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Marine Corps. Nor is there any evidence that he was the subject of negligent and careless treatment on the part of officers of the Medical Corps while in any naval hospital. On the contrary, the records show that Rogers was admitted on several occasions and retained in hospitals for protracted periods, subjected to lengthy examinations and observations when no injury or disease could be discovered.

From a careful examination of the records in this case the Navy Department is convinced that there is no basis in fact to justify the enactment of this legislation.

The bill H. R. 16282, if enacted into law, provides for an appropriation of $10,000 out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

The bill H. R. 16282 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement that the Navy Department contemplated making an unfavorable recommendation thereon. Under date of February 18, 1929, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget advised the Navy Department that the recommendation against the enactment of this proposed legislation is in accordance with the financial program of the President.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bill H. R. 16282.

Sincerely yours,

CURTIS D. WILBUR,
Secretary of the Navy.

A BILL For the relief of Andrew Boyd Rogers

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to Andrew Boyd Rogers the sum of $10,000 in full satisfaction of all his claims against the United States on account of permanent bodily injuries sustained by him due to the cruel and inhuman treatment which he received while in the United States Marine Corps, while on duty, and from the negligent and careless treatment given him by the officers and physician while in the several naval hospitals while in the service.

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FOR THE RELIEF OF CARL RAYMOND N. LARSON (H. R. 17036)

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 25, 1929.

The CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Replying further to the committee's letters of January 19 and February 13, 1929, transmitting the bills H. R. 16361 and 17036, respectively, "For the relief of Carl Raymond N. Larson," and requesting the views of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to inform you as follows:

The purpose of these bills is to provide that in the administration of any laws conferring rights, privileges, and benefits upon honorably discharged sailors Carl Raymond N. Larson, formerly of the United States Navy, shall hereafter be held and considered to have been honorably discharged from the naval service on March 6, 1918.

The records of the Navy Department show that the above-named man was born on February 13, 1896. He enrolled in the Naval Reserve on July 2, 1917. On October 4, 1917, he was reported for being disrespectful to a chief petty officer. On December 27, 1917, he was reported for overstaying his leave and disobedience of orders. On March 6, 1918, he was discharged as undesirable because of general undesirability and unfitness. Attention is invited to the fact that Larson so conducted himself while the United States was in an active state of war.

The Navy Department is unaware of any good reason for considering Larson as having been honorably discharged from the naval service, and without such reason, does not believe that any special action toward his case should be taken. Further, any legislation such as this bill, restoring the rights, privileges, and benefits of an honorably discharged man to a man discharged as undesirable is a partial revocation of the penalties of the discharge and by the accumulation of cases in which such remission is accomplished by acts of Congress tends to weaken the force of subsequent undesirable discharges.

It is noted that the bill H. R. 16361 is identical with the bill H. R. 17036, with the exception that in line 5 of the bill H. R. 16361, the name appears as "Carl Raymond M. Larson" whereas it should read "Carl Raymond N. Larson," and in line 9, the date appears as "1919," whereas it should read "1918." Both name and date appear correctly in the bill H. R. 17036.

The bill H. R. 17036, if enacted into law, will result in no additional cost to the Navy; however, it is probable that a Veterans' Bureau charge will be involved now or in the future.

The bill H. R. 16361 was referred to the Bureau of the Budget with the above information as to cost and a statement that the Navy

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Department contemplated making an unfavorable recommendation. thereon. Under date of February 13, 1929, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget advised the Navy Department that the proposed recommendation is not in conflict with the financial program of the President.

In view of the foregoing, the Navy Department recommends against the enactment of the bills H. R. 16361 and H. R. 17036.

Sincerely yours,

CURTIS D. WILBUR,
Secretary of the Navy.

A BILL For the relief of Carl Raymond N. Larson

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in the administration of any laws conferring rights, privileges, and benefits upon honorably discharged sailors Carl Raymond N. Larson, formerly of the United States Navy, shall hereafter be held and considered to have been discharged honorably from the naval service of the United States as a member of the United States Navy on the 6th day of March, 1918: Provided, That no bounty, back pay, pension, or allowance be held to be accruing prior to the passage of this act.

TO PROVIDE FOR THE RETIREMENT OF DISABLED NURSES OF THE ARMY AND THE NAVY (H. R. 15010) REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, February 25, 1929.

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 19, 1928, transmitting the bill H. R. 15010, "To provide for the retirement of disabled nurses of the Army and the Navy," and requesting the views and recommendations of the Navy Department thereon, I have the honor to inform you as follows:

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide that when a member of the Army Nurse Corps or of the Navy Nurse Corps shall have become disabled in line of duty from performing the services of a nurse and shall be dismissed from the service on account of such disability, after a survey by a board of medical officers, pursuant to general regulations to be prescribed by the appropriate department, she shall be placed upon the Nurse Corps retired list of the appropriaate department and shall be paid 75 per cent of the annual active base pay received by her at the time of such dismissal or separation from service.

Present law (44 Stat., 531, 532; U. S. Code, title 34, sections 436, 437, 438) provides that a member of the Army Nurse Corps or Navy Nurse Corps who has served 30 years, or reached the age of 50 years, having served 20 years, may, in the discretion of the Secretary of War or the Secretary of the Navy, respectively, be placed on the retired list in the grade to which she belonged at the time of retirement. The annual base pay which such a retired nurse would receive would be equal to 3 per cent of the pay received on the active list multiplied by the number of years of service, total not to exceed 75 per cent, and in addition, such a retired nurse would receive a supplemental annual retired pay for each year of service rendered. prior to retirement in each of the following grades: Chief nurse, $18; assistant superintendent, $45; director, $45; assistant director, $45; superintendent, $75. In counting the service for retirement or the computation of retired pay all active service in the Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, as a contract nurse prior to February 2, 1901, and as a reserve nurse on active duty since February 2, 1901, shall be included.

Although present law only provides for retirement of nurses after 30 or 20 years, as noted in the above paragraph, they are eligible for pension on the same basis as enlisted men of the naval service in case of accident or disease when incident to service. Pensions range from (853)

2197-29-No. 149

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