[No. 87] FOR THE RELIEF OF LEWIS BEAUREGARD WHITTINGTON (H. R. 13228) MM-Whittington, Lewis B/A18-1 (261206) L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 22, 1927. The CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's letter of December 6, 1926, transmitting the bill H. R. 13228, for the relief of Lewis Beauregard Whittington, and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to advise you as follows: The purpose of this proposed legislation is to authorize the appointment of Lewis Beauregard Whittington, formerly master-atarms, first class, in the United States Navy, as a chief master-at-arms in the United States Navy and thereafter place him upon the retired list of the Navy with the retired pay and allowances of that rating. The records of the Navy Department show that Lewis B. Whittington enlisted in the Navy on July 17, 1882, and served until July 10, 1907, which service was continuous with the exception of a fouryear break between 1888 and 1892. During this period of service, Whittington maintained a clear and creditable record. However, his record does not indicate that he was ever recommended for the rating of chief master-at-arms, nor did he ever hold such permanent rating. The Navy Department recommends that the bill H. R. 13228 be amended to read as follows, for the reasons hereafter indicated: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy is authorized to enlist Lewis Beauregard Whittington, formerly master-at-arms, first class, in the United States Navy, as a chief boatswain's mate in the United States Navy and transfer him to the retired list of the Navy with the retired pay and allowance of that rating. The necessity for these changes is as follows: (1) The President does not appoint petty officers, who are enlisted men rated by the Secretary of the Navy or under his authority. (2) The rating of chief master-at-arms has been abolished in the Navy, the corresponding rating being chief boatswain's mate. (3) Petty officers in the Navy occupy a rating as such and not a grade. The enactment of this legislation would establish a precedent for others to seek similar relief at a considerable cost to the Government. Furthermore, the Navy Department is of the opinion that members of the naval service are entitled to only such advancement as earned while on the active list of the Navy. The enactment of the bill H. R. 13228 will involve an additional cost to the Government of $1,606.56 per annum. The bill H. R. 13228 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the above information, and under date of January 15, 1927, the Navy Department was advised that the legislation proposed in this bill is in conflict with the financial program of the President. In view of the foregoing and for the further reason that this proposed legislation is not for the general good of the naval service, the Navy Department does not recommend enactment of the bill H. R. 13228. A BILL For the relief of Lewis Beauregard Whittington Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized to appoint Lewis Beauregard Whittington, formerly master-at-arms, first class, in the United States Navy, a chief master-at-arms in the United States Navy and place him upon the retired list of the Navy with the retired pay and allowance of that grade. [No. 88] TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO DECLARE THE NAVAL DISPENSARY AT THE UNITED STATES NAVAL STATION, GUANTANAMO, CUBA, TO BE A NAVAL HOSPITAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (H. R. 16580) NS4-NH (261204) L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter together with a copy of a proposed draft of a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes, this day forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, Secretary of the Navy. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to transmit herewith a proposed draft of a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes. The purpose of this proposed legislation is to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a 'naval hospital, and to authorize the expenditure of a sum not to exceed $50,000 for necessary alterations, extensions, and additions to the existing dispensary buildings in order to enlarge and adapt them for a hospital capable of handling approximately 50 patients. If this proposed legislation is enacted, the Navy Department contemplates making provisions in its next annual estimates for the construction of the work authorized. This proposed legislation was referred to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement to the effect that the Navy Department contemplated recommending approval thereof, and under date of December 4, 1926, the Navy Department was advised that this proposed legislation will not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends the enactment of the legislation proposed in the inclosed draft of bill. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to declare the naval dispensary at the United States naval station, Guantanamo, Cuba, to be a naval hospital, and to make the necessary alterations, extensions, and additions to the said dispensary buildings in order to enlarge and adapt them for a hospital of approximately fifty patients at a total cost of not to exceed $50,000. [No. 89] TO PROVIDE FOR DATE OF PRECEDENCE OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE STAFF CORPS OF THE NAVY (H. R. 16577) QN/A18-1 (270104) L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter, together with a copy of a proposed draft of a bill to provide for date of precedence of certain officers of the staff corps of the Navy, this day forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, Secretary of the Navy. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 19, 1927. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to transmit herewith a proposed draft of a bill to provide for date of precedence of certain officers of the staff corps of the Navy. This proposed legislation, if enacted into law, will apply to two officers only, namely, Lieut. (Junior Grade) Joseph C. Molder, Supply Corps, United States Navy, and Ensign Reed T. Roberts, Supply Corps, United States Navy. The above-named officers were graduated from the Naval Academy on June 7, 1923, and appointed ensigns in the line of the Navy on June 8, 1923. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Molder, Supply Corps, upon his own request, was appointed an assistant paymaster with the rank of ensign on March 6, 1924, to rank from January 30, 1924, but has since been advanced, with his running mate in the line, to his present rank of lieutenant (junoir grade). Ensign Roberts, Supply Corps, upon his own request, was appointed an assistant paymaster with the rank of ensign on May 25, 1925, to rank from May 1, 1925. In accordance with the provision contained in the act of Congress approved March 4, 1913 (37 Stat. 892), which requires that officers of the line and staff corps shall take precedence with each other in accordance with the date of commission in rank, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Molder, Supply Corps, upon appointment in the Supply Corps, was assigned precedence next after the junior officer of the Naval Academy class of 1923, and Ensign Roberts, Supply Corps, upon appointment in the Supply Corps, was assigned precedence |