Evening star., 1932-12-09
Naval Observatory.

funds represented by the allotment set
aside for this work.
Naval Observatory.
| The work Of the Naval Observatory
was first started In 1845 as division
of the then Depot of Charts and Instru-
ments. At the present time it is a
division of the Bureau of Navigation
OF the Navy Department.
The functions Of the observatory are
| to broadcast daily the time signals
which establish the standard time for
the country and for the benefit of
servations for absolute positions of the
fundamental stars and the independent
determination, by observations of the
sun, of the position Of the ecliptic and
of the equator among the stars, and
Of the positions Of the stars. moon and
planets with reference to the equator
and equinoxes, in order to furnish
data to assist in preparing the Ameri-
can Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac
and improving the tables Of the
planets, moon AID stars; to compute
and prepare for publication the Ameri-
can Ephemeris and its supplements;
to conduct essential research work to
derive improved values of the funda-
mental astronomical elements and en-
body them in new tables of the celestial
motions.
1t is also the function of the Naval
Observatory to develop, supply, main-
tatin. repair and inspect the naviga-
tional, aeronautical and astrological in
struments for the ships and aircraft
of the Navy.
| A review Of the foregoing functions
| of the Naval Observatory indicates that
1t Is scientific organization in the field
of astronomy, producing and furnishing
to the ships of the Navy and the mer-
chant marine data that is essential
to accurate navigation as well as the
standard time for the entire country
1t Is also scientific laboratory for the
development and dissemination OF
II Is proposed that the Naval Observa-
tory, with the exception of those
activities which relate to the develop
ment, maintenance and repair of in
struments for the Navy, be transferred
to the Department of Commerce.
United States Shipping Board Merchant
| Fleet Corporation.
The United States Shipping BOARD
Merchant Fleet Corporation is a corpora
ton organized April 16, 1917, under
the laws of the District of Columbia
and under the authority contained ir
section IL of the shipping act of 191t
(39 Stat. 1881.
The purpose Of the corporation "t
the purchase, construction, equipment
lease, charter. maintenance and opera.
tion of merchant vessels in the com.
merce of the United States and in
general to do and to perform every
lawful act and thing necessary OF
expedient to be done or performed fol
the efficient and profitable conducting
of said business, as authorized by the
laws of Congress and to have and tt
exercise all the powers conferred by
the laws Of the District Of Columbis
upon corporations. under said sub.
chapter of the corporation laws Of
the District Of Columbia"
The functions of the United State:
Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corpora.
tion are clearly part of the major
purpose of developing the United
States merchant marine and therefore
should be transferred to the merchant
marine group In the Department ol
Commerce.
Inland Waterways Corporation.
The Inland Waterways Corporation
was created by the act of Congress ap-
proved June 3, 1924 (43 Stat. 360O. II
Is operated primarily for the purpose
Of demonstrating to private capital that
our streams may be utilized to furnish
in coordination with other forms ol
transportation, cheap transportation
with reasonable return on the money
invested.
The policy Of Congress In this respect
was declared in the act of February
%, 1920 (U. 8. c., title 40, Sec. 142) a.
follows:
"It is declared to be the policy o.
Congress to promote encourage anC
develop water transportation. service
and facilities in connection with thu
commerce of the United States, and II
foster and preserve in full vigor botf
rail and water transportation"
In pursuance of this policy the In
land Waterways Corporation was created
by the following provision in the &C
Of June 3, 1924:
For the purpose Of carrying on thu
operations of the Government-ownee
inland, canal and coastwise waterway!
system to the point where the system
can be transferred to private opera.
ton to the best advantage of the Gov.
ernment, Of carrying out the mandate
of Congress prescribed in section 20l
Of the transportation act Of 1920, a.
amended, and of carrying out the policy
enunciated by Congress in the first
paragraph of section 500 of such act
there is hereby created corporation
in the District of Columbia, to be
known as the Inland Waterways
Corporation. The Secretary of Wal
shall be deemed to be the incorporation
and the incorporation shall be helc
effected upon the enactment of thi;
act. The Secretary of War shall govern
and direct the corporation in the
exercise OF the functions vested in 1t BY
this act"
1t will be noted from a review Of the
above provisions Of law that the major
purpose of the Inland Waterways
Corporation Is to promote, develop ano
encourage commerce on the inland
waterways of the United States. Clearly
this is a civil rather than a military
function and should be transferred te
a civil department. Since it has to dc
with the promotion Of water-borne
commerce it is proposed that it be
transferred to the merchant marine
group of activities in the Department
Of Commerce.
Justice to Take Over
Alien Property.