[CHAPTER 619-18T SESSION]

[H. R. 6223)

AN ACT

To establish the composition of the United States Navy, to authorize the construction of certain naval vessels, 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 authorized composition of the United States Navy in under-age vessels, as established by the Acts of May 17, 1938 (52 Stat. 401), June 14, 1940 (54 Stat. 394), and July 19, 1940 (54 Stat. 779), is hereby further increased by 150,000 tons of combatant ships.

SEC. 2. The President of the United States is hereby authorized to provide the total under-age composition authorized in section 1 of this Act, including replacements thereof as authorized by the Act of March 27, 1934 (48 Stat. 503), by undertaking the construction of combatant ships of such types and tonnages as he determines to be necessary for the successful prosecution of the war.

SEO. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

Approved, December 23, 1941.

(467)

[CHAPTER 642-1ST SESSION]

[S. 2119]

AN ACT

To prohibit the possession of dangerous weapons and explosives on board certain vessels.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any person who brings, carries, or has in his possession any dangerous weapon, instrument, or device, or any dynamite, nitroglycerine, or other explosive article or compound on board of any vessel registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States, or any vessel purchased, requisitioned, chartered, or taken over by the United States pursuant to the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act to authorize the acquisition by the United States of title to or the use of domestic or foreign merchant vessels for urgent needs of commerce and national defense, and for other purposes", approved June 6, 1941 (Public, Numbered 101, Seventy-seventh Congress, First Session), without previously obtaining the permission of the owner or the master of such vessel, or any person who brings, carries, or has in his possession any such weapon or explosive on board of any vessel in the possession and under the control of the United States or which has been seized and forfeited by the United States or upon which a guard has been placed by the United States pursuant to the provisions of title II of the Act entitled "An Act to punish acts of interference with the foreign relations, the neutrality, and the foreign commerce of the United States, to punish espionage, and better to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes", approved June 15, 1917 (40 Stat. 220, U. S. C., title 50, secs. 191-194), without previously obtaining the permission of the captain of the port in which such vessel is located, shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000, or both.

SEC. 2. The provisions of this Act shall not apply to the personnel of the armed forces of the United States or to officers or employees of the United States or of a State or of a political subdivision thereof, while acting in the performance of their duties, who are authorized by law or by rules or regulations to own or possess any such weapon or explosive.

SEC. 8. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of section 4472 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended (54 Stat. 1023; U. S. C. 1940 Ed., title 46, sec. 170).

Approved, December 31, 1941.

[CHAPTER 21-2D SESSION]

[8. 2204]

AN ACT

Authorizing vessels of Canadian registry to transport iron ore on the Great Lakes during 1942.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, by reason of emergency conditions in transportation on the Great Lakes, notwithstanding the provisions of section 27 of the Act of Congress approved June 5, 1920 (41 Stat. 999), as amended by Act of Congress approved April 11, 1935 (49 Stat. 154), and by Act of Congress approved July 2, 1935 (49 Stat. 442), or the provisions of any other Act of Congress or regulation, vessels of Canadian registry shall be permitted to transport iron ore between United States ports on the Great Lakes during the 1942 season of navigation on the Great Lakes. Approved, January 27, 1942.

(469)

[CHAPTER 25-2D SESSION]

[H. R. 6304]

AN ACT

Authorizing appropriations for the United States Navy, additional shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $500,000,000 for essential equipment and facilities at either private or naval establishments for building or equipping any complete naval vessel or portion thereof heretofore or hereafter authorized; $275,000,000 for essential equipment and facilities at either private or public plants for repairing, altering, or converting any vessel operated by the Navy or being prepared for naval use, of which $50,000,000 shall be available for essential equipment, tools, and facilities at such plants for the repair, alteration, and upkeep of ordnance material; and $70,000,000 for tools, equipment, and facilities for the manufacture or production of ordnance material, munitions, and armor at either private or public plants.

SEC. 2. The authority herein granted shall include the authority to acquire lands at such locations as the Secretary of the Navy may deem best suited to the purpose, erect or extend buildings, acquire the necessary machinery and equipment, and in private establishments provide plant protection installations, and shall be in addition to all authority heretofore granted for these purposes. The Secretary of the Navy is hereby directed to report to Congress within six months from the enactment of this Act a statement of all land acquired under this section showing the acreage, location, and the price of each such acquisition.

Approved, January 29, 1942.

[CHAPTER 45-2D SESSION]

[H. R. 6392]

AN ACT

To authorize the construction of certain naval vessels, 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 to undertake the construction of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine minor combatant, auxiliary, and patrol vessels of various types, in addition to those heretofore authorized, for the United States Navy or for disposal in accordance with existing law.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Navy is hereby authorized to provide, at a cost not exceeding $750,000,000, essential equipment, facilities, and land at either private or public establishments, within the territorial limits of the United States, its Territories and possessions, for the construction of ships or portions thereof, and the production of ordnance material for the ships herein authorized.

SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 4. The Secretary of the Navy from time to time, but not less frequently than once every six months, shall transmit to the Congress a full report of all acquisitions of land effected under the authority of this or any subsequent Act.

Approved, February 6, 1942.