Chapter 1813. Creating a commission to consider and recommend legislation for the development of the American merchant marine, and for other purposes
388 words·~2 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-33/chapter-1813-2756781·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 1813.— An Act Creating a commission to consider and recommend legislation for the development of the American merchant marine, and for other purposes. April 28, 1904.[[H. R. 7056](/us/bill/33/hr/7056).][[Public, No. 245](/us/pl/33/245).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That a commission is herebyAmerican Merchant Marine.Commission to investigate, etc.Composition. created, to be called “The Merchant Marine Commission,” to be composed as follows:
Five members of the Senate of the United States and five members of the House of Representatives of the United States, to be appointed by the presiding officer of each House of Congress, respectively: *Provided,* That at least two of the said members of the*Proviso*.Minority party representation. Senate and two of the said members of the House of Representatives shall be members of the minority party. Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of this commission to investigateDuties. and to report to the Congress on the first, day of its next session what legislation, if any is desirable for the development of the American merchant marine and American commerce, and also what change, or changes, if any, should be made in existing laws relating to the treatment. comfort, and safety of seamen, in order to make more attractive the seafaring calling in the American merchant service.
Sec. 3. That the commission shall give reasonable time for hearings,Hearings.Subcommissions. if deemed necessary, and if necessary it may appoint a sub-commission or sub-commissions of its own members to make investigation in any part of the United States, and it shall be allowed actual necessary expenses for the same. It shall have the authority to send for personsPowers.Expenses. and papers and to administer oaths and affirmations. All necessary expenses, including clerks stenographers, messengers, rent for place of meeting, and printing and stationery, shall be paid from any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated; however, nor to exceedLimit.Vouchers. twenty thousand dollars for expenditure under this section, to be paid upon vouchers to be approved by the chairman of the commission.
Sec. 4. That any vacancies occurring in the commission, by reasonVacancies of death, disability, or from any other cause, shall be tilled by appointment by the officer and in the same manner as was the member whose retirement from the commission creates the vacancy. Approved, April 28, 1904.