[No. 88] TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO DECLARE THE NAVAL DISPENSARY AT THE UNITED STATES NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO, CUBA, TO BE A NAVAL HOSPITAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 16580) NS4-NH (261204) L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 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 declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes, this day forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, Secretary of the Navy. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. 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 declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes. The purpose of this proposed legislation is to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and to authorize the expenditure of a sum not to exceed $50,000 for necessary alterations, extensions, and additions to the existing dispensary buildings in order to enlarge and adapt them for a hospital capable of handling approximately 50 patients. If this proposed legislation is enacted, the Navy Department contemplates making provisions in its next annual estimates for the construction of the work authorized. This proposed legislation was referred to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement to the effect that the Navy Department contemplated recommending approval thereof, and under date of December 4, 1926, the Navy Department was advised that this proposed legislation will not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. 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 declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes 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, in his discretion, to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and to make the necessary alterations, extensions, and additions to the said dispensary buildings in order to enlarge and adapt them for a hospital of approximately fifty patients at a total cost of not to exceed $50,000. [No. 89] TO PROVIDE FOR DATE OF PRECEDENCE OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE STAFF CORPS OF THE NAVY (H. R. 16577) QN/A18-1 (270104) L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 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 provide for date of precedence of certain officers of the staff corps of the Navy, 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 provide for date of precedence of certain officers of the staff corps of the Navy. This proposed legislation, if enacted into law, will apply to two officers only, namely, Lieut. (Junior Grade) Joseph C. Molder, Supply Corps, United States Navy, and Ensign Reed T. Roberts, Supply Corps, United States Navy. The above-named officers were graduated from the Naval Academy on June 7, 1923, and appointed ensigns in the line of the Navy on June 8, 1923. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Molder, Supply Corps, upon his own request, was appointed an assistant paymaster with the rank of ensign on March 6, 1924, to rank from January 30, 1924, but has since been advanced, with his running mate in the line, to his present rank of lieutenant (junoir grade). Ensign Roberts, Supply Corps, upon his own request, was appointed an assistant paymaster with the rank of ensign on May 25, 1925, to rank from May 1, 1925. In accordance with the provision contained in the act of Congress approved March 4, 1913 (37 Stat. 892), which requires that officers of the line and staff corps shall take precedence with each other in accordance with the date of commission in rank, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Molder, Supply Corps, upon appointment in the Supply Corps, was assigned precedence next after the junior officer of the Naval Academy class of 1923, and Ensign Roberts, Supply Corps, upon appointment in the Supply Corps, was assigned precedence just ahead of the senior officer of the Naval Academy class of 1925. The legislation proposed in the attached draft of bill would assign these officers precedence with that officer of the line next after whom they took precedence upon the date of their commission in the line, and would place them in the same position for pay purposes based on promotion as the other members of their class of the Naval Academy. This proposed legislation is in conformity with the provision contained in section 7 of the act approved June 10, 1926 (44 Stat. 720), which reads as follows: That a line officer hereafter transferred to a staff corps shall retain the rank and date of commission in such rank held by him at the time of such transfer and shall have assigned as his running mate that line officer immediately above him in the Navy at the time of such transfer. This proposed legislation will result in no additional cost to the Navy so far as concerns the case of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Molder, Supply Corps. In the case of Ensign Roberts, Supply Corps, if this legislation be enacted, he will be immediately eligible for advancement to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade); otherwise, he will not become eligible for such advancement in rank until February 25, 1928. However, due to the earlier date of his advancement in rank, as contemplated by the attached bill, he would be entitled to increased compensation at the rate of $50 per month from the date of enactment of this proposed legislation to February 25, 1928. This proposed legislation was referred to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a request that the Navy Department be informed as to whether its enactment would come within the financial program of the President. Under date of January 4, 1927, the Navy Department was advised by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget that this proposed legislation "is not in conflict with the financial program of the President." In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends enactment into law of the attached draft of bill. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, A BILL To provide for date of precedence of certain officers of the staff corps of the Navy Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any officer of the line of the Navy who, since July 1, 1923, has been transferred to, and commissioned in, a staff corps of the Navy in the same rank as formerly held by him in the line, shall take precedence with, but next after that officer of the line immediately above him in the Navy at the time of such transfer, which officer shall be assigned as his running mate for promotion purposes: Provided, That no back pay or allowances shall accrue to any officer by reason of the passage of this act. О [No. 90] FOR THE PROMOTION AND RETIREMENT OF WILLIAM H. SANTELMANN, LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE BAND (H. R. 14718) 00-Santelmann, Wm. H/P19-2 (261210). L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 24, 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 10, 1926, transmitting the bill (H. R. 14718) for the promotion and retirement of William H. Santelmann, leader of the United States Marine Band, 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 authorize the appointment of Mr. Santelmann as a captain in the United States Marine Corps and to place him upon the retired list of the Marine Corps, upon application, after 36 years' service, with the retired pay of a captain in the Marine Corps of the fourth pay period. The records of the Navy Department show that William H. Santelmann has served in the Marine Corps as musician in or leader of the Marine Band for more than 36 years. He has served continuously as leader of the band since March 3, 1898. He is an enlisted man with the pay and allowances of a captain in the Marine Corps of the third pay period. Mr. Santelmann's service as leader of the Marine Band has been distinguished. When appointed leader the band was in a demoralized condition owing to the disciplinary difficulties in which his predecessor became involved and which finally resulted in his discharge. Under the guidance of Mr. Santelmann the Marine Band has steadily progressed, both in size and in efficiency, until now it is universally regarded as one of the leading military bands in this country. In addition, Mr. Santelmann organized and trained the Marine Band Symphonic Orchestra, which has already achieved a very enviable reputation. Should Mr. Santelmann be retired in his present status his retired pay would be $2,700 per annum; should he be retired as a captain under the provisions of the bill H. R. 14718, his retired pay would be $3,375 per annum. The cost of this proposed legislation, therefore, would be the difference between his retired pay ($2,700 per annum) if retired in his present status, and that which he would be entitled to receive if retired as a captain ($3,375 per annum), or $675 per annum. The bill H. R. 14718 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement that the Navy Department proposed to recommend enactment of this legisla |