possibly enlarge its boundaries somewhat, to plat it and beautify it, so that it will compare favorably with other well-kept cemeteries. The sale of parts of this eighty which may not be needed for burial or any other possible Indian use will furnish proceeds with which to accomplish the purposes of the Indians. Certain parts not within the cemetery inclosure have been leased from time to time and such use may be continued if found advisable. The Indians further wish that their tribal cemetery be managed by a committee composed of one full blood member from each of the three tribes. Their interest in this matter and their wish to make their tribal cemetery a place of beauty indicate a commendable attitude and it is the wish of this department to facilitate their purposes. Very truly yours, SENATE 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } { REPORT TO REGULATE THE CONDUCT AND ADMINISTRATION OF MILITARY ARSENALS, ETC. JANUARY 15, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. REED, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 2378] The Committe on Military Affairs, to which was referred the bill (S. 2378) to regulate the conduct and administration of military arsenals, air depots, and other War Department activities and property, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon, with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendments: Page 3, line 18, after the word "all" insert the word "operating". Page 3, lines 19 and 20, strike out "except pay of commissioned and enlisted personnel,". Page 4, line 10, after the word "are" insert the word "first". Pages 4, 5, and 6, strike out sections 6, 7, 8, and 9. Page 6, line 5, change "Sec. 10" to read "Sec. 6". This bill is proposed by the Secretary of War, and his letter to the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, explaining its features, is made a part of this report and reads as follows: Hon. DAVID A. REED, DECEMBER 18, 1931. Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR REED: There is inclosed the draft of a bill to regulate the conduct and administration of military arsenals, Air Corps depots, and other War Department activities and property, and for other purposes, which the War Department presents for the consideration of Congress with a view to its enactment into law. The purposes of the proposed bill are as follows: Section 1: This section would authorize the maintenance and upkeep of Government property leased to private interests from the rentals thereof. It is identical with the bill S. 4108, Seventy-first Congress, which passed the Senate and was favorably reported by the House Committee on Military Affairs. See Senate Report No. 487 and House Report No. 1772, Seventy-first Congress, where the reasons for this proposed legislation are fully explained. Sec. 2: The purpose of this section is to authorize the loan of aeronautical equipment for purposes of research and experimentation. It is identical with the bill H. R. 1420, Seventy-first Congress, which passed the House. See House Report No. 799, Seventy-first Congress, in which the letter from the War Department of April 9, 1929, is quoted fully explaining the purpose of this proposal. Sec. 3: The purpose of this section is to extend the facilities of the Army Air Corps to commercial manufacturers, without expense to the Government, for experimentation or test of aircraft, aircraft parts or accessories. In its matériel division at Wright Field, Ohio, the Army Air Corps possesses the most complete laboratories for testing aircraft and aircraft equipment in the United States. It is not duplicated in any other governmental agency. This plant is available for conducting tests for other Government agencies, such as the Navy, Department of Commerce, and National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, and it is believed that it should be further utilized for manufacturers. By so doing the Air Corps will be afforded an opportunity to promote and maintain contact with the entire aircraft industry. New developments would, in this manner, be brought to the attention of the Air Corps at first hand and a direct opportunity afforded to consider their possible value from the military standpoint. Information as to the character of the work of various aircraft manufacturers would thus be obtained which would be valuable in formulating plans for procurement in time of emergency. No cost to the Government is entailed, as the section contains a provision for the reimbursement for expenses involved by the parties for whom such tests are made. It is believed that such a provision of law would result in mutual advantage of the Government and the manufacturer. Sec. 4: The purpose of this section is to provide for the care of private battlefield memorials in Europe. It is identical with the bill H. R. 4290, Seventyfirst Congress, which passed the House. Full information as to its purpose is contained in the War Department letter of August 26, 1929, quoted in House Report No. 1279, Seventy-first Congress. The Section 5.-The purpose of this section is to authorize the Secretary of War to dispose of the Army transport Merritt. Under existing law (act of March 2, 1905, 33 Stat. 837) "no steamships in the transport service of the United States shall be sold or disposed of without the consent of Congress having been first had or obtained." A bill (H. R. 7504, S. 2436) was introduced in the Seventy-first Congress at the request of the War Department to authorize the Secretary of War to dispose of this vessel, but no action was taken thereon in either house. Merritt has a gross tonnage of only 2,898 tons. It was built for the War Department in 1912 at a cost of $317,900. It was designed, and has been used almost exclusively, for interisland service in the Philippines. The War Department has no further need for this vessel in the Philippines. It is too small for service on the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. It has been maintained in an out-of-commission status for some time at an expense of approximately $900 per month. It is believed to be for the best interests of the Government to dispose of this vessel as soon as possible. * Section 10: Certain material, apparatus, and equipment used by the Army and Navy is of such a nature that, in the interests of the public service, it should be kept secret. Under existing law it is impossible to procure such materials, except by Government manufacture, without disclosing their secret nature, because of the necessity for advertising and the publication of specifications, etc. The proposition to exempt such materials from the provisions of law requiring advertising has been before Congress for some time. A measure, of substantially the same effect as the one here proposed, was passed by the Senate in the Sixty-ninth Congress and favorably reported in the House (see S. 1487, 69th Cong.), but for one reason or another the proposition has not been enacted into law. The War and Navy Departments both feel that the matter is urgent and merits favorable action by Congress. No additional expense to the Government is involved in any of the provisions of this bill. Sincerely yours, PATRICK J. HURLEY, 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } SENATE { REPORT EXCHANGE OF OBSOLETE, SURPLUS, DETERIORATED, OR UNSERVICEABLE SUPPLIES IN WAR DEPARTMENT JANUARY 15, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. REED, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 1694] The Committee on Military Affairs, to which was referred the bill (S. 1694) to authorize the Secretary of War to exchange obsolete, surplus, deteriorated, or unserviceable supplies or equipment for new supplies or equipment of the same general character, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with the recommendation that it do pass. This bill was proposed by the Secretary of War, and his letter to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, explaining its features, is made a part of this report, and reads as follows: Hon. DAVID A. REED, DECEMBER 11, 1931. Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR REED: There is inclosed the draft of a bill "To authorize the Secretary of War to exchange obsolete, surplus, deteriorated or unserviceable supplies or equipment for new supplies or equipment of the same general character," which the War Department presents for the consideration of the Congress with a view to its enactment into law. Supplies and equipment which become surplus, obsolete, deteriorated, or unserviceable, with few exceptions, must be disposed of by cash sale as junk for much less than their real value. Experience has demonstrated that bidders on furnishing new supplies will offer a greater exchange allowance for old property of the same general character than can be btained through competitive cash sales of such old property. The proposed legislation, if enacted into law, will effect material savings in that it will permit the Government to realize much more on the disposition of the old property and to procure new property of like character at reduced expense to current appropriations. Therefore the War Department strongly recommends its passage. Sincerely yours, PATRICK J. HURLEY, Secretary of War. О 72D CONGRESS 1st Session } SENATE { REPORT TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES OF BEQUEST OF THE LATE WILLIAM F. EDGAR JANUARY 15, 1932.-Ordered to be printed Mr. REED, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. J. Res. 48] The Committee on Military Affairs, to which was referred Senate Joint Resolution No. 48, to authorize the acceptance on behalf of the United States of the bequest of the late William F. Edgar, of Los Angeles County, State of California, for the benefit of the museum and library connected with the office of the Surgeon General of the United States Army, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with the recommendation that it do pass. This resolution is proposed by the Secretary of War, and his letter to the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, explaining it, is made a part of this report and reads as follows: Hon. DAVID A. REED, DECEMBER 10, 1931. Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, United States Senate. DEAR SENATOR REED: There is inclosed a draft of a joint resolution to authorize the acceptance of a bequest to the Army Medical Museum and the Army Medical Library, which the War Department presents for the consideration of Congress with a view to its enactment into law. The will of the late Dr. William F. Edgar, of Los Angeles County, Calif., who died August 3, 1897, bequeaths the residue of his estate, in an amount not exceeding $40,000, to the Army Medical Museum and the Army Medical Library for the benefit of those institutions, four fifths to the former and one fifth to the latter. The distribution of the estate is about to be made, due to the termination of the life interest therein which was enjoyed by the widow of Doctor Edgar. The consent of Congress to the acceptance of this gift is necessary under existing law. The proposed joint resolution authorizes the Surgeon General of the Army to accept and receipt for the bequest, to deposit it in the Treasury as a special fund to be available until expended, and to expend it, under authority of the Secretary of War, for the purposes stated in Doctor Edgar's will. As this gift will be of great benefit to the museum and library, it is requested that the joint resolution be given early and favorable consideration. Sincerely yours, PATRICK J. HURLEY, Secretary of War. |