[H. J. Res. 59]

Joint Resolution To extend provisions of Public Resolution Numbered 92, Seventieth Congress, approved February 25, 1929.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of the public resolution entitled "Joint Resolution for the relief of farmers in the storm and flood stricken areas of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama," approved February 25, 1929, and any appropriation made thereunder, are hereby made applicable to any storm or flood occurring in any such area subsequently to the date of the enactment of such public resolution of February 25, 1929, and prior to the date of the enactment of this joint resolution: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture, in his discretion, may make loans and advances to vegetable and fruit growers for the fall and winter crop of 1929-1930 to an amount not exceeding $25 per acre.

Approved, May 17, 1929.

(339)

[H. J. Res. 375]

Joint Resolution Authorizing and directing the Secretary of Agri culture to waive one-half of the grazing fees for the use of the national forests during the calendar year 1925

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, in his discretion, under regulations to be prescribed by him, to waive any part of or all requirements in respect of grazing fees for the use of national forests in drought-stricken regions during the calendar year 1925 or any part of such calendar

year.

Approved, March 3, 1925.

(340)

[S. 672]

An Act For the purpose of rehabilitating farm lands in the flood areas. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That due to the emergency existing in various States as a result of the floods of 1927, county funds available from taxation are so impaired throughout the flood areas that a continued support of the normal constructive activities of these counties, including the employment of county extension agents in agriculture and home economics, will be impossible. The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized, in cooperation with the several States and local agencies within these States, to continue or employ such county extension agents necessary to aid in quickly and adequately rehabilitating these flood-devastated

farm areas.

SEC. 2. That for the purpose of this Act there is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not more than the sum of $500,000 for the employment of county extension agents, traveling, subsistence, and other necessary expenses, to be expended by the Secretary of Agriculture under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe for the proper carrying out of the purposes of this Act.

Approved, January 26, 1928.

(341)

[H. R. 3548]

An Act To continue, during the fiscal year 1930, Federal aid in rehabilitating farm lands in the areas devastated by floods in 1927.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any unexpended balance of the appropriation to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry into effect the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act for the purpose of rehabilitating farm lands in the flood areas," approved January 26, 1928, contained in the Act entitled "An Act making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, and for other purposes," approved May 16, 1928, is hereby reappropriated, and shall remain available for the same purposes during the fiscal year 1930.

Approved, June 13, 1929.

(342)

[H. J. Res. 352]

Joint Resolution For the relief of Porto Rico.

Whereas the island of Porto Rico is suffering from the effects of a violent hurricane of extraordinary intensity, unusual duration, and unexampled violence which visited the island on September 13 and 14, 1928; and

Whereas no part of the island escaped suffering some damage; and Whereas the total number of people affected by the hurricane was one million four hundred and fifty-four thousand and forty-seven, of whom, according to the report of the American Red Cross, more than one-third, or five hundred and ten thousand one hundred and sixty-one, were absolutely destitute and without food; and Whereas the coffee and fruit crops were almost totally destroyed, and the coffee plantations so injured that it will be at least five years before they can be restored to normal conditions; and

Whereas a very large part of the shade trees which are essential for the successful functioning of a coffee plantation were destroyed and more than five years will be required for their replacement or recovery; and

Whereas more than one hundred and forty thousand, or about onethird, of the trees in the coconut plantations were destroyed and it will be at least seven years before the new trees to be planted in their place will be bearing fruit; and

Whereas the damage to all the insular industries has been so great as to make it impossible for the insular government to give adequate relief in the emergency: Therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby created a commission, to be known as The Porto Rican Hurricane Relief Commission (hereinafter referred to as the commission), and to consist of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Agriculture, of whom the Secretary of War shall be the chairman. It shall be the duty of the commission to assist in the rehabilitation of agriculture in the Island of Porto Rico, particularly on the coffee plantations and on the coconut plantations, to encourage a more general planting of food crops needed by laborers on the plantations, especially of root crops, to aid in the repair and restoration of schools and roads, and to assist in providing employment for unemployed and destitute laborers. The commissioners shall receive no compensation for their services under this resolution.

SEC. 2. (a) The commission is authorized (1) without regard to the civil service laws to appoint and, without regard to the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, to fix the compensation of a secretary and such clerical and other assistants; and (2) to make such expenditures (including expenditures for personal services and rent. at the seat of government and elsewhere) as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this resolution. The commission may, to the extent deemed advisable by it, utilize the facilities and the