Public Law 376.

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69 Stat. 699 Public Law 376 chapter 862 AN ACT To regulate the election of delegates representing the District of Columbia to national political conventions, and for other purposes. August 12, 1955[[H. R. 191](/us/bill/84/hr/191)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the followingD. C. officials of political parties.Election. officials of political parties in the District of Columbia shall be elected as provided in this Act:

(1)National committeemen and national committee-women;

(2)Delegates to conventions of political parties nominating candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States;

(3)Alternates to the officials referred to in clauses

(1)and

(2)above, where permitted by political party rules; and

(4)Such members and officials of local committees of political parties as may be designated by the duly authorized local committees of such parties for election at large in the District of Columbia. definitions Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act—

(1)The term “District” means the District of Columbia.

(2)The term “qualified elector” means a citizen of the United States

(A)who does not claim voting residence or right to vote in any State or Territory, and who has resided in the District continuously since the beginning of the one-year period ending on the day of the next election, or, if such period has not begun, resides in the District;

(B)who is, or will be on the day of the next election, twenty-one years old;

(C)who has never been convicted of a felony in the United States, or if he has been so convicted, has been pardoned; and

(D)who is not mentally incompetent as adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3)The term “Board” means the Board of Elections for the District of Columbia provided for by section 3. creation of board of elections Sec. 3. There is hereby created a Board of Elections for the District of Columbia, to be composed of three members appointed by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. The first terms of offices on the Board shall expire, as designated by the Commissioners, one at the close of December 31 of each of the first three years which begin after the date of enactment of this Act. Subsequent terms of each such office shall be three years beginning .January 1 following the expiration of the preceding term of such office. Any person appointed to fill a vacant office shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of such office. Until his successor is appointed and has qualified, a member may continue to serve even though the term of the office to which he was appointed has expired. qualifications and compensation of members Sec. 4.

(a)No person shall be a member of the Board unless lie qualifies as an elector and resides in the District. No person may be appointed to the Board unless he has resided in the District continuously since the beginning of the three-year period ending on the day he is appointed. Members of the Board shall hold no other paid office or employment in the District government and shall hold no active office, position or employment in the Federal Government. Not more than two members shall be members of the same political party. 69 Stat. 700

(b)Each member of the Board shall be paid compensation of $25 per day while performing duties under this Act. Except as provided in subsection

(a)no person shall be ineligible to serve or to receive compensation as a member of the Board because he occupies another office or position or because he receives compensation (including retirement compensation) from another source. The right to compensation from another source otherwise secured to such a person under the laws of the United States shall not be abridged by the fact of his service or receipt of compensation as a member of the Board, or as an employee of the Board. functions of board Sec. 5.

(a)The Board shall—

(1)maintain a permanent registry, keeping it accurate and current;

(2)conduct registrations and elections;

(3)print, distribute, and count ballots, or provide and operate suitable voting machines;

(4)divide the District into appropriate voting precincts, each of which shall contain at least three hundred and fifty registered persons;

(5)operate polling places;

(6)certify nominees and the results of elections; and

(7)perform such other duties as are imposed upon it by this Act.

(b)The Board, and persons authorized by it, may administer oaths to persons executing affidavits pursuant to sections 7 and 8. It may provide for the administering of such other oaths as it considers appropriate to require in the performance of its functions.

(c)The Board may prescribe such regulations as it considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(d)The Board may employ necessary personnel, at such rates of compensation as may be fixed by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, without reference to the provisions of the Classification Act of 1949, as amended. board to be independent agency Sec. 6.

(a)In the performance of its duties, the Board shall not be subject to the direction of any nonjudicial officer of the District.

(b)The District government shall furnish to the Board, upon request of the Board, such space and facilities as are available in public buildings in the District to be used as registration or polling places, and such records, information, services, personnel, offices, and equipment, and such other assistance and facilities, as may be necessary to enable the Board properly to perform its functions. Subject to the approval of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, privately owned space, facilities and equipment may be rented for the registration, polling, and other functions of the Board. registration Sec. 7.

(a)No person shall vote in any election in the District unless he is a qualified elector and, except as provided in subsection (e), is registered in the District.

(b)No person shall be registered unless—

(1)he is a qualified elector; 69 Stat. 701

(2)he has resided in the Distinct continuously since the beginning of the nine-month period ending on the day he offers to register; and

(3)he executes a registration affidavit by signature or mark (unless prevented by physical disability) on the form prescribed by the Board pursuant to subsection (c), showing his political affiliation, and that he meets each of the requirements specified in section 2

(2)for a qualified elector as well as the requirement of paragraph

(2)of this subsection.

(c)In administering the provisions of subsection

(b)(3), theRegistration affidavit form. Board shall prepare and use a registration affidavit form in which each request for information is readily understandable and can be satisfied by a concise answer or mark. The Board may request additional information required to determine whether the registrant meets the requirements imposed by or referred to in subsection (b).

(d)The registry shall be kept open except during the fifteen-day period ending on the first Tuesday in May of each presidential election year, and except as provided by the Board in the case of a special election. While the registry is open, any person may apply for registration or change his registration.

(e)If a person is not permitted to register, such person, or any qualified candidate, may appeal to the Board, but not later than three days after the registry is closed for the next election. The Board shall decide within five days after the appeal is perfected whether the challenged elector is entitled to register. If the appeal is denied, the appellant may, within three days after such denial, appeal to the municipal court for the District of Columbia. The decision of such court snail be final and not appealable. If the appeal is upheld by either the Board or the court, the challenged elector shall be allowed to register immediately. If the appeal is pending on election day, the challenged elector may cast a ballot marked “challenged”, as provided in section 9 (d). nominations: contents of ballots Sec. 8.

(a)Candidates for office participating in an election held pursuant to this Act shall be the persons registered under section 7 who have been nominated for such office by a petition—

(1)prepared and presented to the Board in accordance with rules prescribed by the Board, but not later than thirty days before the date of the election; and

(2)signed by not less than one hundred voters, registered under section 7, and of the same political party as the nominee,

(b)No person shall hold elected office pursuant to this Act unless he has been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia continuously since the beginning of the three-year period ending on the date of the next election, and is a qualified elector registered under section 7.

(b)The Board shall arrange the ballot of each political party so as to enable the voters of such party—

(1)to vote for the candidates duly qualified and nominated for election by such party under this Act; and

(2)to answer in the affirmative or negative such questions relating to the conduct of the affairs of such party as the duly authorized local committee of such party may file with the Board in writing: *Provided, however*, That the questions shall be so filed not later than thirty days before the date of the election. 69 Stat. 702 method of voting Sec. 9.

(a)Voting in all elections shall be secret. Voting may be by paper ballot or voting machine.

(b)The ballot of a person who is registered as a resident of the District shall be valid only if cast in the voting precinct where the residence shown on his registration is located.

(c)Each qualified candidate may have a watcher at each polling place, provided the watcher presents proper credentials signed by the candidate. No one shall interfere with the opportunity of a watcher to observe the conduct of the election at that polling place and the counting of votes. Watchers may challenge prospective voters who are believed to be unqualified to vote.

(d)Challenged ballots. If the official in charge of the polling place, after hearing both parties to any such challenge or acting on his own initiative with respect to a prospective voter, reasonably believes the prospective voter is unqualified to vote, he shall allow the voter to cast a paper ballot marked “challenged”. Ballots so cast shall be segregated, and no such ballot shall be counted until the challenge has been removed as provided in subsection (e).

(e)If a person has been permitted to vote only by challenged ballot, such person, or any qualified candidate, may appeal to the Board within three days after election day. The Board shall decide within seven days after the appeal is perfected whether the voter was qualified to vote. If the appeal is denied, the appellant may within three days of such denial appeal to the municipal court of the District of Columbia. The decision of such court shall be final and not appealable. If the Board decides that the voter was qualified to vote, the word “challenged” shall be stricken from the voter’s ballot and the ballot shall be treated as if it had not been challenged.

(f)If the official in charge of the polling place is satisfied that a qualified elector is unable to record his vote by marking the ballot or operating the voting machine, two officials of the polling place shall on the request of the vote’ enter the voting booth and vote as directed. The officials shall tell no one how the voter voted. The official in charge of the voting place shall make a return of all such voters, giving their names and disabilities.

(g)No person shall vote more than once in any election nor in an election held by a political party other than that to which he has declared himself to be a member.

(h)Availability of regulations. Copies of the regulations of the Board with respect to voting shall be made available to prospective voters at each polling place. elections Sec. 10.

(a)The elections of the officials referred to in clauses (1), (2), and

(3)of the first section and of officials designated pursuant to clause

(4)of such section shall be held on the first. Tuesday in May of each presidential election year. Any such election shall be conducted by the Board in conformity with the provisions of this Act. Polls shall be open from 8 o’clock antemeridian to 8 o’clock postmeridian on election days.

(b)Candidates receiving the highest number of votes in said election shall be declared the winners.

(c)In the case of a tie, the candidates receiving the tie vote shall cast lots before the Board, at 12 o’clock noon on a date to be set by the Board, but not sooner than ten days following the election, and the one to whom the lot shall fall shall be declared the winner. If any candidate or candidates, receiving a tie vote, fail to appear before69 Stat. 703 12 o’clock noon on said day, the Board shall cast, lots for him or them. For the purpose of casting lots any candidate may appear in person, or by proxy appointed in writing.

(d)In the event that any official elected pursuant to this Act diesDeath of elected official. during his or her term of office leaving no person elected pursuant to this Act to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of office, the successor or successors to serve the remainder of such term shall be chosen pursuant to the rules of the duly authorized local committee. recounts and contests Sec. 11.

(a)If, within seven days after the Board certifies the results of an election, any qualified candidate at such election petitions the Board to have the votes cast at such election recounted in one or more voting precincts, the Board shall order such recount. In each such case, the petitioner shall deposit a fee of $20 for each precinct petitioned to be recounted. If the cost, of the recount is less than $20 per precinct, the difference shall be refunded. If the result of the election is changed as a result of the recount, the entire amount deposited by the petitioner shall be refunded. Such recounts shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by the Board by regulation.

(b)Within seven days after the Board certifies the results of an election, any person who voted in the election may petition the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to review such election. In response to such a petition, the court may set aside the results so certified and declare the true results of the election, or void the election in whole or in part. To determine the true results of an election the court may order a recount or take other appropriate action, whether or not a recount has been conducted or requested pursuant to subsection (a). The court shall void an election only for fraud, mistake, the making of expenditures by a candidate in violation of this Act, or other defect, serious enough to vitiate the election as a fair expression of the will of the registered qualified electors voting therein. If the court voids an election it may order a special election, which shall be conducted in such manner (comparable to that prescribed for regular elections), and at such time, as the Board shall prescribe. The decision of such court shall be final and not appealable. interference with registration or voting Sec. 12. No one shall interfere with the registration or voting of another person, except as it may be reasonably necessary in the performance of a duty imposed by law. expenditures Sec. 13.

(a)There are hereby authorized to be appropriated, out ofAppropriation. any money in the Treasury to the credit of the District of Columbia not otherwise appropriated, such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(b)Subject to the penalties provided in this Act. a candidate for national committeeman, national committeewoman, delegate, or alternate, in his campaign for election, shall not make expenditures hi excess of $2,500.

(c)No independent committee or party committee shall receive contributions aggregating more than $100,000, or make expenditures aggregating more than $100,000 for any campaign covered by this Act.

(d)No person shall, directly or indirectly, make contribution in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000 in connection with any campaign69 Stat. 704 forelection of any national committeeman, national committee woman, delegate, or alternate.

(e)Every candidate and independent committee or party committee shall, within ten days after the election, file with the Board of Elections an itemized statement, subscribed and sworn to, by the candidate or committee treasurer, as the case may be, setting forth all moneys received and expended in connection with said election, the names of persons from whom received and to whom paid, and the purpose for which it was expended. Such statement shall set forth any unpaid debts and obligations incurred by the candidate or independent committee or party committee with regard to such election, and specify the balance, if any, of such election funds remaining in his or their hands. penalties Sec. 14. Any person who shall register, or attempt to register, under the provisions of this Act and make any false representations as to his place of residence or his voting privilege in any other part of the United States, or be guilty of bribery or intimidation of any voter at the elections herein provided for, or, being registered, shall vote or attempt to vote more than once in any election so held, or shall purloin or secrete any of the votes cast in such elections, or attempt to vote in an election held by a political party other than that to which he has declared himself to be affiliated, or, if employed in the counting of votes in such elections, make a false report in regard thereto, and every candidate, person, or official of any political committee who shall make any expenditure or contribution in violation of this Act, shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $500 or be imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both. The provisions of this section shall be supplemental to and not in derogation of any penalties under other laws of the District of Columbia. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 377: To provide grants to assist States to meet the cost of poliomyelitis vaccination programs, and for other purposes. Public Law 377 Public Law 377 69 Stat. 704 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public Public Law 377 chapter 863 AN ACT To provide grants to assist States to meet the cost of poliomyelitis vaccination programs, and for other purposes. August 12, 1955[[S. 2501](/us/bill/84/s/2501)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Poliomyelitis Vaccination Assistance Act of 1955. That this Act may be cited as the “Poliomyelitis Vaccination Assistance Act of 1955”. authorization of appropriations Sec. 2. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, to remain available until February 15, 1956, such sums as may be necessary for making payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Surgeon General, applications for grants under this Act. allotments to states Sec. 3.

(a)From the sums appropriated pursuant to section 2, the Surgeon General shall allot to each State which has an application approved pursuant to section 4—

(1)an amount equal to 33⅓ per centum of the number of unvaccinated eligible persons in such State multiplied by the product of

(A)the cost of the poliomyelitis vaccine per eligible person, and

(B)the States allotment percentage; and 69 Stat. 705

(2)an additional amount equal to 20 per centum of allotments available to the State under paragraph

(1)of this subsection, such additional amount to be available for expenditure only in accordance with the provisions of section 6

(b)of this Act.

(b)A State’s allotment percentage shall be equal to the per capita income of the United States divided by the per capita income of the State. Such percentage shall be determined by the Surgeon General on the basis of information furnished by the Department of Commerce; except that the allotment percentage for Hawaii shall be 100 per centum and for Alaska. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Canal Zone shall be equal to the allotment percentage determined above for the one of the forty-eight States which has the lowest per capita income. state applications for funds Sec. 4. The Surgeon General shall approve the application of any State for payments under this Act if such application—

(a)provides that all poliomyelitis vaccine purchased with funds paid to the State under this Act shall be used for the vaccination of eligible persons pursuant to a plan which sets forth the method or methods by which vaccinations will be made available within the State (through public agencies, approved non-profit organizations, private physicians, or otherwise): *Provided*, That the Surgeon General may, for the purpose of assuring the most effective and equitable distribution and use of available supplies of poliomyelitis vaccine, establish categories of eligible persons to be accorded priority in receiving an opportunity for vaccination against poliomyelitis; and, except to the extent that the Surgeon General authorizes deviations from such categories, during any period in which any categories have been so established, all vaccine acquired by any State through assistance provided pursuant to this Act shall be made available only to persons within any such category;

(b)provides that in poliomyelitis vaccination programs conducted by public agencies in the State no means test or other discrimination based on financial ability of individuals will be imposed to limit the eligibility of persons to receive vaccination against poliomyelitis;

(c)provides for administration or supervision of administration of the plan included in the application by a single State agency; _ _

(d)provides that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Surgeon General may from time to time reasonably require to carry out his functions under this Act, and comply with such provisions as he may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports; and

(e)provides such accounting, budgeting, and other fiscal methods and procedures as are necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the plan. payments to states Sec. 5. The Surgeon General shall from time to time estimate the amount to be paid to each State under the provisions of this Act for any period, and shall pay such amount to such State, from the allotment available therefor, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any sum (not previously adjusted under this section) by which69 Stat. 706 he finds that his estimate of the amount to be paid to the State for any prior period under this Act was greater or less than the amount which should have been paid to the State for such prior period under this Act. Such payments shall be made in such installments as the Surgeon General may determine. use of funds paid to states Sec. 6.

(a)Funds paid to a State from that part, of its allotment computed in accordance with section 3

(1)of this Act may be used solely for the purchase, prior to February 15, 1956, of the polio-myelitis vaccine for use. in carrying out the plan set forth in the application of such State approved pursuant to section 4.

(b)Funds paid to a State from that part of its allotment computed in accordance with section 3

(2)of this Act may be used prior to February 15, 1956, only for planning poliomyelitis vaccination programs within the State and for conducting such programs through public agencies in the State in accordance with the plan set forth in the application of such State approved pursuant to section 4; except that any part of such funds determined by the State to be in excess of the amount, necessary for such purposes may be used for the purposes specified in subsection

(a)of this section.

(e)Nothing in this Act shall limit funds granted to a State under other provisions of Federal legislation from being available to purchase poliomyelitis vaccine or to plan and conduct poliomyelitis vaccination programs in accordance with approved State plans applicable to such grants. furnishing of vaccine by surgeon general Sec. 7. At the request of any State the Surgeon General may use all or any portion of the allotment of such State under this Act for the purchase, in accordance with State specifications, of the poliomyelitis vaccine, to be furnished to the State in lieu of such State’s allotment (or such portion thereof). Vaccine so furnished shall be subject to the same requirements as to use as vaccine purchased from payments to States pursuant to this Act. diversion of federal funds Sec. 8. Whenever the Surgeon General, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State agency administering or supervising the administration of the plan included in the application of such State approved under section 4, finds that—

(a)such State agency is not complying substantially with the provisions of this Act or the terms and conditions of its approved application; or

(b)any funds paid to such State or supplies of vaccine furnished to it under this Act have been diverted from the purposes for which paid or furnished; the Surgeon General shall notify such State agency that no further payments will be made (or no further supplies of vaccine will be furnished) to the State under this Act until he is satisfied that there is no longer any failure to comply or the diversion has been corrected or, if compliance or correction is impossible, until such State agency repays or arranges for the repayment of Federal funds which have been diverted or improperly expended (or for repayment of the cost of the vaccine which has been diverted). 69 Stat. 707 exercise of functions Sec. 9. The functions granted to the Surgeon General under this Act shall be exercised under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. definitions Sec. 10. For purposes of this Act—

(a)The term “Surgeon General” means the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.

(1)The term “eligible person” means any individual who has not attained the age of twenty years and any expectant, mother.

(2)The number of eligible persons shall be determined by the Surgeon General, as of June 30, 1955, on the basis of estimates developed after consideration of the latest information furnished by the Department of Commerce or any other department or agency of the United States.

(3)The number of unvaccinated eligible persons means the number of eligible persons, reduced by

(A)the number who were vaccinated against poliomyelitis during 1954, and

(B)two-thirds of the number who the Surgeon General estimates will receive vaccination under the current program of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

(c)The term “State” includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Canal Zone, and the District of Columbia.

(d)The cost of the poliomyelitis vaccine shall be determined by the Surgeon General on the basis of information available to him: and such cost may be determined from t ime to time or as of a specified date and may be determined to be a single figure for all States or varied in accordance with actual cost.

(e)The term “approved nonprofit organization” means, in the case of any State, a nonprofit organization approved by the State agency responsible for administration or supervision of administration of the State plan. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 378: To provide for settlement of claims resulting from the disaster which occurred at Texas City, Texas, on April 16 and 17, 1947. Public Law 378 Public Law 378 69 Stat. 707 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public Public Law 378 chapter 864 AN ACT To provide for settlement of claims resulting from the disaster which occurred at Texas City, Texas, on April 16 and 17, 1947. August 12, 1955[[S. 1077](/us/bill/84/s/1077)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, The Congress recognizesTexas City disaster.Claims settlement. and assumes the compassionate responsibility of the United States for the losses sustained by reason of the explosions and tires at Texas City, Texas, and hereby provides the procedure by which the amounts shall be determined and paid. Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Army or such persons as he may designate shall investigate and settle claims against the United States for death, personal injury, and property losses proximately resulting from the disaster at Texas City, Texas, on April 16 and 17, 1947, commonly referred to us the Texas City disaster. Sec. 3.

(a)Claimants shall submit their claims in writing to the Secretary of the Army, under such rules as he prescribes, within one hundred eighty days after the enactment of this Act. 69 Stat. 708 No claim shall be entertained by the Secretary of the Army unless it shall appear to his satisfaction that such claim was a part of a civil action filed against the United States in a United States district court prior to April 25, 1950, except that, for good cause, the Secretary may waive, the limitation date of April 25, 1950, where it is shown that claimant, by reason of infancy, insanity, or other legal reason, was unable to bring such civil action.

(b)The Secretary of the Army shall promulgate and publish rules of procedure for handling the claims referred to in section 2 within sixty days after the date of enactment of this Act. He shall determine and fix the amount of awards, if any, in each claim within twelve months from the date on which the claim was submitted. Except as otherwise provided herein, the law of the State of Texas shall apply. Sec. 4. Since it is the intention and purpose of this Act, and of the Congress, to relieve the claimants hereunder, the Secretary of the Army shall limit himself to the determination of—

(1)whether the losses sustained resulted from the explosions and fires at Texas City on April 16 and 17, 1947;

(2)the amounts to be allowed and paid pursuant to this Act; and

(3)the persons entitled to receive the same. Sec. 5. Limitations on amounts.

(a)Claims for awards based on death shall be submitted only by duly authorized legal representatives. No claim under this subsection shall be approved by the Secretary of the Army in amount in excess of $25,000.

(b)No claims for personal injuries may be approved by the Secretary of the Army in amount in excess of $25,000.

(c)No claim for property losses may be approved by the Secretary of the Army in amount in excess of $25,000. Sec. 6.

(a)In determining the amounts to be awarded for death, personal injury, or property losses, the Secretary of the Army shall reduce any such amount by an amount equal to the total of insurance benefits (except life insurance benefits), or other payments or settlements of any nature, previously paid with respect to such death claims, personal injury, or property loss.

(b)Payments approved by the Secretary of the Army on death, personal injury, and property loss claims, shall not be subject to insurance subrogation claims in any respect.

(c)The Secretary of the Army shall not include in an award any amount for reimbursement to any insurance company or compensation insurance fund for loss payments made by such company or fund.

(d)Except as to the United States, no claim cognizable under this Act shall be assigned or transferred. Sec. 7. The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the claims referred to in this Act in the amounts approved for payment by the Secretary of the Army. Sec. 8. A payment made under the provisions of section 7 shall be in full settlement and discharge of all claims against the Government of the United States. Sec. 9. The Secretary of the Army shall require assignment to the United States of any right of action against a third party arising from the death, personal injury, or property loss claim with respect to which settlement is made. Sec. 10. Reports to Congress. The Secretary of the Army shall, twenty-four months after the date of enactment of this Act transmit to the Congress— 69 Stat. 709

(a)a statement of each claim submitted to the Secretary of the Army in accordance with this Act which has not been settled by him, with supporting papers and a report of his findings of facts and recommendations; and

(b)a report of each claim settled by him and paid pursuant to this Act. The reports shall contain a brief statement concerning the character and justice of each claim, the amount claimed, and the amount approved and paid. Sec. 11. Attorney and agent fees shall be paid out of the awardsAttorney and agent fees. hereunder. No attorney or agent, on account of services rendered in connection with each claim shall receive in excess of 10 per centum of the amount paid, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Whoever violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined a sumPenalty for violations. not to exceed $5,000. Sec. 12. If any particular provision of this Act or the applicationSeparability. thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act shall not be affected thereby. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 379: To repeal the manufacturers excise tax on motorcycles. Public Law 379 Public Law 379 69 Stat. 709 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public Public Law 379 chapter 865 AN ACT To repeal the manufacturers excise tax on motorcycles. August 12, 1955[[H. R. 5647](/us/bill/84/hr/5647)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That section 4061[68A Stat. 481](/us/stat/68A/481).[26 USC 4061](/us/usc/t26/s4061).

(2)of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (relating to tax on certain motor vehicles) is hereby amended by striking out “Motor-cycles.”. Sec. 2. The amendment made by the first section of this Act shall apply only with respect to articles sold on or after the first day of the first month which begins more than ten days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 380: To provide for the granting of career-conditional and career appointments to certain qualified employees. Public Law 380 Public Law 380 69 Stat. 709 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public Public Law 380 chapter 866 AN ACT To provide for the granting of career-conditional and career appointments to certain qualified employees. August 12, 1955[[S. 1849](/us/bill/84/s/1849)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the appointmentGovernment employees.Careeer-conditional and career appointments. of each employee of the Federal Government or the municipal government of the District of Columbia who—

(1)1) on the effective date of this Act is serving under an indefinite or temporary appointment in a position in the competitive civil service other than a position for which the salary is fixed by the Postal Field Service Compensation Act of 1955 (Public Law*Ante*, p. 88. 68, Eighty-fourth Congress);

(2)on January 23, 1955, was serving in a position in the competitive civil service;

(3)from January 23, 1955, to the effective date of this Act, served in a position or positions in the competitive civil service without break in service;

(A)during the period beginning June 3, 1950, and ending January 23, 1955, passed a qualifying examination for a position69 Stat. 710 in the competitive civil service in which he served during such period, or

(B)within one year after the effective date of this Act meets such noncompetitive examination standards as the United States Civil Service Commission shall prescribe with respect to the position which he holds at the time lie makes the application prescribed by this section; and

(5)has completed, prior to making such application, a total of continuous or intermittent satisfactory service aggregating not less than three years on the rolls in a position or positions in the competitive civil service; shall, upon application by such employee made within one year after the effective date of this Act to the appropriate department, agency, or establishment concerned, and upon recommendation by such department, agency, or establishment, be converted to a career-conditional appointment or a career appointment determined by the appropriate United States Civil Service Commission regulations governing conversions to career-conditional or career appointments in accordance[3 CFR, 1954 Supp., p. 84](/us/cfr/t3/s1954/p84).D. C. Corrections Department employees. with Executive Order Numbered 10377, dated November 22, 1954. Sec. 2. The appointment in the competitive civil service of each employee who—

(A)was appointed on or after December 20, 1941, to a position in the Workhouse at Occoquan in the State of Virginia, the Reformatory at Lorton in the State of Virginia, or the Washington Asylum and Jail,

(B)was appointed to a position in the Department of Corrections of the District of Columbia (as constituted on and after June 27, 1946) with a war service indefinite appointment, or

(C)was appointed on or after June 27, 1946, and prior to January 1, 1955, to a position in such Department of Corrections, without regard to the civil-service laws, rules, and regulations;

(2)is in a position in the Department of Corrections of the District of Columbia on the effective date of this Act;

(3)has completed, prior to making the application prescribed by this section, a total of continuous or intermittent satisfactory service aggregating not less than three years in a position or positions in the municipal government of the District of Columbia; and

(4)within one year after the effective date of this Act meets such noncompetitive examination standards as the United Stales Civil Service Commission shall prescribe with respect to the position which he holds at the time he makes the application prescribed by this section; shall, upon application by such employee made within one year after the effective date of this Act to the appropriate department, agency, or establishment concerned, and upon recommendation by such department, agency, or establishment, be converted to a career-conditional appointment or a career appointment determined by the appropriate United States Civil Service Commission regulations governing conversions to career-conditional or career appointments[3 CFR 1954 Supp., p. 84](/us/cfr/t3/s1954/p84). in accordance with Executive Order Numbered 10577, dated November 22, 1954. Sec. 3. Persons separated without cause after Jan. 23, 1955. Each individual who—

(1)was serving in a position in the competitive civil service under an indefinite appointment on January 23, 1955;

(2)between January 23, 1955, and the effective date of this Act, was involuntarily separated from the competitive civil service for any reason other than for cause;

(A)during the period beginning June 3, 1950, and ending January 23, 1955, passed a qualifying examination for a69 Stat. 711 position in which he served during such period, or

(B)within one year after the effective date of this Act, meets such non-competitive examination standards as the United States Civil Service Commission shall prescribe; and

(4)has completed, prior to reappointment under this section, a total of continuous or intermittent satisfactory service aggregating not less than three years on the rolls in a position or positions in the competitive civil service; may, during the period ending two years after the effective date of this Act, be reappointed without competitive examination to a position in the competitive civil service for which he is qualified and such reappointment (except reappointment to a position involving temporary job employment) shall be a career-conditional appointment or a career appointment determined by the appropriate United States Civil Service Commission regulations governing conversions to career-conditional or career appointments in accordance with Executive Order Numbered 10577, dated November 22, 1954. [3 CFR. 1954 Supp., p. 84](/us/cfr/t3/s1954/p84).Rules and regulations. Sec. 4. The United States Civil Service Commission is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate such rules and regulations as it determines to be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Sec. 5. Nothing in this Act shall affect, or be construed to affect, the application of section 1310 of the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1952 (Public Law 253, Eighty-second Congress), as amended. Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect on the ninetieth day following theEffective date. date of its enactment. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 381: To amend the Fair Labor Standards Art of 1938 in order to increase the national mini tn um wage, and for other purposes. Public Law 381 Public Law 381 69 Stat. 711 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public Public Law 381 chapter 867 AN ACT To amend the Fair Labor Standards Art of 1938 in order to increase the national mini tn um wage, and for other purposes. August 12, 1955[[S. 2168](/us/bill/84/s/2168)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That this Act mayFair Labor Standards Amendments of 1955.Report to Congress.[52 Stat. 1062](/us/stat/52/1062).[29 USC 204(d)](/us/usc/t29/s204/d). be cited as the “Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1955”. Sec. 2. Subsection

(d)of section 4 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “Such report shall contain an evaluation and appraisal by the Secretary of the minimum wages established by this Act, together with his recommendations to the Congress. In making such evaluation and appraisal, the Secretary shall take into consideration any changes which may have occurred in the cost of living and in productivity and the level of wages in manufacturing, the ability of employers to absorb wage increases, and such other factors as he may deem pertinent.” Sec. 3. Effective March 1, 1956, paragraph

(1)of subsection (a)Minimum wage.[63 Stat. 912](/us/stat/63/912).[29 USC 206(a)](/us/usc/t29/s206/a). of section 6 of such Act is amen tied by striking out “75 cents” and in selling in lieu thereof “$1”. Sec. 4. Effective July 1, 1956. subsection

(a)of section 8 of suchPuerto Rico and Virgin Islands.[63 Stat. 915](/us/stat/63/915).[29 USC 208(a)](/us/usc/t29/s208/a). Act is amended by inserting at the end thereof the following: “Minimum rates of wages established in accordance with this section shall be reviewed by such a committee at least once each fiscal year.” Sec. 5.

(a)Subsection

(a)of section 5 of such Act is amended[63 Stat. 911](/us/stat/63/911).[29 USC 205(a)](/us/usc/t29/s205/a). by striking out “and the administrator” in the last sentence.

(b)Subsection

(b)of section 8 of such Act is amended by striking[29 USC 208](/us/usc/t29/s208). out the second sentence and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “The industry committee shall investigate conditions in the69 Stat. 712 industry and the committee, or any authorized subcommittee thereof, shall after due notice hear such witnesses and receive such evidence as may be necessary or appropriate to enable the committee to perform its duties and functions under this Act.”

(c)Subsection

(c)of section 8 is amended by striking out “and the Administrator” in the second sentence.

(d)Subsection

(d)of section 8 of such Act is amended to read as follows: " “(d) The industry committee shall file with the Secretary a report containing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to the matters referred to it. Upon the filing of such report, the SecretaryPublication in FR. shall publish such recommendations in the Federal Register and shall provide by order that the recommendations contained in such report shall take effect upon the expiration of 15 days after the date of such publication.” "

(e)Subsection

(e)of section 8 of such Act is amended by striking out the last sentence.

(f)[52 Stat. 1065](/us/stat/52/1065).[29 USC 210(a)](/us/usc/t29/s210/a). Subsection

(a)of section 10 of such Act is amended to read as follows: " “Sec. 10. Court review.

(a)Any person aggrieved by an order of the Secretary issued under section 8 may obtain a review of such order in the United States Court of Appeals for any circuit wherein such person resides or has his principal place of business, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, by filing in such court, within 60 days after the entry of such order a written petition praying that the order of the Secretary be modified or set aside in whole or in part. A copy of such petition shall forthwith be served upon the Secretary, and thereupon the Secretary shall certify and file in the court a transcript of the record of the industry committee upon which the order complained of was entered. Upon the filing of such transcript such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, modify, or set aside such order in whole or in part, so far as it is applicable to the petitioner. The review by the court shall be limited to questions of law, and findings of fact by such industry committee when supported by substantial evidence shall be conclusive. No objection to the order of the Secretary shall be considered by the court unless such objection shall have been urged before such industry committee or unless there were reasonable grounds for failure so to do. If application is made to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the court, that such additional evidence may materially affect the result of the proceeding and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce such evidence in the proceedings before such industry committee, the court may order such additional evidence to be taken before an industry committee and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. Such industry committee may modify the initial findings by reason of the additional evidence so taken, and shall file with the court such modified or new findings which if supported by substantial evidence shall be conclusive, and shall also file its recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of the original order. The judgment, and decree of the court shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in section[62 Stat. 928](/us/stat/62/928).“Secretary”. 1254 of title 28 of the United States Code. " Sec. 6. The term “Secretary” as used in this Act and in amendments made by this Act means the Secretary of Labor. Approved August 12, 1955. Public Law 382: To amend Public Laws 815 and 874, Eighty-first Congress, which provide for assistance to local educational agencies in areas affected by Federal activities, and for other purposes. Public Law 382 Public Law 382 69 Stat. 713 1955-08-12 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-02 84 1 public

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