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1946 ) EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BUREAU OF THE BUDGET Day NARA RUMAN WASHINGTON, D.C. MAY 2 8 1946 My dear Mr. Latta: On May 24, 1946, you advised this office that H. R. 4763, "For the relief of R. L. Benton," had been received at the White House and requested reports and recommendations as to the approval of the bill. The purpose of this bill is to authorize the payment of the sum of $1,856.09 to R. L. Benton, of Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma, in full settle- ment of his claim against the United States for property damage sustained by him when his truck and trailer were struck by an Army vehicle near Pea- body, Kansas, on April 15, 1944. It appears from the record that about 4 o'clock a.m. on April 15, 1944, the Army vehicle in question, which was being operated, without authority, on a purely personal mission by an enlisted man stationed at the Army Air Field, Heringson, Kansas, was proceeding in an easterly direction on U. S. Highway No. 50-S. At a point about 2 miles east of Peabody, Kansas, the Army vehicle collided with the claimant's truck and trailer which was pro- ceeding in a westerly direction along the same highway. A report of the accident made by police of the Kansas State highway patrol states that the evidence at the scene of the collision indicated that the Army vehicle 'was on the wrong side of the roadway." As a result of the accident, Mr. Benton's truck and trailer were dam- aged in the amount of $1,456.09, and he suffered a loss of $400 on account of being deprived of the use of these vehicles for a period of a month and a half. A facsimile of the enrolled enactment has been referred to the War Department, and its reply, interposing no objection to the approval of the bill, is attached. There appears to be no question but what the accident and resultant damage to Mr. Benton's truck and trailer were due to the negligence of the driver of the Government vehicle. The Congress has heretofore enacted, and the President has approved, a number of bills providing relief where accidents have occurred in the un- authorized use of Government vehicles on private or personal missions. I am authorized by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget to recom- mend that the bill be approved. Very truly yours, Mr. M. C. Iatta, The White House. Assistant Director, Enclosures. Legislative Reference.