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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BUREAU OF THE BUDGET WASHINGTON, 25, D.C. APR 191946 "My dear Mr. Latta: On April 19, 1946, you advised this office that H. R. 4239, "Granting to Guy A. Thompson, trustee, Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, debtor, and to his successors and assigns, authority to relocate, maintain, and operate a single-track railway across United States Government reservation at lock numbered 3, White River, Independence County, Arkansas, and for other purposes", had been received at the White House, and requested reports and recom- mendations as to the approval of the bill. In October 1901, the War Department granted to the White River Railway Company a license to construct, maintain, and operate a single-track railway across lands of the United States at Lock No. 3, White River, Independence County, Arkansas. This license was ratified by an Act of Congress approved February 26, 1902. In September 1943, the War Department granted a license, for a period of five years, to Guy A. Thompson, trustee, Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (successor to the White River Railway Company) to relocate the railroad track in question on other Government-owned lands at this same Lock, the desirability of re- locating the railroad track having been recommended by the Army Engineers. The license issued in September 1943, contained a provision to the effect that the permission therein granted would not be continued, extended, or renewed, unless meanwhile the grantee should have obtained authority from the Congress for the continuance of the privileges therin granted. The enrolled enactment, H. R. 4239, constitutes a legislative ratification of the license issued to Guy A. Thompson by the War De- partment in September 1943, and would authorize the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company to maintain and operate its tracks as so relocated subject to certain prescribed conditions and limitations which appear to adequately protect the interests of the United States. A facsimile of the enrolled enactment has been referred to the Mar Department, and its reply, interposing no objection to the approval of the bill, is attached. I am authorized by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget to recommend that the bill be approved. Very truly yours, Mr. M. C. Latta, The White House. Enclosures: Assistant Director, thinkey Letter from War Department. Legislative Reference. Copy each of House and Senate reports.