Corps, thereby providing advancement in rank similar to that of the Army Dental Corps. 2. The rank of rear admiral in the Naval Dental Corps has been considered and advocated several times previously by the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, the Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the Judge Advocate General, and the Secretary of the Navy. 3. The original equalization bill, as first recommended by the Navy Department provided equality in promotion for line and staff, and provided the rank of rear admiral in the Dental Corps. The basis for equality was, in the case of rear admirals, adjudged as 0.5 percent of all the officers in the staff corps or one-half the line percentage, as there were no sea billets for staff rear admirals and at that time line rear admirals were distributed about half afloat and half ashore. 4. The regular Dental Corps now numbers 473 officers. In addition, 1,900 Reserve officers are on active duty and 2,200 more will be needed next fiscal year if the war continues and will have 5,000 Dental officers by 1944 if the war continues. It is the third largest corps in the Navy. 5. All the staff corps have the rank of rear admiral excepting the dental surgeon. The Medical Corps, which is twice as large as the Dental Corps, has 13 rear admirals. The Supply Corps, which is about one-third larger than the Dental Corps, has 6 rear admirals. The Civil Engineer Corps, which is about one-third as large as the Dental Corps, has three rear admirals. 6. Captains in the Dental Corps now reach that rank at about 49 years of age which allows 15 years' duty before retirement. An opportunity of promotion, as a measure of guaranteeing fitness and efficiency, should be held out to these officers as is done in other branches of the service. 7. Such a provision would show that the efforts of all the dental officers are not held in disregard. 8. It would remove the discriminative effect of the present promotion system. 9. It would acknowledge to the whole dental profession that its contribution toward increasing the value of the Navy is an important one. 10. It would facilitate the procurement of the most desirable candidates for appointment in the Dental Corps. 11. Since by law, where an officer has been decorated for distinguished service, a dental officer so distinguished when he retires can reach the rank of rear admiral, why then is it not possible to have this rank in the active service for those who have reached the proper age and service and could become more useful to the Navy. Dr. MEAD. I have one or two further remarks that I would like to make that are rather pertinent. The rank of rear admiral in the Dental Corps has been considered and advocated several times previously. I have before me here a number of notes regarding hearings in the Department and before Congress on this bill, and I have one statement that was given by Captain Agnew to this effect The strength of the Dental Corps of the Navy is at present practically 300. There is no provision in existing law which allows a rear admiral for this corps. While the corps is a part of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, it is by law a separate corps, and in fairness to numbers of members of that corps, should be allowed one rear admiral. If legislation were enacted which would authorize one rear admiral for the Dental Corps, the principle of equalization and an opportunity to attain the rank of rear admiral would be extended to the members of that corps. I can cite to you many such instances. Read Admiral Stitt has made wonderful arguments many times, also Admiral Rossiter. They have all appeared before the committees of Congress and had hearings in the Navy Department asking for this. Now, I would dislike to see the proposed amendment put on this bill, because as I have told you the objections. Now, I will not take further time, unless you wish to ask some questions. Mr. SUTPHIN. Are there any questions by the committee? Mr. MAAS. Theoretically a dentist could become Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery but it never happens? Dr. MEAD. No; they could not. Mr. MAAS. Why not? What is there in the law that prevents a dentist from becoming Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery? Is there anything in the law that prevents it? Couldn't the President appoint a dentist surgeon general of the Navy under the law? Commander H. A. HOUSER. No, sir; he has to be a member of the Medical Corps. Mr. MAAS. Then I certainly think the Dental Corps is entitled to an admiral. Dr. MEAD. I would not like to enter into a discussion of that because I don't know anything about it. I am only appearing for the Dental Corps. Mr. SUTPHIN. You didn't make any reference to the proposed amendment? Dr. MEAD. No; none whatever. I would like to see this committee give a favorable report on the bill which has passed the Senate. The bill that passed the Senate is the same bill that was introduced in this committee, and that is what we are interested in. Mr. MOTT. If the Senate bill were amended it would have very little chance of getting through. Dr. MEAD. We would have trouble getting it through conference and back through the Senate. It would be like pushing us out of the door if you amend the bill. Mr. SUTPHIN. Are there any other questions that any members desire to ask? Thank you very much, Dr. Mead. Mr. MOTT. Mr. Chairman, I move that the bill be reported. Mr. IzAC. I second the motion. Mr. SUTPHIN. It has been regularly moved and seconded that the House adopt the Senate bill, without amendment? Mr. MOTT. Without amendment. Mr. SUTPHIN. All those in favor of that motion will signify by saying "Aye." Mr. IzAC. Mr. Chairman, Captain Biggs would like to speak. Captain BIGGS. I am not trying to be an obstructionist here, but if the bill is a permanent proposition, then may we recommend that the act of June 10, 1926, which provides for four admirals-you see, in the original bill you refer to that act of June 10, 1926-that the number of rear admirals in the Medical Corps shall be four, in the Supply Corps three, in the Civil Engineer Corps one-that that particular provision in the permanent law be made to read: "Civil Engineer Corps and Dental Corps, one." Mr. MAAS. That would just be a perfecting amendment. It would not require any conference. The Senate would undoubtedly accept that. Captain BIGGS. I think so, sir. Mr. MAAS. Was that called to the attention of the Senate when this bill passed? Captain BIGGS. Unfortunately, I was not present, and I don't know. Mr. MAAS. It is pretty nearly essential to do that. Captain BIGGS. Yes, sir. Mr. MAAS. Otherwise you would have to take off one admiral from the doctors. Captain BIGGS. Well, we don't know just what we would do. Mr. MAAS. What do you say about that, Commander Houser? Commander HOUSER. I think it should be done, Mr. Maas. Mr. MAAS. I can see no objection, Mr. Chairman. I think Senator Walsh would accept the amendment. Captain BIGGS. I think, sir, there is a legal defect in the wording of the Senate bill which should be corrected also, in that it says that the rank and grade of rear admiral are hereby established, because grade and rank in the staff corps are two different things-that is, the grade of dental surgeon with the rank of rear admiral be established in the Dental Corps of the Navy. Mr. MOTT. Where was this other amendment? Captain BIGGS. That is added as a proviso at the end of the bill: "Provided, that"-I forget the section number-I think it is 1-"that section 1 of the act of June 10, 1926, be amended to read as follows." Mr. MAAS. If we pass it I would like to have the Judge Advocate General draw it. Captain BIGGS. Yes; the Judge Advocate General should draw the necessary legal language. Mr. SUTPHIN. But the idea be the same. Mr. MAAS. I move that those two amendments be incorporated after the Judge Advocate General has drafted them. Mr. SUTPHIN. All those in favor of the amendment will signify by saying "Aye"; opposed "No." (The amendment was adopted.) The amendment is adopted. Now we will take a vote for the passage or approval of the bill as amended. (The motion was put and carried.) It is so ordered. Will you be on the floor tomorrow so we can get it, up, Mr. Maas? (The committee thereupon proceeded to the consideration of other business.) INDEX A Page Admiral of the fleet, provide for rank of chief of naval operations.......... 3145 2245 Aircraft, authorize construction of additional. 3179 3227 3181 Allowances, rental, provide for officers without dependents on sea duty. 3219 3319, 3431 Amend act of April 22, 1941, to increase authorized enlisted strength of 2269 Amend act of February 4, 1919, relative to award of medals_ 3167 Amend act of February 4, 1919, so as to change conditions for award of 3205 Amend act of March 2, 1933, suspending Navy ration in kind. 3391, 3413 3523 2405 Amend act of June 23, 1938, to regulate promotion of officers of the 2255, 2261 Amend act of June 24, 1926, to provide for lighter-than-air naval aviation 3239 Amend act of June 24, 1926, to provide Naval aviation pilot_ 3141 2293 Amend act of June 28, 1940, to expedite national defense. 2257, 3449 Ames, W. P., statement on labor bill. Ammunition, faulty, used in Far East_ Amend act of October 24, 1941, to provide salvage facilities to remove Auxiliary reserve, veterans', established in Navy- 2277 2696 2415 3409 Auxiliary vessels, authorize construction of certain 3311 3321, 3367 B Bard, Assistant Secretary of Navy, Ralph A., statement on labor bill_-- 2535 2275 Benedict, Maj. Gen. J. L., statement on amendments to Missing Persons Blandy, Rear Admiral M. H. P., statement on press report of faulty Brown, Lt. Comd. Pierson P., statement on mileage for officers and travel 3479 Bureau of Navigation, change name to Bureau of Naval Personnel. 3139, 3159 (IX) |