The Navy Department has no objection to the proposed salvage operations, but the Department of State holds the view that these wrecks are public property of the United States, which may be alienated only by an act of Congress or by a convention having the force of law.
Message to the Congress Regarding Salvage of Wrecks of Spanish Battleships in Cuban Waters
Share
More from Bill Taft
The statute can be easily amended to include the evil I have described.
If I fail to recommend the reduction of excessive duties to this extent, I shall fail in my duty to the consuming public.
I shall not hesitate to invite the attention of Congress to this fact and to the necessity for action predicated thereon.
Other voices in this conversation
