TO AMEND SECTION 7 OF THE ACT APPROVED MAY 29, 1934, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE DISTRIBUTION, PROMOTION, RETIREMENT, AND DISCHARGE OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE MARINE CORPS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" (H. R. 3600). MR. VInson of georGIA

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937.

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 section 7 of the act approved May 29, 1934, entitled 'An act to regulate the distribution, promotion, retirement, and discharge of commissioned officers of the Marine Corps, 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 practicable of officers of the rank of major general of the Marine Corps and that rear admirals of the line of the Navy may be detailed to duty on such boards in order to constitute the required minimum membership.

Under existing law the selection boards above mentioned are composed of nine rear admirals of the line of the Navy. The proposed amendment to section 7 of the Marine Corps Personnel Act of May 29, 14. is necessary in order that major generals of the Marine Corps may be eligible for such duty.

The proposed legislation involves no increased cost to the Govern

Bent.

The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislation beenacted.

The proposed legislation is in accord with the program of the President.

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.

TO PROHIBIT THE UNAUTHORIZED WEARING, MANUFACTURE, OR SALE OF MEDALS AND BADGES ISSUED BY THE NAVY DEPARTMENT (H. R. 3601). MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR Mr. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a roposed bill "To prohibit the unauthorized wearing, manufacture, ale of medals and badges issued by the Navy Department."

The

purpose of this bill is to prohibit the unauthorized wearing, Zanufacture, or sale of medals or badges authorized by the Congress the naval forces of the United States or awarded by the Navy Department.

There has come to the attention of the Navy Department the fact that specimens of Navy service or campaign medals and insignia in lation sizes are offered for sale to any person who will pay a few ars therefor. It appears that the purchaser's authority to wear h medals or insignia is not questioned, and that certain stores are in a position to furnish replicas of these various medals, badges, and insignia as desired. Miniatures of service and campaign medals have been offered for sale.

A sunilar provision of law has been enacted for the Army, namely, act of February 24, 1923 (42 Stat. 1286; U. S. Code, title 10, sec. 42, as amended by the act of April 21, 1928 (45 Stat., 437; U. S. Ce, title 10, sec. 1425). The Navy Department feels that just as h consideration should be given Navy medals or badges.

The proposed legislation, if enacted into law, would involve no addial expense to the Government.

The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislation

tarted.

The proposed legislation is in accord with the program of the

President.

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.

TO AMEND THE ACT APPROVED FEBRUARY 15, 1929, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PERMIT CERTAIN WARRANT OFFICERS TO COUNT ALL ACTIVE SERVICE RENDERED UNDER TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT AS WARRANT OR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN THE REGULAR NAVY, OR AS WARRANT OR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE FORCE, FOR PURPOSE OF PROMOTION TO CHIEF WARRANT RANK" H. R. 3602). MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937.

The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of proposed bill "To amend the Act approved February 15, 1929, led 'An act to permit certain warrant officers to count all active ice rendered under temporary appointment as warrant or comssioned officers in the Regular Navy, or as warrant or commissioned ers in the United States Naval Reserve Force, for purpose of motion to chief warrant rank'."

The act of February 15, 1929, reads as follows:

That for the purpose of computing the six years' service required for promotion warrant to chief warrant rank, all active service, for purposes other than heretofore rendered during the period from April 6, 1917, to December 21, under a temporary appointment as a warrant or commissioned officer United States Navy, or as a warrant or commissioned officer in the United Naval Reserve Force, shall be counted: Provided, That officers who have efore been commissioned chief warrant officers shall for all purposes be ed as having been so commissioned from the date of completion of such ar service, including the service authorized to be counted by this Act: further, That no back pay or allowances shall be held to have accrued to the passage of this Act.

By statute, warrant officers are eligible for commissions as chief nt officers "after 6 years from date of warrant." (33 Stat., +U.S. C., title 34, sec. 331; 35 Stat., 771; U. S. C., title 34, sec. 39 Stat. 573; U. S. C., title 34, sec. 336). By the act of February 15, 1929, above quoted, provision is made it certain warrant officers to count all active service rendered temporary appointments as warrant or commissioned officers. Regular Navy, or as warrant or commissioned officers in the al Reserve Force, for promotion to chief warrant rank. This lies alike to warrant officers in the Navy and the Marine Corps H. Courrette v. The United States, Court of Claims no. M-131, Jan. 9, 1933). No provision of law has been enacted, how, to cover active service performed during the war as warrant or