REMOVING RESTRICTIONS ON ESTABLISHING
POST-OFFICE BRANCHES AND STATIONS

MAY 3, 1944.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. BURCH, from the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, submitted the following

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 4517]

Since the filing of Report No. 1373 on April 24, 1944, to accompany H. R. 4517, it has been noted that the report mentioned does not show changes in existing law, as required in paragraph 2a of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

In compliance with the rule mentioned, therefore, the provision of existing law proposed to be repealed is shown as follows in black brackets:

[And provided further, That hereafter no station, substation, or branch post office shall be established beyond the corporate limits or boundaries of any city or town in which the principal office to which such station, substation, or branch office is attached is located, except in cases of villages, towns, or cities of fifteen hundred or more inhabitants not distant more than five miles as near as may be from the outer boundary or limits of such city or town in which the principal office is located.]

O

AUTHORIZING PAYMENTS OF REWARDS TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES FOR INVENTIONS

APRIL 24, 1944.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. HOLIFIELD, from the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 3998]

The Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 3998) authorizing payments of rewards to postal employees for inventions, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

and

PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION

The purpose of this proposed legislation is to encourage inventions suggestions by employees which result in improvements and economies in the Postal Service, and to provide for the payment of suitable rewards for same.

There is quoted below a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House by the Postmaster General under date of January 4, 1944, recommending this legislation and explaining its desirability, as follows:

Hon. SAM RAYBURN,

Speaker, House of Representatives.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., January 4, 1944

MY DEAR MR. RAYBURN: On April 14, 1943, there was appointed at each of the 15 division headquarters for the States within such divisions, a "committee suggestions and experiments for the Postal Service" with a central committee in Washington. The purpose was to interest postal personnel in suggesting improvements in the service.

on

Many of our best suggestions have been presented by postal workers and placed in effect without any thought of recognition, or hope of reward. However, believing that outstanding contributions to efficient postal service should be recognized, and rewarded in a financial way, legislation to that end is recommended.

There is submitted herewith a draft of a proposed bill authorizing payment of rewards to postal employees for inventions or suggestions in a sum not exceed ing $25,000 in any one fiscal year, or $1,000 for any one invention, suggestion, or series of suggestions, to be paid from appropriations for postal activities benefiting, as the Postmaster General may determine. idea has been successful in practically all large industries. The Post Office Department, as the result of a Bulletin notice to officers and personnel, now has The suggestion program on hand some 2,500 suggestions, a number of which will produce economies in operation and improved service beyond the cost of any rewards that may be given.

It has been ascertained from the Bureau of the Budget that this recommendation for legislation is in accord with the program of the President.

Very truly yours,

FRANK C. WALKER,
Postmaster General.

SECOND OMNIBUS CLAIMS BILL, SEVENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS

APRIL 25, 1944.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed

Mr. McGEHEE, from the Committee on Claims, submitted the

following

REPORT

[To accompany H. R. 4657]

The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 4657) for the relief of sundry claims, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

The amendments are as follows:

Page 1, line 8, strike out the figures "$10,000" and insert in lieu thereof the figures "$3,500".

Page 3, line 1, strike out "cases" and insert in lieu thereof "case". Page 3, line 9, after the name "Virginia" insert

: Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated in this Act in excess of 10 per centum thereof shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with this claim, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000. Page 6, line 2, after the colon, insert

: Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated in this Act in excess of 10 per centum thereof shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with this claim, and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1,000.