1st Session No. 657 GEORGE W. ROSS, JR. JUNE 29, 1961.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed Mr. LANE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 7676] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 7676) for the relief of George W. Ross, Jr., having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. PURPOSE The purpose of the proposed legislation is to pay George W. Ross, Jr., $2,575.50 in full settlement of his claim against the United States for loss of personal property as the result of civil war conditions in 1958 at Padang, Indonesia, where he served as a public affairs officer, U.S. Information Agency. STATEMENT This bill was introduced in accordance with the recommendations of an executive communication directed to the House of Representatives by the U.S. Information Agency. The loss which is the subject of the bill was suffered by George W. Ross, Jr., when his automobile and personal effects were taken during period of civil war in Indonesia in 1958. The claimant, then an employee of the U.S. Information Agency (he has since resigned), was assigned to Padang, Indonesia, as public affairs officer during 1957 and 1958. Because of the outbreak of civil war in Indonesia, with Padang as headquarters of the rebellious forces, in February 1958, the claimant was ordered to report to Djakarta, Indonesia. Claimant was compelled to leave Padang by bus. Air and water transportation was unavailable and jungle roads were impassable except by bus. His personal effects and an automobile remained in Padang. Several months later, Padang was retaken by Indonesian Government troops. Reports received by U.S. Embassy in Djakarta indicated use by Government troops of claimant's automobile. Some of the personal effects were recovered. Efforts by the U.S. Embassy in Djakarta to locate the automobile and remaining effects have been unsuccessful. The value of the property included in the claim is $2,575.50. The committee has carefully considered the matter and has concluded that it is a proper subject for legislative relief. As is apparent from the facts set forth by the U.S. Information Agency, Mr. Ross was directed by his superiors to leave Padang, Indonesia, and report to Djakarta. In order to comply he had to leave his property behind with the result which ultimately prompted the request for relief from Congress. It is obvious that Mr. Ross suffered this loss incident to his official duties as a public affairs officer of the U.S. Information Agency, and it is therefore only just that the relief provided in the bill be extended to him. Accordingly, it is recommended that the bill be considered favorably. Hon. SAM RAYBURN, U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY, Speaker of the House of Representatives. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives a draft of a proposed private bill for the relief of a former employee of this Agency, with my recommendation for favorable consideration by the Congress. The draft bill, for the relief of George W. Ross, would authorize reimbursement in the amount of $2,575.50 for the loss of personal effects and an automobile, as a result of civil war conditions at Padang. Indonesia, during 1958, which required his sudden departure from his post of duty there leaving behind his automobile and personal effects. The claim included in the above bill was approved by the Agency Claims Board after careful consideration of information submitted by the claimant in accordance with Agency regulations. A summary of the claim is attached. The Bureau of the Budget advises that it has no objection to the submission of this bill. A letter similar to this one was mailed to you on March 9, 1961. Apparently it went astray for we are informed by your staff that you never received it. Sincerely, EDWARD R. MURROW, Director. EXPLANATION OF CLAIM The claimant, then an employee of the U.S. Information Agency (he has since resigned), was assigned to Padang, Indonesia, as public affairs officer during 1957 and 1958. Because of the outbreak of civil war in Indonesia, with Padang as headquarters of the rebellious forces, in February 1958, the claimant was ordered to report to Djakarta, Indonesia. Claimant was compelled to leave Padang by bus. Air and water transportation was unavailable and jungle roads were impassable except by bus. His personal effects and an automobile remained in Padang. Several months later, Padang was retaken by Indonesian Government troops. Reports received by U.S. Embassy in Djakarta indicated use by Government troops of claimant's automobile. Some of the personal effects were recovered. Efforts by the U.S. Embassy in Djakarta to locate the automobile and remaining effects have been unsuccessful. The value of the property included in the claim is $2,575.50. AN ACT For the relief of George W. Ross, Jr. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to pay, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to George W. Ross, Junior, the sum of $2,575.50 in full satisfaction of his claim against the United States for the loss of certain personal property resulting from civil war conditions during 1958 at Padang, Indonesia, where he had served as public affairs officer, United States Information Agency: Provided, That no part of the amount appropriated in this Act 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. Government troops. Reports received by U.S. Embassy in Djakarta indicated use by Government troops of claimant's automobile. Some of the personal effects were recovered. Efforts by the U.S. Embassy in Djakarta to locate the automobile and remaining effects have been unsuccessful. The value of the property included in the claim is $2,575.50. The committee has carefully considered the matter and has concluded that it is a proper subject for legislative relief. As is apparent from the facts set forth by the U.S. Information Agency, Mr. Ross was directed by his superiors to leave Padang, Indonesia, and report to Djakarta. In order to comply he had to leave his property behind with the result which ultimately prompted the request for relief from Congress. It is obvious that Mr. Ross suffered this loss incident to his official duties as a public affairs officer of the U.S. Information Agency, and it is therefore only just that the relief provided in the bill be extended to him. Accordingly, it is recommended that the bill be considered favorably. Hon. SAM RAYBURN, U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY, Speaker of the House of Representatives. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I have the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives a draft of a proposed private bill for the relief of a former employee of this Agency, with my recommendation for favorable consideration by the Congress. The draft bill, for the relief of George W. Ross, would authorize reimbursement in the amount of $2,575.50 for the loss of personal effects and an automobile, as a result of civil war conditions at Padang. Indonesia, during 1958, which required his sudden departure from his post of duty there leaving behind his automobile and personal effects. The claim included in the above bill was approved by the Agency Claims Board after careful consideration of information submitted by the claimant in accordance with Agency regulations. A summary of the claim is attached. The Bureau of the Budget advises that it has no objection to the submission of this bill. A letter similar to this one was mailed to you on March 9, 1961. Apparently it went astray for we are informed by your staff that you never received it. Sincerely, EDWARD R. MURROW, Director. EXPLANATION OF CLAIM The claimant, then an employee of the U.S. Information Agency (he has since resigned), was assigned to Padang, Indonesia, as public affairs officer during 1957 and 1958. Because of the outbreak of civil war in Indonesia, with Padang as headquarters of the rebellious forces, in February 1958, the claimant was ordered to report to Djakarta, Indonesia. Claimant was compelled to leave Padang by bus. Air and water transportation was unavailable and jungle roads were impassable except by bus. His personal effects and an |