Chapter 243. To set apart a portion of the Arlington estate for experimental agricultural purposes, and to place said portion under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and his successors in office
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CHAP. 243.— An Act To set apart a portion of the Arlington estate for experimental agricultural purposes, and to place said portion under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and his successors in office. April 18, 1900. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That jurisdiction is hereby Experimental agriculture on Arlington estate. Jurisdiction given Secretary of Agriculture of lands. transferred and given to the Secretary of Agriculture and his successors in office over so much of the Government land in Alexandria County, Virginia, known as the Arlington estate, as lies east of the public road leading from the Aqueduct Bridge to Alexandria, Virginia, otherwise called the Georgetown and Alexandria road, and between said road —location. and the Potomac River, containing about four hundred acres, with the exception, however, of a strip of land as follows, commencing at the point where the Georgetown and Alexandria road enters the Arlington estate on the north side, thence along said road six hundred and twenty-136five yards, thence in a line perpendicular to said road to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, thence along said canal to the south line of the reservation, jurisdiction over which is retained by the Secretary of War.
Sec. 2. Intent of act. That the declared purpose of this Act is to set apart said tract of land as a general experimental farm in its broadest sense, where all that pertains to agriculture in its several and different branches, including animal industry and horticulture, may be fostered and encouraged, and the practice and science of farming in the United States advanced, promoted, and practically illustrated. Sec. 3. Secretary given immediate control of property, etc. That the Secretary of Agriculture Will take immediate and absolute control of said property described in section one, and by clearing, underdraining, grassing, laying out proper roads and driveways, constructing proper bridges and buildings, and in other ways as his judgment may dictate bring said property as rapidly as possible into the proper condition to answer the purposes for which it is set apart: *Provisos*.
Existing sewers, etc., not to be obstructed. *Provided*, That all improvements of or which may at any time be made upon said premises, as herein contemplated, shall be so located, constructed, and maintained as not to interfere with or obstruct the natural waterways or the sewers or other means now established or which may hereafter be provided, constructed, or maintained for the purpose of affording proper drainage and sewerage to the other portions of said —or rights of Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Railway impaired. estate: *And provided further*, That this Act shall not impair or interfere with any of the rights heretofore granted by Act of Congress to the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Railway Company to construct, maintain, and operate its electric railroad across the said portion of the estate lying east of said public road.
Sec. 4. Secretary given full discretion, etc. That in the development, improvement, and management of said property full discretion is hereby given the Secretary of Agriculture and his successors in office to carry into effect the declared purposes of this Act. Sec. 5. Effect. That this Act shall be in force from its passage. Approved, April 18, 1900.