Public Law 75–455

That there is hereby established a joint congressional committee (hereinafter referred to as the “committee”) to be composed of three Senators, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three Members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Vacancies.

Representatives. A vacancy in the committee shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the functions of the committee and shall be filled in the same manner as the original

Chairman.

appointment. The committee shall select a chairman from among its members.

Sec. 2.

It shall be the duty of the committee to make a thorough study and investigation of the phosphate resources of the United States with particular reference to (1) the use and service of

Domestic consumption and exports.

Adequacy of supply.

phosphate to American agriculture, (2) the domestic consumption and exports of phosphate, (3) the adequacy of the supply of phosphate

Western phosphate deposits.

Conservation methods.

in the United States, (4) the development of phosphate deposits in the Western States, and (5) methods of conserving the phosphate resources of the United States, to the end that there may be insured a continuous supply of phosphate to meet the present and future

Report and recommendations.

needs of agriculture in rebuilding soil fertility. The committee shall report to the Senate and the House of Representatives, on or before February 15, 1939, the results of its study and investigation, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.

Sec. 3.

The committee, or any subcommittee thereof, shall have power to hold hearings and to sit and act at such places and times; to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents; to administer such oaths; to take such testimony; to have such printing and binding done; and to make such expenditures as it deems advisable.

Subpoenas.

Subpoenas shall be issued under the signature of the chairman of the committee and shall be served by any person designated by him.

Failure of witness to testify.

R. S. §§ 102–104.

2 U. S. C. §§ 192–194.

The provisions of sections 102 to 101, inclusive, of the Revised Statutes shall apply in case of any failure of any witness to comply with any subpoena, or to testify when summoned, under authority of this joint resolution. The expenses of the committee, which shall not

Limitation on expense; division of.

exceed $10,000, shall be paid one-half from the contingent fund of the Senate and one-half from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee.

Sec. 4.

The committee shall have power to employ and fix the

Personal services.

compensation of such officers, experts, and employees as it deems necessary in the performance of its duties, but the compensation so fixed shall not exceed the compensation fixed under the Classification

5 U. S. C. §§ 661–674; Supp. III, 673, 673c.

Utilization of facilities, etc., of Government agencies.

Act of 1923, as amended, for comparable duties. The committee is authorized to utilize the services, information, facilities, and personnel of the departments and agencies of the executive branch of the Government.