Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 62 Part 1.djvu/1007

 62 STAT.] 80TH CONG. , 2D SESS.-CH. 646-JUNE 25, 1948 977 If convenient, testimony shall be taken in the county where the witness resides. § 2506. Interest of witness A witness in a suit in the Court of Claims shall not be exempt or disqualified because he is a party to or interested in such suit. § 2507. Calls on departments for information The Court of Claims may call upon any department or agency of the United States for any information or papers it deems necessary, and may use all recorded and printed reports made by the commit- tees of the Senate or House of Representatives. The head of any department or agency may refuse to comply when, in his opinion, compliance will be injurious to the public interest. § 2508. Counterclaim or set-off; registration of judgment Upon the trial of any suit in the Court of Claims in which any set-off, counterclaim, claim for damages, or other demand is set up on the part of the United States against any plaintiff making claim against the United States in said court, the court shall hear and determine such claim or demand both for and against the United States and plaintiff. If upon the whole case it finds that the plaintiff is indebted to the United States it shall render judgment to that effect, and such judg- ment shall be final and reviewable. The transcript of such judgment, filed in the clerk's office of any district court, shall be entered upon the records, and be a judgment of such district court and enforceable as such. § 2509. Congressional reference cases Whenever any bill, except for a pension, is referred to the Court of Claims by either House of Congress, such court shall proceed with the same in accordance with its rules and report to such House, the facts in the case, including facts relating to delay or laches, facts bearing upon the question whether the bar of any statute of limita- tion should be removed, or facts claimed to excuse the claimant for not having resorted to any established legal remedy. The court shall also report conclusions sufficient to inform Con- gress whether the demand is a legal or equitable claim or a gratuity, and the amount, if any, legally or equitably due from the United States to the claimant. § 2510. Departmental reference cases A claim or matter referred to the Court of Claims by the head of an executive department shall be proceeded with as are other cases pend- ing such court, under its rules. The court shall report its findings of fact and conclusions of law to the head of the department who referred the claim or matter. The Secretary of the Treasury may, upon the certificate of the Comptroller General of the United States, direct any claim or matter of which, by reason of the subject matter or character, the Court of Claims might take jurisdiction on the voluntary action of the claim- ant, to be transmitted, with all the vouchers, papers, documents, and proofs pertaining thereto, to such court for trial and adjudication. § 2511. Accounts of officers, agents or contractors Notice of suit under section 1494 of this title shall be given to the Ate, p. 9 0- Attorney General and to the head of the department requested to settle the account in question. The judgment of the Court of Claims in such suit, or of the Supreme Court upon review, shall be conclusive upon the parties, and payment of the amount found due shall discharge the obligation. 68706"- - 4 9- -pt. 1 -62

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