MARCH 24, 1954.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House CONTENTS Findings of district court establish liability of Government.. Reversal of district court decision__ Background of Federal Tort Claims Act__. Government's liability for negligence similar to that of private per- Congressional action would not invalidate Supreme Court decision. United States Government's foreign-aid fertilizer program for occupied Basic ingredients of fertilizer_-. Purchase of fertilizer from private producers_ United States Government's knowledge of dangerous characteristics of fer- Recommendations___ Draft bill_. HOUSE RESOLUTION 296, 83D CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary, acting as a whole or by subcommittee, is authorized to make a full and complete investigation and study of the merits, if any, of all claims against the United States for compensation for property damage, personal injuries, and death alleged to have been caused by the explosions which occurred at Texas City, Texas, on April 16 and 17, 1947. As soon as practicable during the present Congress the committee shall report to the House, or to the Clerk of the House if the House is not in session, the results of its investigation and study, together with its findings and such recommendations as it deems advisable. For the purposes of this resolution the said committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is hereby authorized to sit and act during the present Congress at such times and places within the United States whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned, to hold such hearings, and to require by subpena or otherwise the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as it deems necessary. Subpenas may be issued over the signature of the chairman of the committee or any member of the committee designated by him, and may be served by any person designated by such chairman or member. The chairman of the committee or any member thereof may administer oaths to witnesses. IV LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, UNITED STATES, COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, Hon. JOSEPH W. MARTIN, Jr., The Capitol, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: The attached report of a special subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary appointed pursuant to House Resolution 296, 83d Congress, 1st session, to make a full investigation and study of the merits of all claims against the United States for compensation for property damage, personal injuries, and death alleged to have been caused by the explosions which occurred at Texas City, Tex., on April 16 and 17, 1947, has been submitted by the special subcommittee, unanimously adopted by the full committee and is hereby forwarded to the House of Representatives. Sincerely yours, CHAUNCEY W. REED, M. C., Chairman. V |