Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/121

–25– -25§ 297. Investigation of accident or injury giving rise to claim Notwithstanding any other law, a claim may not be considered under this subchapter, or an action for damages lie thereon, unless, prior Lo the departure from Canal Zone waters of the vessel involved: (1) the investigation by the competent authorities of the accident or injury giving rise to the claim has been completed; and (2) the basis for the claim has been laid before the Panama Canal Company. CHAPTER 13—PUBLIC LANDS Sec. 331. 332. 3o3. 334.

Acquisition by United States of title to land in Canal Zone. Withdrawal of certain tract from effect of section 331. Kevocable licenses for lands outside town sites. Revocable licenses for lots in town sites.

§ 331. Acquisition by United States of title to land in Canal Zone The President may declare by executive order that land and land under water within the limits of the Canal Zone is necessary for the construction, maintenance, operation, sanitation or protection of the Panama Canal, and extinguish, by agreement when advisable, claims and titles of adverse claimants and occupants. Upon failure to secure by agreement title to such a parcel of land or land under water the adverse claim or occupancy shall be disposed of and title thereto secured in the United States and compensation therefor fixed and paid in the manner provided in the convention with the Republic of Panama signed November 18, 1903, or such modification of that convention as may be made. § 332. Withdrawal of certain tract from effect of section 331 The tract of land situated within the Canal Zone, and more particularly described as lots numbered 641, 643, 645, and 647, in the town of Cristobal, Canal Zone, bounded on the north by Eleventh Street, on the east by Bolivar Street, on the south by lot numbered 649, and on the west by a vacant lot, having an extension from north to south of 120 feet and from east to west of 100 feet, and measuring in superficial area 12,000 square feet, is withdrawn from the operation of section 331 of this title and the Executive Order of December 5, 1912, relating thereto. § 333. Revocable licenses for lands outside town sites (a) Whenever the Governor deems the action to be necessary to, or in the interest of, the Government of the United States and of the efficient maintenance, operation, sanitation, government, and protection of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone, he or his designee may issue revocable licenses covering the use of tracts of land situated outside of town sites in the Canal Zone. (b) The Governor shall prescribe the terms and conditions of licenses issued under this section, except that the licenses shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Governor and except that, upon I'evocation of a license hereunder, the licensee shall, immediately or upon such reasonable notice as the Governor prescribes, vacate the licensed area, remove therefrom all improvements which he may have placed upon the licensed area, and restore the licensed area to a condition satisfactory to the Governor, and the licensee may not be entitled to indemnification for the value of the improvements. (c) Licenses issued by authority of the Governor prior to August 10, 1949, and still in force, covering the use of tracts of land for agricultural purposes are ratified and confirmed in accordance with the terms and conditions applicable to them, respectively. Upon the rev-

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