Chapter 62. For the relief of mail contractors
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/statutes-at-large/vol-39/chapter-62-3940978·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 62.— An Act For the relief of mail contractors. February 14, 1917.[[H. R. 11150](/us/bill/64/hr/11150).][[Public, No. 317](/us/pl/64/317).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That the Secretary of theMail contractors in Southern States.Appropriation for paying claims due for service 1860 to 1862. Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to pay the amounts due to mail contractors for mail service performed for the United States in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas from July first, eighteen hundred and sixty, to May thirty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and in the States of Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee from July first, eighteen hundred and sixty, to June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, and an appropriation of $196,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby made, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the payment of said amounts: *Provided,* That amounts*Proviso*.Claims excluded. which have been paid by the United States and amounts which were paid by the Confederate States Government, or the State of Arkansas, as shown by records filed in the office of the Auditor for the Post Office Department, shall not be again paid, nor shall any claim be paid until the claimant or some one on his behalf shall by affidavit or otherwise show to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that the amount claimed under this Act was not paid by the Confederate States Government and remains justly due from the United States.
Sec. 2. That where any contractor named in section one of thisPayments to estates of decedents. Act is deceased payment shall be made to the executor or administrator of the estate upon fifing with the Auditor for the Post Office Department proper evidence of his appointment and qualification. Where, however, the amount due the estate of the decedent is $300To heirs, if amount small. or less, and no demand is presented by a duly appointed and qualified administrator of the estate, payment may be made to the decedent’s widow or widower or legal heirs in the following order of precedence:Order of precedence.
First, to the widow or widower. Second, if there be no widow or widower, then to the children or their issue, per stirpes. Third, if there be no widow or widower or descendants, then to the father. Fourth, if there be no widow or widower, children or their issue, or father, then to the mother. Fifth, if there be no widow or widower, children or their issue, father or mother, then to the brothers and sisters and children of deceased brothers and sisters, per stirpes. Sixth, if there be no widow or widower, children or their issue, father or mother, brothers or sisters or their descendants, then to the grandparents.
Seventh, if there be no widow or widower, children or their issue, father or mother, brothers or sisters or their descendants, or grandparents, then to the uncles and aunts and their descendants in equal parts. In following the foregoing order of precedence there shall be *Provisos*.Funeral expenses.no distinction between the whole blood and the half blood: *Provided,* That this Act shall not be so construed as to prevent payment from the amount due the decedent’s estate of funeral expenses or a refundment of said expenses to the person or persons who actually paid the same when a claim therefor is presented before payment is made by 918the Secretary of the Treasury: *Provided further,* That where the contractorCorporations. was a corporation or quasi corporation which has since been merged in or consolidated with another corporation or quasi corporation, payment shall be made to the corporation or quasi corporation Attorneys’ fees restricted.with which the consolidation or merger has been made: *Provided further,* That it shall be unlawful for any agent, attorney, firm of attorneys, or any person engaged heretofore or hereafter in preparing, presenting, or prosecuting said claim to charge or receive more than twenty per centum of the amount herein appropriated in satisfaction of the claim.
Approved, February 14, 1917.