicable period. It would cost about the same amount of money as the Rock Island bridge. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. RODMAN, Lieut. Col. of Ordnance, Bvt. Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Commanding. Brevet Major General A. B. Dyer, Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D. C. Certain papers relative to the Bergen Heights arsenal property, recommending its sale, as no longer needed by the government. JUNE 9, 1868.-Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, June 6, 1868. SIR: At the instance of the Quartermaster General of the army, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the action of the proper committee, certain papers relating to the Bergen Heights arsenal property, situated in Hudson county, in the State of New Jersey, and belonging to the United States. This property being no longer required for the public service, the Quartermaster General, for the reasons set forth in his accompanying letter, recommends that it be sold at public auction, which recommendation is concurred in by this department. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX, Speaker of the House of Representatives. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Secretary of War. QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith the enclosed application of L. Perrine, quartermaster general New Jersey, in behalf of the State of New Jersey, for the use of the "Bergen Heights Arsenal property," situated in Hudson county, New Jersey, and to report That this property was purchased in 1812 for $2,100. Was sold by the United States in 1827, but the purchasers failed to comply with their engagements, and it became the subject of litigation. In 1843 it was recovered by the United States by law and was placed in charge of the quartermasters' department. |