TO AUTHORIZE ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS TO CERTAIN NAVAL VESSELS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 10977). MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 3, 1936.

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 authorize alterations and repairs to certain naval vessels, and for other purposes.

This proposed bill is for the purpose of authorization only, so that requests for appropriations may be included in future annual budgets submitted by the Navy Department. It does not appropriate any money.

According to present-day standards the ships named in the bill are all deficient in the fundamental characteristics differentiating battleships from other types of vessels, namely, the effectiveness and efficiency in battle after damage has been sustained. These deficiencies have resulted, in part, from lack of current appropriations to correct defects as they developed, but in greater part because of operational practices which made raising of the standards of compartmentation imperative. Vessels which were designed and constructed to standards then considered adequate are now recognized as deficient in varying degree When called upon to carry out the excellent battle procedures which have been developed by operating personnel. A program of correction is therefore necessary to place these ships in a material condition demanded by existing conditions.

A tentative standard of compartmentation and damage control to meet present requirements has been prepared by the Navy Depart

ment.

The proposed legislation is considered by the Navy Department to be essential to the efficiency of the Navy. It is in accord with the financial and policy programs of the President.

The Navy Department recommends the enactment of the proposed legislation.

Sincerely yours,

H. L. ROOSEVELT, Acting.

FOR THE RELIEF OF JOHN RANDOLPH MCCANN (H. R. 10032). MR. KELLY

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 11, 1936.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 10032) for the relief of John Randolph McCann was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with a request for report and recommendation.

The purpose of this bill is to consider John Randolph McCann as having been honorably discharged from the naval service of the United States on June 19, 1932.

The records of the Navy Department show that John Rudolph McCann was born on September 28, 1910, and enlisted in the Navy on March 15, 1928. An entry in his record dated October 5, 1928, shows that he was absent over leave for a period of 23 hours and 50 minutes, convicted by deck court; November 7, 1929, absent over leave 10 hours and 40 minutes, convicted by summary court martial and the sentence included a bad-conduct discharge which was remitted subject to his conduct for a period of 6 months; July 11, 1930, absent Over leave 2 days and 13 hours, convicted by summary court martial and sentenced to a bad-conduct discharge which was remitted subject to his conduct for a period of 6 months; August 9, 1930, absent over leave 3 hours and 30 minutes.

On October 1, 1930, McCann deserted from the Navy and surrendered to naval custody on May 20, 1931. He was tried by general court martial, found guilty of desertion, and sentenced to be reduced to the rating of apprentice seaman, to be confined for 17 months, to be dishonorably discharged from the Navy, and to suffer all other accessories of his sentence. The sentence was approved on July 10, 1931, and he was dishonorably discharged from the Navy at Mare Island, Calif., on June 19, 1932.

This bill, if enacted into law, would result in no cost to the Navy; however, it is probable that a charge under the Veterans' Administration would be involved now or in the future.

The records of the Navy Department further show that McCann's middle name is "Rudolph" instead of "Randolph" as shown in the bill. The Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 10032.

Sincerely yours,

23697-36-No. 477

H. L. ROOSEVELT, Acting.

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TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A METAL-CLAD AIRSHIP FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVY (H. R. 7715). MR. DINGELL

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 10, 1936.

The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The bill (H. R. 7715) to provide for the construction of a metal-clad airship for the United States Navy was referred to the Navy Department by your committee with a request for report and recommendation.

The purpose of this bill is to add to the naval appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1936, the sum of $6,000,000 to procure a metal-clad airship of certain specified dimensions and characteristics; and $4,000,000 for accessories and incidental expenses, including a hangar, spare engines, and the like.

The Navy Department desires to withhold comment on this bill until the future policy of aircraft development is more clearly defined. Sincerely yours,

23697-36-No. 478

H. L. ROOSEVELT, Acting.

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