Public Law 83–428

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Executive Office and sundry independent executive bureaus, boards, commissions, corporations, agencies, and offices, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1955, namely:

TITLE I EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Compensation of the President For compensation of the President, including an expense allowance at the rate of $50,000 per annum, as authorized by the Act of January 19, 1949 (3 U. S. C. 102), $150,000.

The White House Office Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for The White House Office, including not to exceed $215,000 for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at such per diem rates for individuals as the President may specify, and other personal services without regard to the provisions of law regulating the employment and compensation of persons in the Government service; newspapers, periodicals, teletype news service, and travel and official entertainment expenses of the President, to be accounted for solely on his certificate; $1,895,000.

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 this or any other Act, $366,200.

Bureau of the Budget Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the Bureau of the Budget, including newspapers and periodicals (not exceeding $200); teletype news service (not exceeding $900); not to exceed $70,000 for expenses of travel; and not to exceed $20,000 for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates not to exceed $50 per diem for individuals; $3,382,500: Provided, That the Bureau of the Budget is authorized, without regard to section 505 of the Classification Act of 1949, to place two additional positions in grade GS–18 and two additional positions in grade GS–17 of the General Schedule established by said Act.

Council of Economic Advisers Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Council in carrying out its functions under the Employment Act of 1946 (15 U. S. C. 1021), including newspapers and periodicals (not exceeding $200); not exceeding $15,000 for expenses of travel; and press clippings (not exceeding $300); $285,000, together with the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the “Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954”.

National Security Council Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the National Security Council, including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates not in excess of $50 per diem for individuals; acceptance and utilization of voluntary and uncompensated services; and expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with work related to the activity of the Council; $215,000.

Office of Defense Mobilization Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the Office of Defense Mobilization, including newspapers and periodicals (not exceeding $500); hire of passenger motor vehicles; reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard service; and expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this appropriation; $2,161,000, of which $161,000 shall be available for the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee: Provided, That contracts for not to exceed eight persons under this Appropriation for temporary or intermittent services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), may be renewed annually.

FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE PRESIDENT Emergency Fund for the President national defense For expenses necessary to enable the President, through such officers or agencies of the Government as he may designate, and without regard to such provisions of law regarding the expenditure of Government funds or the compensation and employment of persons in the Government service as he may specify, to provide in his discretion for emergencies affecting the national interest, security, or defense which may arise at home or abroad during the current fiscal year, $150,000, together with not to exceed $600,000 of the unobligated balance in such fund on June 30, 1954: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be available for allocation to finance a function or project for which function or project a budget estimate of appropriation was transmitted pursuant to law during the Eighty-third Congress, second session, and Eighty-fourth Congress, first session, and such appropriation denied after consideration thereof by the Senate or House of Representatives or by the Committee on Appropriations of either body. Expenses of Management Improvement For expenses necessary to assist the President in improving the management of executive agencies and in obtaining greater economy and efficiency through the establishment of more efficient business methods in Government operations, including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates for individuals not to exceed $50 per diem, by allocation to any agency or office in the executive branch for the conduct, under the general direction of the Bureau of the Budget, of examinations and appraisals of, and the development and installation of improvements in, the organization and operations of such agency or of other agencies in the executive branch, $300,000, to remain available until expended, and which shall be available without regard to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 3679 of the Revised Statutes, as amended.

INDEPENDENT OFFICES Advisory Committee on Weather Control salaries and expenses For necessary expenses of the Advisory Committee on Weather Control, established by the Act of August 13, 1953 (67 Stat. 559), including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), $120,000.

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, as authorized by the Act of June 26, 1946 (36 U. S. C. 121, 123–132, 138), including the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; purchase and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its Territories and possessions at a cost not exceeding $500; not to exceed $12,000 for expenses of travel; rent of office and garage space in foreign countries; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for replacement only; and insurance of official motor vehicles in foreign countries when required by law of such countries; $775,000: Provided, That where station allowance has been authorized by the Department of the Army for officers of the Army serving the Army at certain foreign stations, the same allowance shall be authorized for officers of the Armed Forces assigned to the Commission while serving at the same foreign stations, and this appropriation is hereby made available for the payment of such allowance: Provided further, That when traveling on business of the Commission, officers of the Armed Forces serving as members or as secretary of the Commission may be reimbursed for expenses as provided for civilian members of the Commission: Provided further, That the Commission may reimburse other Government agencies, including the Armed Forces, for salary, pay, and allowances of personnel assigned to it. Construction of memorials and cemeteries: For expenses necessary for the permanent design and construction of memorials and cemeteries in foreign countries as authorized by the Act of June 26, 1946 (36 U. S. C. 121, 123–132, 138b), and the Act of August 5, 1947 (50 U. S. C. App. 1819), including purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for replacement only, and not to exceed $41,276 for expenses of travel, $3,500,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Commission is hereby authorized to erect such works of architecture and art in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific as may be determined by the Commission with the consent of the Secretary of the Army: Provided further, That the Commission may reimburse other Government agencies, including the Armed Forces, for salary, pay, and allowances of personnel assigned to it.

ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Operating expenses: For necessary operating expenses of the Commission in carrying out the purposes of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, including the employment of aliens; rental in or near the District of Columbia only if no suitable Government-owned space is available in such area as determined by the General Services Administration; services authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); maintenance and operation of aircraft; publication and dissemination of atomic information; purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms; purchase of newspapers and periodicals (not to exceed $5,000); official entertainment expenses (not to exceed $5,000); not to exceed $2,564,130 for expenses of travel; reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard services; not to exceed $37,232,900 for personal services; and hire of passenger motor vehicles; $1,098,962,300, together with the unexpended balances, as of June 30, 1954, of prior year appropriations made available under this head to the Atomic Energy Commission: Provided, That of such amounts $100,000 may be expended for objects of a confidential nature and in any such case the certificate of the Commission as to the amount of the expenditure and that it is deemed inadvisable to specify the nature thereof shall be deemed a sufficient voucher for the sum therein expressed to have been expended: Provided further, That from this appropriation transfers of sums may be made to other agencies of the Government for the performance of the work for which this appropriation is made, and in such cases the sums so transferred may be merged with the appropriation to which transferred: Provided further, That no part of this appropriation shall be used to pay the salary of any officer or employee (except such officers and employees whose compensation is fixed by law, and scien-tific and technical personnel) whose position would be subject to the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, if such Act were applicable to such position, at a rate in excess of the rate payable under such Act for positions of equivalent difficulty or responsibility: Provided further, That no part of this appropriation shall be used in connection with the payment of a fixed fee to any contractor or firm of contractors engaged under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract or contracts at any installation of the Commission, where that fee for community management is at a rate in excess of $90,000 per annum, or for the operation of a transportation system where that fee is at a rate in excess of $45,000 per annum. Plant and equipment: For expenses of the Commission in connection with the purchase and construction of plant and the acquisition of equipment and other expenses incidental thereto necessary in carrying out the purposes of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, including purchase of land and interests in land; purchase of aircraft; purchase (not to exceed two hundred and fifty-eight for replacement only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; $110,882,400, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the unexpended balances of prior year appropriations made available under this head shall be merged with this appropriation: Provided further, That in addition to funds allocated for research and development for reactors the Commission may expend from funds provided under this head such sum as may be necessary, not to exceed $7,000,000, for beginning of research or construction of such reactors, without regard to any other provision of this Act: Provided further, That no part of the foregoing appropriation shall be available for the construction of any office building, residence, warehouse or similar structure, utility, or other specific portion or unit of a project, unless funds are available for the completion of such building, utility, or other specific portion or unit of such project. The foregoing proviso shall not be construed to prevent the purchase of land for any project, the construction of any new building or procurement of any machinery, equipment or materials therefor, nor any utility nor any portion or unit of a specific project if the funds are available to pay the cost of such land, the cost of such building, machinery, equipment or materials, or the cost of such utility or the cost of any such specific portion or unit of such project: Provided further, That no part of this appropriation shall be used— (A) to start any new construction project for which an estimate was not included in the budget for the current fiscal year unless it be a substitute therefor within the limits of cost included in the budget; and (B) to start any new construction project the currently estimated cost of which exceeds by thirty-five per centum the estimated cost included therefor in such budget: Provided further, That not to exceed $2,500,000 of the funds herein provided may be transferred to the Bureau of Public Roads, Department of Commerce, for the construction or improvement of access roads in the United States to sources of uranium ore. No part of the appropriations herein made to the Atomic Energy Commission shall be available for payments under any contract hereafter negotiated without advertising by the Commission, except contracts with any foreign government or any agency thereof and contracts for source material with foreign producers, unless such contract includes a clause to the effect that the Comptroller General of the United States or any of his duly authorized representatives shall until the expiration of three years after final payment have access to and the right to examine any directly pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the contractor or any of his subcontractors engaged in the performance of and involving transactions related to such contracts or subcontracts: Provided, That no part of such appropriations shall be available for payments under any such contract which includes any provision precluding an audit by the General Accounting Office of any transaction under such contract. Any appropriation available under this Act or heretofore made to the Atomic Energy Commission may initially be used subject to limitations in this Act during the fiscal year 1955 to finance the procurement of materials, services, or other costs which are a part of work or activities for which funds have been provided in any other appropriation available to the Commission: Provided, That appropriate transfers or adjustments between such appropriations shall subsequently be made for such costs on the basis of actual application determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Not to exceed 5 per centum of any appropriation under this head may be transferred to any other such appropriation but no such appropriation shall be increased by more than 5 per centum by any such transfers, and any such transfers shall be reported promptly to the appropriations committees of the House and Senate. No part of any appropriation herein made to the Atomic Energy Commission shall be used to confer a fellowship on any person who advocates or who is a member of an organization or party that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or violence or with respect to whom the Commission finds, upon investigation and report by the Civil Service Commission on the character, associations, and loyalty of whom, that reasonable grounds exist for belief that such person is disloyal to the Government of the United States: Provided, That any person who advocates or who is a member of an organization or party that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or violence and accepts employment or a fellowship the salary, wages, stipend, grant, or expenses for which are paid from any appropriation contained herein shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both: Provided further, That the above penal clause shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other provisions of existing law.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, including not to exceed $29,000 for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); not to exceed $10,000 for medical examinations performed for veterans by private physicians on a fee basis; travel expenses of examiners acting under the direction of the Commission, and expenses of examinations and investigations held in Washington and elsewhere; not to exceed $100 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals (excluding scientific, technical, trade or traffic periodicals, for official use); payment in advance for library membership in societies whose publications are available to members only or to members at a price lower than to the general public; not to exceed $65,000 for performing the duties imposed upon the Commission by the Act of July 19, 1940 (54 Stat. 767); reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard services for protection of confidential files; not to exceed $443,000 for expenses of travel; and not to exceed $5,000 for actuarial services by contract, without regard to section 3709, Revised Statutes, as amended; $15,575,600: Provided, 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 current fiscal year, but this shall not affect the making of details for service as members of the boards of examiners outside the immediate offices of the Commission in Washington or of the regional directors, nor shall it affect the making of details of persons qualified to serve as expert examiners on special subjects: 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. No part of the appropriations herein made to the Civil Service Commission shall be available for the salaries and expenses of the Legal Examining Unit in the Examining and Personnel Utilization Division of the Commission, established pursuant to Executive Order 9358 of July 1, 1943, or for the compensation or expenses of any member of a board of examiners (1) who has not made affidavit that he has not appeared in any agency proceeding within the preceding two years, and will not thereafter while a board member appear in any agency proceeding, as a party, or in behalf of a party to the proceeding, before an agency in which an applicant is employed who has been rated or will be rated by such member; or (2) who, after making such affidavit, has rated an applicant who at the time of the rating is employed by an agency before which the board member has appeared as a party, or in behalf of a party, within the preceding two years: Provided, That the definitions of “agency”, “agency proceeding”, and “party” in section 2 of the Administrative Procedure Act shall apply to these terms as used herein. No part of appropriations herein shall be used to pay the compensation of officers and employees of the Civil Service Commission who allocate or reallocate supervisory positions in the classified civil service solely on the size of the group, section, bureau, or other organization unit, or on the number of subordinates supervised. References to size of the group, section, bureau, or other organization unit or the number of subordinates supervised may be given effect only to the extent warranted by the workload of such organization unit and then only in combination with other factors, such as the kind, difficulty, and complexity of work supervised, the degree and scope of responsibility delegated to the supervisor, and the kind, degree, and value of the supervision actually exercised. Investigations of United States citizens for employment by international organizations: For expenses necessary to carry out the provisions of Executive Order No. 10422 of January 9, 1953, as amended, prescribing procedures for making available to the Secretary General of the United Nations, and the executive heads of other international organizations, certain information concerning United States citizens employed, or being considered for employment by such organizations, $400,000, together with not to exceed $500,000 of the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the “Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954”: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for advances or reimbursements to the applicable appropriations or funds of the Civil Service Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for expenses incurred by such agencies under said Executive order: Provided further, That members of the International Organizations Employees Loyalty Board may be paid actual transportation expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence authorized by the Travel Expense Act of 1949 while traveling on official business away from their homes or regular places of business, including periods while en route to and from and at the place where their services are. to be performed: Provided further, That nothing in sections 281 or 283 of title 18. United States Code, or in section 190 of the Revised Statutes (5 U. S. C. 99) shall be deemed to apply to any person because of appointment for part-time or intermittent service as a member of the International Organizations Employees Loyalty Board in the Civil Service Commission as established by Executive Order 10422, dated January 9, 1953, as amended. Annuities, Panama Canal construction employees and Lighthouse Service widows: For payment of annuities authorized by the Act of May 29, 1944, as amended (48 U. S. C. 1373a), and the Act of August 19, 1950 (64 Stat. 465), $2,354,000. Payment to the civil-service retirement and disability fund for increases in annuities provided by the Act of July 16, 1952: For payment to the “civil-service retirement and disability fund” for the cost, as heretofore determined by the Civil Service Commission, of increases in annuities provided by the Act of July 16, 1952 (66 Stat. 723), for the fiscal year 1955, $29,623,000.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses in performing the duties of the Commission as authorized by law, including newspapers (not to exceed $175), land and structures (not to exceed $4,000), special counsel fees, improvement and care of grounds and repairs to buildings (not to exceed $16,000), services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), purchase of not to exceed nine passenger motor vehicles, for replacement only, in the event adequate vehicles cannot be obtained by transfer from other departments or agencies, and not to exceed $90,000 for expenses of travel, $6,544,400, together with not to exceed $150,000 of the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the “First Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1954”.

FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the work of the Commission, as authorized by law, including not to exceed $220,000 for expenses of travel; purchase (one for replacement only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; and not to exceed $500 for newspapers; $4,150,000, of which not to exceed $10,000 shall be available for special counsel and services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), but at rates not exceeding $50 per diem for individuals.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Federal Trade Commission, including not to exceed $500 for newspapers, services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), and not to exceed $144,250 for expenses of travel, $4,045,000: Provided, That no part of the foregoing appropriation 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: Provided further, That no part of the foregoing Appropriation shall be available for a statistical analysis of the consumer’s dollar.

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the General Accounting Office, including newspapers and periodicals (not exceeding $500), and services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), $31,981,000: Provided, That the fourth paragraph under the heading “General Accounting Office” in Public Law 137, approved August 31, 1951 (65 Stat. 274), as amended by Public Law 455, approved July 5, 1952 (66 Stat. 399), is further amended by changing “four positions in grade GS–18” to “five positions in grade GS–18”, and “thirteen positions in grade GS–16” to “twelve positions in grade GS–16”.

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Operating expenses, Public Buildings Service: For necessary expenses of real property management and related activities as provided by law; repair and improvement of public buildings and grounds (including furnishings and equipment) under the control of the General Services Administration; rental of buildings in the District of Columbia; restoration of leased premises; moving Government agencies in connection with the assignment, allocation, and transfer of building space; demolition of buildings; acquisition by purchase or otherwise and disposal by sale or otherwise of real estate and interests therein; and not to exceed $182,000 for expenses of travel; $95,960,000: Provided, That the foregoing appropriation shall not be available to effect the moving of Government agencies from the District of Columbia into buildings acquired to accomplish the dispersal of Departmental functions of the executive establishment into areas outside of but accessible to the District of Columbia. Emergency operating expenses: For necessary emergency expenses of the General Services Administration not otherwise provided for, for operation, maintenance, protection, repair, alterations, and improvements of public buildings and grounds (including furnishings and equipment) to the extent that such buildings and grounds are under the control of the General Services Administration for such purposes as are provided for in Public Law 152, Eighty-first Congress, as amended; rental of buildings or parts thereof in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, including repairs, alterations, and improvements necessary for proper use by the Government, without regard to section 322 of the Act of June 30, 1932, as amended (40 U. S. C. 278a); restoration of leased premises; moving Government agencies in connection with the assignment, allocation, and transfer of building space; and not to exceed $24,300 for expenses of travel; $15,647,000: Provided, That of this amount, such sums as may be determined by the General Services Administrator to be necessary may be paid into other appropriations of the General Services Administration only for purposes of accounting: Provided further, That no part of this appropriation shall be available to effect the moving of Government agencies from the District of Columbia to accomplish the dispersal of departmental functions. Repair, improvement, and equipment of federally owned buildings outside the District of Columbia: For expenses necessary for the repair, alteration, preservation, renovation, improvement, equipment, and demolition of federally owned buildings outside the District of Columbia, not otherwise provided for, including grounds, approaches and appurtenances, wharves and piers, together with the necessary dredging adjacent thereto; acquisition of land as authorized by title III of the Act of June 16, 1949 (40 U. S. C. 297); not to exceed $100,000 for expenses of travel; and care and safeguarding of sites acquired for Federal buildings; $12,000,000, to remain available until expended. Buildings management fund: For additional working capital for the “Buildings management fund”, authorized by the Act approved July 12, 1952 (66 Stat. 594), $500,000, to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Operating expenses, Federal Supply Service: For necessary expenses of personal property management and related activities as provided by law; including not to exceed $300 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals; and not to exceed $40,600 for expenses of travel; $2,600,000. Expenses, general supply fund: For expenses necessary for operation of the general supply fund (except those authorized by law to be charged to said fund), including contractual services incident to receiving, handling, and shipping warehouse items; not to exceed $250 for purchase of newspapers and periodicals; and not to exceed $93,100 for expenses of travel; $12,066,800: Provided, That during the current fiscal year the general supply fund shall be available for the purchase of not to exceed twelve passenger motor vehicles for replacement only and for the acquisition of thirteen such vehicles from excesses reported by other agencies, or from forfeitures: Provided further, That funds available to the General Services Administration for the current fiscal year shall be available for the hire of passenger motor vehicles. Operating expenses, National Archives and Records Service: For necessary expenses in connection with Federal records management and related activities as provided by law; and not to exceed $30,750 for expenses of travel; $5,000,000, of which $100,000 shall remain available until expended for nitrate film conversion. Administrative operations: For necessary expenses of executive direction for activities under the control of the General Services Administration, of administrative operations for activities under regular appropriations for “Operating expenses”, and of processing and determining renegotiation rebates; including not to exceed $63,600 for expenses of travel; and not to exceed $250 for purchase of newspapers and periodicals; $3,789,500. Refunds under Renegotiation Act: For refunds under section 201 (f) of the Renegotiation Act of 1951, the unobligated balance of the appropriations granted under this head for the fiscal years 1952, 1953, and 1954, shall remain available until June 30, 1956: Provided, That to the extent refunds are made from this appropriation of excessive profits collected under the Renegotiation Act and retained by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, or its successors, or any of its subsidiaries, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, or its successors, or the appropriate subsidiary shall reimburse this appropriation. Strategic and critical materials: Funds available for this purpose during the current fiscal year shall be available for personal services (not to exceed $7,000,000), services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), and not to exceed $139,000 of such funds shall be available for expenses of travel: Provided, That any funds received as proceeds from sale or other disposition of materials on account of the rotation of stocks under said Act shall be deposited to the credit, and be available for expenditure for the purposes, of this appropriation: Provided further, That during the current fiscal year, there shall be no limitation on the value of surplus strategic and critical materials which, in accordance with subsection 6 (a) of the Act of July 23, 1946 (50 U. S. C. 98e (a)), may be trans-terred to stockpiles established in accordance with said Act: Provided further, That no part of funds available shall be used for construction of warehouses or tank storage facilities. Strategic and critical materials (liquidation of contract authorization): For liquidation of obligations incurred pursuant to authority heretofore granted under this head, to enter into contracts for the purpose of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act of July 23, 1946, not to exceed $27,600,000 may be expended from funds previously appropriated under the title “Strategic and critical materials”: Provided, That this amount may be disbursed through the appropriation “Strategic and critical materials” but shall be accounted for separately therein. Hospital facilities in the District of Columbia (liquidation of contract authorization): For payment of obligations incurred pursuant to authority provided under the head “Hospital Center. District of Columbia”, in the Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1949, to enter into contracts for construction, $4,500,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That this amount may be disbursed through the appropriation “Hospital facilities in the District of Columbia”, but shall be accounted for separately therein. The appropriate foregoing appropriation to the General Services Administration shall be credited with (1) advances or reimbursements for salaries and administrative expenses chargeable against other appropriations of the General Services Administration, and such salaries and expenses may be paid from such foregoing appropriation; (2) cost of maintenance, upkeep, and repair included as part of rentals received from Government corporations pursuant to law (40 U. S. C. 129); (3) reimbursements for services performed in respect to bonds and other obligations under the jurisdiction of the General Services Administration, issued by public authorities, States, or other public bodies, and such services in respect to such bonds or obligations as the Administrator deems necessary and in the public interest may, upon the request and at the expense of the issuing agencies, be provided from the appropriate foregoing appropriation; and (4) appropriations or funds available to other agencies, and transferred to the General Services Administration, in connection with property transferred to the General Services Administration pursuant to the Act of July 2, 1948 (50 U. S. C. 451ff), and such appropriations or funds may, with the approval of the Bureau of the Budget, be so transferred. During the current fiscal year, no part of any money appropriated in this or any other Act shall be used during any quarter of such fiscal year to purchase within the continental limits of the United States typewriting machines (except bookkeeping and billing machines) at a price which exceeds 90 per centum of the lowest net cash price, plus applicable Federal excise taxes, accorded the most-favored customer (other than the Government, the American National Red Cross, and the purchasers of typewriting machines for educational purposes only) of the manufacturer of such machines during the six-month period immediately preceding such quarter: Provided, That the purchase, utilization, and disposal of typewriting machines shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended.

HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY Office of the Administrator Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Office of the Administrator, including rent in the District of Columbia; services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); not to exceed $169,325 for expenses of travel; expenses of attendance at meetings of organizations concerned with the work of the agency; the salary of a special counsel, but not in addition to staff otherwise authorized, at the salary rate of grade GS–18 so long as such position is occupied by the initial incumbent thereof; and transportation expenses and not to exceed $25 per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 73b–2), for persons serving without compensation as members of any advisory committee established pursuant to title VI of the Housing Act of 1949; $2,868,500, including additional costs of establishing and operating a central staff for investigation and compliance functions for the Housing and Home Finance Agency, and the Administrator’s general supervision and coordination responsibilities under Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1947 shall hereafter carry full authority to assign and reassign functions, to reorganize and to make whatever changes, including the reallocation and transfer of administrative expense funds and authority where applicable, necessary to promote economy, efficiency and fidelity in the operations of the Housing and Home Finance Agency: Provided, That necessary expenses of inspections and of providing representatives at the site of projects being undertaken by local public agencies pursuant to title I of the Housing Act of 1949 and of projects financed through loans to educational institutions authorized by title IV of the Housing Act of 1950, shall be compensated by such agencies or institutions by the payment of fixed fees which in the aggregate will cover the costs of rendering such services, and expenses for such purpose shall be considered nonadministrative; and for the purpose of providing such inspections, the Administrator may utilize any agency and such agency may accept reimbursement or payment for such services from such institutions or the Administrator, and shall credit such amounts to the appropriations or funds against which such charges have been made, but such nonadministrative expenses shall not exceed $500,000. Capital grants for slum clearance and urban redevelopment: For an additional amount for payment of capital grants as authorized by title I of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1453, 1456), $39,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That before approving any local slum clearance program under title I of the Housing Act of 1949, the Administrator shall give consideration to the efforts of the locality to enforce local codes and regulations relating to adequate standards of health, sanitation, and safety for dwellings and to the feasibility of achieving slum clearance objectives through rehabilitation of existing dwellings and areas: Provided further, That the authority under title I of the National Housing Act shall be used to the utmost in connection with slum rehabilitation needs. Public Housing Administration Administrative expenses: For administrative expenses of the Public Housing Administration, $6,950,000, to be merged with and expended under the authorization for such expenses contained in title II of this Act. 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), $6.3,950,000. reduction in appropriations Defense housing: The sum of $4,500,000 of funds heretofore appropriated under this head is hereby rescinded, and such amount shall be covered into the Treasury promptly upon enactment of this Act: Provided, That the amount hereby rescinded may be reduced by an amount determined by the Administrator to be required as a reserve for overruns and contingencies in connection with projects heretofore assigned for construction pursuant to Public Law 139 (Eighty-second Congress).

INDIAN CLAIMS COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary to carry out the purposes of Act of August 13, 1946 (25 U. S. C. 70), creating an Indian Claims Commission, $117,000, of which not to exceed $3,560 shall be available for expenses of travel.

INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION General expenses: For necessary expenses of the Interstate Commerce Commission not otherwise provided for, including not to exceed $5,000 for employment of special counsel; services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates not to exceed $50 per diem for individuals; newspapers (not to exceed $200); purchase of not to exceed twenty passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; and not to exceed $260,000 for expenses of travel; $9,816,000, of which $100,000 shall be available for valuations of pipelines and $1,100,000 shall be available for the Section of Complaints, Bureau of Motor Carriers: Provided, That Joint Board members and cooperating State commissioners may use Government transportation requests when traveling in connection with their duties as such. Defense transport activities: For expenses necessary to enable the Commissioner of the Interstate Commerce Commission who has been delegated functions under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, to carry out such functions, including expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this appropriation, $170,000. Railroad safety: For expenses necessary in performing functions authorized by law (45 U. S. C. 1–15, 17–21, 35–46, 61–64; 49 U. S. C. 26) to insure a maximum of safety in the operation of railroads, including authority to investigate, test experimentally, and report on the use and need of any appliances or systems intended to promote the safety of railway operation, including those pertaining to block- signal and train-control systems, as authorized by the joint resolution approved June 30, 1906, and the Sundry Civil Act of May 27, 1908 (45 U. S. C. 35–37), and to require carriers by railroad subject to the Act to install automatic train-stop or train-control devices as prescribed by the Commission (49 U. S. C. 26), including the employment of inspectors and engineers, and including not to exceed $163,050 for expenses of travel, $974,500. Locomotive inspection: For expenses necessary in the enforcement 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”, as amended (45 U. S. C. 22–34), including not to exceed $112,620 for expenses of travel, $709,500.

INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON THE POTOMAC RIVER BASIN Contribution to Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin: To enable the Secretary of the Treasury to pay in advance to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin the Federal contribution toward the expenses of the Commission during the current fiscal year in the administration of its business in the conservancy district established pursuant to the Act of July 11, 1940 (54 Stat. 748), $5,000.

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Committee, including one Director at not to exceed $17,500 per annum so long as the position is held by the present incumbent; contracts for the making of special investigations and reports and for engineering, drafting and computing services; equipment; not to exceed $310,000 for expenses of travel; maintenance and operation of aircraft; purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; not to exceed $100 for newspapers and periodicals; and services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); $51,000,000, together with not to exceed $1,000,000 of the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the “First Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1954”. Construction and equipment: For construction and equipment at laboratories and research stations of the Committee, $4,620,000, to remain available until expended.

NATIONAL CAPITAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Maintenance and operation of properties: For the maintenance and operation of properties under title I of the District of Columbia Alley Dwelling Authority Act, $43,000: Provided, That all receipts derived from sales, leases, or other sources shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States monthly: Provided further, That so long as funds are available from appropriations for the foregoing purposes, the provisions of section 507 of the Housing Act of 1950 (Public Law 475, Eighty-first Congress), shall not be effective.

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, as authorized by the National Capital Planning Act of 1952 (66 Stat. 781), including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); not to exceed $100 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals; not to exceed $6,000 for expenses of travel; payment in advance for membership in societies whose publications or services are available to members only or to members at a price lower than to the general public; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for replacement only; and transportation and not to exceed $15 per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 73b–2), for members of the Commission serving without compensation; $143,000. Land acquisition, National Capital park, parkway, and playground system: Under authority of the Act of May 29, 1930 (46 Stat. 482), as amended, for necessary expenses for the National Capital Planning Commission for acquisition of land for the park, parkway, and playground system of the National Capital, to remain available until expended, $545,000, of which (a) $135,000 shall be available for the purposes of section 1 (a) of said Act of May 29, 1930, (b) $126,000 shall be available for the purposes of section 1 (b) thereof, and (c) $284,000 shall be available for the purposes of section 4 thereof: Provided, That not exceeding $26,450 of the funds available for land acquisition purposes shall be used during the current fiscal year for necessary expenses of the Commission (other than payments for land) in connection with land acquisition.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary to carry out the purposes of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1861–1875), including award of graduate fellowships; services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates not to exceed $50 per diem for individuals; hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $89,500 for expenses of travel; not to exceed $150 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals; and reimbursement of the General Services administration for security guard services; $12,250,000, to remain available until expended.

RENEGOTIATION BOARD Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Renegotiation Board, including expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this appropriation; hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $108,000 for expenses of travel; and services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates not to exceed $50 per diem for individuals; $4,500,000.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, including not to exceed $500 for the purchase of newspapers; not to exceed $125,000 for expenses of travel; and services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); $4,750,000.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Selective Service System, as authorized by title I of the Universal Military Training and Service Act (62 Stat. 604), as amended, including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); not to exceed $250 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals; not to exceed $75,000 for expenses of travel, National Administration, Planning, Training, and Records Management; not to exceed $190,000 for expenses of travel, State Administration, Planning, Training, and Records Servicing; $92,500 for the National Selective Service Appeal Board, of which not to exceed $3,875 shall be available for expenses of travel; and $205,000 for the National Advisory Committee on the Selection of Doctors, Dentists, and Allied Specialists, of which not to exceed $30,000 shall be available for expenses of travel; $29,003,063: Provided, That during the current fiscal year, the President may exempt this appropriation from the provisions of subsection (c) of section 3679 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, whenever he deems such action to be necessary in the interest of national defense. Appropriations for the Selective Service System may be used for the destruction of records accumulated under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, as amended, which are hereby authorized to be destroyed by the Director of Selective Service after compliance with the procedures for the destruction of records prescribed pursuant to the Records Disposal Act of 1943, as amended (44 U. S. C. 366–380): Provided, That no records may be transferred to any other agency without the approval of the Director of Selective Service.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the Small Business Administration, including newspapers and periodicals (not exceeding $500), expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this appropriation and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $2,025,000, together with not to exceed $100,000 of the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954; and in addition, not to exceed $2,350,000 may be transferred to this appropriation from the Revolving Fund, Small Business Administration, for administrative expenses in connection with activities financed under said Fund. revolving fund, small business administration For additional capital for the Revolving Fund authorized by the Small Business Act of 1953, to be available without fiscal year limitation, $25,000,000. revolving fund, small defense plants administration The Revolving Fund authorized by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 714 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, shall remain available during the fiscal year 1955 for payment of obligations and direct costs under contracts entered into during the fiscal year 1953.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Salaries and expenses, Smithsonian Institution: For all necessary expenses for the 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 anthropological researches among the American Indians and the natives of lands under the jurisdiction or protection of the United States, independently or in cooperation with State, educational, and scientific organizations in the United States, and the excavation and preservation of archeological remains; for maintenance of the Astrophysical Observatory and making necessary observations in high altitudes; for the administration of the National Collection of Fine Arts; for the administration, construction, and maintenance of laboratory and other facilities on Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone, under the provisions of the Act of July 2, 1940, as amended by the provisions of Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1946; for the maintenance and administration of a national air museum as authorized by the Act of August 12, 1946 (20 U. S. C. 77); including not to exceed $35,000 for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C, 55a); not to exceed $15,225 for expenses of travel; purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for guards and elevator conductors; repairs and alterations of buildings and approaches; and preparation of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations for publications; $3,000,000. 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 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 9, Seventy-sixth Congress), including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); 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; purchase or rental of devices and services for protecting buildings and contents thereof, and maintenance and repair of buildings, approaches, and grounds; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle, for replacement only; not to exceed $1,800 for expenses of travel; and not to exceed $15,000 for restoration and repair of works of art for the National Gallery of Art by contracts made, without advertising, with individuals, firms, or organizations at such rates or prices and under such terms and conditions as the Gallery may deem proper; $1,300,000.

SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Subversive Activities Control Board, including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), not to exceed $12,500 for expenses of travel, and not to exceed $100 for the purchase of newspapers and periodicals, $170,000, together with not to exceed $115,000 of the unobligated balance of funds appropriated for this purpose in the “First Independent Offices Appropriation Act, 1954” and “The Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1954”.

TARIFF COMMISSION Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Tariff Commission, including subscriptions to newspapers (not to exceed $200), not to exceed $13,500 for expenses of travel, and contract stenographic reporting services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), $1,327,000: 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: Provided further, That no part of the foregoing appropriation shall be used for making any special study, investigation or report at the request of any other agency of the executive branch of the government unless reimbursement is made for the cost thereof.

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended (16 U. S. C., ch. 12A), including purchase (not to exceed one) and hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft, and purchase (not to exceed one hundred and fifty for replacement only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $120,000,000, to remain available until expended, and to be available for the payment of obligations chargeable against prior Appropriations: Provided, That no funds appropriated for the Tennessee Valley Authority by this paragraph shall be used for the maintenance or operation of any aircraft for passenger service that is not specifically confined to the active operation of the official business of the Tennessee Valley Authority by officers or employees of such Authority, and not to exceed $673,000 (exclusive of travel for work in connection with the construction of transmission lines, dams, and steam plants) of funds available to the Tennessee Valley Authority shall be used for expenses of travel: Provided further, That no part of funds available for expenditure by this agency shall be used, directly or indirectly, to acquire a building for use as an administrative office of the Tennessee Valley Authority unless and until the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, following a study of the advisability of the proposed acquisition, shall advise the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Tennessee Valley Authority that the acquisition has his approval: Provided further, That there shall be available for resource development activities pursuant to the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended, not to exceed $1,000,000, of which $400,000 shall be derived from this appropriation and $600,000 shall be derived from proceeds of operations of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

THE TAX COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses, including contract stenographic reporting services and not to exceed $45,000 for travel expenses, $1,000,000: Provided, That travel expenses of the judges shall be paid upon the written certificate of the judge.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION General operating expenses: For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Administration, not otherwise provided for, including expenses incidental to securing employment for war veterans; purchase of fifteen passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; not to exceed $6,000 for newspapers and periodicals; not to exceed $2,800,000 for expenses of travel of employees; and not to exceed $43,700 for preparation, shipment, installation, and display of exhibits, photographic displays, moving pictures, and other visual educational information and descriptive material, including purchase or rental of equipment; $167,672,300: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be used to pay in excess of twenty persons engaged in public relations work: Provided further, That no part of any appropriation shall be used to pay educational institutions for reports and certifications of attendance at such institutions an allowance at a rate in excess of $1 per month for each eligible veteran enrolled in and attending such institution. Medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses: For expenses necessary for administration of the medical, hospital, domiciliary, special service, construction and supply, research, and employee education and training activities; expenses necessary for carrying out programs of medical research and of education and training of employees, as authorized by law; and not to exceed $834,388 for expenses of travel of employees paid from this appropriation; $14,654,000. Inpatient care: For expenses necessary for the maintenance and operation of hospitals and domiciliary facilities and for the care and treatment of beneficiaries of the Veterans Administration in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Administration as authorized by law, including the furnishing of recreational articles and facilities; maintenance and operation of farms; repairing, altering, improving or providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Administration, not otherwise provided for, either by contract, or by the hire of temporary employees and purchase of materials; purchase of sixty passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; not to exceed $315,000 for expenses of travel of employees; and aid to State or Territorial homes in conformity with the Act approved August 27, 1888, as amended (24 U. S. C. 134) for the support of veterans eligible for admission to Veterans Administration facilities for hospital or domiciliary care; $598,127,000, including the sum of $7,134,500 for reimbursable services performed for other Government agencies and individuals: Provided, That allotments and transfers may be made from this appropriation to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (Public Health Service), the Army, Navy, Air Force, 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: Provided further, That the foregoing appropriation is predicated on furnishing inpatient care and treatment to an average of 127,000 beneficiaries during the fiscal year 1955, excluding members in State or Territorial homes, and if a lesser number is experienced such appropriation shall be expended only in proportion to the average number of beneficiaries furnished such care and treatment. Outpatient care: For expenses necessary for furnishing outpatient care to beneficiaries of the Veterans Administration, as authorized by law, including not to exceed $178,000 for expenses of travel of employees; $82,134,000, of which not exceeding $11,200,000 shall be available for outpatient fee basis dental care: Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be available for outpatient dental services and treatment, or related dental appliances with respect to a service-connected dental disability which is not compensable in degree unless such condition or disability is shown to have been in existence at time of discharge and application for treatment is made within one year after discharge or by December 31, 1954, whichever is later: Provided further, That this limitation shall not apply to adjunct outpatient dental services or appliances for any dental condition associated with and held to be aggravating disability from such other service-incurred or service-aggravated injury or disease. Maintenance and operation of supply depots: For expenses necessary for maintenance and operation of supply depots, including not to exceed $4,400 for expenses of travel of employees, and purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for replacement only, $1,654,000. Compensation and pensions: For the payment of compensation, pensions, gratuities, and allowances (including burial awards authorized by Veterans Administration Regulation Numbered 9 (a), as amended, and subsistence allowances authorized by part VII of veterans Regulation la, as amended), authorized under any Act of Congress, or regulation of the President based thereon, including emergency officers’ retirement pay and annuities, the administration of which is now or may hereafter be placed in the Veterans administration, and for the payment of adjusted-service credits as provided in sections 401 and 601 of the Act of May 19, 1924, as amended (38 U. S. C. 631 and 661), $2,435,000,000, to be immediately available and to remain available until expended. Readjustment benefits: For the payment of benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by titles II, III, and V, of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended, and title II of the Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952, and for supplies, equipment, and tuition authorized by part VII and payments authorized by part IX of Veterans Administration Regulation Numbered 1 (a), as amended, $387,000,000, together with the unexpended balance as of June 30, 1954, remaining in the appropriation for “Veterans miscellaneous benefits” to be immediately available and to remain available until expended: Provided, That no part of any appropriation to the Veterans Administration shall be available, in connection with any loan authorized by title III of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended (38 U. S. C. 694–694n), for payment to the lender by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, or for credit on the loan, of an amount equivalent to 4 per centum of the amount originally loaned, guaranteed or insured by the Veterans Administration: Provided further, That no right to any such payment shall accrue after September 1, 1953, but the foregoing proviso shall not apply with respect to payments based on guarantees made, or certificates of commitments issued, prior to said date or commitments for loans made by the Veterans Administration. Military and naval insurance: For military and naval insurance, $4,932,000, to remain available until expended. Hospital and domiciliary facilities: For hospital and domiciliary facilities, for planning and for extending, with the approval of the President, 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–k) or in section 101 of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (38 U. S. C. 693a), to remain available until expended, $47,000,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provisions of existing law the Veterans Administration is authorized to advance not to exceed $2,000,000 from construction funds previously appropriated, to the city of Cleveland, Ohio, for the construction or extension of necessary water facilities to the site of the proposed Veterans Administration hospital, this amount to be repaid by the city of Cleveland in cash or water over a period of years as determined by the Veterans Administration and the city of Cleveland. National service life insurance: For the payment of benefits and for transfer to the national service life insurance fund, in accordance with the National Service Life Insurance Act of 1940, as amended, $30,570,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That certain premiums shall be credited to this appropriation as provided by the Act. Servicemen’s indemnities: For payment of liabilities under the Servicemen’s Indemnity Act of 1951, $30,000,000, to remain available until expended. Grants to the Republic of the Philippines: For payment to the Republic of the Philippines of grants in accordance with the Act of July 1, 1948 (50 U. S. C. App. 1991–1996), for expenses incident to medical care and treatment of veterans, $1,564,000. Major alterations, improvements, and repairs: For all necessary expenses of major alterations, improvements, and repairs to regional offices, supply depots, and hospital and domiciliary facilities, $3,480,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That no part of the foregoing appropriation shall be used to commence any major alteration, improvement, or repair unless funds are available for the completion of such work; and no funds shall be used for such work at any facility if the Veterans Administration is reasonably certain that the installation will be abandoned in the near future. Not to exceed 5 per centum of any appropriation for the current fiscal year for “Compensation and pensions”, “Readjustment benefits”, “Military and naval insurance”, “National service life insurance”, and “Servicemen’s indemnities”, may be transferred, to any other of the mentioned appropriations, but not to exceed 10 per centum of the appropriation so augmented. Appropriations available to the Veterans Administration for the current fiscal year for salaries and expenses shall be available for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S. C. 55a). Appropriations available to the Veterans Administration for the current fiscal year for “Inpatient care” and “Outpatient care” shall be available for funeral, burial, and other expenses incidental thereto (except burial awards authorized by Veterans Administration Regulation Numbered 9 (a), as amended), for beneficiaries of the Veterans Administration receiving care under such appropriations. No part of the appropriations in this Act for the Veterans Administration (except the appropriation for “Hospital and domiciliary facilities”) shall be available for the purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home. No part of the foregoing appropriations 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. reductions in appropriations The appropriation heretofore granted for “Soldiers’ and sailors’ civil relief” is hereby reduced by the sum of $500,000, and said amount shall be carried to the surplus of the Treasury. The appropriations heretofore granted for “Vocational rehabilitation revolving fund (Act of Mar. 24, 1943)”, are hereby reduced by the sum of $400,000, and said amount shall be carried to the surplus of the Treasury.

WAR CLAIMS COMMISSION payment of claims For payment of claims, as authorized by the War Claims Act of 1948, as amended, from funds deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the war claims fund created by section 13 (a) of said Act, such sums as may be necessary, to be available to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment of claims under sections 4 (a), 4 (b) (2), 5 (a) through (e), 6, and 7 of said Act to the payees named and in the amounts stated in certifications by the War Claims Commission and the Secretary of Labor or their duly authorized representatives, which certifications shall be in lieu of any vouchers which might otherwise be required: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for administrative expenses: Provided further, That no claims shall be allowed or paid under the provisions of said War Claims Act of 1948 from any funds other than those covered into the Treasury pursuant to the provisions of section 39 of the Trading With the Enemy Act of October 6, 1917, as amended, as provided by section 13 (a) of said War Claims Act of 1948. administrative expenses For expenses necessary to complete the activities of the War Claims Commission, including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this appropriation; not to exceed $4,000 for expenses of travel; and advances or reimbursements to other Government agencies for use of their facilities and services in carrying out the functions of the Commission; $515,000, to be derived only from the war claims fund created by section 13 (a) of the War Claims Act of 1948 (Public Law 896, approved July 3, 1948) and not to be available for obligation after March 31, 1955.

TITLE II— CORPORATIONS

The following corporations and agencies, respectively, are hereby authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available to each such corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of

61 Stat. 584.

31 USC 849.

the Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the Budget for the fiscal year 1955 for each such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided:

HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY Federal National Mortgage Association: Not to exceed $3,238,000 shall be available for administrative expenses, which shall be on an accrual basis, and shall be exclusive of interest paid, depreciation, properly capitalized expenditures, fees for servicing mortgages, 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 said Association or in which it has an interest, cost of salaries, wages, travel, and other expenses of persons employed outside of the continental United States, expenses of services performed on a contract or fee basis in connection with the performance of legal services, and all administrative expenses reimbursable from other Government agencies; and said Association may utilize and may make payment for services and facilities of the Federal Reserve banks and other agencies of the Government: Provided, That the distribution of administrative expenses to the accounts of the Association shall be made in accordance with generally recognized accounting principles and practices: Provided further, That not to exceed $87,750 shall be available for expenses of travel: Provided further, That administrative expenses not under limitation for the purposes set forth in the budget schedules for the fiscal year 1955 shall not exceed $150,000. Office of the Administrator, housing loans to educational institutions: Not to exceed $375,000 shall be available for all administrative expenses, which shall be on an accrual basis, of carrying out the functions of the Office of the Administrator under the program of housing loans to educational institutions (title IV of the Housing Act of 1950, 12 U. S. C. 1749–1749d), but this amount shall be exclusive of payment for services and facilities of the Federal Reserve banks or any member thereof, the Federal home-loan banks, and any insured bank within the meaning of the Act creating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Act of August 23, 1935, as amended, 12 U. S. C. 264) which has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as a depository of public money of the United States: Provided, That not to exceed $19,000 shall be available for expenses of travel. Office of the Administrator, revolving fund (liquidating programs): There is established as of June 30, 1954, a revolving fund, and the Administrator is authorized to credit said fund with all moneys hereafter obtained or now held by him or by any constituent agency of the Housing and Home Finance Agency or any other official thereof, and to account under said fund for all assets and liabilities, in connection with (1) community facilities provided or assisted under title II of the Lanham Act, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1531–1534), or under title III of the Defense Housing and Community Facilities and Services Act of 1951, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1592–1592n); (2) loans or advances made pursuant to title V of the War Mobilization and Reconversion Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 791), or the Act of October 13, 1949 (40 U. S. C. 451–458); (3) functions transferred under Reorganization Plan No. 23 of 1950 (5 U. S. C. 133z–15, note), or authorized under sections 102, 102a, 102b, and 102c of the Housing Act of 1948, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1701g–1701g–3); (4) notes or other obligations purchased pursuant to the Alaska Housing Act, as amended (48 U. S. C. 484 (a)); (5) subsistence homesteads and greentowns (Acts of June 29, 1936, 49 Stat. 2035, and May 19, 1949, 63 Stat. 68): (6) public war housing under title I of the Lanham Act, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1521–1524), and defense housing under title III of the Defense Housing and Community Facilities and Services Act of 1951, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1592–1592n); and (7) veterans’ reuse housing under title V of the Lanham Act, as amended (42 U. S. C. 1571–1575): Provided, That said fund shall he available for all necessary expenses (including administrative expenses) in connection with the liquidation of the programs carried out pursuant to the foregoing provisions of law, including operation, maintenance, improvement, or disposition of facilities, and for disbursements pursuant to outstanding commitments against moneys herein authorized to be credited to said fund, repayment of obligations to the Treasury, and refinancing and refunding operations on existing loans: Provided further, That any amount in said fund which is determined to be in excess of requirements for the purposes hereof shall be declared and paid as liquidating dividends to the Treasury not less often than annually: Provided further, That during the current fiscal year not to exceed $3,940,000 shall be available for administrative expenses (including not to exceed $265,000 for travel) for the foregoing purposes, but this amount shall be exclusive of costs of services performed on a contract or fee basis in connection with termination of contracts and legal services on a contract or fee basis and of payment for services and facilities of the Federal Reserve banks or any member thereof, any servicer approved by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal home-loan banks, and any insured bank within the meaning of the Act of August 23, 1935, as amended, creating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (12 U. S. C. 264) which has been designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as a depository of public money of the United States: Provided further, That after the effective date of this Act no additional notes or obligations shall be purchased from funds appropriated pursuant to the Alaska Housing Act, as amended (48 U. S. C. 484 (d)), except for the furtherance or refinancing of an existing loan: Provided further, That except for extensions, or refinancing, of existing obligations the authority to issue obligations to the Secretary of the Treasury under section 1 (4) of Reorganization Plan No. 23 of 1950 (5 U. S. C. 1332–15, note), shall terminate on June 30, 1954: Provided further, That all expenses, not otherwise specifically limited in this Act, in connection with the programs administered pursuant to the foregoing provisions of law shall not exceed $20,000,000. Home Loan Bank Board: Not to exceed a total of $775,000 shall be available for administrative expenses of the Home Loan Bank Board, and shall be derived from funds available to the Home Loan Bank Board, including those in the Home Loan Bank Board revolving fund and receipts of the Federal Home Loan Bank Administration, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, or the Home Loan Bank Board for the current fiscal year and prior fiscal years, and the Board may utilize and may make payment for services and facilities of the Federal home-loan banks, the Federal Reserve banks, the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, and other agencies of the Government: Provided, That all necessary expenses in connection with the conservatorship of institutions insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation and 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 not to exceed $35,000 shall be available for expenses of travel: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, except for the limitation in amount hereinbefore specified, the administrative expenses and other obligations of the Board 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): Provided further, That the nonadministrative expenses for the examination of Federal and State chartered institutions shall not exceed $2,395,000. Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation: Not to exceed $455,000 shall be available for administrative expenses, which shall be on an accrual basis and shall be exclusive of interest paid, depreciation, properly capitalized expenditures, expenses in connection with liquidation of insured institutions, liquidation or handling of assets of or derived from insured institutions, payment of insurance, and action for or toward the avoidance, termination, or minimizing of losses in the case of insured institutions, legal fees and expenses, and payments for administrative expenses of the Home Loan Bank Board determined by said Board to be properly allocable to said Corporation, and said Corporation may utilize and may make payment for services and facilities of the Federal home-loan banks, the Federal Reserve banks, the Home Loan Bank Board, and other agencies of the Government: Provided, That not to exceed $6,500 shall be available for expenses of travel: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, except for the limitation in amount hereinbefore specified, the administrative expenses and other obligations of said Corporation shall be incurred, allowed and paid in accordance with title IV of the Act of June 27, 1934, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1724–1730). Federal Housing Administration: In addition to the amounts available by or pursuant to law (which shall be transferred to this authorization) for the administrative expenses in carrying out duties imposed by or pursuant to law, not to exceed $5,150,000 of the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration shall be available for expenditure, in accordance with the National Housing Act, as amended (12 U. S. C. 1701): Provided, That, except as herein otherwise provided, all expenses and obligations of said Administration shall be incurred, allowed, and paid in accordance with the provisions of said Act: Provided further, That not to exceed $175,000 shall be available for expenses of travel: Provided further, That funds available for expenditure shall be available for contract actuarial services (not to exceed $1,500): and purchase of periodicals and newspapers (not to exceed $500): Provided further, That expenditures for nonadministrative expenses classified by section 2 of Public Law 387, approved October 25, 1949, shall not exceed $25,000,000. Public Housing Administration: Of the amounts available by law for the administrative expenses of the Public Housing administration in carrying out duties imposed by law including funds appropriated by title I of this Act not to exceed $6,950,000, shall be available for such expenses, including not to exceed $500,000 for expenses of travel; and expenses of attendance at meetings of organizations concerned with the work of the Administration: Provided, That necessary expenses of providing representatives of the Administration at the sites of non-Federal projects in connection with the construction of such non-Federal projects by public housing agencies with the aid of the Administration, shall be compensated by such agencies by the payment of fixed fees which in the aggregate in relation to the development costs of such projects will cover the costs of rendering such services, and expenditures by the Administration for such purpose shall be considered nonadministrative expenses, and funds received from such payments may be used only for the payment of necessary expenses of providing representatives of the administration at the sites of non-Federal projects: Provided further, That all expenses of the Public Housing Administration not specifically limited in this Act, in carrying out its duties imposed by law, shall not exceed $1,530,000: Provided further, That during the fiscal year 1955 the Commissioner shall continue to make every effort to refund all local bonds held by the Public Housing Administration under the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended.

TITLE III— GENERAL PROVISIONS