Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 1.djvu/792

 PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 583, 618-JULY 11, 12, 1940 Provisos. Inclusion of sums in annual D. C. esti- mates. Minimum reim- bursement under des- ignated Act. 46 Stat. 485. Report to Congress. the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, or its successor, for the period of amortization: Provided, That such sums as may be necessary for the reimbursement herein required of the District of Columbia, and for the payment of interest, shall be included in the annual estimates of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the first reimbursement with interest to be made not later than June 30, 1944: Provided further, That whenever the Dis- trict of Columbia is under obligation by virtue of the provisions of section 4 of Public Act Numbered 284, Seventy-first Congress, reim- bursement under that Act shall not be less than $300,000 in any one fiscal year. SEC. 4. That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall submit with their annual estimates to the Congress a report of their activities and expenditures under section 1 of this Act. Approved, July 11, 1940. [CHAPTER 6181 AM AtCT July 12, 1940 IS.4097] To provide for the disposition of estates of American citizens who die abroad. [Public, No. 742] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Disposition of cls United States of America in Congress assembled, That sections 1709, tates of American citi- zens who die abroad. 1710, and 1711 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (U. S . C., title 22, . sees. 75 and 77), are hereby amended to read as follows: Duties of consular, "1709. It shall be the duty of a consular officer, or, if no consular etc., ofers. off icer is present, a diplomatio officer, under such procedural regula- tions as the Secretary of State may prescribe- Settlement of es- "First. To take possession and to dispose of the personal estate left by any citizen of the United States, except a seaman who is a member of the crew of an American vessel, who shall die within or is domi- Treaty etc.,author- iled at time of death within his jurisdiction: Provided, That such ization. procedure is authorized by treaty provisions or permitted by the laws or authorities of the country wherein the death occurs, or the decedent is domiciled, or that such privilege is accorded by estab- tiveg repreetac lished usage: Providedfurther, That the decedent shall leave in the country where the death occurred or where he was domiciled, no legal representative, partner in trade, or trustee by him appointed to take iional ,*,nr- care of his personal estate. A consular officer or, in his absence, a diplormatic officer shall act as the provisional conservator of the per- sonal property within his jurisdiction of a deceased citizen of the Administrator. United States but, unless authorized by treaty provisions, local law, or usage, lie shall not act as administrator of such personal property. Guardiog, etce. , o He shall render assistance in guarding, collecting, and transmitting the property to the United States to be disposed of according to the law of the decedent's domicile. Inventory and ap "Second. After having taken possession of the personal property, as provisional conservator2 to inventory and carefully appraise the effects, article by article, with the assistance of two competent persons who, together with such officer, shall sign the inventory and annex thereto an appropriate certificate as to the accuracy of the appraised value of each article. Collection of debts, "Third. To collect the debts due to the decedent in his jurisdiction Paeand pay from the estate the obligations owed there by the decedent. Sale of property to "Fourth. To sell at auction, after reasonable public notice, unless pay debts, etc. the amount involved does not justify such expenditure, such part of the estate as shall be of a perishable nature, and after reasonable public notice and notice to next of kin if they can be ascertained by reasonable diligence such further part, if any, as shal be necessary L54 STAT.

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