Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 58 Part 1.djvu/669

 58 STAT.] 78TH CONG., 2D SESS.-CHS. 357, 358-JULY 1, 1944 clerical-mechanical service, and who are assigned to perform their work at night, shall be paid in respect of their regular work week of forty hours and except when in leave status, a rate of compensa- tion which is 15 per centum in excess of the day rate for the same work: Provided, That night work shall be construed to mean all work on any established shift or tour of duty, half or more of which occurs after 6 o'clock postmeridian or before 6 o'clock antemeridian. Approved July 1, 1944. [CHAPTER 358] AN ACT To provide for the settlement of claims arising from terminated war contracts, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congressassembled, OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT SECTION 1. The Congress hereby declares that the objectives of this Act are- (a) to facilitate maximum war production during the war, and to expedite reconversion from war production to civilian produc- tion as war conditions permit; (b) to assure to prime contractors and subcontractors, small and large, speedy and equitable final settlement of claims under terminated war contracts, and adequate interim financing until such final settlement; (c) to assure uniformity among Government agencies in basic policies and administration with respect to such termination set- tlements and interim financing; (d) to facilitate the efficient use of materials, manpower, and facilities for war and civilian purposes by providing prime con- tractors and subcontractors with notice of termination of their war contracts as far in advance of the cessation of work there- under as is feasible and consistent with the national security; (e) to assure the expeditious removal from the plants of prime contractors and subcontractors of termination inventory not to be retained or sold by the contractor; (f) to use all practicable methods compatible with the fore- going objectives to prevent improper payments and to detect and prosecute fraud. SERVEILLANCE BY CONGRESS SEC. 2. (a) To assist the Congress in appraising the administra- tion of this Act and in developing such amendments or related leg- islation as may further be necessary to accomplish the objectives of the Act, the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall study each report submitted to the Congress under this Act and shall otherwise maintain continuous surveillance of the operations of the Government agencies under the Act. (b) In January, April, July, and October of each year, the Direc- tor shall submit to the Senate and House of Representatives a quar- terly progress report on the exercise of his duties and authority under this Act, the status of contract terminations, termination settlements, and interim financing and such other pertinent informa- tion on the administration of the Act as will enable the Congress to evaluate its administration and the need for amendments and related legislation. July I, 1944 [8. 1718] [Public Law 395] Contract Settlement Act of 1944. Quarterly pgress reports to Congress 649

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