An Act making appropriations for the Department of Commerce and related agencies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, and for other purposes
PL 84-121 (H.R.6367), enacted 06/30/1955

226 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 ST A T . 
Public Law 121 
CHAPTER 253 
June 30, 1955 
[H. R. 6367] 
D e p a r t m ent of 
Commerce and Re-
1 ated 
A g e n c i e s 
Appropriation Act, 
1956. 
AN ACT 
63 Stat. 954. 
5 u s e 1071 note. 
52 Stat. 973. 
60 Stat. 170. 
49 u s e 
1 1 0 1 
note. 
Making appropriations for the Department of Commerce and related agencies for 
the fiscal year ending June 30,1956, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of tlepresentatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assemMed^ That the following 
sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, for the Department of Commerce and related agencies 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, namely: 
TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
OFFICE or THE SECRETARY 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Office of the 
Secretary of Commerce (hereafter in this title referred to as the Secre-
tary), including teletype news service (not exceeding $1,000); 
$2,172,000. 
BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 
Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for collecting, com-
piling, and publishing current census statistics provided for by law; 
and for general administration, including enumerators at rates to be 
fixed without regard to the Classification Act of 1949, as amended; 
$6,900,000. 
Census of agriculture: For expenses necessary for taking, compiling, 
and publishing the 1954 Census of Agriculture, as authorized by law, 
including personal services by contract or otherwise at rates to be fixed 
by the Secretary of Commerce without regard to the Classification Act 
of 1949, as amended; and additional compensation of Federal employ-
ees temporarily detailed for field work under this appropriation; 
$5,500,000, to remain available until December 31, 1956. 
Censuses of business, manufactures, and mineral industries: For 
expenses necessary for taking, compiling, and publishing the censuses 
of business, manufactures, and mineral industries as authorized by 
law, including personal services by contract or otherwise at rates to 
be fixed by the Secretary of Commerce without regard to the Classi-
fication Act of 1949, as amended; and additional compensation of 
Federal employees temporarily detailed for field work under this 
appropriation; $4,000,000, to remain available until December 31,1957. 
CIVIL AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION 
Operation and regulation: For necessary expenses of the Civil 
Aeronautics Administration in carrying out the provisions of the Civil 
Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended (49 U. S. C. 401), and other Acts 
incident to the enforcement of safety regulations, maintenance and 
operation of air-navigation and air-traffic control facilities, and dis-
posal of surplus airports and administering instruments of disposal; 
planning, research, and administrative expenses for carrying out the 
provisions of the Federal Airport Act of May 13, 1946, as amended, 
including furnishing advisory services to States and other public and 
private agencies in connection with the construction or improvement 
of airports and landing areas; developmental work and service-test-
ing as tends to the creation of improved air-navigation facilities, 
including landing areas, aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, appli-
ances, personnel, and operation methods, and acquisition of sites for 
such activities by lease, or grant; purchase of not to exceed sixty-five 
passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; hire of aircraft (not 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
227 
exceeding- $870,00()) ; operation and maintenance of not to exceed 
eighty-five aircraft; fees and mileage of expert and other witnesses; 
and purchase and repair of skis and snowshoes; $106,150,000: Pro-
vided, That there may be credited to this appropriation, funds received 
from States, counties, municipalities, and other public authorities for 
expenses incurred in the maintenance and operation of air-navigation 
facilities. 
Establishment of air-navigation facilities: For an additional amount 
for the acquisition, establishment, and improvement by contract or 
purchase and hire of air-navigation facilities, including the initial 
acquisition of necessary sites by lease or grant; the construction and 
furnishing of quarters and related accommodations for officers and 
employees of the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the Weather 
Bureau stationed at remote localities not on foreign soil where such 
accommodations are not available; the initial flight checking of air-
navigation facilities and the transportation by air to and from and 
within the Territories of the United States of materials and equipment 
secured under this appropriation; $16,000,000, to remain available until 
expended. 
Establishment of air-navigation facilities (liquidation of contract 
authorization) : For liquidation of obligations incurred under author-
ity heretofore granted under this head to enter into contracts, 
$7,000,000. 
Grants-in-aid for airports: For project grants authorized by the 
Federal Airport Act, as amended, to remain available until June 30, 
lo^us'c ^I'lo i 
1958, $20,000,000, of which (1) $19,650,000 shall be for projects in the note. 
States in accordance with section 6 of said Act, (2) $100,000 for 
^gusciios. 
projects in Puerto Rico, (3) $50,000 for projects in the Virgin Islands, 
(4)"$100,000 for projects in the Territory of Hawaii, and (5) $100,000 
for projects in the Territory of Alaska: Provided,, That the unex-
pended balances of appropriations previously made under the head 
"Federal-aid airport program. Federal Airport Act,'' shall hereafter 
be merged with and accounted for under this head. 
Federal-aid airport program. Federal Airport Act (liquidation of 
contract authorization) : For liquidation of obligations incurred under 
authority heretofore granted under this head to enter into contracts, 
$7,500,000. 
Maintenance and operation, Washington National Airport: For 
expenses incident to the care, operation, maintenance and protection of 
the Washington National Airport, including purchase of one passen-
ger motor vehicle for replacement only; purchase, cleaning, and repair 
of uniforms; and arms and ammunition; $1,350,000. 
Construction, Washington National Airport: For an additional 
amount for "Construction, Washington National Airport", including 
construction, alterations, and repairs, $525,000, to remain available 
until expended. 
Maintenance and operation of public airports, Territory of Alaska: 
For expenses necessary for the maintenance, improvement, and opera-
tion of public airports in the Territory of Alaska, as authorized by 
law (48 U. S. C. 485 c-h) ; including arms and ammunition; and 
62 stat. 278. 
purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms; $600,000. 
Air navigation development: For expenses necessary for planning 
and developing a national system of aids to air navigation and air 
traffic control common to military and civil air navigation, including 
research, experimental investigations, purchase and development, by 
contract or otherwise, of new types of air navigation aids (including 
plans, specifications, and drawings) ; hire of aircraft; acquisition of 
necessary sites by lease or grant; payments in advance under contracts 
for research or development work; and not to exceed $175,000 for 
administrative expenses; $1,050,000. 
228 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 S T A T . 
52 Stat. 998. 
67 Stat. 644. 
4 9 u s e 4 8 6 note. 
61 Stat. 787. 
5 u s e 2131 note. 
67 Stat. 501. 
37 u s e 371 note. 
CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Civil Aero-
nautics Board, including contract stenographic reporting services; 
employment of temporary guards on a contract or fee basis; salaries 
and traveling expenses of employees detailed to attend courses of train-
ing conducted by the Government or industries serving aviation; 
purchase (not to exceed two for replacement only) of passenger motor 
vehicles; and hire, operation, maintenance, and repair of aircraft; 
$4,125,000. 
Payments to air carriers: For payments to air carriers of so much 
of the compensation fixed and determined by the Civil Aeronautics 
Board under section 406 of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as 
amended (49 U. S. C. 486), as is payable by the Civil Aeronautics 
Board pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 10 of 1953; $52,500,000, 
to remain available until expended. 
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 
Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary to carry out the pro-
visions of the Act of August 6,1947 (33 U. S. C. 883a-883i), including 
purchase of not to exceed three passenger motor vehicles for replace-
ment only; uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by the Act 
of September 1,1954 (68 Stat. 1114); lease of sites and the erection of 
temporary buildings for tide, magnetic or seismological observations; 
hire of aircraft; operation, maintenance, and repair of an airplane; 
extra compensation at not to exceed $15 per month to each member of 
the crew of a vessel when assigned duties as recorder or instrument 
observer, and at not to exceed $1 per day for each station to employees 
of other Federal agencies while making oceanographic observations 
or tending seismographs; pay, allowances, gratuities, transportation 
of dependents and household effects, and payment of funeral expenses, 
as authorized by law, for not to exceed 185 commissioned officers on the 
active list; payments under the Uniform Services Contingency Option 
Act of 1953; and pay of commissioned officers retired in accordance 
with law; $10,225,000: Provided^ That during the current fiscal year, 
this appropriation shall be reimbursed for press costs and costs of 
paper for charts published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey and 
furnished for the official use of the military departments of the Depart-
ment of Defense. 
63 Stat. 7. 
50 u s e 
2021 note. 
67 Stat. 577. 
BUSINESS AND DEFENSE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Business and 
Defense Services Administration, including transportation and not to 
exceed $15 per diem in lieu of subsistence for persons serving without 
compensation while away from their homes or regular places of busi-
ness, $6,198,000. 
BUREAU OF FOREIGN COMMERCE 
Salaries and expenses: Foj* necessary expenses of the Bureau of 
Foreign Commerce, including the purchase of commercial and trade 
reports; $2,000,000. 
Export control: For expenses necessary for carrying out the pro-
visions of the Export Control Act of 1949, as amended, relating to 
export controls, including awards of compensation to informers under 
said Act and as authorized by the Act of August 13,1953 (22 U. S. C. 
401), $2,650,000, of which not to exceed $800,000 may be advanced to 
tjie Bureau of Customs, Treasury Department, for enforcement of the 
49 Stat. 1998. 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
229 
export control program, and of which not to exceed $82,500 may be 
advanced to the appropriation for "Sahiries and expenses" under the 
Office of the Secretary. 
OFFICE OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Office of Busi-
ness Economics, $900,000. 
MARITIME ACTIVITIES 
Shif) construction: For construction as authorized by sections 701 
and 702 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U. S. C. 
1191, 1192), of one prototype tanker; for payment of construction- 
49 stat. 2008. 
differential subsidy and cost of national-defense features incident to 
construction of tvro passenger-cargo ships and not to exceed five cargo 
ships for replacement, and for payment of construction-differential 
subsidy and cost of national-defense features incident to the recon-
struction and reconditioning of ships under title V of the Merchant 
Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U. S. C. 1154) ; for reconditioning 
and betterment of one ship in the national-defense reserve fleet; for 
necessary expenses for the acquisition of used cargo ships and tankers 
pursuant to section 510 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended 
(46 U. S. C. 1160), and the payment of cost of national-defense fea- 
*^ s*^*- ^^^3. 
tures incorporated in new tankers constructed to replace such used 
tankers; and for research, development, and design expenses incident 
to new and advanced ship design, machinery, and equipment; 
$86,450,000, to remain available until expended: Provided^ That trans-
fers may be made to the appropriation for the current fiscal year for 
"Salaries and expenses" for administrative and warehouse expenses 
(not to exceed $1,000,000) and for reserve fleet expenses in such 
amounts as may be required, and any such transfers shall be without 
regard to the limitations under that appropriation on the amounts 
available for such expenses: Provided further^ That appropriations 
granted herein shall be available to pay construction-differential sub-
sidy granted by the Federal Maritime Board, pursuant to section 501 
(c) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, to aid in the recon- 
^^ y^^* \\l\\c) 
struction of any Mariner-class ships sold under the provisions of title 
VII of the 1936 Act: Provided further, That all ship construction, 
\\ ^u*s c^°i°i*91-
reconditioning and betterment of vessels appropriated for herein, ^^04. 
shall be performed in shipyards in the continental United States: 
Provided further, That no funds contained in this Act may be used 
to commence construction, reconstruction, conversion, reconditioning 
or betterment of any vessel until the total Federal funds required to 
complete such work have been appropriated. 
Operating-differential subsidies: For the payment of obligations 
incurred for operating-differential subsidies granted on or after 
January 1, 1947, as authorized by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as 
4! us^c ch.*27. 
amended, and in appropriations heretofore made to the United States 
Maritime 
(Commission, $110,000,000, to remain 
available 
until 
expended: Provided, That to the extent that the operating-difl'erential 
subsidy accrual (computed on the basis of parity) is represented on 
the operator's books by a contingent accounts receivable item against 
the United States as a partial or complete offset to the recapture 
accrual, the operator (1) shall be excused from making deposits in 
the special reserve fund, and (2) as to the amount of such earnings 
. 
the deposit of which is so excused shall be entitled to the same tax 
treatment as though it had been deposited in said special reserve fund. 
To the extent that any amount paid to the ojDerator by the United 
States reduces the balance in the operator's contingent receivable 
230 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 STAT. 
account against the United States, such amount shall forthwith be 
deposited in the special reserve fund of the operator: Provided 
further^ 
That no contracts shall be executed during the current fiscal year by 
the Federal Maritime Board which will obligate the Government to 
pay operating differential subsidy on more than one thousand nine 
hundred and fifty voyages in any one calendar year, including voyages 
covered by contracts in effect at the beginning of the current fiscal 
year, of which not less than one hundred and twelve shall be for 
operators wluo have not held contracts prior to July 1, 1955. 
46uscch.^27. 
Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for carrying into 
effect the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, and other laws administered 
by the Federal Maritime Board and the Maritime Administration, 
$14,350,000, within limitations as follows: 
' 
Administrative expenses, including not to exceed $1,125 for enter-
tainment of officials of other countries when specifically authorized 
by the Maritime Administrator; and ship structure research, testing 
and models; $5,955,000; 
Maintenance of shipyard facilities and operation of warehouses, 
$1,215,000; 
Reserve fleet expenses, $7,180,000. 
Maritime training: For training cadets as officers of the merchant 
marine at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, 
including pay and allowances for personnel of the United States 
37 use 23"note. Maritime Service as authorized by law (46 U. S. C. 112«, 63 Stat. 802, 
64 Stat. 794, and 66 Stat. 79); not to exceed $2,500 for contingencies 
for the Superintendent, United States Merchant Marine Academy, to 
be expended in his discretion; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle 
for replacement only; and not to exceed $30,000 for transfer to appli-
cable appropriations of the Public Health Service for services ren-
dered the Maritime Administration; $2,085,000, including uniform and 
textbook allowances for cadet midshipmen, at an average yearly cost 
of not to exceed $200 per cadet: Provided^ That except as herein pro-
vided for uniform and textbook allowances this appropriation shall 
not be used for compensation or allowances for cadets. 
State marine schools: To reimburse the State of California, $47,500; 
the State of Maine, $47,500; the State of Massachusetts, $47,500; and 
the State of New York, $47,500; for expenses incurred in the mainte-
nance and support of marine schools in such States as provided in the 
Act authorizing the establishment of marine schools, and so forth, 
36 Stat. 1353. 
approved March 4,1911, as amended (34 U. S. C. 1121-1123) ; $149,800 
for the maintenance and repair of vessels loaned by the United States 
to the said States for use in connection with such State marine schools; 
and $320,200 for allowances for uniforms, textbooks, and subsistence of 
cadets at State marine schools, to be paid in accordance with regula-
53 Stat. 1183. 
^j^j^g established pursuant to law (46 U. S. C. 1126 (b)); $660,000. 
Repair of reserve fleet vessels (liquidation of contract authoriza-
tion) : For the payment of obligations incurred pursuant to authority 
5 o^usc't-pp. ^^ranted under the "Emergency Ship Repair Act of 1954", $6,000,000: 
2391 note. 
Provided^ That advances may be made from this appropriation to 
"Salaries and expenses, maritime activities", for administrative ex-
penses (not to exceed $150,000), and for reserve fleet expenses (in 
such amounts as may be required), and such advances shall be in 
addition to amounts otherwise made available for such expenses. 
War Shipping Administration liquidation : Not to exceed $5,900,000 
of the unexpended balance of the appropriation to the Secretary of 
61 Stat. 697. 
^\^^ Treasury in the Second Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1948, 
for liquidation of obligations approved by the General Accounting 
Office as properly incurred against funds of the War Shipping Admin-
istration prior to January 1, 1947, is hereby continued available 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
231 
during the current fiscal je.ar, and shall be available for the payment 
of obligations incurred against the working fund titled: "Working 
fund, Commerce, War Shipping Administration functions, December 
31,1946". 
No additional vessels shall be allocated under charter, nor shall any 
vessel be continued under charter by reason of any extension of 
chartering authority beyond June 30, 1949, unless the charterer shall 
agree that the Maritime Administration shall have no obligation upon 
redelivery to accept or pay for consumable stores, bunkers and slop-
chest items, except with respect to such minimum amounts of bunkers 
as the Maritime Administration considers advisable to be retained 
on the vessel and that prior to such redelivery all consumable stores, 
slop-chest items and bunkers over and above such minimums shall be 
removed from the vessel by the charterer at his own expense. 
No money made available to the Department of Commerce, for mari-
time activities, by this or any other Act shall be used in payment for 
a vessel the title to which is acquired by the Government either by 
requisition or purchase, or the use of which is taken either by requisi-
tion or agreement, or which is insured by the Government and lost 
while so insured, unless the price or hire to be paid therefor (except 
in cases where section 802 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as 
| | ^^^- ^^^^j 
amended, is applicable) is computed in accordance with subsection 902 
(a) of said Act, as that subsection is interpreted by the General 
53 stat. 1255. 
\ 
' 
,. 
r\isi 
46 use 1242(a). 
Accounting Omce. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Maritime 
Administration is authorized to furnish utilities and services and make 
necessary repairs in connection with any lease, contract, or occupancy 
involving Government property under control of the Maritime Admin-
istration, and payments received by the Maritime Administration for 
utilities, services, and repairs so furnished or made shall be credited 
to the appropriation charged with the cost thereof: Provided, That 
.
< 
rental payments under any such lease, contract, or occupancy on 
account of items other than such utilities, services, or repairs shall be 
covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. 
No obligations shall be incurred during the current fiscal year from 
the construction fund established by the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, 
H ?T<fA'ii?*fv 
•, 
.
. 
, , 
• ^ . . 
-
,
.
.
. 
'
.
^ 
46 u s e en. 27. 
or otherwise, m excess of the appropriations and limitations contained 
in this Act, or in any prior appropriation Act, and all receipts which 
otherwise would be deposited to the credit of said fund shall be covered 
into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. 
Vessel operations revolving fund: Hereafter the vessel operations 
revolving fund, created by the Third Supplemental Appropriation 
Act, 1951, shall be available for necessary expenses incurred, in con- 
^s st^a^ 59.^^ 
nection with protection, preservation, maintenance, acquisition, or use 
of vessels involved in mortgage-foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings 
instituted by the United States, including payment of prior claims 
and liens, expenses of sale, or other charges incident thereto; for 
necessary expenses incident to the redelivery and lay-up, in the 
United States, of ships now chartered under agreements which do not 
call for their return to the United States; and for payment of 
expenses of custody and husbanding of Government-owned ships 
other than those within reserve fleets: Provided, That not to exceed 
$1,500,000 of the funds of the vessel operations revolving fund may 
be used during the fiscal year 1956 for the purposes set forth in this 
paragraph. 
Inland Waterways Corporation (administered under the supervi-
sion and direction of the Secretary of Commerce) : Not to exceed 
$14,000 shall be available for administrative expenses to be determined 
in the manner set forth under the title "General expenses" in the 
Uniform System of Accounts for Carriers by Water of the Interstate 
Commerce Commission (effective January 1, 1947). ' 
232 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 ST A T , 
60 Stat. 810. 
42 Stat. 217. 
39 Stat. 355. 
23 u s e 9a note. 
52 Stat. 634: 57 
Stat. 561; 64 Stat. 
789. 
66 Stat. 161. 
23 u s e 64-69. 
42 Stat. 218; 
Stat. 1520. 
PATENT OFFICE 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Patent Office, 
including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 
2, 1946 (5 IT. S. C. 55a), at rates for individuals not to exceed $75 
per diem (not to exceed $25,000) ; and defense of suits instituted 
against the Commissioner of Patents; $14,000,000. 
BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS 
General administrative expenses: Necessary expenses of adminis-
tration, including advertising (including advertising in the city of 
Washington for work to be performed in areas adjacent thereto), 
purchase of seventy-five passenger motor vehicles for replacement 
only, and the maintenance and repairs of experimental highways, 
shall be paid, in accordance with law, from appropriations available 
to the Bureau of Public Roads. 
Of the total amount available from appropriations of the Bureau 
of Public Roads for general administrative expenses, pursuant to 
the provisions of section 21 of the Act of November 9,1921, as amended 
(23 U. S. C. 21), $100,000 shall be available for all necessary expenses 
to enable the President to utilize the services of the Bureau of Public 
Roads in fulfilling the obligations of the United States under the 
Convention on the Pan-American Highway Between the United States 
and Other American Republics (51 Stat. 152), cooperation with 
several governments, members of the Pan American Union, in con-
nection with the survey and construction of the Inter-American High-
way, and for performing engineering service in Pan-American coun-
tries for and upon the request of any agency or governmental corpo-
ration of the United States. 
Federal-aid highways: For carrying out the provisions of the Act 
of July 11, 1916, as amended and supplemented (23 U. S. C. 1-22. 
24-105, 107-117), to remain available until expended, $640,000,000, 
which sum is composed of $343,500,000, the balance of the amount 
authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1954, $288,500,000, 
a part of the amount authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 
1955, and $163,336, $75,915, $1,695,797, and $1,401,457, the latter sums 
being for reimbursement of the sums expended for the repair or 
reconstruction of highways and bridges which have been damaged 
or destroyed by floods, hurricanes, or landslides, as provided by section 
4 of the Act approved June 8, 1938, section 7 of the Act approved 
July 13, 1943, and section 9 of the Act approved September 7, 1950, 
as amended (23 U. S. C. 13a and 13b) and section 7 of the Act approved 
June 25,1952, and $4,663,495 for reimbursement of the sums expended 
for the design and construction of highway bridges upon and across 
dams in accordance with the Act of July 29, 1946 (60 Stat 709). 
Forest highways: For expenses, not otherwise provided for, neces-
sary for carrying out the provisions of section 23 of the Federal High-
49 way Act of November 9, 1921, as amended (23 U. S. C. 23, 23a), to 
remain available until expended, $21,750,000, which sum is composed 
of $19,000,000, the remainder of the amount authorized to be appro-
priated for the fiscal year 1955, and $2,750,000, a part of the amount 
authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1956: Provided^ That 
this appropriation shall be available for the rental, purchase, construc-
tion, or alteration of buildings and sites necessary for the storage and 
repair of equipment and supplies used for road construction and main-
tenance, but the total cost of any such item under this authorization 
shall not exceed $15,000. 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
233 
Inter-American Hi<^hway: For necessary expenses of continuing 
the survey and construction of the Inter-American Highway, in accord-
ance with the provisions of the Act of December 26, 1941 (55 Stat. 
860), as amended by section 6 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 
1952 (66 Stat. 158), including purchase of five passenger motor 
ee stat. leo. 
vehicles, $25,250,000; to remain available until expended. 
Public lands highways (liquidation of contract authorization) : For 
payment of obligations incurred pursuant to the contract authorization 
granted by section 6 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1954 (68 
Stat. 73), to remain available until expended, $2,000,000, which sum 
is composed of $1,625,000, the remainder of the amount authorized for 
fiscal year 1955, and $375,000, a part of the amount authorized for 
fiscal year 1956. 
General provisions—Bureau of Public Eoads: None of the money 
appropriated for the work of the Bureau of Public Roads during the 
current fiscal year shall be paid to any State on account of any project 
on which convict labor shall be employed, but this provision shall not 
apply to labor performed by convicts on parole or probation. 
During the current fiscal year authorized engineering or other serv-
ices in connection with the survey, construction, and maintenance, or 
improvement of roads may be performed for other Government 
agencies, cooperating foreign countries, and State cooperating agen-
cies, and reimbursement for such services (which may include depre-
ciation on engineering and road-building equipment used) shall be 
credited to the appropriation concerned. 
During the current fiscal year appropriations for the work of the 
Bureau of Public Roads shall be available for expenses of warehovise 
maintenance and the procurement, care, and handling of supplies, 
materials, and equipment for distribution to projects under the super-
vision of the Bureau of Public Roads, or for sale or distribution to 
other Government activities, cooperating foreign countries, and State 
cooperating agencies, and the cost of such supplies and materials or 
the value of such equipment (including the cost of transportation and 
handling) may be reimbursed to current applicable appropriations. 
Appropriations to the I5ureau of Public Roads may be used in 
emergency for medical supplies and services and other assistance 
necessary for the immediate relief of employees engaged on hazardous 
work under that Bureau, and for temporary services as authorized by 
section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), but at rates 
«° s*«*- 8^°-
for individuals not in excess of $100 per diem. 
REDUCTIONS IN CONTRACT AUTHORIZATIONS 
Bureau of Public Roads: The unobligated balances of contract au-
thorizations provided in section 4 of the Act approved June 8, 1938 
(52 Stat. 634), and section 9 of the Act approved September 7, 1950 
(64 Stat. 789), as amended by the Act approved October 15, 1951 
(65 Stat. 421), are hereby canceled. 
23 use 13a. 
The authorization in section 3 of the Federal-Aid HigliAvay Act of 
1952 for forest highways for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1954, is 
hereby reduced by the sum of $15,900,000. 
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS 
Expenses: For expenses necessary in performing the functions 
authorized by the Act of March 3, 1901, as amended (15 U. S. C. 271-
278c), including general administration; operation, maintenance, 
31 stat. 1449. 
alteration, and protection of grounds and facilities; and improvement 
and construction of temporary or si:)ecial facilities as authorized by 
234 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 S T A T . 
64 Stat. 371. 
64 Stat. 370. 
31 Stat. 1449. 
64 Stat. 371. 
60 Stat. 810. 
62 Stat. 286. 
63 Stat. 954. 
5 u s e 1071 note. 
63 Stat. 907. 
60 Stat. 810. 
section 2 of the Act of July 21, 1950 (15 U. S. C. 286) ; $7,000,000: 
Provided^ That during the current fiscal year the maximum base rate 
of compensation for employees appointed pursuant to the Act of July 
21, 1950 (15 U. S. C. 286), shall be equivalent to the entrance rate 
ofGS-12. 
Plant and equipment: For construction of a pilot electronic data-
processing device to be used in the performance of functions author-
ized by the Act of March 3,1901, as amended (15 U. S. C. 27l-278c); 
repair of mechanical facilities; and expenses incurred, as authorized 
by section 2 of the Act of July 21, 1950 (15 U. S. C. 286), in the con-
struction or improvement of buildings, grounds, and other facilities; 
and construction of an electronic calibration center at a cost not to 
exceed $765,000; $995,000, to remain available until expended. 
"WEATHER BUREAU 
Salaries and expenses: For expenses necessary for the Weather 
Bureau, including maintenance and operation of aircraft; purchase 
of five passenger motor vehicles for replacement only; not to exceed 
$25,000 for services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 
2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a); and not to exceed $10,000 for maintenance 
of a printing office in the city of Washington, as authorized by law; 
$32,000,000 of which $4,250,000 shall be available only for the im-
provement and operation of hurricane, severe storm, and tornado 
warning services in the United States, including research related 
thereto, and construction of necessary facilities: Provided^ That dur-
ing the current fiscal year, the maximum amount authorized under 
section 3 (a) of the Act of June 2, 1948 (15 U. S. C. 327), for extra 
compensation to employees of other Government agencies for taking 
and transmitting meteorological observations, shall be $5 per day; and 
the maximum base rate of pay authorized under section 3 (b) of said 
Act, for employees conducting meteorological investigations in the 
Arctic region, shall be $6,000 per annum, except that not more than 
five of such employees at any one time may receive a base rate of $8,500 
per annum, and such employees may be appointed without regard to 
the Classification Act of 1949. 
Establishment of meteorological facilities: For the acquisition, 
establishment, and relocation of meteorological observing facilities 
and related equipment, including the alteration and modernization 
of existing facilities; $7,500,000, to remain available until June 30, 
1959. 
GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
SEC. 102. During the current fiscal year applicable appropriations 
and funds available to the Department of Commerce shall be avail-
able for the activities specified in the Act of October 26, 1949 (5 
U. S. C. 596a), to the extent and in the manner prescribed by said Act. 
SEC. 103. Appropriations in this title available for salaries and 
expenses shall be available for expenses of attendance at meetings of 
organizations concerned with the activities for which the appropri-
ations are made; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and services as 
authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 
55a), but, unless otherwise specified, at rates for individuals not to 
exceed $50 per diem. 
SEC. 104. Hereafter the position of Budget Officer of the Depart-
ment shall be in GS-17 of the General Schedule established by the 
Classification Act of 1949 so long as the position is held by the 
present incumbent. 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
23fl 
TITLE II—THE PANAMA CANAL 
CANAL ZONE GOVERNMENT 
Oj^erating expenses: For operating expenses necessary for the 
Canal Zone Government, including operation of the Postal Service 
of the Canal Zone; hire of passenger motor vehicles; uniforms or 
allowances therefor, as authorized by the Act of September 1, 1954 
(68 Stat. 1114) ; expenses incident to conducting hearings on the 
Isthmus; expenses of attendance at meetings, when authorized by the 
Governor of the Canal Zone, of organizations concerned with activi-
ties pertaining to the Canal Zone Government; expenses of special 
training of employees of the Canal Zone Government as authorized 
by law (63 Stat. 602) ; contingencies of the Governor; residence for 
the Governor; medical aid and support of the insane and of lepers 
and aid and support of indigent persons legally within the Canal 
Zone, including expenses of their deportation when practicable; and 
payments of not to exceed $50 in any one case to persons within the 
Government service who shall furnish blood for 
transfusions; 
$14,500,000. 
Capital outlay: For acquisition of land and land under water and 
acquisition, construction, and replacement of improvements, facilities, 
structures, and equipment, as authorized by law (63 Stat. 600 and 48 
U. S. C. 1302), including the purchase of not to exceed eight passenger 
motor vehicles (for replacement only); and expenses incident to the 
retirement of such assets; $1,800,000, to remain available until 
expended. 
PANAMA CANAL COMPANY 
The following corporation is hereby authorized to make such expend-
itures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available 
to it and in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commit-
ments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 
104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as may be necessary 
in carrying out the programs set forth in the Budget for the fiscal year 
1956 for such corporation, except as hereinafter provided: 
Not to exceed $3,740,000 of the funds available to the Panama Canal 
Company shall be available during the current fiscal year for general 
and administrative expenses of the Company, which shall be computed 
on an accrual basis: Provided^ That as used herein, the term "general 
and administrative expenses" shall not be construed to include expenses 
otherwise classified in the preceding fiscal year: Provided 
further^ 
That funds available for operating expenses shall be available for the 
j)urchase of not to exceed ten passenger motor vehicles (for replace-
ment only), and for uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 
the Act of September 1,1954 (68 Stat. 1114). 
GENERAL PROVISIONS—THE PANAMA CANAL 
SEC. 202. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall 
be used directly or indirectly, except for temporary employment in 
case of emergency, for the payment of any civilian for services ren-
dered by him on the Canal Zone while occupying a skilled, technical, 
clerical, administrative, executive, or supervisory position unless such 
person is a citizen of the United States of America or of the Republic 
of Panama: Provided^ however^ (1) That, notwithstanding the provi-
sion in the Act approved August 11, 1939 (53 Stat. 1409) limiting em-
ployment in the above-mentioned positions to citizens of the United 
States from and after the date of ajjproval of said Act, citizens of 
Panama may be employed in such positions; (2) that at no time shall 
5 u s e 2131 note. 
61 Stat. 584. 
31 u s e 849. 
5 u s e 2131 note. 
Employment re-
quirements. 
236 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 STATy 
60 Stat. 810. 
Transfers of fa-
culties, etc. 
T r a v e l 
ances. 
allow-
Governor. 
G r a d e upon re-
tirement. 
the number of Panamanian citizens employed in the above-mentioned 
positions exceed tlie number of citizens of the United States so 
employed, if United States citizens are available in continental United 
States or on the Canal Zone; (3) that nothing in this Act shall prohibit 
the continued employment of any person who shall have rendered 
fifteen or more years of faithful and honorable service on the Canal 
Zone; (4) that in the selection of personnel for skilled, technical, 
administrative, clerical, supervisory, or executive positions, the con-
trolling factors in filling these positions shall be efficiency, experience, 
training, and education; (5) that all citizens of Panama and the United 
States rendering skilled, technical, clerical, administrative, executive, 
or supervisory service on the Canal Zone under the terms of this Act 
(a) shall normally be employed not more than forty hours per week, 
(b) may receive as compensation equal rates of pay based upon rates 
paid for similar employment in continental United States plus 25 per 
centum; (6) this entire section shall apply only to persons employed in 
skilled, technical, clerical, administrative, executive, or supervisory 
positions on the Canal Zone directly or indirectly by any branch of the 
United States Government or by any corporation or company whose 
stock is owned wholly or in part by the United States Government: 
Provided further^ That the President may suspend from time to time in 
whole or in part compliance with this section if he should deem such 
course to be in the public interest. 
SEC. 203. The Governor of the Canal Zone is authorized to employ 
services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 
U. S. C. 55a), in an amount not exceeding $15,000: Provided^ That 
the rates for individuals shall not exceed $100 per diem. 
SEC. 204. There are hereafter authorized to be transferred between 
departments and agencies, with or without exchange of funds, all or 
so much of the facilities, buildings, structures, improvements, stock and 
equipment, of their activities located in the Canal Zone, as may be 
mutually agreed upon by the agencies involved and approved by the 
Director of the Bureau of the Budget, in the interest of elimination of 
duplicate activities and related facilities: Provided^ That with respect 
to such transfers without exchanoje of funds (1) transfers to or from 
the Panama Canal Company shall be subject to the provisions of sec-
tion 246 of title 2 of the Canal Zone Code, as added by the Act of June 
29, 1948 (ch. 706, sec. 2, 62 Stat. 1076); and (2) transfers to or from 
the Canal Zone Government shall be at such appropriate amount as 
shall be agreed upon between the Canal Zone Government and the 
agencies concerned and approved by the Director of the l^ureau of 
the Budget, and in the determination thereof due consideration shall 
be given to the cost of the transferred assets, or usable value to the 
transferee if clearly less than cost, and adequate provision made for 
depreciation of properties and equipment, obsolete or otherwise 
unusable inventories, and other reasonably determinable shrinkages in 
values; and such amount shall be added to or deducted from the invest-
ment of the United States in the Canal Zone (xovernment as applicable. 
SEC. 205. The Governor of the Canal Zone and the President of the 
Panama Canal Company, in computing allowances for the cost of 
travel on home leave for persons who elect at their expense to take 
other than the lowest first-class travel to the United States, shall take 
into account as the cost to the United States the actual cost, as computed 
by the General Accounting Office, of travel by United States owned 
and operated vessels rather than a reduced fare rate which is available 
for such employees when traveling on their own account. 
SEC. 206. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the 
Officer of the Army now serving as Governor of the Canal Zone shall, 
effective upon the day preceding his retirement, be considered to hold 
69 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 121-JUNE 30, 1966 
237 
15 u s e 311 note. 
60 Stat. 810. 
the grade of major general for all purposes, without regard to any 
limitations on the number of officers in that grade, and shall receive the 
pay and allowances of an officer of that grade and his length of service, 
and Avhen retired under any provision of law shall be advanced on the 
retired list to such grade and shall receive the retired or retirement ])ay 
at the rate jDrescribed by law computed on the basis of the basic pay 
which he would receive if serving on active duty in such grade. 
TITLE III—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WEATHEK (\)NTROL 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of tlie Advisory Com-
mittee on Weather Control, established by the Act of August 13, 1953 
(C7 Stat. 559), including services as authorized by section 15 of the 
Act of August 2, 1946 (5 I J. S. C. 55a), $275,000. 
SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 
Not to exceed $280,000 shall be available for administrative expenses 
which shall be conputed on an accrual basis: Provided^ That said 
funds shall be available for services as authorized by section 15 of 
the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), at rates for individuals not 
to exceed $100 jjer day. 
T A R I F F 
( > ) M M I 8 S I O N 
Salaries and expenses: For necessary expenses of the Tariif Com- 
^"^^ P- ^52. 
mission, including subscriptions to newsj^apers (not to exceed $200), 
not to exceed $17,000 for expenses of travel, and contract stenographic 
reporting services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 
2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a), $1,400,000: Provided, That no part of this 
appropriation shall be used to pay the salary of any member of the 
Tariff Commission who shall hereafter participate in any proceedings 
under sections 336, 337, and 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, wherein 
he or any member of his family has any special, direct, and pecuniary ^^38, 
intei-est, or in which he has acted as attorney or special representative: 
Provided further, That no part of the foregoing appropriation shall 
be used for making any special study, investigation or report at the 
request of any other agency of the executive branch of the Government 
unless reimbursement is made for the cost thereof. 
60 Stat. 810> 
60 Stat. 810. 
46 Stat. 701. 
19 u s e 
1 3 3 6 -
TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act, or of thfow'*o/u°s *GW' 
tlie funds available for expenditure by any corporation included in emment. 
this Act, shall be used to pay the salary or wages of any person who 
engages in a strike against the Government of the United States or 
who is a member of an organization of Government employees that 
asserts the right to strike against the Government of the United States, 
or Avho advocates, or is a member of an organization that advocates, the 
overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or violence: 
Provided, That for the purposes hereof an affidavit shall be considered 
prima facie evidence that the person making the affidavit has not 
contrary to the provisions of this section engaged in a strike against 
the Government of the United States, is not a member of an organiza-
tion of Government employees that asserts the right to strike against 
the Government of the United States, or that such person does not 
advocate, and is not a member of an organization that advocates, the 
overthrow of the (roveriunent of the Ignited States by force or vio-
Affidavlt. 
238 
PUBLIC LAW 122-JUNE 30, 1955 
[69 STAT. 
Penalty. 
Publicity or prop-
aganda. 
International Ma-
terials Conference. 
Short title. 
lence: Provided further^ That any person who engages in a strike 
against the Government of the United States or who is a member of an 
organization of Government employees that asserts the right to strike 
against the Government of the United States, or who advocates, or 
who is a member of an organization that advocates, the overthrow of 
the Government of the United States by force or violence and accepts 
employment the salary or wages for which are paid from any appro-
priation or fund contained in this Act shall be guilty of a felony and, 
upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for 
not more than one year, or both: Provided further^ That the above 
penalty clause shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any 
other provisions of existing law. 
SEC. 402. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall 
be used for publicity or propaganda purposes not heretofore author-
ized by the Congress. 
SEC. 403. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall 
be used to pay any expenses incident to or in connection with participa-
tion in the International Materials Conference. 
This Act may be cited as the "Department of Commerce and Kelated 
Agencies Appropriation Act, 1956". 
Approved June 30, 1955. 
Public Law 122 
CHAPTER 254 
June 30, 1955 
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
[S. 2366] 
rji,j i-ontimie the effectiveness of the Missing Persons Act. as extended, until 
July 1, 1956. 
68 Stat. 7. 
50 U S C 
1015. 
a p p . 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Eepresentatives 
of the 
United /States of America in Congress assembled^ That section 15, 
Missing Persons Act (56 Stat. 147, 1093), as amended, is further 
ii mended by deleting "July 1,1955" and inserting in lieu thereof "July 
1,1950". 
Approved Jiine 30, 1955. 
June 30, 1955 
[H. J. Res. 366] 
Public Law 123 
CHAPTER 255 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Makinj^ temporary appropriations for the fiscal year 1956, providing for increased 
pay costs for the fiscal year 1955, and for other purposes. 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That the following sums are 
appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, 
and funds, for the several departments, agencies, corporations, and 
other organizational units in each branch of the Government, namely: 
TITLE I 
; fSvlftfil'Jrt 
TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS 
(a) (1) Such amounts as may be necessary (plus increased pay 
costs pursuant to law) for continuing projects or activities which were 
conducted in the fiscal year 1955, and for which appropriations, funds, 
or other authority would be made available in the following appropria-
tion Acts for the fiscal year 1956: