Public Law 78–145

That the following

Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1944.

sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Executive Office and sundry independent executive bureaus, boards, commissions, and offices, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1944, namely:

TITLE I

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT compensation of the president and vice president For compensation of the President of the United States, $75,000. For compensation of the Vice President of the United States, $15,000. the white house office Salaries: For personal services in the office of the President, including the Secretary to the President, two additional secretaries to the President and six administrative assistants to the President at $10,000 each; $222,190: Provided, That employees of the executive departments and other establishments of the executive branch of the Government may be detailed from time to time to the office of the President of the United States for such temporary assistance as may be deemed necessary. Contingent expenses: For contingent expenses of The White House Office, including stationery, record books, telegrams, telephones, books for library, furniture and carpets for offices, automobiles, expenses of garage, including labor, special services, and miscellaneous items to be expended in the discretion of the President, $47,300. For printing and binding. $2,700. Traveling expenses: For traveling and official entertainment expenses of the President of the United States, to be expended in his discretion and accounted for on his certificate solely, $30,000. executive mansion and grounds For the care, maintenance, repair and alteration, refurnishing, improvement, heating and lighting, including electric power and fixtures of the Executive Mansion and the Executive Mansion grounds, and traveling expenses, to be expended as the President may determine, notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act, $151,500. bureau of the budget Salaries and expenses: For all expenses necessary for the work of the Bureau of the Budget, including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, contract stenographic reporting services, traveling expenses, including expenses of attendance at meetings when necessary in furthering the work of the Bureau of the Budget, lawbooks, books of reference, periodicals, and news-papers, maintenance, repair, and operation of three passenger-carrying automobiles for official use, and not to exceed $25,000 for temporary employment of persons or organizations by contract or otherwise without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, or the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, $1,552,500. For printing and binding, $52,000. National defense activities: For all necessary expenses of the Bureau of the Budget in the performance of activities relating to the national defense, including all the objects for which the appropriation “Salaries and expenses, Bureau of the Budget” is available, and including the temporary employment (not exceeding $80,000) of persons or organizations by contract or otherwise, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes and the Classification Act of 1923, as amended; the employment of persons, including State, county, or municipal officers and employees, with or without compensation; and the payment of actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence of persons serving, while away from their homes without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Bureau, $825,000. national resources planning board Salaries and expenses: For all expenses incident to the discontinuance of the work of the Board, including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, printing and binding, traveling expenses, and the payment of accumulated and accrued annual leave of employees of the Board due them after June 30, 1943, $50,000: Provided, That the National Resources Planning Board is abolished effective August 31, 1943, and the functions exercised by such Board shall not be transferred to any other agency and shall not be performed after such date except as hereafter provided by law or as authorized in the ensuing proviso of this paragraph with respect to winding up the Board’s affairs: Provided further, That the Director of the Board is authorized after August 31, 1943, and until January 1, 1944, to perform such duties and to exercise such administrative authority as may be incident to the effectuation of the discontinuance of the Board: Provided further, That the records and files of the Board shall be transferred to the National Archives. The appropriation herein made for the National Resources Planning Board shall constitute the total amount to be available for obligation by such agency during the fiscal year 1944 and shall not be supplemented by funds from any source.

INDEPENDENT ESTABLISHMENTS AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION For all expenses necessary for the work of the American Battle Monuments Commission authorized by the Act of March 4, 1923 (36 U. S. C. 121–138), and by Executive Order Numbered 6614 of February 26, 1934, including the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries for carrying out the purposes of said Act and Executive order without submission to the Attorney General of the United States under the provisions of section 355 of the Revised Statutes (34 U. S. C. 520: 40 U. S. C. 255) ; employment of personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; including not to exceed $3,000 for allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light, as authorized by the Act approved June 26, 1930 (5 U. S. C. 118a); purchase and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments in Europe at a cost not exceeding $500; travel expenses; rent of office and garage space in foreign countries which may be paid for in advance; the maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles which may be furnished to the Commission by other departments of the Government or acquired by purchase; printing, binding, engraving, lithographing, photographing, and typewriting, including the publication of information concerning the American activities, battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries in Europe; transfer of household goods and effects as provided by the Act of October 10, 1940. and regulations promulgated thereunder, and, when ordered or approved by the Commission, expenses of travel of dependents of employees when transferred from one official station to another, and the temporary transfer of employees by the Commission between places in foreign countries or between foreign countries and the United States, including transfers incident thereto, or, in the case of new appointments, transfer from place of appointment, may, if ordered or approved by the Commission, be regarded as a transfer from one official station to another for permanent duty for the purpose of authorizing the payment of travel of dependents and for the purposes of said Act of October 10, 1940, and regulations promulgated thereunder; and the purchase of maps, textbooks, newspapers and periodicals; $45,530: Provided, That, notwithstanding the requirements of existing laws or regulations, and under such terms and conditions as the Commission may in its discretion deem necessary and proper, the Commission may contract for work, supplies, materials, and equipment in Europe and engage, by contract or otherwise, the services of architects, firms of architects, and other technical and professional personnel: Provided further, That when traveling on business of the Commission, officers of the Army serving as members or as Secretary of the Commission may be reimbursed for expenses as provided for civilian members of the Commission: And provided further, That the Commission may delegate to its chairman, secretary, or officials in charge of either its Washington or Paris offices, under such terms and conditions as it may prescribe, such of its authority as it may deem necessary and proper.

BOARD OF INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH—TRANSPORTATION Board of Investigation and Research: For all necessary expenses to enable the Board of Investigation and Research to perform the duties authorized under part 1 of title III of the Transportation Act of 1940, including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; not to exceed $500 for periodicals and newspapers; not to exceed $12,000 for travel, including attendance at meetings or conventions of societies or associations concerned with the problem of the Board; contract stenographic reporting services; lawbooks and books of reference; rents in the District of Columbia; and payment of actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence to persons serving, while away from their homes, without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Board; and including not to exceed $20,000 for printing and binding; and not to exceed $10,000 for the temporary employment of persons or organizations, by contract or otherwise, without regard to section 3709, Revised Statutes, or the civil service or classification laws, to remain available until September 18, 1944, $275,000, which amount shall he added to and merged with the unexpended balance as of June 30, 1943, of the appropriations under this head in the Third Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act. 1942, and the First Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act, 1943: Provided, That the foregoing total amount shall be so used as to complete the studies, investigations, and reports authorized and required by part I, title III. of the Transportation Act of 1940.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For salaries and other necessary expenses of the Civil Service Commission, including personal services in the District of Columbia and personal services required for examination of Presidential postmasters, and including not to exceed $2,500 for employment of expert examiners not in the Federal service on special subjects for which examiners within the service are not available; medical examinations; traveling expenses, including those of examiners acting under the direction of the Commission, and expenses of examinations and investigations held in Washington and elsewhere, including not to exceed $5,000 for expenses incident to attendance at meetings of organizations concerned with the work of the Commission, when specifically directed by the Commission: furniture and other equipment and repairs thereto; rental of equipment: advertising; laundry service; streetcar fares not to exceed $1,000; purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, directories, newspapers and periodicals, not to exceed $10,000: not to exceed $100 for payment in advance when authorized by the Commission for library membership in societies whose publications are available to members only or to members at a price lower than to the general public: charts; purchase, maintenance, and repair of motortrucks, motorcycles, and bicycles; garage rent; and postage stamps to prepay postage on matter addressed to Postal Union countries; special-delivery stamps; $4,918,400. of which not to exceed $100,000 shall be available for reimbursement of the Veterans’ Administration for services rendered the Commission in connection with physical examinations of applicants for and the employees in the Federal classified service: Provided, That notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the Civil Service Commission is authorized to expend not to exceed $3,000 of this amount for actuarial services pertaining to the civil service, Canal Zone, and Alaska Railroad retirement and disability funds, to be obtained by contract, without obtaining competition, at such rates of compensation as the Commission may determine to be reasonable: Provided further, That no details from any executive department or independent establishment in the District of Columbia or elsewhere to the Commission’s central office in Washington or to any of its regional offices shall be made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1944, but this shall not affect the making of details for service as members of the boards of examiners outside the immediate offices of the regional directors: Provided further, That the Civil Service Commission shall have power in case of emergency to transfer or detail any of its employees to or from its office or field force: Provided further, That no part of any appropriation in this Act shall be available for the salaries and expenses of the Board of Legal Examiners created in the Civil Service Commission by Executive Order Numbered 8743 of April 23, 1941. Prevention of pernicious political activities: For necessary expenditures of the Civil Service Commission in performing the duties imposed upon it by the Act of July 19, 1940 (54 Stat. 767), including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; contract stenographic reporting services; advertising; streetcar fares (not to exceed $100); purchase and exchange of books of reference and periodicals (not to exceed $500); traveling expenses: and witness fees and mileage, including fees to deponents and persons taking deposition, at rates paid in the courts of the United States, $50,000. For all printing and binding for the Civil Service Commission, except as otherwise provided, $177,500. Salaries and expenses, national defense: For all necessary expenses of the Civil Service Commission in connection with the recruitment and placement of civilian personnel required in connection with emergencies affecting the national security and defense, including personal services in the District of Columbia, traveling expenses not to exceed $820,818; and other items otherwise properly chargeable to appropriations of the Civil Service Commission for salaries and expenses and printing and binding, $10,000,000: Provided, That upon the expiration of sixty days after the cessation of hostilities between the United States and the principal enemy powers or after the date of an armistice between the United States and the principal enemy powers, this appropriation shall cease to be available for obligations unless Congress shall otherwise provide by law.

civil-service retirement and disability fund For financing of the liability of the United States, created by the Act entitled “An Act for the retirement of employees in the classified civil service, and for other purposes”, approved May 22, 1920, and Acts amendatory thereof (38 U. S. C. 11), $175,104,000, which amount shall be placed to the credit of the “civil-service retirement and disability fund”.

canal zone retirement and disability fund For financing of the liability of the United States, created by the Act entitled “An Act for the retirement of employees of the Panama Canal and the Panama Railroad Company, on the Isthmus of Panama, who are citizens of the United States”, approved March 2, 1931. and Acts amendatory thereof (48 U. S. C. 1371n). $1,177,000. which amount shall be placed to the credit of the “Canal Zone retirement and disability fund”.

alaska railroad retirement and disability fund For financing of the liability of the United States created by the Act entitled “An Act for the retirement of employees of the Alaska Railroad, Territory of Alaska, who are citizens of the United States”, approved June 29, 1936 (49 Stat. 2017). $175,000, which amount shall be placed to the credit of the “Alaska Railroad retirement and disability fund”.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For salaries and expenses of the Federal Communications Commission in performing the duties imposed by the Communications Act of 1934, approved June 19, 1934 (48 Stat. 1064), the Ship Act of 1910, approved June 24, 1910, as amended (46 U. S. C. 484–487), the International Radiotelegraphic Convention (45 Stat., pt. 2, p. 2760). Executive Order Numbered 3513, dated July 9, 1921, as amended under date of June 30, 1934. relating to applications for submarine cable licenses, and the radiotelegraphy provisions of the Convention for Promoting Safety of Life at Sea, ratified by the President July 7, 1936, including personal services, contract stenographic reporting services, rental of quarters, newspapers, periodicals, reference books, lawbooks, special counsel fees, supplies and equipment, improvement and care of grounds and repairs to buildings, not to exceed $5,000, purchase and exchange (not to exceed eight), maintenance, operation, and repair of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles for official use in the field, travel expenses, including not exceeding $1,000 for expenses of attendance at meetings which in the discretion of the Commission are necessary for the efficient discharge of its responsibilities, reimbursement to ships of the United States for charges incurred by such ships in transmitting information in compliance with section 357 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. $2,000,000, of which amount not to exceed $1,218,260 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia, including compensation of employees of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. Printing and binding: For printing and binding for the Federal Communications Commission, $19,600. Salaries and expenses, national defense: For all expenses necessary to enable the Federal Communications Commission, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, to perform its functions related to national defense, including radio monitoring and foreign broadcast analysis, including all of the items of expenditure for which the appropriation “Salaries and expenses, Federal Communications Commission”, is available and not to exceed $9,000 for salary of Director of the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service; not to exceed fifty-six passenger-carrying automobiles; not to exceed $50,000 for the temporary employment of persons or organizations, by contract or otherwise, without regard to the civil service and classification laws and, in the case of language or other experts, without regard to any requirements of this Act with respect to citizenship, where citizens qualified to perform such work are not available; allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light (not exceeding $1,700 for any one person), as authorized by the Act approved June 26, 1930 (5 U. S. C. 118a); and printing and binding. $5,590,314: Provided, That upon the expiration of sixty days after the cessation of hostilities between the United States and the principal enemy powers or after the date of an armistice between the United States and the principal enemy powers, this appropriation shall cease to be available for obligations unless Congress shall otherwise provide by law.

FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION salaries and expenses For all expenses necessary for the work of the Federal Power Commission as authorized by law except for the work authorized by the Act of June 28, 1938, authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, and for other purposes (33 U. S. C. 701a), including traveling expenses; expenses of attendance at meetings which in the discretion of the Commission are necessary for the efficient discharge of its responsibilities; contract stenographic reporting services; purchase (not to exceed $3,000), hire, maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles, including not more than one such vehicle for general administrative use in the District of Columbia; and not exceeding $6,000 for purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, newspapers, and periodicals, $1,800,000; of which amount not to exceed $1,050,000 shall be available for personal services in the District of Columbia exclusive of not to exceed $20,000, which may be expended for consultants and special counsel. Flood-control surveys: For all expenses necessary for the work of the Federal Power Commission as authorized by the provisions of the Act of June 28, 1938 (52 Stat. 1215), including travel expenses; contract stenographic reporting services; $125,000, of which amount not to exceed $76,670 shall be available for personal services in the District of Columbia. National defense activities: For all necessary expenses (except priming and binding) to enable the Federal Power Commission to perform additional activities in connection with the national security and defense, including activities under the provisions of the Federal Power Act, activities under Executive Order Numbered 9165 dated May 19, 1942, and activities for the protection of the electric power supply against hostile acts, such expenses to include all items of expenditure for which the appropriations under the heading “Salaries and expenses, Federal Power Commission”, are available, $519,255: Provided, That the Commission may make expenditures in addition to the foregoing, for duties connected with the national security and defense, from other appropriations available to it: Provided, That upon the expiration of sixty days after the cessation of hostilities between the United States and the principal enemy powers or after the date of an armistice between the United States and the principal enemy powers, this appropriation shall cease to be available for obligations unless Congress shall otherwise provide by law. For all priming and binding for the Federal Power Commission, including engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, $25,000.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION For salaries and expenses of the Federal Trade Commission, including personal services in the District of Columbia; contract stenographic reporting services; supplies and equipment, lawbooks, books of reference, periodicals, garage rentals; traveling expenses, including not to exceed $900 for expenses of attendance, when specifically authorized by the Commission, at meetings concerned with the work of the Federal Trade Commission; newspapers not to exceed $500, foreign postage, and witness fees and mileage in accordance with section 9 of the Federal Trade Commission Act; $1,900,000, of which not less than $172,410 shall be available for the enforcement of the Wool Products Labeling Act: Provided, That no part of the funds appropriated herein for the Federal Trade Commission shall be expended upon any investigation hereafter provided by concurrent resolution of the Congress until funds are appropriated subsequently to the enactment of such resolution to finance the cost of such investigation. For all printing and binding for the Federal Trade Commission, $43,000.

FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY office of the administrator Salaries and expenses: For salaries and expenses in the Office of the Administrator in the District of Columbia, including the salary of a general counsel at $10,000 per annum; printing and binding (not to exceed $4,000); actual transportation and other expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence to persons serving, while away from their homes without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Administrator; purchase (including exchange) of lawbooks and other books of reference, purchase of newspapers and periodicals (not to exceed $150); preparation, shipment, and installation of photographic displays, exhibits, and other descriptive materials; travel expenses; not to exceed $1,500 for expenses of attendance, when specifically authorized by the Administrator, at meetings or conventions relating to the work of the Agency; not to exceed $6,000 for the employment of persons or organizations by contract or otherwise, for special services determined by the Administrator to be necessary, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, and classification laws, $275,000: Provided, That the Federal Works Administrator may, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, authorize the Commissioner of Public Roads and the Commissioner of Public Buildings to make appointments of personnel for such administrations. public buildings administration For carrying into effect the provisions of the Public Buildings Acts, as provided in section 6 of the Act of May 30, 1908 (31 U. S. C. 683), and for the. repair, preservation, and upkeep of ail completed public buildings under the control of the Federal Works Agency, the mechanical equipment and the grounds thereof, and sites acquired for buildings, and for the operation of certain completed and occupied buildings under the control of the Federal Works Agency, including furniture and repairs thereof, but exclusive, with respect to operation, of buildings of the United States Coast Guard, of hospitals, quarantine stations, and other Public Health Service buildings, mints, bullion depositories, and assay offices, and buildings operated by the Treasury and Post Office Departments in the District of Columbia. General administrative expenses: For architectural, engineering, mechanical, administrative, clerical, and other personal services; traveling expenses, printing and binding (not to exceed $20,000), advertising, testing instruments, lawbooks, books of reference, periodicals, and such other contingencies, articles, services, equipment, or supplies as the Commissioner of Public Buildings may deem necessary in connection with any of the work of the Public Buildings Administration: ground rent of the Federal buildings at Salamanca, New York, and Columbus, Mississippi, for which payment may be made in advance; $1,225,000, of which not to exceed $675,900 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia and not to exceed $386,100 for personal services in the field: Provided, That the foregoing appropriations shall not be available for the cost of surveys, plaster models, progress photographs, test pits and borings, or mill and shop inspections, but the cost thereof shall be construed to be chargeable against the construction appropriations of the respective projects to which they relate. Repair, preservation, and equipment, outside the District of Columbia : For repairs, alterations, improvement, and preservation, including personal services employed therefor, of completed Federal buildings, the grounds and approaches thereof, wharves, and piers, together with the necessary dredging adjacent thereto, and care and safeguarding, not otherwise provided for, of sites acquired for Federal buildings, including tools and materials for the use of the custodial and mechanical force, wire partitions and insect screens, installation and repair of mechanical equipment, gas, and electric-light fixtures, conduits, wiring, platform scales, and tower clocks; vaults and lockbox equipment in all buildings completed and occupied, and for necessary safe equipments in buildings under the administration of the Federal Works Agency, including repairs thereto, and changes in, maintenance of, and repairs to the pneumatic-tube system in New York City installed under franchise of the city of New York, approved June 29, 1909, and June 11, 1928, and the payment of any obligations arising thereunder in accordance with the provisions of the Acts approved August 5, 1909 (36 Stat. 120), and May 15, 1928 (45 Stat. 533), $2,000,000: Provided, That the total expenditures for the fiscal year for the repair and preservation of buildings not reserved by the vendors on sites acquired for buildings or the enlargement of buildings and the installation and repair of the mechanical equipment thereof shall not exceed 20 per centum of the annual rental of such buildings: Provided further, That not to exceed $500,000 may be utilized for advance studies for Federal building construction, such amount of this appropriation to remain available until expended. Salaries and expenses, public buildings and grounds in the District of Columbia and adjacent area: For administration, protection, maintenance, and improvement of public buildings and grounds in the District of Columbia and the area adjacent thereto, maintained and operated by the Public Buildings Administration, including the National Archives Building; repair, preservation, and equipment of buildings operated by the Treasury and Post Office Departments in the District of Columbia; rent of buildings; demolition of buildings: expenses incident to moving various executive departments and establishments in connection with the assignment, allocation, transfer, and survey of building space: traveling expenses and carfare; leather and rubber articles and gas masks for the protection of public property and employees; furnishings and equipment; arms and ammunition for the guard force; purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for guards and elevator conductors: and the purchase of two motor- propelled passenger-carrying vehicles: $25,633,000: Provided, That where quarters or maintenance or other services are furnished on a reimbursable basis to any governmental activity, such activity shall make payment therefor promptly by check upon the written request of the Commissioner of Public Buildings, either in advance or after the service has been furnished, for deposit to the credit of this appropriation, of all or part of the estimated or actual cost thereof, as the case may be, and proper adjustment upon the basis of the actual cost shall be made for services paid for in advance. Salaries and expenses, public buildings and grounds outside the District of Columbia: For operation, protection, and maintenance, including cleaning, heating, lighting, rental of buildings and equipment. supplies, materials, furnishings and equipment, personal services, arms, ammunition, leather and rubber articles and gas masks for the protection of public property and employees, the purchase of one motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle, and every expenditure requisite for and incidental to such maintenance and operation of public buildings and grounds outside of the District of Columbia maintained and operated by the Public Buildings Administration, $6,508,600: Provided, That all furniture now owned by the United States in other public buildings or in buildings rented by the United States shall be used, so far as practicable, whether or not it corresponds with the present regulation plan for furniture: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for contracts for telephone switchboards or equivalent telephone-switching equipment jointly serving in each case two or more governmental activities in buildings operated by the Public Buildings Administration where it is found that joint service is economical and in the interests of the Government, and any Government activity receiving such service shall pay promptly by check upon the written request of the Commissioner of Public Buildings, either in advance or after the service has been furnished, for deposit to the credit of this appropriation, all or part of the estimated or actual cost thereof, as the case may be, and proper adjustment upon the basis of the actual cost shall be made for service paid for in advance. Under the appropriations for salaries and expenses, public buildings and grounds in and outside the District of Columbia, per diem employees may be paid at rates approved by the Commissioner of Public Buildings, not exceeding current rates for similar services in the place where such services are employed, and such employees in emergencies may be entered on duty subject to confirmation by the Federal Works Administrator. In the prosecution of construction projects or planning programs assigned to the Public Buildings Administration for which funds are provided by direct appropriation or transferred under authority contained in section 35 of the Act of June 15, 1938 (40 U. S. C. 265), an amount administratively determined as necessary for the payment of salaries and expenses of personnel engaged upon the preparation of plans and specifications, field supervision, and general office expense, may be transferred and consolidated on the books of the Treasury Department into a special account for direct expenditure in the prosecution of said work, such expenditures to be subsequently allocated and reported upon by projects in accordance with, procedures prescribed by the General Accounting Office. public roads administration General administrative expenses: For the employment of persons and means, including rent, advertising (including advertising in the city of Washington for work to be performed in areas adjacent thereto), printing and binding (not to exceed $27,000). purchase (including exchange) of lawbooks, books of reference and periodicals, and the preparation, distribution, and display of exhibits, in the city of Washington and elsewhere for the purpose of conducting research and investigational studies, either independently or in cooperation with State highway departments, or other agencies, including studies of highway administration, legislation, finance, economics, transport, construction, operation, maintenance, utilization, and safety, and of street and highway traffic control; investigations and experiments in the best methods of road making, especially by the use of local materials; and studies of types of mechanical plants and appliances used for road building and maintenance, and of methods of road repair and maintenance suited to the needs of different localities; for maintenance and repairs of experimental highways; for furnishing expert advice on these subjects; for collating, reporting, and illustrating the results of same; and for preparing, publishing, and distributing bulletins and reports; to be paid from any moneys available from the administrative funds provided under the Act of July 11, 1916 (39 Stat. 355–359), as amended, or as otherwise provided. federal-aid highway system For carrying out the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act to provide that the United States shall aid the States in the construction of rural post roads, and for other purposes”, approved July 11, 1916 (39 Stat. 355–359), and all Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, to be expended in accordance with the provisions of said Act, as amended, including not to exceed $1,135,000 for departmental personal services in the District of Columbia, $40,000,000. to be immediately available and to remain available until expended, which is a part of the amount authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1942 by section 1 of the Act approved September 5, 1940 (54 Stat. 867): Provided, That none of the money herein appropriated shall be paid to any State on account of any project on which convict labor shall be employed, except this provision shall not apply to convict labor performed by convicts on parole or probation: Provided further, That not to exceed $55,000 of the funds provided for carrying out the provisions of the Federal Highway Act of November 9, 1921 (23 U. S. C. 21, 23), shall be available for the purchase of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles: Provided further, That, during the fiscal year 1944, whenever performing authorized engineering or other services in connection with the survey, construction, and maintenance, or improvement of roads for other Government agencies the charge for such services may include depreciation on engineering and road-building equipment used, and the amounts received on account of such charges shall be credited to the appropriation concerned: Provided further, That during the fiscal year 1944 the appropriations for the work of the Public Roads Administration shall be available for meeting the expenses of warehouse maintenance and the procurement, care, and handling of supplies, materials, and equipment stored therein for distribution to projects under the supervision of the Public Roads Administration, and for sale and distribution to other Government activities, the cost of such supplies and materials or the value of such equipment (including the cost of transportation and handling) to be reimbursed to appropriations current at the time additional supplies, materials, or equipment arc procured, from the appropriation chargeable with the cost or value of such supplies, materials, or equipment: Provided further, That the appropriations available to the Public Roads Administration may be used in emergency for medical supplies and services and other assistance necessary for the immediate relief of employees engaged on hazardous work under that Administration: Provided further, That the appropriations for the work of the Public Roads Administration shall be available for necessary expenses (not exceeding $9,000) of attendance at meetings and conferences of highway departments. associations, organizations, and other agencies concerned, and (not exceeding $15,000) for the temporary employment, by contract or otherwise, of technical consultants and experts without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, and classification laws. inter-american highway For all necessary expenses to enable the President to utilize the services of the Public Roads Administration in fulfilling the obligations of the United States under the Convention on the Pan-American Highway between the United States and other American Republics, signed at Buenos Aires, December 23, 1936. and proclaimed September 16, 1937 (51 Stat. 152). for the continuation of cooperation with several governments, members of the Pan American Union, in connection with the survey and construction of the Inter-American Highway as provided in Public Resolution, approved March 4, 1929 (45 Stat. 1697), as amended or supplemented, and for performing engineering service in panAmeriean countries for and upon the request of any agency or governmental corporation of the United States, $100,000 to be derived from the administrative funds provided under the Act of July 11, 1916, as amended or supplemented (23 U. S. C. 21), or as otherwise provided. For surveys in connection with and the construction of the Inter-American Highway, in accordance with the provisions of the Act approved December 26, 1941 (55 Stat. 860–861), and necessary expenses incident thereto without regard to section 3709, Revised Statutes, including the purchase of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles, $5,000,000, to be immediately available and to remain avail-able until expended. strategic highway network For carrying out projects to correct critical deficiencies in lines of the strategic network of highways and bridges, in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of the Defense Highway Act of 1941 (55 Stat. 765), $10,000,000, to be immediately available and to remain available during the continuance of the emergency declared by the President on May 27, 1941. access roads For the construction, maintenance, and improvement of access roads and for replacing existing highways and highway connections us described in, and in accordance with the provisions of, sections 6 and 9 of the Defense Highway Act of 1941 (55 Stat, 766–767), as amended by the Act approved July 2, 1942 (56 Stat. 562), $75,000,000, to be immediately available and to remain available during the continuance of the emergency declared by the President on May 27, 1941. surveys and plans For advance engineering surveys and plans for future development of the strategic network of highways and bypasses around and extension into and through municipalities and metropolitan areas, in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of the Defense Highway Act of 1941 (55 Stat, 767), $3,000,000, to be immediately available and to remain available during the continuance of the emergency declared by the President on May 27, 1941. public works administration Not to exceed $27,000 of the funds appropriated by the Public Works Administration Appropriation Act of 1938 shall be available for all administrative expenses of said Administration, including personal services and rent in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; and travel expenses. Title II, cited as the “Public Works Administration Appropriation Act of 1938”, of an Act entitled “Work Relief and Public Works Appropriation Act of 1938”, approved June 21, 1938, as amended by the “Second Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1940,” the “Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1942,” and the “Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1943,” is hereby further amended as follows: Section 201 (a) is amended by changing “June 30, 1943” to “June 30, 1944”; section 201 (b) is amended by changing “June 30, 1943” to “June 30, 1944”; and section 202 is amended by changing “June 30, 1943”, therein to “June 30, 1944”, and “July 1, 1943”, therein to “July 1, 1944”. Any of the foregoing appropriations for general or administrative expenses under the Federal Works Agency shall be available for the maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles in the District of Columbia and in the field.

FOREIGN-SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT Foreign-service pay adjustment, appreciation of foreign currencies: For carrying into effect the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act to authorize annual appropriations to meet losses sustained by officers and employees of the United States in foreign countries due to appreciation of foreign currencies in their relation to the American dollar, and for other purposes”, approved March 26, 1934 (5 U. S. C. 118c), and for each and every object and purpose specified therein, $340,000.

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE Salaries: For personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, $25,531,000: Provided, That the salary of the Assistant Comptroller General shall be at the rate of $9,000 per annum effective on the date of enactment of this Act, so long as the position is held by the present incumbent. Miscellaneous expenses: For all expenses necessary for the work of the General Accounting Office, including travel expenses; procurement and exchange of lawbooks and books of reference, and not to exceed $100 for periodicals; the purchase of one motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle; and maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles, $724,645. For all printing and binding for the General Accounting Office, including monthly and annual editions of selected decisions of the Comptroller General of the United States, $158,000.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION salaries and expenses General administrative expenses: For salaries and expenses necessary in the execution of laws to regulate commerce, including one chief counsel, one director of finance, and one director of traffic, at $10,000 each per annum, field hearings, traveling expenses, and con-tract stenographic reporting services, $2,800,000, of which amount not to exceed $2,530,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia, exclusive of special counsel, for which the expenditure shall not exceed $50,000; not exceeding $5,000 for purchase and exchange of necessary books, reports, newspapers, and periodicals. Regulating accounts: To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce compliance with section 20 and other sections of the Interstate Commerce Act as amended by the Act approved June 29, 1906, the Transportation Act, 1920 (49 U. S. C. 20), and the Transportation Act of 1940, including the employment, of necessary special accounting agents or examiners, and traveling expenses, $795,000, of which amount not to exceed $176,700 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Safety of employees: To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to keep informed regarding and to enforce compliance with Acts to promote the safety of employees and travelers upon railroads; the Act requiring common carriers to make reports of accidents and authorizing investigations thereof; and to enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to investigate and test appliances intended to promote the safety of railway operation, as authorized by the Joint Resolution approved June 30, 1906 (45 U. S. C. 35), and the provision of the Sundry Civil Act approved May 27, 1908 ( 45 U. S. C. 36, 37). to investigate, test, experimentally, and report on the use and need of any appliances or systems intended to promote the safety of railway operation, inspectors, and for traveling expenses, $520,000, of which amount not to exceed $92,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Signal safety systems: For all authorized expenditures under section 25 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended by the Transportation Act, 1920, the Act of August 26, 1937 (49 U. S. C. 26), and the Transportation Act of 1940. with respect to the provision thereof under which carriers by railroad subject to the Act may be required to install automatic train-stop or train-control devices which comply with specifications and requirements prescribed by the Commission, including investigations and tests pertaining to block-signal and train-control systems, as authorized by the Joint Resolution approved June 30, 1906 (45 U. S. C. 35). and including the employment of the necessary engineers, and for traveling expenses, $155,000, of which amount not to exceed $35,000 may be expended for personal services in the District of Columbia. Locomotive inspection: For all authorized expenditures under the provisions of the Act of February 17, 1911, entitled “An Act to promote the safety of employees and travelers upon railroads by compelling common carriers engaged in interstate commerce to equip their locomotives with safe and suitable boilers and appurtenances thereto” (45 U. S. C. 22), as amended by the Act of March 4, 1915, extending “the same powers and duties with respect to all parts and appurtenances of the locomotive and tender” (45 U. S. C. 30), and amendment of June 7, 1924 (45 U. 8. C. 27), providing for the appointment from time to time by the Interstate Commerce Commission of not more than fifteen inspectors in addition to the number authorized in the first paragraph of section 4 of the Act of 1911 (45 U. S. C. 26), and the amendment of June 27, 1930 (45 U. S. C. 24, 26). including such legal, technical, stenographic, and clerical help as the business of the offices of the director of locomotive inspection and his two assistants may require and for traveling expenses, $493,000, of which amount not to exceed $72,500 may be expended for persona] services in the District of Columbia. Valuation of property of carriers: To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to carry out the objects of the Act entitled “An Act to amend an Act entitled ‘An Act to regulate commerce’, approved February 4, 1887, and all Acts amendatory thereof, by providing for a valuation of the several classes of property of carriers subject thereto and securing information concerning their stocks, bonds, and other securities”, approved March 1, 1913, as amended by the Act of June 7, 1922 (49 U. S. C. 19a), and by the “Emergency Railroad Transportation Act. 1933” (49 U. S. C. 19a), including one director of valuation at $10,600 per annum, one valuation engineer at $7,500 per annum, and traveling expenses, $600,000. Motor transport regulation: For all authorized expenditures necessary to enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to carry out the provisions of part II of the Interstate Commerce Act and section 5, part I, of the Interstate Commerce Act insofar as applicable to common carriers subject to part II (Transportation Act of 1940), including one director at $10,000 per annum and other personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; traveling expenses; supplies; services and equipment; not to exceed $1,000 for purchase and exchange of books, reports, newspapers, and periodicals; contract stenographic reporting services; purchase (not to exceed eight), maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; not to exceed $5,000 for the purchase of evidence in connection with investigations of apparent violations of said Act, $3,100,000: Provided, That Joint Board members may use Government transportation requests when traveling in connection with their duties as Joint Board members. Not to exceed $2,500 of the appropriations herein made for the Interstate Commerce Commission shall be available for expenses, except membership fees, for attendance at meetings concerned with the work of the Commission. For all printing and binding for the Interstate Commerce Commission, including reports in all cases proposing general changes in transportation rates and not to exceed $17,000 to print and furnish to the States, at cost, report form blanks, and the receipts from such reports and blanks shall be credited to this appropriation, $150,000. Salaries and expenses, emergency: For necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, to enable the Interstate Commerce Commission, for the purpose of promoting the national security and defense, to adopt measures for preventing shortages of railroad equipment and congestion of traffic, and expediting the movement of cars by railroads through terminals, and related activities, $299,000.

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS For necessary salaries and expenses of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, including contracts for personal services in the making of special investigations and reports; traveling expenses of members and employees, including not to exceed $2,500 for attendance upon meetings of technical and professional societies; periodicals and books of reference; equipment, maintenance, and operation of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory, and the aircraft engine research laboratory at Cleveland, Ohio: purchase and maintenance of cafeteria equipment; maintenance and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; not to exceed $319,500 for personal services in the District of Columbia, including one Director of Aeronautical Research at not to exceed $10,000 per annum; and not to exceed $2,500 for temporary employment of consultants, at not to exceed $50 per diem, by contract or otherwise, without regard to the civil-service and classification laws; in all, $15,672,000. For all printing and binding for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, including all of its offices, laboratories, and services located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $15,000. Construction and equipment, Langley Field, Virginia: For construction and equipment of additional laboratory buildings and research facilities on the United States military reservation at Langley Field, Virginia, $60,000, to be available until expended. Construction and equipment: For completing construction and equipment of the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory at Moffett Field, California, $3,707,500, to remain available until expended.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES Salaries and expenses: For salaries and expenses of the Archivist and the National Archives; including personal services in the District of Columbia; scientific, technical, first-aid, protective, and other apparatus and materials for the arrangement, titling, scoring, repair, processing, editing, duplication, reproduction, and authentication of photographic and other records (including motion-picture and other films and sound recordings) in the custody of the Archivist: purchase and exchange of books, including lawbooks, books of reference, maps, and charts; contract stenographic reporting services; purchase of newspapers and periodicals; not to exceed $100 for payment in advance when authorized by the Archivist for library membership in societies whose publications are available to members only or to members at a price lower than to the general public; travel expenses; exchange of scientific and technical apparatus; and maintenance, operation, and repair of one passenger-carrying motor vehicle. $885,000. Printing and binding: For all printing and binding, $7,000.

NATIONAL HOUSING AGENCY office of the administrator Salaries and expenses: In addition to the amounts otherwise avaiable (which amounts shall be transferred to this authorization for expenditure hereunder) for the administrative expenses of the Office of the Administrator, National Housing Agency, in carrying out the provisions of the Act of October 14, 1940, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1521), such amounts, not exceeding $508,780, as the Administrator determines are required for the expenses of the Office of the Administrator, National Housing Agency, in the performance of administrative and supervisory services relating to the constituent units of said Agency shall be transferred, from the funds available for the administrative expenses of such constituent units for the fiscal year 1944. to this authorization for expenditure hereunder and shall be available until June. 30, 1944, for all necessary expenses of said Office of the Administrator, including personal services and rent in the District of Columbia: printing and binding; purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, periodicals and newspapers (not to exceed $500); preparation, mounting, shipping, and installation of exhibits (not to exceed $500); maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; not to exceed $5,000 for temporary employment of persons or organizations, by contract or otherwise, for legal or other special services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, and the Classification Act of 1923, as amended; payment, when specifically authorized by the Administrator, of (1) actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence to persons serving, while away from their homes, without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Agency and (2) not to exceed $1,500 for expenses of attendance at meetings of organizations concerned with the work of the Agency when specifically authorized by the Administrator; reimbursement for the actual cost of ferry fares and bridge, road, and tunnel tolls and an allowance not to exceed 3 cents per mile for all travel performed in privately owned automobiles by employees engaged in the inspection of property within the limits of their official posts of duty when such travel is performed in connection with such inspection: Provided, That notwithstanding the consolidation effected by Executive Order 9070, section 7 of the First Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1936, shall continue to apply to administrative expenses of and for the constituent units of the. National Housing Agency mentioned in said section 7 and shall also apply to such expenses of said National Housing Agency in connection with the functions and purposes of said constituent units, and none of the funds made available by this Act for such administrative expenses shall be obligated or expended unless and until an appropriate appropriation account shall have been established therefor pursuant to an appropriation warrant or a covering warrant, and all such expenditures shall be accounted for and audited in accordance with the Budget and Accounting Act, as amended: Provided further, That the Administrator may, with the approval of the President of the United States, transfer to this authorization or to an authorization of a constituent unit from funds available for administrative expenses of the constituent units or the Office of the Administrator of the National Housing Agency such additional sums as represent a consolidation in the Office of the Administrator or in a constituent unit of any of the administrative functions of the National Housing Agency; but no such transfer of funds shall be made unless the consolidation will result in a reduction in manpower and a savings in administrative expenses, which savings shall not be used for administrative expenses but instead shall be returned to or remain in the funds from which administrative expenses are drawn under this authorization: Provided, That a report of such transfers and the savings effected thereby shall be submitted to Congress in the annual budget. federal home loan bank administration Salaries and expenses: Not to exceed a total of $11,642,200, to be derived from the same sources as the funds made available for administrative expenses of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, and Home Owners’ Loan Corporation by the Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1943, and from the special deposit account hereinafter mentioned, shall be available during the fiscal year 1944 for administrative expenses of the Federal Home Loan Bank Administration (Executive Order Numbered 9070 of February 24, 1942), which term and the term Administration, wherever used herein, shall unless otherwise qualified include and apply to said corporations but shall be exclusive of any corporation organized in pursuance of authority contained in the Act of May 16, 1918 (40 Stat. 550). and any amendments thereof, including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; travel expenses, in accordance with the Standardized Government Travel Regulations and the Act of June 3, 1926, as amended (5 U. S. C. 821–833); expenses (not to exceed $7,500) of attendance at meetings concerned with the work of said Administration when specifically authorized by the Administration; printing and binding; lawbooks, books of reference, and not to exceed $1,250 for periodicals and newspapers; rent in the District of Columbia; the immediate purchase of one motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle; maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; payment, when specifically authorized by the Administration, of actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence of persons serving, while away from their homes, without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Administration; use of the services and facilities of the Federal home-loan banks, Federal Reserve banks, and agencies of the Government, including the use of services and facilities within the Administration; the amounts so derived to be credited upon the books of the Treasurer of the United States in such account or accounts as the Administration may determine, and the Administration in its discretion may utilize the facilities of the Division of Disbursement of the Treasury Department for the disbursement of funds in or derived from such account or accounts relating to said corporations: Provided, That (1) all necessary expenses in connection with the liquidation of insured institutions, (2) all necessary expenses (including services performed on a force account, contract or fee basis, but not including other personal services) in connection with the acquisition, protection, operation, maintenance, improvement, or disposition of real or personal property belonging to the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation or in which it has an interest, and (3) all necessary expenses (including services performed on a contract or fee basis, but not including other personal services) in connection with the handling, including the purchase, sale, and exchange, of securities on behalf of Federal home-loan banks, and the sale, issuance, and retirement of or payment of interest on, debentures or bonds, under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, as amended, shall be considered as nonadministrative expenses for the purposes hereof: Provided further, That except as herein otherwise provided, the administrative expenses and other obligations of the Administration shall be incurred, allowed, and paid in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of July 22, 1932, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1421–1449), the Home Owners’ Loan Act of 1933, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1461–1468), and title IV of the National Housing Act of June 27, 1934, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1725–1732): Provided further, That all moneys and funds heretofore deposited in the Treasury of the United States under the last sentence of section 19 of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, as amended (including unexpended balances of moneys appropriated therefrom for administrative expenses), and hereafter all moneys and funds which would, except for this provision, be so depositable thereunder, shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States in a special deposit account and shall be available, retroactively as well as prospectively, for expenditure for all purposes of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and the Federal Home Loan Bank Administration, subject to subsections (a) and (b) of section 7 of the First Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1936: Provided further, That, not-withstanding any order or regulation issued by the Office of Price Administration, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation is authorized to dispose of any real property to which such corporation has title upon such terms and conditions ns the Federal Home Loan Bank Commissioner determines will expedite the orderly liquidation of such real property: Provided further, That the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation shall prepare a plan for its liquidation at the earliest practicable date and shall, by February 1, 1944, submit a report of such plan to the Congress, setting forth the terms of liquidation and such other information as may be necessary to inform the Congress of the disposition of the property of such Corporation while in the process of liquidation: Provided further, That the Federal Home Loan Bank Commissioner, on behalf of the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation, shall transmit to the Congress semiannually during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1944, a progress report with respect to liquidation, showing all dispositions of the property of such Corporation by States during the period of liquidation, together with the amounts of Federal funds expended in the process of liquidation, and any losses incurred in the use of such funds during each quarterly period of the fiscal year 1944. The appropriation under the head “National Housing Agency” contained in the Second Deficiency Appropriation Act, 1942, is hereby continued available until June 30, 1944. federal housing administration Salaries and expenses: Not to exceed $10,199,830 of the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration as follows, (1) the mutual mortgage insurance fund, (2) the housing insurance fund, (3) the account in the Treasury comprised of funds derived from premiums collected under authority of section 2 (f), title I of the National Housing Act, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1701), and (4) the war housing insurance fund shall be available, for expenditure, in accordance with the provisions of said Act for the administrative expenses of the Federal Housing Administration, including: Personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere: travel expenses, in accordance with the Standardized Government Travel Regulations and the Act of June 3, 1926, as amended (5 U. S. C. 821–833), but there may be allowed, in addition to mileage at a rate not to exceed 4 cents per mile for travel by motor vehicle, reimbursement for the actual cost of ferry fares and bridge, road, and tunnel tolls, and employees engaged in the inspection of property may be paid an allowance not to exceed 4 cents per mile tor all travel performed in privately owned automobiles within the limits of their official posts of duty when such travel is performed in connection with such inspection; printing and binding; lawbooks, books of reference, and not to exceed $1,500 for periodicals and newspapers; not to exceed $1,500 tor contract actuarial services; procurement of supplies, equipment, and services; maintenance, repair, and operation of two motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles, to be used only for official purposes; payment, when specifically authorized by the Commissioner, of actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence to persons serving, while away from their homes, without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Administration; not to exceed $2,000 for expenses of attendance, when specifically authorized by the Commissioner, at meetings concerned with the work of the Administration; and rent in the District of Columbia: Provided, That all necessary expenses of the Administration (including services performed on a contract or fee basis, but not including other personal services) in connection with the acquisition, protection, completion, operation, maintenance, improvement, or disposition of real or personal property of the Administration acquired under authority of titles I, II, and VI of said National Housing Act, shall be considered as nonadministrative expenses for the purposes hereof: Provided further, That, except as herein otherwise provided, the administrative expenses and other obligations, including nonadministrative expenses, of the Administration shall be incurred, allowed, and paid in accordance with the provisions of said Act of June 27, 1934, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1701). Payment of losses: Not to exceed $3,000,000 of the funds of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, advanced or to be advanced to the Federal Housing Administration under authority of the National Housing Act of June 27, 1934, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1701), and not to exceed $2,000,000 of the funds (after allowance for salaries and expenses as authorized under the heading, Salaries and expenses, Federal Housing Administration) in the account in the Treasury comprised of premiums collected under authority of section 2 (f), title I, of said Act, shall be available for the payment of losses under insurance granted under section 2 and section 6, title I, of said Act. federal public housing authority Salaries and expenses: In addition to the amounts available (which shall be transferred to this authorization) for the payment of the administrative expenses of the Federal Public Housing Authority in carrying out the provisions of section 201 of the Act of September 9, 1940 (54 Stat. 872). the Act of October 14, 1940, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1521), and the Acts of March 1, 1941 (55 Stat 14), May 24, 1941 (55 Stat. 197), and December 17, 1941 (55 Stat. 810) relating to war housing, including temporary shelter, and in carrying out the provisions of sections 3 of the Acts of June 29, 1936 (40 U. S. C. 423 and 433), relating, respectively, to the operation and maintenance of the projects transferred pursuant to Executive Order Numbered 7732 of October 27, 1937, and of the projects transferred pursuant to paragraphs 1 (g) and 6 of Executive Order Numbered 9070 of February 24, 1942, not to exceed $3,400,000 of the funds of said Authority derived from its operations under the Act of September 1, 1937, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1401), shall be available for all necessary administrative expenses of said Authority, including personal services and rent in the District of Columbia; maintenance, repair, and operation of motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicles; employment of persons or organizations, by contract or otherwise, for legal or other special services, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes and the Classification Act of 1923, as amended: payment, when specifically authorized by the Commissioner, of (1) the actual transportation and other necessary expenses and not to exceed $5,000 in connection with payment of $10 per diem in lieu of subsistence to persons serving, while away from their homes and without other compensation from the United States, in an advisory capacity to the Authority and (2) expenses of attendance (not to exceed $5,000) at meetings or conventions concerned with the work of the Authority; printing and binding: purchase of lawbooks, books of reference and periodicals; and photographing equipment. Annual contributions: For the payment of annual contributions to public housing agencies in accordance with section 10 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1410), $5,750,000, together with the unexpended balance of the appropriation for this purpose for the fiscal year 1943: Provided, That except for payments required on contracts entered into prior to April 18, 1940, no part of this appropriation shall be available for payment to any public-housing agency for expenditure in connection with any low-rent housing project, unless the public-housing agency shall have adopted regulations prohibiting as a tenant of any such project by rental or occupancy any person other than a citizen of the United States.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION For salaries and expenses, including personal services in the District of Columbia, of the Securities and Exchange Commission in performing the duties imposed by law or in pursuance of law. including employment of experts when necessary; contract stenographic reporting services; purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, directories, and periodicals; not to exceed $1,000 for the purchase of newspapers; travel expenses, including the expense of attendance, when specifically authorized by the Commission, at meetings concerned with the work of the Securities and Exchange Commission; garage rental: foreign postage; mileage and witness fees; rental of equipment; operation, maintenance, and repair of one motor-propelled passenger-carrying vehicle; and purchase of rubber gloves; $4,000,000. For all printing and binding for the Securities and Exchange Commission, $48,000.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Salaries and expenses: For all salaries and expenses necessary for continuing preservation, exhibition, and increase of collections from the surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government and from other sources; for the system of international exchanges between the United States and foreign countries; for continuing ethnological researches among the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii and the excavation and preservation of archeological remains: for maintenance of the Astrophysical Observatory, including assistants, and making necessary observations in high altitudes; and for the administration of the National Collection of Fine Arts; including personal services in the District of Columbia; traveling expenses, including not exceeding $2,500 for expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the work of the Institution when specifically authorized by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; printing and binding, not exceeding $88,500, of which not to exceed $12,000 shall be available for printing the report of the American Historical Association; purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for guards and elevator conductors; repairs and alterations of buildings and approaches; not exceeding $5,500 for preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations for publications; and not exceeding $6,500 for purchase of books, pamphlets, and periodicals, $1,129,040. Salaries and expenses, National Gallery of Art: For the upkeep and operation of the National Gallery of Art, the protection and care of the works of art therein, and all administrative expenses incident thereto, as authorized by the Act of March 24, 1937 (50 Stat. 51), as amended by the Public Resolution of April 13, 1939 (Public Resolution Numbered 9. Seventy-sixth Congress), including personal services in the District of Columbia (except as otherwise provided in sec. 4 (c) of such Act); traveling expenses, including not exceeding $1,000 for expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the work of the National Gallery of Art, when specifically authorized by the treasurer of the gallery; periodicals, newspapers, lawbooks (not to exceed $150), and books of reference; not to exceed $250 for payment in advance when authorized by the treasurer of the gallery for membership in library, museum, and art associations or societies whose publications or services are available to members only, or to members at a price lower than to the general public; purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for guards and elevator operators: leather and rubber articles and gas masks for the protection of public property and employees; not to exceed $5,000 for printing and binding; maintenance, repair, and operation of one passenger-carrying automobile; purchase or rental of devices and services for protecting buildings and contents thereof; and maintenance and repair of buildings, approaches, and grounds. $541,365: Provided, That section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, or the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, shall not apply to the restoration and repair of works of art for the National Gallery of Art, the cost of which shall not exceed $15,000.

TARIFF COMMISSION For salaries and expenses of the Tariff Commission, including personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, for traveling expenses not to exceed $16,200, purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, gloves and other protective equipment for photostat and other machine operators, subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals not to exceed $2,250, and contract stenographic reporting services, as authorized by sections 330 to 341 of the Tariff Act of 1930, approved June 17, 1930 (19 U. S. C. 1330–1341), $800,000, of which amount not to exceed $2,500 may be expended for attendance at meetings concerned with subjects under investigation by the Commission; and not to exceed $7,500 for allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light, as authorized by the Act approved June 26, 1930 (5 U. S. C. 118a), but not to exceed $1,700 for any one person: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be used to pay the salary of any member of the Tariff Commission who shall hereafter participate in any proceedings under sections 336, 337, and 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, wherein he or any member of his family has any special, direct, and pecuniary interest, or in which he has acted as attorney or special representative. For all printing and binding for the Tariff Commission, $10,000.

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY For the purpose of carrying out the provisions “The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933”, as amended (16 U. S. C., ch. 12A), including the continued construction of Kentucky Dam at Gilbertsville, Kentucky: Watts,Bar Dam and Steam Plant; Fort Loudoun Dam (including an extension to bring the waters of the Little Tennessee River within the pool of this project); Cherokee Dam: Apalachin Dam; Ocoee Dam Numbered 3; Fontana Dam: South Holston Dam: Watauga Dam: Douglas Dam; an additional unit at the Sheffield steam plant; a system of public-use navigation terminals on the Tennessee River; and a fertilizer and elemental phosphorus manufacturing plant at or near Mobile, Alabama; and the acquisition of necessary land, the clearing of such land, relocation of highways, and the construction or purchase of transmission lines and other facilities, and all other necessary works authorized by such Acts, and for printing and binding, lawbooks, books of reference, newspapers, periodicals, purchase, maintenance, and operation of passenger-carrying vehicles, rents in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, and all necessary salaries and expenses connected with the organization, operation, and investigations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and for examination of estimates of appropriations and activities in the field, the unexpended balance on June 30, 1943, in the “Tennessee Valley Authority fund, 1943”, and the receipts of the Tennessee Valley Authority from all sources during the fiscal year 1944 (subject to the provisions of section 26 of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended), shall be covered into and accounted for as one fund to be known as the “Tennessee Valley Authority fund 1944”, to remain available until June 30, 1944, and to be available for the payment of obligations chargeable against the “Tennessee Valley Authority fund, 1943”: Provided, That purchases may be made by the Authority during the fiscal year 1944 without regard to the provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes and section 9 (b) of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act, as amended, when in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Authority such a procedure will expedite the completion of projects determined by the President to be essential for defense purposes: Provided further, That funds available for expenditure during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1943, may be expended to defray the necessary expenses of authorized travel, subject to the limitation that the total amount expended for such purpose during said fiscal year shall not exceed $769,044.

THE ALLEY DWELLING AUTHORITY For the maintenance and operation of properties under title I of the District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Authority Act. $12,000: Provided, That all receipts derived from sales, leases, or other sources shall be covered into the Treasury of the. United States monthly.

THE TAX COURT OF THE UNITED STATES For necessary expenses of the Tax Court of the United States as authorized by chapter 5 of the Internal Revenue Code, and sections 504 and 510 of the Revenue Act of 1942, including personal services and contract stenographic reporting services, traveling expenses, carfare, stationery, purchase and exchange of lawbooks and books of reference, and periodicals, $555,940. For all printing and binding for the Tax Court of the United States, $32,000.

UNITED STATES MARITIME COMMISSION To increase the construction fund established by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, $1,289,780,000: Provided, That during the fiscal year 1944; (1) not to exceed $19,350,000 shall be available for administrative expenses of the United States Maritime Commission, including personal services in the District of Columbia; expenses of attendance (not to exceed $5,900), when specifically authorized by the Chairman of the Commission, at meetings concerned with the work of the Commission; printing and binding; lawbooks and books of reference; periodicals and newspapers (not to exceed $6,000); teletype services; purchase (not to exceed $28,725), maintenance, repair, and operation of passenger-carrying automobiles; compensation as authorized by the Act of August 4, 1939, for officers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, detailed to the Commission; allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light, as authorized by the Act of June 26, 1930; and not to exceed $500,000 for the employment by contract or otherwise of persons, firms, or corporations for the performance of legal and other special services, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes; (2) not to exceed $3,650,000 shall be available for administrative expenses of such offices, divisions, or sections of the Commission designated from time to time by the War Shipping Administrator as a joint, service organization for the Commission and the War Shipping Administration, including the objects hereinabove specified: and (3) transfers between amount limitations above may be made upon approval of the Director of the Bureau of the Budget.

VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION Administration, medical, hospital, and domiciliary services: For all salaries and expenses of the Veterans’ Administration, including the expenses of maintenance and operation of medical, hospital, and domiciliary services of the Veterans’ Administration, in carrying out the duties, powers, and functions devolving upon it pursuant to the authority contained in the Act entitled “An Act to authorize the President to consolidate and coordinate governmental activities affecting war veterans”, approved July 3, 1930 (38 U. S. C. 11–1lf), and any and all laws for which the Veterans’ Administration is now or may hereafter be charged with administering, $117,677,000: Provided, That not to exceed $3,500 of this amount shall be available for expenses, except membership fees, of employees, detailed by the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs to attend meetings of associations for the promotion of medical science or for the betterment of insurance practices and conventions of organized war veterans: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available also for personal services in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, including traveling expenses; examination of estimates of appropriations in the field, including actual expenses of subsistence or per diem allowance in lieu thereof; furnishing and laundering of such wearing apparel as may be prescribed for employees in the performance of their official duties; purchase and exchange of lawbooks, books of reference, periodicals, and newspapers; for passenger-carrying and other motor vehicles, including purchase, maintenance, repair, and operation of same, including not more than two passenger automobiles for general administrative use of the central office in the District of Columbia: and notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the Administrator is authorized to utilize Government-owned automotive equipment in transporting children of Veterans’ Administration employees located at isolated stations to and from school under such limitations as he may by regulation prescribe; and notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the Administrator is authorized to expend not to exceed $2,000 of this appropriation for actuarial services pertaining to the Government life-insurance fund, to be obtained by contract, without obtaining competition, at such rates of compensation as he may determine to be reasonable; for allotment and transfer to the Federal Security Agency (Public Health Service), the War, Navy, and Interior Departments, for disbursement by them under the various headings of their applicable appropriations, of such amounts as are necessary for the care and treatment of beneficiaries of the Veterans’ Administration, including minor repairs and improvements of existing facilities under their jurisdiction necessary to such care and treatment; for expenses incidental to the maintenance and operation of farms; for recreational articles and facilities at institutions maintained by the Veterans’ Administration; for administrative expenses incidental to securing employment for war veterans; for funeral, burial, and other expenses incidental thereto for beneficiaries of the Veterans’ Administration accruing during the year for which this appropriation is made or prior fiscal years: Provided further, That the appropriations herein made for the care and maintenance of veterans in hospitals or homes under the jurisdiction of the Veterans’ Administration shall be available for the purchase of tobacco to be furnished, subject to such regulations as the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs shall prescribe, to veterans receiving hospital treatment or domiciliary care in Veterans’ Administration hospitals or homes: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for continuing aid to State or Territorial homes for the support of disabled volunteer soldiers and sailors, in conformity with the Act approved August 27, 1888 (24 U. S. C. 134), as amended, for those veterans eligible for admission to Veterans’ Administration facilities for hospital or domiciliary care: Provided further, That the Administrator is hereby authorized to employ medical consultants for duty on such terms as he may deem advisable and without regard to the Classification Act of 1923, as amended: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for the purchase directly from sources authorized by the common carriers of printed reduced fare requests for use by veterans when traveling at their own expense from or to Veterans’ Administration facilities: Provided further, That notwithstanding the limitation in section 106 of this Act, this appropriation shall be available for the purchase of legal newspapers in an amount not exceeding $200. No part of this appropriation shall be expended for the purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home, or for the purchase of any hospital or home; and not more than $2,500,000 of this appropriation may be used to repair, alter, improve, or provide facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Veterans’ Administration either by con-tract or by the, hire of temporary employees and the purchase of materials. For printing and binding for the Veterans’ Administration, including all its bureaus and functions located in Washington, District of Columbia, and elsewhere, $200,000. Pensions: For the payment of compensation, pensions, gratuities, and allowances, now authorized under any Act of Congress, or regulation of the President based thereon, or which may hereafter be authorized, including emergency officers’ retirement pay and annuities, the administration of which is now or may hereafter be placed in the Veterans’ Administration, accruing during the fiscal year for which this appropriation is made or in prior fiscal years, $493,000,000, to be immediately available. For military and naval insurance accruing during the fiscal year for which this appropriation is made or in prior fiscal years, $21,458,000. Adjusted service and dependent pay: For payment of adjusted-service credits of not more than $50 each and the quarterly installments due to dependents of deceased veterans, as provided in the Act of May 19, 1924, as amended (38 U. S. C. 631–632, 661–670), $125,000, to be immediately available and to remain available until expended. National Service Life Insurance: For transfer to the National Service Life Insurance Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940, on account of payments of benefits in excess of the reserve of the policy in case of death, or for premiums waived in case of total disability, in cases where the death or total disability of the insured shall have been determined by the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs to be the result of disease or injury traceable to the extra hazards of military or naval service, and to reimburse the National Service Life Insurance Fund for payments made therefrom when recovery of such payments is waived by the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs under the authority of section 609 (a) of said Act, $250,000,000, to be immediately available. Hospital and domiciliary facilities: For hospital and domiciliary facilities, $4,557,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That this amount shall be available for use by the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs, with the approval of the President, for extending any of the facilities under the jurisdiction of the Veterans’ Administration or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 1 and 2 of the Act approved March 4, 1931 (38 U. S. C. 438j): Provided further, That not to exceed 3 per centum of this amount shall be available for the employment in the District of Columbia and in the field of necessary technical and clerical assistants to aid in the preparation of plans and specifications for the projects as approved hereunder and in the supervision of the execution thereof, and for traveling expenses, field office equipment, and supplies in connection therewith. Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief: For payment of claims as authorized by article IV of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act Amendments of 1942, $70,000, to he immediately and continuously available until expended: Provided, That any moneys received under said article IV shall be credited to this appropriation. Total, Veterans’ Administration, $887,087,000: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be available for hospitalization or examination of any persons except beneficiaries entitled under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, unless reimbursement of cost is made to the appropriation at such rates as may be fixed by the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs.

TITLE II— GENERAL PROVISIONS