[CHAPTER 137-3D SESSION]

[H. R. 8917]

AN ACT

To authorize the construction of a waiting room and comfort station in Commodore Barney Circle, United States Reservation 55–56, and for other purposes.

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, for the convenience of the public, to permit the Capital Transit Company of Washington, District of Columbia, to construct, maintain, and operate, at its own expense, a waiting room and comfort station in Commodore Barney Circle, United States Reservation 55-56: Provided, That the plans and specifications for this structure shall first be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Commission of Fine Arts: Provided further, That the Capital Transit Company is hereby authorized to operate within such structure, either directly or by contract, such concession as in the determination of the Secretary of the Interior or his duly authorized representative may be desirable for the convenience of the public, and apply the revenues derived therefrom toward the cost of maintenance and operation of the structure. In the event the Capital Transit Company shall at any time discontinue the operation of the waiting room and comfort station as herein provided, the same shalb become the property of the United States.

Approved, April 22, 1940.

(278)

[CHAPTER 583-3D SESSION]

[H. R. 9114]

AN ACT

Authorizing advancements from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works for the construction of a recorder of deeds building in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia are hereby authorized to accept advancements for the District of Columbia from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, or its successor, and said Administration, or its successor, with the approval of the President is authorized to advance to said Commissioners the sum of $450,000, or any part thereof, in addition to any sums heretofore advanced to the District of Columbia by said Administration, or its successor, out of funds authorized by law for said Administration, or its successor, for a building for the office of the recorder of deeds to be located on premises now known at 515 D Street Northwest, formerly used as the police court, as recommended by a committee appointed by the Commissioners under order of January 12, 1940, and the making of such advances is hereby included among the purposes for which funds heretofore appropriated or authorized for said Administration, or its successor, including funds appropriated by the Public Works Administration Appropriation Act of 1938, may be used, in addition to the other purposes specified in the respective Acts appro priating or authorizing said funds.

SEC. 2. The sum authorized by section 1 hereof, or any part thereof shall, when advanced, be available to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia for the preparation of plans, designs, estimates, models, and specifications; and for architectural and other necessary professional services required for carrying out the provisions of this Act; for the construction of a recorder of deeds building, including materials and labor, heating, lighting, elevators, plumbing, landscaping, transportation or rental thereof, and all other appurtenances, and the purchase and installation of machinery, furniture, equipment, apparatus, and any and all other expenditures necessary for or incident to the complete construction and equipment for use of the aforesaid building and plant.

SEC. 3. That the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, or its successor, shall be repaid 55 per centum of any moneys advanced under section 1 of this Act in annual installments over a period of not to exceed twenty-five years with interest thereon at such rate as is agreed upon by the Commissioners of the District and the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, or its successor, for the period of amortization: Provided, That such sums as may be necessary for the reimbursement herein required of the

District of Columbia, and for the payment of interest, shall be included in the annual estimates of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the first reimbursement with interest to be made not later than June 30, 1944: Provided further, That whenever the District of Columbia is under obligation by virtue of the provisions of section 4 of Public Act Numbered 284, Seventy-first Congress, reimbursement under that Act shall not be less than $300,000 in any one fiscal year.

SEO. 4. That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall submit with their annual estimates to the Congress a report of their activities and expenditures under section 1 of this Act.

Approved, July 11, 1940.

[CHAPTER 635-3D SESSION]

[H. R. 7233]

AN ACT

To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the disposition, control, and use of surplus real property acquired by Federal agencies, and for other purposes", approved August 27, 1935 (Public, Numbered 351, Seventy-fourth Congress), and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first section of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the disposition, control, and use of surplus real property acquired by Federal agencies, and for other purposes", approved August 27, 1935 (Public, Numbered 351, Seventy-fourth Congress; 49 Stat. 885; U. S. C., Supp. II, title 40, sec. 304 (a) to (e)), be, and the same is hereby, amended by inserting, before the period at the end thereof, a colon and the following: "Provided, That if no bids which are satisfactory as to price and responsibility of bidder are received as a result of such public advertisement, the Commissioner of Public Buildings, with the approval of the Federal Works Administrator, is authorized to sell such property by negotiation, upon such terms as may be deemed to be to the best interest of the Government, but at a price not less than that bid by the highest responsible bidder".

SEC. 2. Such Act of August 27, 1935, is further amended by adding at the end thereof the following sections:

"SEC. 6. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such amounts as may be necessary to cover the costs incident to the sale or lease of real property, or demolition of buildings thereon as hereinafter authorized, which have been or may hereafter be declared surplus to the needs of any Federal agency in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the care, maintenance, and protection thereof, including, but not limited to pay of employees, travel of Government employees, brokers' fees not in excess of rates paid for similar services in the community where the property is situated, appraisals, photographs, surveys, evidence of title and perfecting of defective titles, advertising, and telephone and telegraph charges: Provided, however, That a Federal agency shall remain responsible for the proper care, maintenance, and protection of the aforesaid property, notwithstanding any declaration that the same is in excess of its needs until such time as custody is assumed by the Federal Works Agency or other disposition is made thereof.

"SEC. 7. The Commissioner of Public Buildings, with the approval of the Federal Works Administrator, is authorized, upon their determination that such action will be to the best interest of the Government, to demolish any building declared surplus to the needs of the Government in accordance with the provisions of this Act: Provided, That before proceeding with the demolition of any building, the Commissioner of Public Buildings shall inform the Secretary of the

Interior in writing of his intention to demolish it, and shall not proceed with the demolition until he shall have received written notice from the Secretary of the Interior that said building is not an historic building of national significance within the meaning of the Act entitled 'An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes', approved August 21, 1935 (Public, Numbered 292, Seventy-fourth Congress; 49 Stat. 666): Provided, however, That if the Secretary of the Interior shall fail to notify the Commissioner of Public Buildings of his determination as to whether such building is an historic building of national significance within ninety days of the receipt of the notice of intention to demolish the Commissioner of Public Buildings may proceed to demolish said building."

SEC. 3. Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of such Act of August 27, 1935, are amended (a) by striking out the words "Secretary of the Treasury" wherever they appear and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Federal Works Administrator"; (b) by striking out the words "Director of Procurement" wherever they appear and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Commissioner of Public Buildings"; (c) by striking out the words "Procurement Division" wherever they appear and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Public Buildings Administration".

Approved, July 18, 1940.