DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I am in receipt of your letter of the 10th instant (26255–1186-L), inclosing a copy of a bill (H. R. 12975) to correct the naval record of James Allen, concerning which you ask whether its enactment would result in a pension charge against the Government. As stated in your letter, this man was not honorably discharged from his enlistment. The bill proposes to consider him as having been honorably discharged. Should it pass, he would be eligible to pension under the act of May 1, 1926, as he served from January 15, 1901, to November 30, 1903. That act provides a rate proportioned to the degree of inability to earn a support by manual labor, with a minimum of $20 per month and a maximum of $50. As the beneficiary has not filed a claim for pension and his physical condition is not known, it would not be possible to state just how much of a charge the enactment of the bill would create on the pension roll. Very truly yours, JOHN H. EDWARDS, A BILL To correct the naval record of James Allen Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That James Allen shall hereafter be held and considered to have been honorably discharged from the naval service of the United States as fireman, second class: Provided, That no back pay or allowances shall accrue to the said James Allen by reason of the passage of this act. [No. 82] TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC WORKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 11492) NY9/N5(270115). L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: With reference to the bill H. R. 11492, now pending before the committee of which you are chairman and entitled "To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to proceed with the construction of certain public works, and for other purposes," I have the honor to recommend that the bill be amended by changing the period on page 2, line 6, to a semicolon and by adding thereto the following item: "Battery storage and overhaul building, $240,000." The reason for this proposed amendment is that the present facilities for battery storage and overhaul at the navy yard, Mare Island, are inadequate for the purpose. A part of these facilities are located in a building the foundations and floors of which are entirely inadequate in structural strength. It is proposed to construct a modern building containing approximately 22,000 square feet of floor space, the amount required for bringing together all work of this character in one building in duplication of apparatus for the handling of acids, water, lead burning, casting, plating, etc. The structure will be of such design and material that protection against fire or other hazard will be provided for the material stored therein. It will be arranged to provide for the most expeditious accomplishment of the overhaul and repair of the storage batteries, and provide facilities for the maximum salvage of material and the stowage and protection of the parts and fittings. It will also be of such size as to care for a reasonable increase of service that may be expected as the result of increased submarine construction. The proposed amendment was referred to the Bureau of the Budget for information as to whether or not the amendment herein proposed would be in conflict with the financial program of the President. The Director of the Budget under date of January 15, 1925, advised the Navy Department that this amendment to the bill was not in conflict with the financial program of the President. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO DISPOSE OF CERTAIN PARTS OF THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION TO BE USED AS SOUVENIRS (H. R. 16432) A12-2(1)/LX21(261213)L NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 15, 1927. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter, together with a copy of a proposed draft of a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to dispose of certain parts of the frigate Constitution for use as souvenirs, this day forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to transmit herewith a proposed draft of a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to dispose of certain parts of the frigate Constitution for use as souvenirs. The purpose of this proposed legislation is to enable the Navy Department to give or sell as souvenirs such parts of the frigate Constitution as can not be used in making repairs to clubs, associations, or individuals that have made or shall make donations or contributions for its preservation, referred to in the act approved March 4, 1925 (43 Stat. L. p. 1278). The conversion of this material into souvenirs will not involve cost to the Government, since expenditures for that purpose are to be charged against, and the proceeds of sales added to, the fund created by authority of the act cited above. In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends the enactment of the legislation proposed in the inclosed draft of bill. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to dispose of certain parts of the frigate Constitution to be used as souvenirs Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy is hereby authorized to give or to sell, under such regulations as he may prescribe, such parts or pieces, including rigging, of the frigate Constitution, as are suitable for use as relics, souvenirs, or mementos, and which can not profitably or advantageously be used in restoring this vessel to original condition, to clubs, associations, or individuals that have made or shall make donations or contributions for the preservation of the frigate Constitution referred to in the act approved March 4, 1925 (Forty-third Statutes at Large, page 1278): Provided, That the cost of converting the aforesaid material into relics, souvenirs, or mementos shall be charged against, and the proceeds of such sales shall be added to, the fund created by authority of said act. |