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ler and Assistant Au

pay, etc.

Settlement of authorized.

Assistant Comptrol- (d) That the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to appoint ditor to be appointed. an assistant comptroller and an assistant auditor and to fix their compensation, and to designate from among the persons to be employed hereunder one or more to act in the absence or disability Employees, number, of such assistant comptroller and assistant auditor. He shall also prescribe the number and maximum compensation to be paid to agents, accountants, clerks, translators, interpreters, and other ac- persons who may be employed in the work under this section by the counts by Assistants comptroller and auditor. The assistant comptroller and assistant auditor shall have full power to perform in a foreign country all the duties with reference to the settlement there of the accounts of the Military Establishment that the comptroller and auditor now have at the seat of Government and in foreign countries under the provisions of this section, and shall perform such duties in accordance with the instructions received from and rules and regulations made Civil service laws, etc., not applicable to by the comptroller and auditor. Such persons as are residing in a employees abroad. foreign country when first employed hereunder shall not be required to take an oath of office or be required to be employed pursuant to the laws, rules, and regulations relating to the classified civil service, nor shall they be reimbursed for subsistence expenses at their post of duty or for expenses in traveling to or from the United States.

Officials to examine records, receipts, disbursements, etc.

Administrative

partment waived. Vol. 28, p. 211.

(e) That it shall be the duty of all contracting, purchasing, and disbursing officers to allow any representative of the comptroller or auditor to examine all books, records, and papers in any way connected with the receipt, disbursement, or disposal of public money, and to render such accounts and at such times as may be required amination by War De by the comptroller. No administrative examination by the War Department shall be required of accounts rendered and settled abroad, and the time within which these accounts shall be rendered by disbursing officers shall be prescribed by the comptroller, who shall have power to waive any delinquency as to time or form in the Contracts to be filed rendition of these accounts. All contracts connected with accounts to be settled by the auditor abroad shall be filed in his office there. (f) That any person appointed or employed under the provisions of this section who at the time is in the service of the United States shall, upon termination of his services hereunder, be restored to the position held by him at the time of such employment. No provision of existing law shall be construed to prevent the payment of money appropriated for the salary of any Government officer or employee at the seat of Government who may be detailed to perform duty under this section outside the District of Columbia, and such details are hereby authorized.

abroad.

Restoration of employees to former positions.

Details from Washington permitted.

Vol. 39, p. 1121.

Appropriation for expenses of auditing, etc., abroad.

(g) That for the payment of the expenses in carrying into effect this section, including traveling expenses, per diem of $4 in lieu of subsistence for officers and employees absent from Washington, rent, cablegrams and telegrams, printing, law books, books of reference, periodicals, stationery, office equipment and exchange thereof, supplies, and all other necessary expenses, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, the sum Allowance at Wash- of $300,000, of which not exceeding $25,000 may be expended at Washington for the purpose of this section, but no officer or employee shall receive for duty in Washington any compensation other than his regular salary.

ington.

Pay restriction.

Two disbursing agents authorized.

Settlement of

counts.

(h) That the Secretary of the Treasury may designate not more than two persons employed hereunder to act as special disbursing ao agents of the appropriation herein, to serve under the direction of the comptroller, and their accounts shall be rendered to and settled by the accounting officers of the Treasury in Washington. All persons employed under this section shall perform such additional duties as the Secretary of the Treasury may direct.

(i) That the comptroller and the auditor, and such persons as may be authorized in writing by either of them, may administer oaths to American citizens in respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of either of said officers and certify the official character, when known, of any foreign officer whose jurat or certificate may be necessary on any paper to be filed with them.

Administration of

Employees may pur-
Army stores

That persons engaged in work abroad under the provisions of chase this section may purchase from Army stores for cash and at cost while abroad. price for their own use such articles or stores as may be sold to officers and enlisted men.

Authority to termi

(k) That the authority granted under this section shall terminate nate after close of war. six months after the close of the war or at such earlier date as the Secretary of the Treasury may direct, and it shall be the duty of the comptroller and auditor to make such reports as the Secretary of the Treasury may require of the expenditures made and work done pursuant to this section, and such reports shall be transmitted to the Congress at such time as he may decide to be compatible with the public interest.

Reports to Congress.

(1) No officers, employees, or agents appointed or employed under Limitation of salaries. this section shall receive more salary or compensation than like

officers, employees, or agents of the Government now receive.

Date of termination

proclamation.

SEC. 13. That for the purposes of this Act the date of the termi- of war to be fixed by nation of the war between the United States and the Imperial German Government shall be fixed by proclamation of the President of the United States.

Approved, September 24, 1917.

CHAP. 57.—An Act Extending the time for the construction of a bridge across the Arkansas River between the cities of Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas.

September 25, 1917.
[S. 2830.]
[Public, No. 44.]

Arkansas River, Ark. Time extended for bridging, by Pulaski

County.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge, authorized by Act of Congress approved August seventh, nineteen hundred and four- Vol. 38, p. 685, teen, to be built across the Arkansas River between the cities of Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas, are hereby extended one and three years, respectively, from the date hereof.

amended.

SEC. 2. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby Amendment. expressly reserved.

Approved, September 25, 1917.

CHAP. 58.—An Act To authorize the construction of a building for the use of the Treasury Department.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to cause to be constructed, upon land belonging to the United States, at the northeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Madison Place, in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, a suitable building, complete, for the use of the Treasury Department, and to cause an underground connection of said building with the Treasury building to be constructed; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and empowered to enter into the necessary contracts at a total limit of cost for said building and underground connection of not to exceed $1,250,000.

100768°-65-1-20

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Technical, etc., serv. ices authorized.

September 28, 1917.
[H. R. 5335.]
[Public, No. 46.]

Tug Fork of Big

W. Va.

SEC. 2. That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby further authorized, without regard to civil-service laws, rules, or regulations, to obtain such special architectural or other expert technical services as he may deem necessary and specially order in writing, and to pay for such services such prices or rates of compensation as he may consider just and reasonable from the appropriation for said building, any statute to the contrary notwithstanding.

Approved, September 27, 1917.

CHAP. 59.-An Act To extend the time for constructing a bridge across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River near Warfield, Kentucky, and Kermit, West Virginia, authorized by an Act approved January twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and sixteen.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Sandy River, Ky. and States of America in Congress assembled, That the times for comTime extended for mencing and completing the construction of a bridge authorized by bridging, by Interstate the Act of Congress approved January twenty-eighth, nineteen hunVol. 39, p. 7, amend- dred and sixteen, to be built across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy

Bridge Company.

ed.

Amendment.

River near Warfield, Kentucky, and Kermit, West Virginia, are hereby extended to one year and three years, respectively, from the twenty-eighth day of January, nineteen hundred and seventeen.

SEC. 2. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.

Approved, September 28, 1917.

October 1, 1917. [H. R. 5431.]

[Public, No. 47.]

Saline River.

Ark., may bridge, Suttons Ferry.

CHAP. 60.-An Act To authorize the construction, maintenance, and operation of a bridge across the Saline River, at or near Suttons Ferry, Arkansas.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Bradley County, States of America in Congress assembled, That the county of Bradley, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Arkansas, its successors and assigns, be, and they are hereby, authorized to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Saline River, at or near Suttons Ferry in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section fifteen, township thirteen south, range nine west, of the fifth principal meridian on the Warren and Monticello Road, at a point suitable to the interests of navigation, in accordance with the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act to regulate the construction of bridges over navigable waters,' approved March twenty-third, nineteen hundred and six.

Construction.
Vol. 34, p. 84.

Amendment.

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SEC. 2. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.

Approved, October 1, 1917

October 1, 1917. [S. 2705.] [Public, No. 48.] Aircraft Board.

ment of air service.

CHAP. 61.—An Act To create the Aircraft Board and provide for its maintenance. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Created for develop- States of America in Congress assembled, That for the purpose of expanding and coordinating the industrial activities relating to aircraft, or parts of aircraft, produced for any purpose in the United States, and to facilitate generally the development of air service, a board is hereby created, to be known as the Aircraft Board, hereinafter referred to as the board.

Composition.

SEC. 2. That the board shall number not more than nine in all, and shall include a civilian chairman, the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, and two other officers of the Army, to be appointed by the

Secretary of War; the Chief Constructor of the Navy and two other officers of the Navy, to be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy; and two additional civilian members. The chairman and civilian, Appointment of civilmembers shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

ian members.

Tenure of office.

Civilians to serve

SEC. 3. That said board and tenure of office of the members thereof shall continue during the pleasure of the President, but not longer than six months after the present war. The civilian members without pay. of the board shall serve without compensation.

etc., by.

plants,

SEC. 4. That the board is hereby empowered, under the direction Supervision of purand control of and as authorized by the Secretary of War and the construction Secretary of the Navy, respectively, on behalf of the Departments of War and Navy, to supervise and direct, in accordance with the requirements prescribed or approved by the respective departments, the purchase, production, and manufacture of aircraft, engines, and all ordnance and instruments used in connection therewith, and accessories and materials therefor, including the purchase, lease, acquisition, or construction of plants for the manufacture of aircraft, engines, and accessories: Provided, That the board may make recommendations as to contracts and their distribution in connection with to contracts by. the foregoing, but every contract shall be made by the already constituted authorities of the respective departments.

Proviso.

Recommendations as

Employees, experts,

Provisos.

Pay of experts. Administrative and contingent expenses al

Payment from Signal

SEC. 5. That the board is also empowered to employ, either in the etc., authorized. District of Columbia or elsewhere, such clerks and other employees as may be necessary to the conduct of its business, including such technical experts and advisers as may be found necessary, and to fix their salaries. Such salaries shall conform to those usually paid by the Salaries. Government for similar service: Provided, That by unanimous approval of the board higher compensation may be paid to technical experts and advisers. The board may rent suitable offices in the District of Columbia or elsewhere, purchase necessary office equip- lowed." ment and supplies, including scientific publications and printing, and may incur necessary administrative and contingent expenses, and for all of the expenses enumerated in this paragraph there shall be service appropriations. allotted by the Chief Signal Officer of the Army for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and seventeen and nineteen hundred and eighteen the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, from any appropriation now existing for or hereinafter made to the Signal Corps of the Army, and such appropriation is hereby made available for these purposes: Provided further, That except upon the joint and enDuplication of presconcurrent approval of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy there shall not be established or maintained under the board any office or organization duplicating or replacing, in whole or in part, any office or organization now existing that can be properly established or maintained by appropriations made for or available for the military or naval services: Provided further, That a report shall be Report to Congress. made to Congress on the first day of each regular session of the salaries paid from this appropriation to clerks and employees by grades, and the number in each such grade. Approved, October 1, 1917.

CHAP. 62.-An Act To authorize exploration for and disposition of potassium. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to issue to any applicant who is a citizen of the United States, an association of such citizens, or a corporation organized under the laws of any State or Territory

work restricted.

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two years.

Exception.

Right exclusive for thereof, a prospecting permit which shall give the exclusive right, for a period not exceeding two years, to prospect for chlorides, sulphates, carbonates, borates, silicates, or nitrates of potassium on public lands of the United States, except lands in and adjacent to Searles Lake, which would be described if surveyed as townships twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, and twenty-seven south of ranges forty-two, forty-three, and forty-four east, Mount Diablo meridian, California: Provided, That the area to be included in such permit shall not exceed two thousand five hundred and sixty acres of land in reasonably compact form.

Proviso.

Extent of area.

Patent to permittee if deposit discovered.

Limit.

Lease of vacant lands

competitive bidding.

Royalty conditions.

Annual rentals.

SEC. 2. That upon showing to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Interior that valuable deposits of one or more of the substances enumerated in section one hereof have been discovered by the permittee within the area covered by his permit, the permittee shall be entitled to a patent for not to exceed one-fourth of the land embraced in the prospecting permit, to be taken in compact form and described by legal subdivisions of the public-land surveys, or if the land be not surveyed, then in tracts which shall not exceed two miles in length, by survey executed at the cost of the permittee, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior. within permits, by All other lands described and embraced in such a prospecting permit from and after the exercise of the right to patent accorded to the discoverer, and not covered by leases, may be leased by the Secretary of the Interior, through advertisement, competitive bidding, or such other methods as he may by general regulations adopt, and in such areas as he shall fix, not exceeding two thousand five hundred and sixty acres, all leases to be conditioned upon the payment by the lessee of such royalty as may be specified in the lease and which shall be fixed by the Secretary of the Interior in advance of offering the same, and which shall not be less than two per centum on the gross value of the output at the point of shipment, which royalty, on demand of the Secretary of the Interior, shall be paid in the product of such lease, and the payment in advance of a rental, which shall be not less than 25 cents per acre for the first year thereafter; not less than 50 cents per acre for the second, third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively; and not less than $1 per acre for each and every year thereafter during the continuance of the lease, except that such rental for any year shall be credited against the royalties as they accrue for that year. Leases shall be for indeterminate periods, upon condition that at the end of each twenty-year period succeeding the date of any lease such readjustment of terms and conditions may be made as the Secretary of the Interior may determine, unless Patentees may lease. Otherwise provided by law at the time of the expiration of such periods, and a patentee under this section may also be a lessee: Provided, That the potash deposits in the public lands in and adjacent to Searles Lake in what would be if surveyed townships twentyfour, twenty-five, twenty-six, and twenty-seven south of ranges forty-two, forty-three, and forty-four, east, Mount Diablo meridian, California, may be operated by the United States or may be leased by the Secretary of the Interior under the terms and provisions of this Act: Provided further, That the Secretary of the Interior may Leases for potash de-issue leases under the provisions of this Act for deposits of potash in public lands in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, also containing deposits of coal, on condition that the coal be reserved to the United States.

Indeterminate period for leases.

Provisos.

Searles Lake, Cal., lands may be operated or leased.

posits in Wyoming.

Use of lands for development work, etc.

SEC. 3. That in addition to areas of such mineral land to be included in prospecting permits or leases the Secretary of the Interior, in his discretion, may issue to a permittee or lessee under this Act the exclusive right to use, during the life of the permit or lease, a tract of unoccupied nonmineral public land not exceeding forty acres in area for camp sites, refining works, and other purposes connected

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