AIR NAVIGATION FACILITIES, 1929 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING A SUPPLEMENTAL ESTIMATE OF APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1929, AMOUNTING TO $475,000 JANUARY 14, 1928.-Read; referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed The PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, January 14, 1928. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of Congress a supplemental estimate of appropriation for the Department of Commerce for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, amounting to $475,000. The details of this estimate, the necessity therefor, and the reason for its submission at this time are set forth in the letter of the Director of the Bureau of the Budget transmitted herewith, with whose comments and observations thereon I concur. Respectfully, CALVIN COOLIDGE. BUREAU OF The Budget, SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith for your consideration a supplemental estimate of appropriation for the Department of Commerce for the fiscal year 1929, amounting to $475,000, as follows: Air navigation facilities, 1929. $475,000 The purpose of this estimate is to provide lighted airways, in excess of the 2,500 additional miles for which provision was made in the S D-70-1-vol 24- -37 regular Budget for the fiscal year 1929, to meet the rapidly expanding postal contract requirements, and to increase the radio facilities needed to safeguard transit over these lines. The Post Office Department has entered into contracts for carrying the mails by airplane over distances aggregating 11,440 miles. Delivery is now in operation over 7,610 miles of the total contracted distance, while operation is not yet in effect over 3,830 miles. On June 30, 1928, there will be in operation 7,512 miles of lighted airways and the regular Budget for 1929 provides funds to light 2,500 additional miles. This will provide 10,000 lighted miles by June 30, 1929. Although the estimated lighted mileage on that date is 1,440 miles less than the present number of postal contract miles, this is compensated for by reason of the fact that night flying over some of the mileage is not required under postal contracts. However it is believed provision in addition to that provided for in the regular Budget should be made to meet expanding needs in excess of those contemplated when the 1929 Budget was submitted. Approval of the above estimate is recommended. Very respectfully, H. M. LORD, Director of the Bureau of the Budget. The PRESIDENT. Estimates of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, by the Department of Commerce Air navigation facilities. For an additional amount for air navigation facilities, Depart- Amount appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1928. O $475,000 3, 091, 500 RELIEF OF MARION LETCHER, AMERICAN CONSUL GENERAL AT COPENHAGEN, DENMARK MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE RECOMMENDING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE RELIEF OF MARION LETCHER, AMERICAN CONSUL GENERAL AT COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, AMOUNTING TO $252.93 JANUARY 17 (calendar day, JANUARY 20), 1928.-Read; referred to the Committee on Claims and ordered to be printed To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State recommending an appropriation for the relief of Mr. Marion Letcher, American consul general at Copenhagen, Denmark. It appears that on February 18, 1927, while Mr. Letcher was the responsible officer in charge, the office of the consulate general at Copenhagen was burglarized and official moneys in a total equivalent to $252.93, for which Mr. Letcher is accountable, were stolen. Notwithstanding the efforts of Mr. Letcher aided by the local police, no recovery has been made. The conclusion reached by the Secretary of State has my approval and I recommend that the Congress authorize an appropriation of $252.93 to be paid to Mr. Letcher. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 1928. The PRESIDENT, The White House: CALVIN COOLIDGE. Mr. Marion Letcher, a Foreign Service officer, has been assigned as American consul general in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the past several years. On February 21, 1927, he informed the department that the offices of the consulate general at Copenhagen had been entered by burglars during the night of February 18, 1927, and that the latter were successful in forcing the door of a safe cabinet, resulting in the loss of Danish kroner 480.11, together with American currency in the amount of $125.07, a total of $252.93, official moneys for which Mr. Letcher is personally accountable. From a careful investigation made by the consul general cooperating with the local police, it appears that the burglars entered a narrow window giving on a court to the rear of the consular premises by prying open the said window with an iron bar. The safe containing the funds in question, which is of the cabinet type commonly supplied consular offices by the department, was pried open apparently with the same instrument, permitting the burglars to secure entrance to the safe and remove the metal box containing the moneys. The theft was discovered by the janitor early in the morning of February 19, 1927, and every effort to apprehend the criminals has been made by the Copenhagen police without success. The department is assured that Mr. Letcher observed every reasonable precaution in protecting the funds of the Government and the investigation which has been made reveals no negligence on his part. The amount of cash on hand can not be said to be unusually large for a consular office of the importance of the consulate general at Copenhagen. I have the honor therefore to suggest that the foregoing be submitted to the Congress with the recommendation that it would seem fitting that that body should favorably consider relief legislation for Mr. Letcher. It will be noted that according to the inclosed communication from the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, to whom the matter was referred, the proposed action is not in conflict with the financial program of this Government. Respectfully submitted. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 19, 1928. FRANK B. Kellogg. BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have from Assistant Secretary of State Carr a letter dated January 9, 1928, relative to securing relief for Marion Letcher, American consul general at Copenhagen, Denmark, to reimburse him for the loss of official funds consisting of Danish kroner 480.11, together with American currency in the amount of $125.07, a total of $252.93, which were stolen from the safe cabinet in the consulate general during the night of February 18, 1927. In reply, I have to advise you that it would not be in conflict with the financial program of the President for you to submit this case to Congress for its consideration. Sincerely yours, The SECRETARY OF STATE. H. M. LORD, Director. O |