[No. 175]

TO FURTHER AMEND THE ACT APPROVED JUNE 23, 1938 (52

STAT. 944), AS AMENDED

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 6, 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 further the act approved June 23, 1938 (52 Stat. 944), as amended.

The purpose of the proposed bill is to provide opportunity for further promotion to certain officers now denied such opportunity.

Under the act approved June 23, 1938, cited above, as amended, certain officers who were selected as fitted for promotion would have been retired after such promotion because they were not designated for retention on active duty by the selection board which considered. them. Due to the national emergency, subsequent appropriation acts provided for retention of these officers on active duty. They are not now eligible for selection for further promotion.

The Navy Department is of the opinion that such officers, after having actually served upon the active list for the requisite length of time, should be accorded the same opportunity for further promotion as enjoyed by officers similarly promoted who have rendered the same service by reason of designation for retention on the active list by the selection board which considered them.

No worth-while estimate of cost can be supplied. However, in view of the comparatively small number of officers concerned, and the relatively slight increase of pay involved in each case, it is not anticipated that the cost will be considerable.

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. 175

(2261)

о

FRANK KNOX.

[No. 176]

TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTENSION OF ENLISTMENTS IN THE NAVY IN TIME OF WAR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 9, 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 provide for the extension of enlistments in the Navy in time of war, and for other purposes.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to permit the Secretary of the Navy, in time of war, to extend the enlistments of all enlisted men in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for such additional time as he may deem necessary in the interest of national defense. The men so detained, unless they voluntarily extend their enlistments, are to be discharged not later than 6 months after the termination of the condition which originally authorized their detention.

The proposed legislation would also suspend, in time of war, that portion of section 1422 of the Revised Statutes (18 Stat. 484; 34 U. S. C. 201), which provides for the payment of an additional onefourth of their pay to men held overtime.

The Navy Department considers that, in view of the existing state of war, it is extremely urgent that all trained personnel of the Navy be retained in service.

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. 176

(2263)

FRANK KNOX.