FOR THE RELIEF OF LEO STELLWAGEN (H. R. 9792). NAVY DEPARTMENT, The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 9792) for the relief of Leo Stellwagen was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with a request for report and recommendation. The purpose of this bill is to consider Leo Stellwagen as having been honorably discharged from the Navy on March 7, 1919. The records of the Navy Department show that Leo Stellwagen Tas born on April 23, 1899, and enlisted in the Navy on October 19, 1917, to serve for 4 years. His record shows the following offenses: May 13, 1918: Hammock adrift about deck. June 18, 1918: Failing to turn to in morning watch. June 18, 1918: Hammock not lashed, and adrift about deck. September 24, 1918: Absent over liberty 14 days 20 hours. He was convicted January 24, 1919: Absent without leave 11 days 14 hours. He was convicted summary court martial and sentenced to be discharged from the naval service with a bad conduct discharge, which was effected at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill., on March 7, 1919. This bill, if enacted into law, would result in no cost to the Navy; however, it is probable that a charge under the Veterans' Administration would be involved now or in the future. The Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the till H. R. 9792. Sincerely yours, 23697-36-No. 469 CLAUDE A. SWANSON. (1971) CALLING UPON THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE MARINE BAND TO FULFILL ITS ENGAGEMENT TO RENDER A MUSICAL PROGRAM AT A MEETING OF THE WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE (H. RES. 407). MR. DARROW Hon. CARL VINSON, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 1, 1936. Chairman, Committee on Naval Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I have your letter of January 30, 1936, with which you transmit House Resolution 407 and request the views and recommendations of the Navy Department. The subject resolution directs the Secretary of the Navy to inform the House of Representatives by whose direction, order, or command, the United States Marine Band canceled its engagement to render a musical program at the meeting of the Women's Patriotic Conference on National Defense held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on January 28, 1936, and to furnish a copy of such direction, order, or command. A section of the United States Marine Band canceled its engageTent to play at a banquet given by the Women's Patriotic Conference n National Defense on Tuesday evening, January 28, 1936, by rection of The Assistant Secretary of the Navy, who transmitted is directive to the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, General Little, who further transmitted this order to the leader of the Marine Band, Capt. Taylor Branson, through the commanding ficer of the Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C. All orders were transmitted verbally, and there is no record of any ritten direction, order, or command. The above is the full information desired by the resolution and in rder that it may be fully understood the following is submitted: On December 10, 1935, the Navy Department granted the request of Mrs. Mary Logan Tucker for a section of the Marine Band to furnish music at the banquet of the Women's Patriotic Conference on National Defense to be given on January 28, 1936. This was done in accordance with the established policy of long standing by which the band is permitted to play to patriotic gatherings national import. On the opening day of the conference, Monday, January 27, 1936, he leading address was made which was political in character and on account of the political color given to the conference by this speech, appeared improper that the personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps should participate under orders or official sanction. Accordgly, the above directive was issued. There is no objection on the part of the Navy Department to the nactment of the subject resolution. Sincerely yours, |