[H. R. 10166]

An Act To amend the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 1 of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, is amended to read as follows:

"That the Secretary of State is empowered, subject to the direction of the commission hereinafter established, to acquire by purchase or construction in the manner hereinafter provided, within the limits of appropriations made pursuant to this Act, or by exchange, in whole or in part, under such terms and conditions as in the judgment of the commission may best protect the interests of the United States, of any building or grounds of the United States in foreign countries and under the jurisdiction and control of the Secretary of State, sites and buildings in foreign capitals and in other foreign cities, and to alter, repair, and furnish such buildings for the use of the diplomatic and consular establishments of the United States, or for the purpose of consolidating, to the extent deemed advisable by the commission, within one or more buildings, the embassies, legation, consulates, and other agencies of the United States Government there maintained, which buildings shall be appropriately designated by the commission, and the space in which shall be allotted by the Secretary of State under the direction of the commission among the several agencies of the United States Government."

Section 2 of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof a new subdivision to read as follows:

"(b) The commission may appoint, without regard to the civil service laws or regulations, and fix compensation of, without regard to the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, such clerical and other assistants at the seat of government as the commission deems necessary. The total amount authorized to be expended under this subdivision shall not exceed $5,000 for any one year."

Approved, May 29, 1928.

[CHAPTER 275—3D SESSION]

[H. R. 5633]

AN ACT

To provide additional funds for buildings for the use of the diplomatic and consular establishments of the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That for the purpose of further carrying into effect the provisions of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, as amended, there is authorized to be appropriated, in addition to the amount authorized by such Act, an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be appropriated for any one year. Sums appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be available for the purposes and be subject to the conditions and limitations of such Act, as amended: Provided, That in the expenditure of appropriations for the construction of diplomatic and consular establishments, the Secretary of State shall, unless in his discretion the interests of the Government will not permit, purchase or contract for only articles of manufacture of the United States, notwithstanding that such articles, when delivered abroad, may cost more if such excess of cost be not unreasonable.

[PUBLIC-NO. 156-76TH CONGRESS]

[CHAPTER 248-1ST SESSION]

[H. R. 6392]

AN ACT

Making appropriations for the Departments of State and Justice and for the Judiciary, and for the Department of Commerce, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, and for other purposes.

FOREIGN SERVICE BUILDINGS FUND

Foreign Service Buildings Fund: For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Act of May 25, 1938, entitled "An Act to provide additional funds for buildings for the use of the diplomatic and consular establishments of the United States" (52 Stat. 441), including the initial alterations, repair, and furnishing of buildings acquired under said Act, $750,000, to remain available until expended, and in addition the Secretary of State is authorized to enter into contracts for the acquisition of sites and preparation of plans during the fiscal year 1940 in an amount of not to exceed $250,000: Provided, That whenever a contract is made for the construction, alteration, or repair of a Foreign Service building which requires payments in a foreign currency, the Secretary of State is authorized to purchase such currency at such times and in such amounts (within the total amount of the payments to be made under such contract) as he may deem necessary, the currency so purchased to be disbursed and accounted for at its cost price: Provided further, That this authorization shall also apply to the funds available to the Secretary of State under prior appropriations for the construction of Foreign Service buildings.

Approved, June 29, 1939.

[PUBLIC-No. 508-76TH CONGRESS]

[CHAPTER 189-3D SESSION]

[H. R. 8319]

AN ACT

Making appropriations for the Departments of State, Commerce and Justice, and for The Judiciary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, and for other purposes.

FOREIGN SERVICE BUILDINGS FUND

Foreign Service Buildings Fund: For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Act of May 25, 1938, entitled "An Act to provide additional funds for buildings for the use of the diplomatic and consular establishments of the United States" (52 Stat. 441), including the initial alterations, repair, and furnishing of buildings acquired under said Act, $300,000, to remain available until expended, and in addition the Secretary of State is authorized to enter into contracts for such purpose during the fiscal year 1941 in an amount of not to exceed $100,000: Provided, That whenever a contract is made for the construction, alteration, or repair of a Foreign Service building which requires payments in a foreign currency, the Secretary of State is authorized to purchase such currency at such times and in such amounts (within the total amount of the payments to be made under such contract) as he may deem necessary, the currency so purchased to be disbursed and accounted for at its cost price: Provided further, That this authorization shall also apply to the funds available to the Secretary of State under prior appropriations for the construction of Foreign Service buildings.

Approved, May 14, 1940.

(165)

[CHAPTER 78-1ST SESSION]

[H. R. 685]

AN ACT

To amend the Act entitled "An Act for the acquisition of buildings and grounds in foreign countries for use of the Government of the United States of America", approved May 7, 1926, as amended, to permit of the sale of buildings and grounds and the utilization of proceeds of such sale in the Government interest.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Act cited as the "Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926", approved May 7, 1926, as amended, is hereby further amended by adding at the end thereof a new paragraph numbered 9 and reading as follows:

"9. The Secretary of State, when he finds it to be in the interest of the Government, with the concurrence of the Foreign Service Buildings Commission, is authorized to sell buildings and grounds acquired for the use of diplomatic and consular establishments in foreign countries, and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the proceeds of such sales may be applied toward the purchase and construction, furnishing, and preservation of other properties, or held in the Foreign Service building fund, as in the judgment of the Commission may best serve the Government's interest: Provided, however, That the Secretary of State shall report all such transactions annually to the Congress with the Budget estimates of the Department of State." Approved April 19, 1945.