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[No. 180]

TO CREATE THE LIMITED SERVICE MARINE CORPS RESERVE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 26, 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 create the Limited Service Marine Corps Reserve, and for other purposes.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to establish a special class in the Marine Corps Reserve of men who will be limited in their duties to serving as guards at naval shore activities within the United States. The bill would further provide that men enlisting in this special class, who are veterans of the World War, be not subject to the pay limitation of $21 per month during the first 4 months of service, prescribed by section 12 (a) of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. Finally, the bill would provide that all men enlisted in this special class of reserves, would be entitled to the allowances for quarters and subsistence and to the transportation of dependents and of household effects now provided for enlisted men of the first three pay grades of the Marine Corps Reserve.

Heretofore members of the Regular Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve, in considerable numbers, have been assigned for duty at naval shore activities for guard duty. Under existing conditions there is an urgent need for relieving such men from guard duty and making them available for training and service with active military units. With a view to making this possible, the plan has been evolved to create a force for limited service as military guards. Such a plan would allow of utilizing men who, by reason of age or physical condition, are not qualified for duty in combat organizations.

It is considered that men who served in the military forces in the World War and men beyond normal recruit age, with more mature judgment, would be particularly suitable for this type of duty. In order to attract such men additional inducements are necessary. To this end the bill would provide that the pay limitation of $21 for the first 4 months under the Selective Training and Service Act be removed as to veterans of the World War, and that all these men would be entitled to receive, regardless of pay grade, the allowances for quarters and subsistence and the transportation of dependents and of household effects now provided for enlisted men of the first three pay grades of the Marine Corps Reserve.

The Navy Department contemplates enlisting approximately 6,000 men for the duration of the emergency for this limited service, waiving such physical disabilities as will not interfere with the per

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formance of this type of duty, and giving preference to men over 30 years of age and men with World War Service.

The Navy Department is of the opinion that authorization for a military guard force as contemplated by the proposed legislation would add materially to the active strength of the Marine Corps by releasing thereto enlisted personnel now on duty as guards, and to the same extent would contribute to the national defense.

In view of the foregoing, 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,

FRANK KNOX.

[No. 181]

AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVY, ADDITIONAL SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP-REPAIR FACILITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 2, 1942.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill authorizing appropriations for the United States Navy, additional shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities, and for other pur

poses.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to authorize additional shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities, including manufacture and repair facilities for ordnance material.

Facilities now authorized were sufficient before the United States became involved in war. The situation today renders them inadequate. The enlargement and acceleration of the national defense program is resulting in unexpected bottlenecks affecting the shipbuilding program which can be eliminated only through provision of additional facilities. Recently authorized additions to naval tonnage accentuate the need. In addition to this, it must be anticipated that operations at sea in time of war may lead to enlarged ship repair requirements for which provision must be made. The Navy Department considers provision of the additional facilities contemplated by the proposed legislation to be essential.

The cost of the proposed legislation would be $845,000,000.

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. 181

(2273)

FORRESTAL, Acting.

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