Private Law 75–286

That the Secretary

William A. Patterson and others.

Payment to.

of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to William A. Patterson, Albert E. Rust, and Louis Pfeiffer, surviving members of the firm of Patterson and Company, a copartnership doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 31, 1920; and John L. Nesbitt and Cora B. Geller as executors under the will of James T. Bentley, a deceased member of said firm, the sum of $46,670.34, in full settlement of all their claims against the United States for refund of a payment made by Patterson and Company in compliance with regulations promulgated on or about May 21, 1918, by the Wool Section of the War Industries Board, which regulations have since been held to be invalid by the Circuit Courts of Appeals for the First and Fourth Circuits, and was made under protest and upon condition that it be repaid if it should be determined by the courts that said regulations were of no legally binding effect: Provided, That no part of the

Proviso.

Limitation on attorney’s, etc., fees.

amount appropriated in 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 this claim, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty

Penalty for violation.

of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000.