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1976/06/30 S3475 Display of Historical Documents in Capitol
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1669364
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1976/06/30 S3475 Display of Historical Documents in Capitol
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White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files
Legislation Case Files
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Washington (D.C.)
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976
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1976-06-30
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 47, folder "6/30/76 S3475 Display of Historical
Documents in Capitol" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at the
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
Digitized from Box 47 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
APPROVED
86/30/16
JUN30 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION
WASHINGTON
Last Day: July 2
June 28, 1976
Posted
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE PRESIDENT
6/30
FROM:
JIM CANNON
30 archives
SUBJECT:
S. 3475-Display of Historical
Documents in Capitol
./3"
Attached for your consideration is S. 3475, sponsored by
Senator Cannon. The enrolled bill would authorize the
Architect of the Capitol to display within the Capitol
during the Bicentennial year, the historical drawings
which resulted from the architectural competition held
in 1793 for the design of the Capitol building.
Additional information is provided in OMB's enrolled
bill report at Tab A.
OMB, Max Friedersdorf, Counsel's Office (Lazarus) and I
recommend approval of the enrolled bill.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign S. 3475 at Tab B.
FORD is LIBRARY 838870
OF TINE
&
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
UNITED
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
I
SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
JUN 24 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill S. 3475 - Display of historical documents
in Capitol
Sponsor - Sen. Cannon (D) Nevada
Last Day for Action
July 2, 1976 - Friday
Purpose
To authorize the Architect of the Capitol to display certain
drawings within the Capitol Building.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Discussion
S. 3475 would authorize the Architect of the Capitol, with the
approval of the Joint Committee on the Library, to place on display
within the Capitol Building during the Bicentennial year, the
historical drawings which resulted from the architectural competi-
tion held in 1793 for the design of the Capitol Building. It would
also authorize the Architect, under the direction of the Joint
Committee, to make arrangements for the protection of the drawings.
The various drawings submitted in connection with the 1793 competi-
tion are now in the possession of the Maryland Historical Society.
Current law provides that "no work of art or manufacture other than
the property of the United States" shall be exhibited in the corri-
dors of the Capitol. Accordingly, the enrolled bill is necessary to
suspend the statutory prohibition and allow these historical docu-
ments to be placed on display.
James m. Frey Assistant Director
for Legislative Reference
Enclosures
THE WHITE' HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date: Jnne 25
Time: 100am
on
FOR ACTION: Max Friedersdorf
Jack Marsh
CC (for information):
Ken Lazarus
on
Jim Cavanaugh
Ed Schmults
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: June 25
430pm
Time:
SUBJECT:
S. 3475 - Display of historical documents in Capitol
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
please return to Judy Johnston, Ground Floor West Wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date: June 25
Time: 100am
FOR ACTION: Max Friedersdorf
Jack Marsh
CC (for information):
Ken Lazarus
Jim Cavanaugh
Ed Schmults
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
June 25
430pm
DUE: Date:
Time:
SUBJECT:
S. 3475 - Display of historical documents in Capitol
ACTION REQUESTED:
--
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
please return to Judy Johnston, Ground Floor West Wing
No objection - -- Ken Lazarus 6/25/76
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
James M. Cannott
delay in submitting the required material, please
for the President
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 25, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CAVANAUGH
FROM:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF u.6
SUBJECT:
S.3475 - Display of historical documents in Capitol
The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs with the agencies
that the
subject bill be signed.
Attachments
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
C1-24-76
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
state
JUN 24 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill S. 3475 - Display of historical documents
in Capitol
Sponsor - Sen. Cannon (D) Nevada
Last Day for Action
July 2, 1976 - Friday
Purpose
To authorize the Architect of the Capitol to display certain
drawings within the Capitol Building.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Discussion
S. 3475 would authorize the Architect of the Capitol, with the
approval of the Joint Committee on the Library, to place on display
within the Capitol Building during the Bicentennial year, the
historical drawings which resulted from the architectural competi-
tion held in 1793 for the design of the Capitol Building. It would
also authorize the Architect, under the direction of the Joint
Committee, to make arrangements for the protection of the drawings.
The various drawings submitted in connection with the 1793 competi-
tion are now in the possession of the Maryland Historical Society.
Current law provides that "no work of art or manufacture other than
the property of the United States" shall be exhibited in the corri-
dors of the Capitol. Accordingly, the enrolled bill is necessary to
suspend the statutory prohibition and allow these historical docu-
ments to be placed on display.
James M. Frey
Assistant Director
for Legislative Reference
Enclosures
Attached document was not scanned because it is duplicated elsewhere in the document
Calendar No. 879
94TH CONGRESS
SENATE
REPORT
2d Session
No. 94-924
RELATING TO THE DISPLAY OF CERTAIN HISTORICAL
DOCUMENTS WITHIN THE U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING
DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1976
JUNE 3. 1976.-Ordered to be printed
Mr. CANNON, from the Committee on Rules and Administration,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 3475]
The Committee on Rules and Administration, to which was referred
the bill (S. 3475) relating to the display of certain historical documents
within the United States Capitol Building during the calendar year
1976, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
S. 3475 would authorize the Architect of the Capitol, with the ap-
proval of the Joint Committee on the Library, to place on display
within the United States Capitol Building during the Bicentennial
year the historical drawings which resulted from the architectural
competition held in 1793 for the design of the Capitol Building.
Section 1815 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (40 U.S.C.
189) provides:
No work of art or manufacture other than the property of
the United States shall be exhibited in the National Statuary
Hall, the Rotunda, or the corridors of the Capitol.
S. 3475 would in effect suspend that provision for the sole purpose of
permitting the Architect to display these historical documents, which
are not presently the property of the United States.
The various drawings that were submitted by the entrants to the
competition held in 1793 for the original design of the Capitol Build-
ing are now in the possession of the Maryland Historical Society.
It is understood that they were given to the Society by the heirs of
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the second Architect of the Capitol (1803-
1817). The present Architect of the Capitol, George M. White, notes
57-010
2
3
that his office and the Library of Congress are actively interested in
It is perhaps also worthy of note that the Library of Congress and
exploring further the initial overtures that have been made regarding
this office are actively interested in exploring further the initial over-
permanent acquisition of these documents by the government.
tures that have been made regarding permanent acquisition of these
Mr. White states that the Maryland Historical Society has agreed
documents by the government.
to lend the historical drawings to the Architect of the Capitol for
Thus, because of their special nature, it is my judgment that per-
display during the summer of this year. He proposes to display them
mitting their exhibit would set no adverse precedent that would pre-
in the Crypt area immediately below the Rotunda, where security
clude the government from the future enforcement of 40 USC 189,
measures are in operation for the existing display.
and I therefore recommended the approval by the Joint Committee
Additional information relative to the purposes of S. 3475 is con-
on the Library of the proposed bill to provide for that exhibition.
tained in a letter addressed to Senator Howard W. Cannon, Chairman,
Cordially,
Joint Committee on the Library, by George M. White, Architect of
GEORGE M. WHITE, FAIA,
the Capitol, and in a letter addressed to Mr. White by Mrs. Romaine
Architect of the Capitol.
Stec Somerville, Assistant Director/Curator of the Maryland His-
torical Society, which letters are as follows:
MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL,
Washington, D.C., April 20, 1976.
Baltimore, Md., pril 22, 1976.
Mr. GEORGE M. WHITE, FAIA,
Hon. HOWARD W. CANNON,
Chairman, Joint Committee on the Library,
Architect of the Capitol,
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The various drawings that were submitted
DEAR MR. WHITE: At their last regular meeting, the Gallery Com-
by the entrants to the competition held in 1793 for the original
mittee of the Maryland Historical Society recommended approval of
your request to borrow the drawings for the Capitol from the Capitol
design of the Capitol have been loaned by the Maryland Historical
Society to the American Institute of Architects for an exhibition
Competition of 1792, owned by the Maryland Historical Society, for
an exhibition to be held from June 18 to September 7, 1976 at the
which is now in effect at the Octagon House.
Because of the significance of these drawings to the history of the
United States Capitol, provided that your office will assume responsi-
bility for the packing and transportation of the drawings from the
Capitol, it seemed appropriate, especially in this bicentennial year,
to arrange for a similar exhibition here in the Capitol. Upon my in-
Octagon to the Capitol; and provided that at the close of the exhi-
bition at the Capitol on September 7, 1976, the above drawings be
quiry, the Maryland Historical Society has agreed to such a loan for
immediately shipped to: New Orleans Museum of Art, P.O. Box
the summer of this year. I therefore propose to display the drawings
19123, City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana 70179, to the attention of
in the Crypt area immediately below the Rotunda, where we have se-
E. John Bullard, Director, for an exhibition which is scheduled to
curity measures in operation for the existing display.
open on September 10, 1976; and provided that the staff of the New
As you know, 40 USC 189 provides that "No work of art or manu-
facture other than the property of the United States shall be exhibited
Orleans Museum be given access to the drawings during the exhibi-
in the National Statutory Hall, the Rotunda, or the corridors of the
tion to prepare shipping containers, etc. This recommendation was
Capitol."
approved by the Council on the Society on April 19, 1976.
Also, 40 USC 188 provides that "The Joint Committee on the
Loan forms for your signature (with confirmation of insurance
Library, whenever, in their judgment, it is expedient, are authorized
value) will follow shortly.
to accept any work of the fine arts, on behalf of Congress, which may
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) ROMAINE STEC SOMERVILLE,
be offered, and to assign the same such place in the capitol as they
Assistant Director/Curator.
may deem suitable, and shall have the supervision of all works of art
that may be placed in the capitol."
It is evident that, as submissions to the government for the 1793
competition, with no provision for title to remain in the individual
competitors, the items that comprise this exhibit were at one time
the property of the United States. There is, further, some ambiguity
with regard to how the documents came into the possession of Benja-
min Henry Latrobe, the second Architect of the Capitol (1803-1817),
whose heirs gave them to the Maryland Historical Society. Even
though the documents may have been abandoned or perhaps given to
Latrobe, since they were indeed originally the property of the United
States, the are thus distinguishable, in my judgment, from other items
that are not and have not been SO title.
S.R. 924
S.R. 924
S. 3475
Minety-fourth Congress of the United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the nineteenth day of January,
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six
An Act
Relating to the display of certain historical documents within the United States
Capitol Building during the calendar year 1976.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That nothing con-
tained in the provisions of section 1815 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States (40 U.S.C. 189), or any other law, shall be construed
as prohibiting the Architect of the Capitol, during the Bicentennial
year from displaying, in such manner and within such area of the
United States Capitol Building, as the Architect of the Capitol, with
the approval of the Joint Committee on the Library, shall determine,
the historical drawings which resulted from the architectural com-
petition held in 1793 for the design of the United States Capitol
Building.
SEC. 2. For the purpose of displaying such historical drawings in
the United States Capitol Building, the Architect of the Capitol, under
the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, is authorized to
enter into such arrangements or agreements as may be necessary in
order to assure the protection of the aforementioned drawings while
such drawings are under his supervision.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.