Volume 49 · 610
Public Law 74–511
To authorize the selection, construction, installation, and modification of permanent stations and depots for the Army Air Corps and frontier air-defense bases generally.
Approved August 12, 1935
Statutory text
AN ACT
To authorize the selection, construction, installation, and modification of permanent stations and depots for the Army Air Corps and frontier air-defense bases generally.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed to determine in all strategic areas of the United States, including those of Alaska and our overseas possessions and holdings, the location of such additional permanent Air Corps stations and depots as he deems essential, in connection with the existing Air Corps stations and depots and the enlargement of the same when necessary, for the effective peace-time training of the General Headquarters Air Force and the Air Corps
Regions to be considered.
components of our overseas garrisons. In determining the locations of new stations and depots, consideration shall be given to the following regions for the respective purposes indicated: (1) The Atlantic Northeast—to provide for training in cold weather and in fog; (2) the Atlantic Southeast and Carribbean areas—to permit training in long-range operations, especially those incident to reinforcing the Panama Canal; (3) the Southeastern States—to provide a depot essential to the maintenance of the General Headquarters Air Force; (4) the Pacific Northwest—to establish and maintain air communication with Alaska; (5) Alaska—for training under conditions of extreme cold; (6) the Rocky Mountain area—to provide a depot essential to the maintenance of the General Headquarters Air Force, and to afford, in addition, opportunity for training in operations from fields in high altitudes; and (7) such intermediate stations as will provide for transcontinental movements incident to the concentration of the General Headquarters Air Force for maneuvers.
Selection of sites.
Requirements to be considered.
In the selection of sites for new permanent Air Corps stations and depots and in the determination of the existing stations and depots to be enlarged and/or altered, the Secretary of War shall give consideration to the following requirements:
First.
The stations shall be suitably located to form the nucleus of the set-up for concentrations of General Headquarters Air Force units in war and to permit, in peace, training and effective planning, by responsible personnel in each strategic area, for the utilization and expansion, in war, of commercial, municipal, and private flying installations.
Second.
In each strategic area deemed necessary, there shall be provided adequate storage facilities for munitions and other essentials to facilitate effective movements, concentrations, maintenance, and operations of the General Headquarters Air Force in peace and in war.
Third.
The stations and depots shall be located with a view to affording the maximum warning against surprise attack by enemy aircraft upon our own aviation and its essential installations, consistent with maintaining, in connection with existing or contemplated additional 11 So In original. landing fields, the full power of the General Headquarters Air Force for such close and distant operations over land and sea as may be required in the defense of the continental United States and in the defense and the reinforcement of our overseas possessions and holdings.
Fourth.
The number of stations and depots shall be limited to those essential to the foregoing purposes.
Sec. 2.
To accomplish the purposes of this Act, the Secretary of
Acquisition of sites.
War is authorized to accept, on behalf of the United States, free of encumbrances and without cost to the United States, the title in fee simple to such lands as he may deem necessary or desirable for new permanent Air Corps stations and depots and/or the extension of or addition to existing Air Corps stations or depots; or, with the written approval of the President, to exchange for such lands existing military reservations or portions thereof; or, if it be found impracticable to secure the necessary lands by either of these methods, to purchase the same by agreement or through condemnation proceedings.
Sec. 3.
The Secretary of War is further authorized and directed to construct, install, and equip, or complete the construction, installation, and equipment,
Construction of buildings and utilities.
inclusive of bomb-proof protection as required, at each of said stations and depots, such buildings and utilities, technical buildings and utilities, landing fields and mats, and all utilities and appurtenances thereto, ammunition storage, fuel and oil storage and distribution systems therefor, roads, walks, aprons, docks, runways, sewer, water, power, station and aerodrome lighting, telephone and signal communications, and other essentials, including the necessary grading and removal or remodeling of existing structures and installations. He is authorized, also, to direct the
Transportation of personnel and materials.
necessary transportation of personnel, and purchase, renovation, and transportation of materials, as in his judgment may be required to carry out the purposes of this Act. The Secretary of War is further
Acquisition of bombing and machine-gun ranges.
authorized to acquire by gift, purchase, lease, or otherwise, at such locations as may be desirable, such bombing and machine-gun ranges as may be required for the proper practice and training of tactical units.
Sec. 4.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any
Appropriation authorized.
Post, pp. 1640, 1641.
money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, such sums of money as may be necessary, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War for the purposes of this Act, including the expenses incident to the necessary surveys, which appropriation shall continue available until expended: Provided,
Proviso.
R. S., sec. 1136, p. 206; U. S. C., p. 293.
That the provisions of section 1136, Revised Statutes (U. S. C., title 10, par. 1339), shall not apply to the construction of the aforesaid stations and depots.
Approved, August 12, 1935.