78TH OONG., 2D SESS.-CH. 615 -DEC. 20 , 1944 the projects herein authorized in advance of undertaking projects and the cost thereof shall be charged to the projects involved. SEC. 3. The Administrator is authorized to acquire, prior to the Acquisition oflands approval of title by the Attorney General if necessary (without title. regard to sees. 1136, as amended, and 3709 of the Revised Statutes), OU. S .SC' 1339;41 improved or unimproved lands or interests in lands by purchase, donation, exchange, or condemnation for any project herein author- ized. Upon completion of projects on land acquired under this sec- Custody upon com- tion the Administrator shall transfer custody thereof to the Secre- pletion. tary of the Interior, who shall forthwith transfer all rights and title of the United States therein to the government of the Virgin Islands or the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John, or the munici- pality of Saint Croix, except those projects constructed for Federal agencies. Projects authorized by this Act may be constructed without . s.c.8 i733;10 regard to the provisions of sections 355, as amended, and 1136, as amended, of the Revised Statutes. SEc. 4. The Administrator is further authorized to receive and Localcontributions. accept funds, materials, supplies, and equipment from the government of the Virgin Islands, the municipalities of Saint Thomas and Saint John, and Saint Croix, and other sources, for use in connection with authorized projects or parts thereof. Any funds so received shall be deposited in a special fund in the Treasury of the United States and shall be expended or utilized as determined by the Federal Works Administrator. SEc. 5. All construction with respect to projects shall be by con- constructi.on by tract: Provided, however, That repairs or improvements to existing Repairs, et. structures or facilities and incidental work in connection with new structures or facilities may be accomplished by the employment of persons without regard to the civil-service and classification laws. The rates of pay, hours of work, and terms of employment for persons engaged on projects shall be fixed by the Administrator. SEC. 6 . The Administrator is authorized to procure (without regard Phousng and distribu- to the authority of the Procurement Division, Treasury Department, tion. to undertake the performance of such procurement, as regards pro- curement from sources within Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and to warehouse and distribute property, facilities, structures, improvements, machinery, equipment, stores, and supplies from the funds appropriated pursuant to this Act. The Administrator is Establlshmentofre- further authorized to prescribe rules and regulations for the estab- volvngunds. lishment of special funds in the nature of revolving funds for use, during the availability of funds herein authorized, m the purchase repair, distribution, or rental of materials, supplies, equipment, and tools. SEC. 7. The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes shall Minorpura not apply to any purchase made or service procured in connection with the funds appropriated pursuant to this Act when the aggregate amount involved is less than $500. SEC. 8. The provisions of the Act of February 15, 1934 (48 Stat. cDmibnonr d ea th Sr oo1tor death 351), as amended, relating to disability or death compensation and 5U.S . s.c.i7 benefits shall apply to persons (except administrative employees qualifying as civil employees of the United States) receiving com- pensation from funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for services rendered as employees of the United States: Provided, That this Nonappriltioa section shall not apply in any case coming within the purview of the workmen's compensation laws of the Virgin Islands, or in any case in which the claimant has received or is entitled to receive similar benefits for injury or death. Sm. 9. The Administrator is authorized to consider, ascertain, dettlemet of adjust, determine, and pay from the funds appropriated pursuant to so 58 STAT.] 829
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