Private Law 74–789

That the Comptroller

John N. Hunter and others.

Credits in postal accounts.

General of the United States is hereby authorized and directed to credit the account of John N. Hunter, postmaster at South Bend, Indiana, with the sum of $4,762.31; the account of Edmund M. Cook, acting postmaster at Allegan, Michigan, with the sum of $1,652.87; and the account of Fred C. Putnam, postmaster at Kalamazoo, Michigan, with the sum of $2,001.86, representing the total amount of ninety-three postal money orders, stolen, fraudulently drawn, and negotiated by one Herman M. Sharpsteen between July 15, 1933, and June 22, 1934, and paid by the said postmasters upon proper presentation from certain banks, without fault or negligence on their part.

Sec. 2.

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and

Payments.

directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Merchants National Bank of South Bend,

To Merchants National Bank, South Bend, Ind.

South Bend, Indiana, the sum of $50, representing a part of money paid by the said bank on invalid postal money orders, numbered 72983 and 72984; and to the Saint Joseph Loan and Trust Company,

Saint Joseph Loan and Trust Company, South Bend, Ind.

of South Bend, Indiana, the sum of $995, representing a refund on seven invalid postal money orders which it paid in the amount of $695, and for which it was paid by the postmaster at South Bend, said bank subsequently refunding such amount to the said postmaster, and also representing a loss on three invalid postal money orders which it paid in the amount of $300, but which payment the postmaster at South Bend refused to recognize. Such sums shall be in full settlement of all claims against the United States for the losses suffered by said banks arising out of the fraudulent negotiation of the said money orders by one Herman M. Sharpsteen between July 15, 1933, and June 22, 1934, and paid by the said banks without fault or negligence on their part.

Sec. 3.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the recovery by the United States from Grace E. Gibson, former postmaster at Scotts, Michigan, or the surety on her official bond, of the losses suffered by the United States as a result of the stealing and fraudulent negotiation of ninety-eight postal money orders by said Herman M. Sharpsteen.

Sec. 4.

No part of the amount appropriated in this Act, or credited to any account by virtue of this Act, in excess of 10 per centum thereof shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with said claims, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the

Penalty for violation.

contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000.