[No. 115] FOR THE RELIEF OF GEORGE O. PRATT (H. R. 2238) MM-Pratt, George O./A18-1 (261206)-L. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 3, 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. 2238, "For the relief of George O. Pratt," and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to advise you as follows: The purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide that in the administration of the pension laws George O. Pratt, late of the United States Navy, shall hereafter be held and considered to have been honorably discharged from the military service of the United States as a member of the United States Navy, on the 4th day of December, 1865. The only record that the Navy Department has concerning this man is that he enlisted in the Navy on July 5, 1864, and served until January 1, 1866, when he was declared a deserter. This bill will, if enacted into law, result in no additional cost against naval appropriations. However, I am advised by the Department of the Interior that if it should be held that the bill has the effect of removing the charge of desertion standing against the beneficiary, the initial charge as to pension would be at the rate of $65 a month, with the possibility of a further charge of $72, or even $90, per month. The bill H. R. 2238 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the foregoing information as to cost and a statement that the Navy Department contemplated making an unfavorable recommendation against this bill for the reason that it is not for the general good of the naval service. Under date of January 28, 1927, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget advised the Navy Department that this report would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President. In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends that this bill be not enacted. Sincerely yours, CURTIS D. WILBUR, A BILL For the relief of George O. Pratt Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in the administration of the pension laws George O. Pratt, late of the United States Navy, shall hereafter be held and considered to have been honorably discharged from the military service of the United States as a member of the United States Navy, on the 4th day of December, 1865: Provided, That no pay, pension, bounty, or other emolument shall accrue prior to the passage of this act. [No. 116] OFFICERS PROMOTED ON THE RETIRED LIST Nav-324-RES. NAVY DEPARTMENT, MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In accordance with your telephonic request of December 11, 1926, the following information is furnished. Rear Admiral Douglas E. Dismukes, United States Navy, retired, was serving as a captain in the Navy when he retired, and in accordance with section 30 of the act of March 4, 1925, was placed on the retired list with the rank of rear admiral. Rear Admiral Hutch I. Cone, United States Navy, retired, was serving as a captain in the Navy when he retired, and in accordance with a provision of the act of July 1, 1922, he was retired with the rank of rear admiral. The following-named officers of the retired list of the Navy were promoted on the retired list in accordance with special acts of Congress approved on the dates stated opposite their names: Commander James H. Reid, June 25, 1910. Lieut. Commander Richard E. Byrd, February 10, 1925. One hundred and nineteen officers of the retired list of the Navy were promoted in rank on the retired list in accordance with a provision of the act of July 1, 1918, which authorized the promotion, under specified conditions, of retired officers performing active duty in time of war. Twenty officers of the retired list of the Navy were advanced on the retired list in accordance with section 25 of the act of March 4, 1925, which provides that, "Any officer of the regular Navy who has been retired since December 31, 1921, by reason of physical disability which originated in the line of duty at any time between April 6, 1917, and March 3, 1921, inclusive, while holding higher temporary rank shall be advanced on the retired list to, or shall be placed on the retired list in, such higher grade or rank." Very truly yours, Hon. THOMAS S. BUTLER, Chairman Naval Affairs Committee, 20038-27-No. 116 House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. (671) о [No. 117] FOR THE RELIEF OF LIEUT. HENRY C. WEBER, MEDICAL CORPS, UNITED STATES NAVY (H. R. 16197) 00-Weber, Henry C/P17-1 (270112) L NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., February 5, 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 January 12, 1927, transmitting the bill H. R. 16197 "For the relief of Lieut. Henry C. Weber, Medical Corps, United States Navy," and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to advise you as follows: The purpose of the proposed legislation is to authorize the President to place Lieut. Henry C. Weber, Medical Corps, United States Navy, in the position on the list of lieutenant commanders of the Medical Corps of the Navy, which he would have held had he been commissioned in said Medical Corps as of December 10, 1918, peovided that Lieutenant Weber shall first establish, in accordance with existing provisions of law, his physical, mental, moral, and professional qualifications to perform the duties of a lieutenant commander in the Medical Corps of the Navy. Lieut. Henry C. Weber, Medical Corps, United States Navy, prior to his permanent appointment as an officer of the Medical Corps, served on active duty in the Medical Reserve Corps, in the Naval Reserve Force, and as a temporary commissioned officer in the Navy. His present appointment was made under the terms of the act of June 4, 1920, which authorized the appointment to the regular Navy of temporary and reserve officers. Lieutenant Weber was, in 1918, while serving under his temporary appointment as an assistant surgeon in the Navy, examined for permanent appointment to the Medical Corps in accordance with the general law. He was found qualified on examination and was nominated to the Senate. Prior to confirmation by that body he had passed the maximum age limit of 32 years and could not, therefore, receive an appointment. Subsequently he entered the permanent Navy under the act of June 4, 1920, which fixed the maximum age limitation for appointees to the Medical Corps at 42 years. The inclosed bill H. R. 16197 would, if enacted, result in an immediate additional cost to the Government of approximately $1,150 per annum. The bill H. R. 16197 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement to the effect that the Navy Department contemplated recommending that the proposed legislation be not enacted in view of the fact that it is not for the general good of the service and that it would establish an undesirable precedent in that, many other officers with longer service would be equally justified in asking similar relief. Under date of January 29, 1927, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget advised (673) 20038-27-No. 117 |