[No. 19] ESTABLISHING CERTAIN STAFF CORPS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 2947). MR. COLE OF NEW YORK NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 19, 1941. The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to the report of the board convened by the Secretary of the Navy to investigate and report upon all matters concerning the status of line officers designated for specialized duty, transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on January 11, 1941. It is understood that this report has been referred to your committee for consideration. By the enactment of Public, No. 657, Seventy-sixth Congress, the Construction Corps of the Navy was transferred to the line, with the idea that the officer list consisting of regular line officers, naval constructors, and an engineering group might be harmoniously maintained. Section 17 of this act, however, provided for the convening of a board to study the advisability of establishing a technical Staff Corps as an adjunct to the line of the Navy. It is the opinion of the Navy Department that there has not been sufficient opportunity to fully determine the effects of this recently enacted law effecting the transfer. Furthermore, with the ever increasing work load incident to the rapidly expanding naval establishment it is essential that the undivided attention of officers in this category be centered upon the national-defense program and not be distracted by matters relating to the promotion and retirement of personnel. The Navy Department considers that the report represents a thorough and valuable analysis of the intricate problem concerning the status of line officers designated for specialized duty, but for the foregoing reasons recommends against further consideration, at this time, of the establishment of a technical staff corps as an adjunct to the line as suggested by the act, or the establishment of three staff corps, as recommended by the board. Accordingly the enactment of the bill H. R. 2947 "Establishing certain staff corps in the United States Navy, and for other purposes," is not recommended. The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely yours, FRANK KNOX. |