This measure also has the approval of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the letter from Col. U. S. Grant 3d, executive and disbursing officer of the commission, being appended hereto and made a part of this report. NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION, Hon. FREDERICK N. ZIHLMAN, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. ZIHLMAN: The use of square 62 was suggested to the National Pharmaceutical Association several years ago by this commission and by the Fine Arts Commission. The closing of Water Street and the partial use thereof, following the precedent set in the case of the Academy of Sciences, was thought acceptable as assuring the best solution. At that time the Government had not indicated any intention of using square 62 itself, and indeed there seemed to be no likelihood of any need for its acquisition by the Government. The project appeared most desirable for the following reasons: (1) It would insure the construction of one more building of the architectural type and with the garden settling desired on the north side of B Street toward completing the first step in the frame of the Lincoln Memorial and its grounds, the setting begun by the Pan American Building and the Academy of Sciences. (2) The location near the naval hospital and Public Health Service buildings seemed appropriate. (3) It would eliminate a very unsightly and distressingly delapidated block of private property, incongruous with the expensive improvements of the Government, without expense to the United States. (4) It would protect the said square against any possible commercial or apartment-house development which would by great height and its nearness overshadow the Lincoln Memorial. These reasons still exist, and when the commission again considered this project at its last meeting it decided to confirm its previous approval thereof. However, in view of the fact that the purchase of this square for public use was authorized by the Keyes-Elliott Act, approved March 31, 1930, the commission did not feel at liberty to recommend any legislation on the subject. I know of no need the Government is likely to have for this square except possibly for a War-Navy group. Since the joint resolution merely authorizes the District Commissioners and the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks to do certain things, and does not direct them to take the action specified, the action need not be taken if some Government need for square 62 is found. I therefore recommend favorable report by your committee on this joint resolution. Very respectfully, O U. S. GRANT 3D, Executive and Disbursing Officer. TO EXEMPT CERTAIN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT FROM THE OPERATION OF SECTIONS 109 AND 113 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE FEBRUARY 19, 1931.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. GRAHAM, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 12744] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill H. R. 12744, after consideration, reports the same favorably with amendments, and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. The committee amendments are as follows: Page 2, line 17, strike out the words "United States Commissioners". Page 2, line 20, after the word "Bureau;" add the following words: "members of the visiting committee to the National Bureau of Standards, authorized by act of Congress approved March 3, 1901 (chap. 872, 31 Stat. 1449; section 278, title 15, U. S. C.);". Page 2, line 21, after the words "Indian Commissioners;" insert "members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics appointed from private life;". Page 3, lines 2 and 3, strike out the words "That said provisions shall apply to special attorneys and assistants" and insert in lieu thereof the following: "That the exemptions herein provided shall not apply to such persons". This bill will merely exempt certain officers and employees of the Government from the operation of sections 109 and 113 of the Criminal Code. There is attached hereto and made a part of this report communications, under date of May 22, 1930, and December 4, 1930, addressed to Hon. George S. Graham, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, from the Attorney General, in which he strongly recommends the enactment of this legislation. Hon. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, Chairman Committee on the Judiciary, DEPARTMENT of Justice, Washington, D. C., May 22, 1980. House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I inclose herewith a draft of bill to amend sections 109 and 113 of the Criminal Code and shall appreciate it if you will introduce it and lend your active support to its enactment. In my last annual report to Congress (p. 1) I recommended legislation to modify said sections 109 and 113 so as to remove the disqualifications imposed by those sections on lawyers in private practice whom it is desirable, in the public interest, to employ as special counsel to represent the United States. Hardly any lawyer of experience in private practice can be found who does not represent some claim against the Government arising under the income tax laws or in other fields of Federal activity. Such men are, by said sections 109 and 113 of the Criminal Code, disqualified to accept employment to represent the United States in special cases, although their claims against the Government have no relation to the matter in which it would be desirable to employ them. This undue hampering of the Attorney General in effort to employ competent special counsel should be eliminated. I have, therefore, after consultation with several other executive departments and independent offices, caused the inclosed bill to be drafted to amend sections 109 and 113, Criminal Code, so as to except from their provisions special attorneys or other assistants appointed by the President, the Attorney General, the Alien Property Custodian, or the Director of the United States Veterans' Bureau to serve only in specified cases and not as continued employment; also United States commissioners, masters, referees, examiners, auditors, and similar officers appointed by any United States court or judge, members of the advisory council of the United States Veterans' Bureau, and members of the Board of Indian Commissioners; but expressly providing that the provisions of sections 109 and 113, Criminal Code, shall apply to special attorneys and assistants in respect to any matter to which their official appointments respectively relate or which has any connection with or bearing upon any such matter. Officers of the Army Reserve Corps and officers and men of the Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserves have not been included, as the War and Navy Departments prefer to provide for their exemption from the provisions of sections 109 and 113 in separate bills, which, I understand, have been introduced in Congress. Respectfully, Hon. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, Chairman Committee on the Judiciary, WILLIAM D. MITCHELL, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: At my request you introduced H. R. 12744, to amend section 109 of the Criminal Code so as to exempt certain officers and employees of the Government from the operation of sections 109 and 113 of said code and the bill is now pending before your committee. You, no doubt, realize that there are few lawyers of experience in private practice who do not represent a claim of some nature or other against the United States and who are not, therefore, disqualified by these sections from accepting employment by the Government in special cases. I have experienced considerable difficulty in securing the services of lawyers having the desired qualifications for this reason. The enactment of the measure in question is of great importance to the successful administration of this department and your assistance in securing its early enactment will be appreciated. Respectfully, WILLIAM D. MITCHELL, There is also attached a communication, addressed to the chairman of this committee, under date of December 8, 1930, from the chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, inclosing a copy of an opinion from the Acting Attorney General, with reference to the proposed amendment affecting the status of members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics: Hon. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, WASHINGTON, D. C., December 8, 1930. Chairman Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Pursuant to resolution adopted by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I have the honor to recommend the following amendment to the bill H. R. 12744, introduced by Mr. Graham June 3, 1930, and now pending before your committee: Page 2, line 21, after "Indian Commissioners," insert "Members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics appointed from private life." Members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics are appointed by the President under the act establishing the committee (U. S. C. title 50, sec. 151,) and serve without compensation as such. Seven are appointed from official life, representing other branches of the Government, and eight are appointed from private life. The functions of the committee are to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flying. It is believed that membership on the committee carries no duties or privileges that should interfere with a member's private practice of his profession before other agencies of the Government. Attached hereto is a copy of an opinion of the Acting Attorney General, addressed to the President under date of August 12, 1930, in which the suggestion is made that the bill in question be amended to include members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Respectfully, NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, The PRESIDENT, The White House. SIR: I have the honor to refer to your letter of July 9, 1930, inclosing a letter addressed to you under date of July 8, 1930, by the acting chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, reqesting you to ask for the opinion of the Attorney, General upon the question whether a member of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics appointed by the President from private life and serving without compensation under the act establishing the committee (sec. 151, title 50, U. S. C.) is within the provisions of section 109 of the Criminal Code (sec. 198, title 18, U. S. C.), penalizing officers of the United States and other classes of persons in the Government service for participating in any proceeding or claim against the Government. When the opinion of the Attorney General was asked whether section 109 was applicable to the members of the Board of Indian Commissioners and of the Officers' Reserve Corps, it was considered preferable to secure the passage of legislation exempting these members from the operation of that section, and thus remove all question regarding their freedom from the prohibitions of the statute. There was accordingly introduced on June 3, 1930, bill H. R. 12744, amending that section. Congress, however, adjourned without taking any action other than to refer it to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Your request for an opinion regarding the applicability of the same section to the members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics presents a similar situation. May I therefore suggest, in view of the course previously taken, that the same course be followed in this case and that the proposed bill be redrafted to include members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. If this course is thought desirable, my opinion will, I assume, be unnecessary. Respectfully, Acting Attorney General. There is also attached and made a part of this report a communication from the Secretary of Commerce, under date of October 30, 1930, addressed to the chairman of this committee, with reference to the proposed amendment affecting the status of members of the visiting committee to the National Bureau of Standards: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Hon. GEORGE S. GRAHAM, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: In connection with H. R. 12744, "To amend section 109 of the act entitled 'An act to codify, revise, and amend the penal laws of the United States,' approved March 4, 1909, and for other purposes,' now pending in your committee, this department would greatly appreciate the following amendment: On page 2, line 20, after the word "bureau," add the words, "members of the visiting committee to the National Bureau of Standards, authorized by act of Congress approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 872, 31 Stat. 1449; sec. 278, title 15, U. S. C.)." The members of the visiting committee to the National Bureau of Standards are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce from private life and serve without compensation, as authorized by the act establishing the Bureau of Standards. It would be manifestly unjust that these citizens serving without compensation should, under the provisions of section 109 of the Criminal Code, lose rights to which, as private citizens, they would be fully entitled. It is therefore deemed proper that the members of the visiting committee to the National Bureau of Standards be included in the exemption clause of the bill above referred to with respect to the provisions of section 109 of the Criminal Code. Very sincerely, R. P. LAMONT, Secretary of Commerce. There follows, in compliance with the rule, a copy of the law, showing the new language in italics: Whoever, being an officer of the United States, or a person holding any place of trust or profit, or discharging any official function under, or in connection with, any executive department of the Government of the United States, or under the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, shall act as an agent or attorney for prosecuting any claim against the United States, or in any manner, or by any means, otherwise than in discharge of his proper official duties, shall aid or assist in the prosecution or support of any such claim, or receive any gratuity, or any share of or interest in any claim from any claimant against the United States, with intent to aid or assist, or in consideration of having aided or assisted, in the prosecution of such claim, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. The provisions of this section and of section 113 of said act of March 4, 1909 (U. S. C., title 18, sec. 203), shall not apply to members of the National Guard of the District of Columbia who receive compensation for their services as such, masters, referees, examiners, auditors, and similar officers appointed by any United States court or judge; members of the advisory council of the United States Veterans' Bureau; members of the Visiting Committee to the National Bureau of Standards, authorized by act of Congress approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 872, 31 Stat. 1449; sec. 278, title 15, U. S. C.); members of the Board of Indian Commissioners; members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics appointed from private life; special attorneys or other assistants who are appointed by the President (whether with or without the advice and consent of the Senate), or by the Attorney General, or by the Alien Property Custodian, or by the Director of the United States Veterans' Bureau, to serve only in specified cases or matters, and not as a continuous employment: Provided, however, That the exemptions herein provided shall not apply to such persons in respect to any proceeding, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other matter or thing to which their official appointments, respectively, relate or which has any connection with or any bearing upon any such proceeding, contract, claim, controversy, charge, accusation, arrest, or other matter or thing. O |