[No. 134]

AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT TO APPOINT CAPT. REGINALD ROWAN BELKNAP, UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED, A REAR ADMIRAL ON THE RETIRED LIST OF THE NAVY (H. R. 16703)

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 9, 1927.

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's letter of January 27, 1927, transmitting copy of the bill (H. R. 16703) authorizing the President to appoint Capt. Reginald Rowan Belknap, United States Navy, retired, a rear admiral on the retired list of the Navy, and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to advise you as follows: The purpose of this proposed legislation is to advance Capt. Reginald R. Belknap, United States Navy, retired, to the grade of rear admiral on the retired list of the Navy.

Captain Belknap was appointed a naval cadet on September 5, 1887, and has served continuously in the Navy, on active duty since that date. He advanced through the various grades, attaining that of captain on May 23, 1917. He was retired on June 30, 1926, under the provisions of the act of June 22, 1926 (44 Stat. 761), which directs the retirement of all officers in the grade of captain who become ineligible for promotion upon the completion of 35 years' service subsequent to graduation from the Naval Academy.

Under the provisions of the act of August 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 579), Captain Belknap, if he had not been selected to the grade of rear admiral, would have been retired on June 26, 1927, but, because the temporary legislation of June 22, 1926 (supra), substituted service in grade for age in grade ineligibility for promotion, he was retired on June 30, 1926. The records indicate that the selection boards of June, 1924, 1925, and 1926 did not recommend this officer to the grade of rear admiral, although they did recommend officers junior to him.

Captain Belknap is an officer of exceptional ability. He has been assigned duties of great responsibility and his performance of them has been a credit to the naval service. During the World War, Captain Belknap, as commander of Mine Squadron 1 of the mine force, held a flag officer's command for a period of two years and two months. This duty involved the preliminary work of organizing and training the mine-laying squadron and the actual laying in the face of an active enemy of the North Sea mine barrage, which was characterized by the Navy Department as one of the outstanding achieve

ments of the Navy; it had much to do with shortening the war and the consequent saving of many American lives. For the highly efficient performance of this duty Captain Belknap was recommended by his immediate superior, by the commander in chief, and by the Chief of Naval Operations for the distinguished service medal, and was awarded that medal in the following quoted citation:

For especially meritorious service in command of Mine Squadron 1 of the mine force, during the operation of laying mines in the North Sea, and for the excellent work in connection with the equipping of these ships for mine laying duty.

During the past several years Captain Belknap has repeatedly been recommended by his senior officers for advancement to the grade of rear admiral.

In connection with Captain Belknap's retirement, attention is invited to section 30 of the act of Congress approved March 4, 1925 (43 Stat. 1279), which reads as follows:

All officers of the Navy and Marine Corps who have been specially commended for their performance of duty in actual combat with the enemy during the World War, by the head of the Executive department under whose jurisdiction such duty was performed, when retired by reason of age ineligibility for promotion, shall be placed upon the retired list with the rank of the next higher grade and with three-fourths of the pay they would have received if not advanced in rank pursuant to this section.

Had Captain Belknap been retired because of age ineligibility for promotion he probably would have been entitled to the benefits of this act. However, since he was retired because of service ineligibility for promotion, this provision of law could not be applied to his case and he was accordingly retired in the grade of captain. It is recommended that the word "in" be inserted after the word "increase," appearing in line 11 of the bill.

The enactment of this proposed legislation will involve no additional cost to the Government.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends the enactment of the bill H. R. 16703.

Sincerely yours,

CURTIS D. WILBUR,
Secretary of the Nary.

A BILL Authorizing the President to appoint Capt. Reginald Rowan Belknap United States Navy retired a rear admiral on the retired list of the Navy

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in recognition of the exceptionally meritoriour service of Captain Reginald Rowan Belknap, United States Navy, retired, in command of Mine Squadron 1 of the mine force during the operation of laying mines in the North Sea, and for his excellent work in connection with the equipping of these ships for mine-laying duty, the President is hereby authorized to appoint him, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a rear admiral on the retired list of the Navy: Provided, That no increase nor back pay or allowances of any kind shall accrue as a result of the passage of this act.

[No. 135]

FOR THE RELIEF OF EVERETT L. FOSTER (H. R. 11503)

MM-Foster, Everett L/A18-1 (261206)L.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 9, 1927.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's letter of December 6, 1927, transmitting the bill (H. R. 11503) for the relief of Everett L. Foster, and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to advise you as follows:

The bill provides that in the administration of any laws conferring rights, privileges, or benefits on honorably discharged soldiers or sailors, Everett L. Foster shall be considered to have been honorably discharged as a seaman, second class, No. 1512681, April 19, 1921.

The records of the Navy Department show that Everett L. Foster enlisted in the Navy at Des Moines, Iowa, on September 15, 1917. During his period of service his record shows he committed the following offenses:

September 28, 1918: Absent without leave to September 30, 1918; summary court-martial.

November 7, 1918: Theft; summary court-martial.

December 15, 1918: Absent without leave; five days bread and

water.

January 11, 1919: Absent from station and duty without liberty to January 13, 1919; to be confined for six months; to be dishonorably discharged from the naval service, and to suffer all other accessories of said sentence.

The dishonorable discharge adjudged in Foster's case was executed on August 6, 1919, at the naval prison, Portsmouth, N. H.

Among other reasons the bill is objectionable in that, if enacted, Foster will be considered as having been honorably discharged on April 19, 1921, when, as a matter of fact, he was dishonorably discharged on August 6, 1919. Furthermore, it seems to the Navy Department manifestly unfair and detrimental to the best interests of naval discipline to place a man who through his own misconduct. has brought about his dishonorable discharge on a parity, as far as the benefits of an honorable discharge are concerned, with a man whose service was honorable.

It is suggested that the bill be amended by changing the period in line 7 to a colon and adding the following:

Provided, That no back pay, allowances, or emoluments shall become due because of the passage of this act.

The bill H. R. 11503 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the information that the proposed legislation would not involve any charge against appropriations under the cognizance of the Navy Department, but in view of the fact that the proposed legislation is not for the general good of the naval service and would encourage others to seek similar legislation, the Navy Department contemplated recommending that this bill be not enacted. Under date of February 2, 1927, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget advised the Navy Department that this report would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends that this bill be not enacted.

Sincerely yours,

CURTIS D. WILBUR,
Secretary of the Navy.

A BILL For the relief of Everett L. Foster

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in the administration of any laws conferring rights, privileges, or benefits on honorably discharged soldiers or sailors, Everett L. Foster shall be considered to have been honorably discharged as a seaman, second class, number 1512681, April 19, 1921.

[No. 136]

HEARING ON THE BILL (H. R. 15830) TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF COST OF THE ‘LEXINGTON” AND “SARATOGA”

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

Thursday, January 20, 1927.

The committee this day met at 10.30 o'clock a. m., Hon. Thomas S. Butler (chairman) presiding, for further consideration of H. R. 15830, which is a bill looking to the increase in cost of construction of the airplane carriers Lexington and Saratoga.

The bill is as follows:

A BILL To authorize an increase in the limit of cost of certain naval vessels

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the limit of cost for the construction of the United States ships Lexington and Saratoga, the conversion of which vessels into airplane carriers, in accordance with the terms of the treaty providing for the limitation of naval armament, was authorized by the act of July 1, 1922, is hereby increased to $40,000,000 each.

STATEMENT of rear ADMIRAL J. D. BEURET, CONSTRUCTION CORPS, UNITED STATES NAVY, CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR OF THE NAVY, AND CHIEF OF BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR

Mr. VINSON. I observe that Admiral Beuret has just entered the room, and I should like to ask him a few questions about the Saratoga and the Lexington. Admiral Beuret, can you tell me how much of the $4,000,000 involved in the construction of these two vessels has been paid to date to the contractors?

Admiral BEURET. Each contractor has received $1,800,000, and there is $200,000 held in reserve.

Mr. BRITTEN. Therefore the fixed fee went along with the percentage of completion?

Admiral BEURET. It was paid, as I remember, at the rate of 10 per cent with the bills at the rate of 10 per cent.

Mr. VINSON. The fixed fee was paid faster than work on the vessels progressed?

Admiral BEURET. Yes, sir.

Mr. VINSON. Therefore there is not much incentive now for the contractors to exert themselves to earn the remainder of the $400,000 held in reserve?

Admiral BEURET. I do not think that makes a great deal of difference in the progress of building.

Mr. VINSON. These yards have no other work to do, have they? Admiral BEURET. Just at the present time there is not a great deal of work going on in shipyards.