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[No. 172]

TO AMEND THE ACT APPROVED JUNE 23, 1938, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE DISTRIBUTION, PROMOTION, AND RETIREMENT OF OFFICERS OF THE LINE OF THE NAVY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 15, 1941.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill to amend the act approved June 23, 1938, entitled “An act to regulate the distribution, promotion, and retirement of officers of the line of the Navy, and for other purposes."

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide that selection boards to recommend officers of the rank of brigadier general of the line of the Marine Corps for promotion to the rank of major general shall be composed, as far as may be practicable, of officers of the rank of major general of the Marine Corps.

Under existing law the selection boards above mentioned are composed of nine rear admirals of the line of the Navy. While it would probably be impossible, because of the small number of major generals, to have a selection board composed solely of officers of that rank, it appears highly desirable that such officers be included in the membership of these boards, insofar as may be practicable. It is noted in this connection that other boards for recommending officers of the Marine Corps for promotion are composed, either wholly or in part, of officers of that Corps.

The proposed legislation involves no increased cost to the Govern

ment.

The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislation be enacted.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this recommendation.

Sincerely yours,

66266-42-No. 172

(2255)

FRANK KNOX.

[No. 173]

TO AMEND THE ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO EXPEDITE NATIONAL DEFENSE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," APPROVED JUNE 28, 1940

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 29, 1941.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill to amend the act entitled "An act to expedite national defense, and for other purposes," approved June 28, 1940.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to maintain the first 11 sections of the act approved June 28, 1940, as amended, in force until June 30, 1944, a period of 2 years beyond the present expiration date.

The Navy Department is of the opinion that the considerations which necessitated the inclusion of the provisions of these sections in the act approved June 28, 1940, still obtain and that these provisions are of the utmost importance in furthering the national defense during the existing emergency. Inasmuch as they will terminate on June 30, 1942, by operation of section 12 of the act, as now worded, it is considered urgent that legislation maintaining them in force for an additional period, be enacted.

The duration of the present emergency is not foreseeable but 2 years is regarded as a suitable additional period and the proposed legislation, in consequence, fixes June 30, 1944, as the new date of

termination.

The Navy Department strongly recommends enactment of the proposed legislation.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this recommendation.

Sincerely yours,

66266-42-No. 173

(2257)

О

FORRESTAL, Acting.

TO AMEND THE ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1910, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," APPROVED MARCH 3, 1909, AS AMENDED, SO AS TO EXTEND COMMISSARY PRIVILEGES TO SUCH OTHER PERSONS AS MAY BE SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 13, 1941.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill to amend the act entitled "An act making appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1910, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1909, as amended, so as to extend commissary privileges to such other persons as may be specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Navy.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is as stated in its title. The Navy Department, through its various contractors, is experiencing increasingly serious difficulties in obtaining adequate numbers of suitable employees to properly carry on construction work at outlying bases and, in view of the usually unsatisfactory living conditions and isolation, the turnover of such employees becomes a very expensive item and results in serious delays in the progress of the work. More than any other one factor contributing to this situation is the restriction placed on these employees from obtaining foodstuffs from commissary stores, particularly when the commissary stores are practically the only agencies wherein may be obtained the class of foods to which these employees are accustomed.

Under existing law, such stores as the Secretary of the Navy may designate may be procured and sold to officers and enlisted men of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; to the widows of such officers and enlisted men, and to civilian officers and employees of the United States at naval stations and post exchanges beyond the continental limits of the United States or in Alaska.

Should the proposed legislation be enacted into law, the Secretary of the Navy would be authorized to extend further the privileges of making purchases from commissary stores at naval stations and post exchanges outside the continental limits of the United States or in Alaska, to such other persons as he may specifically authorize.

It is considered by the Navy Department that the granting of commissary privileges to the employees of contractors and certain other civilian employees at outlying stations is essential to the continued employment of satisfactory personnel.

The Navy Department recommends enactment of the proposed legislation.

The Navy Department has been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no objection to the submission of this recommendation.

Sincerely yours,

66266-42-No. 174

(2259)

о

FRANK KNOX.

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