Where can I find an old US government report?

July 1, 2010 10:26 AM

Where can I find an old US government document? I found a reference to it in the June 1912 Monthly Catalogue of United States Public Documents: Sabath, A. J. Report amending by substitute H. 23284, to authorize Great Northern Development Company to construct dam across Missisippi River from Scott Countv, Iowa, to Rock Island Countv, 111. June 14, 1912. 3 p. (H. rp. 891.)
posted by clockworkjoe to Law & Government (8 answers total)

Best bet is to call or go to your nearest government depository library and ask them. Government repositories are weird and arcane places, but the people who run them know, I swear, everything. If your profile information is correct, call or IM these folks and they should be able to get you headed int eh right direction.
posted by jessamyn at 10:30 AM on July 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Oops. I copied the wrong report. It's actually Report amending by substitute H. 24067, authorizing construction of dam across Osage River in Miller Countv, Mo. [bv Ralph Morrison].
June 14, 1912. 3 p. (H. rp. 892.)
posted by clockworkjoe at 10:47 AM on July 1, 2010

I was about to point you to Pickler Library in Kirksville, MO, but it looks like Jessamyn already pointed you in that direction. Plus, Bolivar is obviously closer. Best of luck!
posted by fyrebelley at 10:56 AM on July 1, 2010

Response by poster: If it helps, it is in a section called:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Official directory. House of Representatives, 62d Congress, 2d session
[seating arrangement of Members]. June 11, 1912. folder, il. J

Under the subsection:

INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE COMMITTEE
posted by clockworkjoe at 11:02 AM on July 1, 2010

Ask a law librarian. These are real-live Library of Congress reference librarians, and they do this sort of thing all day.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:30 AM on July 1, 2010

Just to say:

Unless there's something that indicates otherwise, this is not likely to be a report about the bridge in the sense that "government report" usually means. It's most probably a committee report, which is to say the text of an amended bill with maybe some accompanying language about actions in committee.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:30 AM on July 1, 2010

Best answer: Hi, this is Mike's sister, the aforementioned previous gov docs librarian. I think I can get you a digital copy. Will MeMail.
posted by rikhei at 12:21 PM on July 1, 2010

If rikhei can't find it I think our library has it in microfiche, but I'd have to go look in the micro to be sure. So let me know if you still need it.
posted by interplanetjanet at 12:38 PM on July 1, 2010