Chapter 267.
1,051 words·~5 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-43/chapter-267-2020139·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 267.— Joint Resolution Directing the Secretary of the Interior to withhold his approval of the adjustment of the Northern Pacific land grants, and for other purposes. June 5, 1924.[[H. J. Res. 237](/us/bill/68/hjres/237).][[Pub. Res., No. 24](/us/bill/68/pubres/24).] Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of theNorthern Pacific land grants.Approval of adjustment of, by Secretary of the Interior, to be withheld, etc., until March 4, 1926.Vol. 13, p. 365;
Vol. 16, p. 378. Interior is hereby directed to withhold until March 4, 1926, his approval of the adjustment of the Northern Pacific land grants under the Act of July 2, 1864, and the joint resolution of May 31, 1870, and he is also hereby directed to withhold the issuance of any further patents and muniments of title under the said Act and the said resolution or any legislative enactments supplemental thereto or connected therewith, until after Congress shall have made a full and complete inquiry into the said land grants and the Acts supplemental thereto for the purpose of considering legislation to meet the respective rights of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and its successors and the United States in the premises: *Provided*, That this*Provisos.*Regular public land entries not affected.
Act shall not prevent the adjudication of any claims arising under the public land laws where the claimants are not seeking title through the grants to the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, or its successors, or any Acts in modification thereof, or supplemental thereto: *Provided further*, That the inhibition against the approval of saidInhibition to end March 4, 1926, unless proceedings pending in courts for adjudication by direction of Congress. land grants and the issuance of patents and muniments of title thereunder shall unless further extended terminate on March 4, 1926, unless on said date said land grants and the proceedings thereunder are being adjudicated at the direction of Congress in the courts, in which event the approval of said land grants and the issuance of patents and muniments of title shall await the final adjudication thereof.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed to adviseCongress to be advised of status of grants, etc., by Secretary of the Interior. Congress of the status of the said Northern Pacific land grants, 462recommending such action as he believes right and proper for the further adjustment thereof. Sec. 3. Joint Congressional Committee created to investigate the grants, to the Company. That a joint committee of both Houses of Congress is hereby created to be composed of five Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President thereof, and five Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of that body.
Any vacancy occurring on the committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The said committee is hereby empowered and directed to make a thorough and complete investigation of the land grants of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and its successor, the Northern Pacific Railway Company, under Vol. 13, p. 365; Vol. 16, p. 378.the Act of July 2, 1864 (Thirteenth Statutes, page 365), and the joint resolution of May 31, 1870 (Sixteenth Statutes, page 378), and any other Acts of Congress supplemental thereto or connected therewith, and the facts and the law pertaining thereto and arising Conclusions and recommendations to be reported.Powers conferred to sit, take testimony, etc.therefrom, and to report to Congress its conclusions and recommendations based thereon.
Said committee or any subcommittee thereof is hereby empowered to sit and act during the session or recess of Congress or of either House thereof in the District of Columbia or elsewhere in the United States; to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, and papers; to take the testimony of witnesses under oath; to obtain documents, papers, and other information from the several departments of the Government or any bureau thereof; to employ stenographers to take and to make a record of all evidence taken and received by the committee and to keep a record of its proceedings; to have such evidence, record, and other matter required by the committee printed and suitably bound; and to employ such assistance as may be deemed necessary.
The chairman of the committee or any Issue of subpoenas.member thereof may administer oaths to witnesses. Subpoenas for witnesses shall be issued under the signature of the chairman Assistance of courts.of the committee or the chairman of any subcommittee thereof. And in case of disobedience to a subpoena this committee may invoke the aid of any court of the United States or of the District of Columbia within the jurisdiction of which any inquiry may be carried on by said committee in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of books, papers, and documents under Failure to obey court order, punishable as contempt of court.the provisions of this resolution.
And any such court within the jurisdiction of which the inquiry under this resolution is being carried on may in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued on any person under authority of this resolution issue an order requiring such person to appear before said committee and produce books and papers, if so ordered, and give evidence touching the matter in question, and any failure to obey such order of the Punishment for refusing to testify, etc.court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
Every person who, having been summoned as a witness by authority of said committee or any subcommittee thereof, willfully makes default, or who having appeared refuses to answer any question pertinent to the investigation herein authorized, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment for not more than one year. Amount for expenses authorized to be appropriated.*Post*, pp. 673, 1314.The sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to pay the necessary expenses of said joint committee, the sum to be disbursed by the secretary of the committee upon vouchers to be approved by the chairman of the committee.
Approved, June 5, 1924.