TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN LANDS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIF., BY THE UNITED STATES, AND THE TRANSFER BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY OF CERTAIN OTHER LANDS TO SAID CITY OF SAN DIEGO (H. R. 3607). 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 authorize the acceptance of certain lands in the city of San Diego, Calif., by the United States, and the transfer by the Secretary of the Navy of certain other lands to said city of San Diego."

The purpose of this proposed legislation is to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to accept from the city of San Diego, Calif., free from all incumbrances and without cost to the United States, all right, title and interest in and to an area of tide lands comprising 5.2474 acres adjoining the Marine Corps base and an area of pueblo lands comprising 544 acres lying southerly of Miramar Road in San Diego County, Calif., and in exchange to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to the city of San Diego, Calif., free from all incumbrances, and without cost to said city, all right, title and interest of the United States in and to an area comprising 60.1605 acres in the southeast portion of the Marine Corps base.

The exchange of lands contemplated by the proposed legislation is regarded as mutually advantageous to the city of San Diego and to the Government. The area of 60.1605 acres of Government lands to be transferred by the Secretary of the Navy lies adjacent to the municipal airport and is potentially valuable for commercial development, lying, as it does, alongside improved land in the industrial area of San Diego. The acquisition of title by the Government to the area of 544 acres, pueblo lands, is regarded as essential to the efficient functioning of the Marine Corps base at San Diego. The Marine Corps rifle range, indispensable to the training of marines at the base, is established on these lands. There is no other site available for the development of a rifle range convenient to the Marine Corps base. The acquisition by the Government of the area of 5.2474 acres, tide lands, adjoining the Marine Corps base is also regarded as advantageous and desirable to the Government.

With reference to the probable value of the respective areas, it is believed that the utilitarian value to the naval service of the areas to be acquired is equal to, if not greater than, that of the area to be transferred to the city. Furthermore, the area to be transferred to the city was originally acquired by gift from the city, and hence there is no cost value so far as the Government is concerned.

The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislatio be enacted.

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

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.

TO AUTHORIZE THE DISPOSITION OF THE FORMER NAVAL RADIO STATION PROPERTY AT ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. (H. R. 3608).

MR. VINSON OF GEORGIA

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1937.

The SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: There is transmitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill "To authorize the disposition of the former naval radio station property at Saint Augustine, Florida.”

The purpose of this proposed legislation is to authorize the disposal of all, or any part of, or interest in, the lands, improvements, and equipment comprising the former naval radio station located at St. Augustine, Fla., in like manner and under like terms, conditions, and restrictions as prescribed for the disposition of certain other naval properties by the act entitled "An act to authorize the disposition of lands no longer needed for naval purposes", approved June 7, 1926 (44 Stat., 700), the net proceeds from the sale of said property to be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of "Miscellaneous receipts."

The radio station site at St. Augustine, Fla., was acquired by the Navy Department by transfer from the Department of Commerce by letter dated November 21, 1925. It consists of all that part of lot 2, section 21, T. 7 S., R. 30 E., Tallahassee meridian, Florida, lying north of the prolongation, easterly to the Atlantic Ocean, of the north boundary of the 5-acre tract on which the St. Augustine Lighthouse is situated, containing 4.7 acres, more or less. This land was originally acquired by the Department of Commerce by setting the same aside from the public domain by Executive order dated February 1, 1883. The Navy Department recommends that the proposed legislation be enacted.

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

Sincerely yours,

CLAUDE A. SWANSON.