Volume 53 · 1200
Public Law 76–421
To provide for the adjudication by a Commissioner of claims of American nationals against the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Approved August 4, 1939
Statutory text
JOINT RESOLUTION
To provide for the adjudication by a Commissioner of claims of American nationals against the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint a Commissioner learned in the
Adjudication of claims against Government of.
law to determine the validity and amounts of the claims of American nationals against the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Appointment of Commissioner.
Republics and to fill any vacancy in the same manner that the original appointment was made.
Sec. 2.
The salary of the Commissioner shall be at the rate of
Commissioner’s salary; secretary and other assistants.
$9,000 a year. He shall have a secretary and such additional legal, clerical, and other assistants as may be approved and appointed by the Secretary of State, and at such rates of compensation as may be fixed by him within the limits of appropriated funds. Such persons may be appointed without reference to civil-service laws and rules
5 U. S. C. §§ 661–674; Supp. IV, §§ 673, 673c.
or the Classification Act of 1923, as amended.
Sec. 3.
The Commissioner shall be allowed the necessary actual
Expense allowances.
expenses of office rent, furniture, stationery, books, printing, travel expenses when on official business outside the city of Washington, and other incidental expenses which he may certify as necessary and which shall be approved by the Secretary of State.
Sec. 4.
Before entering upon his duties the Commissioner shall
Oath of office.
take a solemn oath faithfully and impartially to examine the claims and to give his decisions in accordance with his best judgment and such principles of law as may be applicable. The decisions of the
Decisions.
Commissioner shall be in writing, and shall be final and conclusive as to the merits of all cases decided. No claim within the Commissioner’s
Time limitation for filing claims.
jurisdiction which shall not have been presented to him within twelve months from the date he enters upon the duties of his office shall be considered by him.
Sec. 5.
The Commissioner shall perform his duties in the city
Location of office, method of procedure, etc.
of Washington beginning within a period of fifteen days from the date of his appointment. He shall as soon as practicable make all necessary rules and regulations not inconsistent with this resolution or the laws of the United States, governing the method of procedure before him in carrying into effect the provisions of this resolution.
For the purpose of any investigation which, in the opinion of
Administration of oaths.
the Commissioner, is necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act, he is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpena witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, or other documents which he considers relevant to any case within his jurisdiction. Any person knowingly and willfully swearing or
Perjury.
affirming falsely in any such proceedings shall be deemed guilty of perjury and shall, upon conviction, suffer the punishment provided by the laws of the United States for that offense when committed in its courts of justice.
The attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary
Attendance of witnesses and production of documentary evidence.
evidence may be required from any place in the United States at
Enforcement.
any designated place of hearing. Any failure to attend as a witness or to testify as a witness or to produce documentary evidence in an appropriate case may be regarded as a contempt of the authority of the Commissioner and shall be punishable in any court of the United States in the same manner as is provided by the laws of the United States for that offense when committed in its courts of justice.
Sec. 6.
The work of the Commissioner shall be completed within
Completion within two years.
two years from the date on which he undertakes the performance of his duties, at which time the authority vested in him by this resolution shall terminate.
Sec. 7.
The Commissioner shall upon the completion of his work
Report.
submit a written report to the Secretary of State. This report shall include a statement of the expenses of the Commissioner, a list of all claims presented to him, and his decision in each case.
Sec. 8.
When the work of the Commissioner is terminated, the
Transfer of records, etc., to Secretary of State upon termination of work.
records, books, documents, and all property of the United States, in the possession of the Commissioner or his staff, shall be turned over to the Secretary of State.
Sec. 9.
Appropriations are hereby authorized for the purpose of
Appropriation authorized.
carrying into effect the provisions of this resolution, not exceeding $25,000 in any year.
Sec. 10.
Any and all expenditures made in carrying out this
Administrative expenses a first charge on moneys received.
resolution shall be a first charge on any moneys which have been received, or may hereafter be received, in settlement of the claims described in section 1.
Approved, August 4, 1939.