Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70.djvu/1034

 978

PUBLIC LAW953-,AUG. 3, 1956

[70 S T A T,

matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated, it shall be the duty of the Municipal Court for the District of Columbia or any judge thereof, on application by the Commissioners, to compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpena issued from such court or a refusal to testify therein. PENALTIES

SEC. 7. Any employer who, having the ability to pay, willfully violates any provisions of section 2 or section 4 of this Act or who fails to comply with any other provisions of this Act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall for the first offense be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or by imprisonment' of not more than thirty days, or in the discretion of the court, by both such fine and imprisonment; and for any subsequent offense shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or more than ninety days, or in the discretion of the court, by both such fine and imprisonment. EMPLOYEES' REMFJDIES

SEC. 8. (a) Action by an employee to recover unpaid wages and liquidated damages may be maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf of himself or themselves and other employees similarly situated, or such employee or employees may designate an agent or representative to maintain such action for and on behalf of all employees similarly situated. Any employee, or his representative, shall have the power to settle and adjust his claim for unpaid wages. Whenever the Commissioners determine that wages have not been paid, as herein provided and that such unpaid wages constitute an enforceable claim, the Commissioners may, upon the request of the employee, take an assignment in trust for the assigning employee of such wages, and of any claim for liquidated damages, without being bound by any of the technical rules respecting the validity of any such assignments, may bring any appropriate legal action necessary to collect such claim and may join in one proceeding or action such claims against the same employer as the Commissioners deem appropriate. Upon any such assignment the Commissioners shall have power to settle and adjust any such claim or claims on such terms as they may deem just. Court costs, etc. ^j^)) The court in any action brought under this section shall, in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff or plaintiffs, allow costs of the action, including costs or fees of any nature, and reasonable attorney's fees, to be paid by the defendant. Such attorney's fees in the case of actions brought under this subsection by tKe Commissioners shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the District of Columbia. The Commissioners shall not be required to pay the filing fee or other costs or fees of any nature or to file bond or other security of any nature in connection with any action or proceeding under this Act. DELEGATION OF F U N C T I O N S

SEC. 9. The Commissioners are authorized to delegate to any agency of the government of the District of Columbia any function, power, or duty vested in or imposed upon them by this Act.

�