Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 56 Part 1.djvu/244

 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 240-APR. 11, 1942 41 Stat. 525. 46U.S.C.ij741- 752. Authority to settle claims. Policies and rates. Rules and regula- tions. Employment of ex- perts. Cooperation of Gov- ernment agencies. Report to Congress. "American vessels." Transportation in water-borne com- merce of U. S. Rights of seamen. admiralty in the district in which the claimant or his agent may reside, or in case the claimant has no residence in the United States, in a district court in which the Attorney General of the United States shall agree to accept service. Said suits shall proceed and shall be heard and determined according to the provisions of an Act entitled 'An Act authorizing suits against the United States in admiralty, suits for salvage services, and providing for the release of merchant vessels belonging to the United States from arrest and attachment in foreign jurisdictions, and for other purposes', approved March 9, 1920, as amended (known as the Suits in Admiralty Act), insofar as such provisions are not inapplicable and are not contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this subtitle. "SEC. 226. (a) The Commission in the administration of this subtitle is authorized to adjust and pay losses, compromise and settle claims whether in favor of or against the Government, and to pay the amount of any judgment rendered in respect of any suit or settlement agreed upon in respect of any claim. The determinations of the Commission with respect to adjustments, compromises, settle- ments, and payments hereunder shall not be subject to review by any other executive or accounting officer of the Government. "(b) The Commission is authorized to prescribe such forms and policies, to change or modify such forms and policies as may be necessary or appropriate under the circumstances, and to fix and adjust, as may be required by circumstances, the rates and changes of rates of insurance provided for in this subtitle. "(c) The Commission is authorized and directed to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. The Commission is authorized in administering the provisions of this subtitle, to exercise its powers, perform its duties and functions, and make its expenditures, in accordance with commercial practice in the marine insurance business. "(d) The Commission, without regard to the laws, rules, or regula- tions relating to the employment of employees of the United States, may appoint and prescribe the duties of such number of experts in marine insurance as the Commission may deem necessary in carrying out the provisions of this subtitle. The Commission, with the consent of any executive department, independent establishment, or other agency of the Government, including any field service thereof, may avail itself of the use of information, services, facilities, officers, and employees thereof in carrying out the provisions of this subtitle. "(e) The Commission shall include in the annual report to Con- gress a detailed statement of all activities and of all expenditures and receipts under this subtitle for the period covered by such report. "(f) When used in this subtitle- "(1) The term 'American vessels' includes any vessel registered, enrolled, or licensed under the laws of the United States and any undocumented vessel owned or chartered by or made available to the United States or any department or agency thereof and any American-owned tug or barge or other watercraft (documented or undocumented) used in essential water transportation or in the fishing trade or industry. This subsection shall not be construed as including any watercraft used exclusively in or for sport fishing. "(2) The term 'transportation in the water-borne commerce of the United States' shall be deemed to include the operation of vessels in the fishing trade or industry. "SEC. 227. Nothing in this subtitle shall be deemed to affect the rights of seamen under any provision of existing law. 216 [56 STAT.

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