crating, and shipping his household goods substantiates his willingness to cooperate in clearing up an error on the part of the Government."

In view of the foregoing the Department has no objection to the enactment of this bill.

Inasmuch as the committee has requested that this report be expedited, it 18 submitted without a determination by the Bureau of the Budget as to whether it conforms to the program of the President.

Sincerely yours.

GORDON GRAY, Secretary of the Army

The Honorable HENRY JACKSON,

Everett, Wash.

PORT ANGELES, WASH., July 16, 1948.

DEAR MR. JACKSON: Approximately a year and a half ago I filed a claim with the General Accounting Office Claims Division in Washington, D. C., for reimbursement in the sum of $394.83 paid by me for the shipping of household goods from Fort Douglas, Utah, to Fort Worden, Port Townsend. This claim was filed in writing and I am enclosing a copy of it for your information.

After this claim was filed, I was advised by the inspector general at Fort Worden that the claim had been submitted to him for his attention and that he had approved it and that he expected that I would receive my money in due course. In communication dated June 16, 1948, I was advised that my claim had been disallowed for the reason that no extension of time was granted extending the 6 months' period for shipment of household effects.

I consider the disallowance of this claim to be grossly unfair and I think the acts as set forth in my claim support my feeling in this connection. I have been advised that you might assist me in connection with this matter.

I would appreciate your advising me whether or not I have any recourse to a higher authority from the ruling of the General Accounting Office. I would also appreciate any efforts you can properly make to assist me in having this just obligation of the Government paid.

Please let me hear from you at your convenience.
Very truly yours,

CECIL E. GORDON.

CLAIM OF CECIL E. GORDON for REFUND OF PAYMENTS MADE BY HIM FOR PACKING, CRATING, AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Comes now Cecil E. Gordon, claimant herein, and requests refund from the United States Government of the sum of $394.83, paid by him as hereinafter set forth.

Under date of October 27, 1942, travel orders (No. 125-P HQ NSC) were issued to the claimant by the Headquarters, Ninth Service Command, Office of the Commanding General, Fort Douglas, Utah, directing him to proceed at Government expense from Fort Douglas, Utah, to Fort Worden, Port Townsend, Wash., on or about October 31, 1942. Claimant proceeded to Fort Worden under these orders, but, due to the shortage of housing accommodations in that area, did not locate suitable living quarters for himself and family until June 1943. In this connection the travel orders above referred to specifically cautioned claimant not to transfer his dependents or ship his household goods until it had been ascertained that living quarters were available at his uew station. A copy of this travel order is attached hereto, marked "Exhibit A." and made a part of this claim by reference.

In February 1943, claimant contacted the Fort Worden Ordinance Division to which he was assigned and requested this division to obtain an extension of the shipping authority contained in the travel order. This division contacted the Transportation Department about this matter and then informed claimant that no further action was necessary and that he had nothing further to worry about in this regard. In March 1943, claimant contacted the Transportation Department direct and was advised by this department that everything was in order and that his household effects would be shipped at Government expense.

Subsequently, claimant was informed that as no extension of the 6 months' limitation covering the packing, crating, and shipping of household goods under travel order had been given prior to the expiration of that period, claimant would be required to pay this expense.

H. Repts., 81-1, vol. 5- -101

Through an arrangement permitting the payment of these moving expenses in monthly installments, the total sum due was paid as shown by certificates of payment attached hereto, marked "Exhibit B," and made a part of this claim by reference. That this payment was paid by claimant under protest as stated in his authorization under date of November 27, 1944. to the Office of the Civil Personnel, Fort Worden, Wash., authorizing pay deductions.

The present claim is made in pursuance of information given claimant by virtue of a communication from W. LeRoy Bates, lieutenant colonel. Finance Department, assistant, Receipts and Disbursements Division, Headquarters, Army Service Forces, Office of the Fiscal Director, Gravelly Point. Washington 25. D. C., to commanding general at Fort Worden, Wash., under date of October 3, 1944, in which communication it is stated that the claimant. after complete payment was made by him, had the right to submit a claim to the General Accounting Office, Claims Division, for reimbursement of the amount paid.

The claimant believes it to be unfair and unjust that he should be required to pay the sum above specified for the packing, crating, and moving of his household goods from Fort Douglas, Utah, to Fort Worden, Wash., under the above circumstances for the reason that he was specifically advised by authorities upon whom he was entitled to rely that no further action was necessary in connection with an extension covering the handling of these goods; that he did all that could be expected of him under the circumstances and that he should not be penalized because of mininformation given to him by properly constituted authorities of the United States.

That in support of the facts stated above and the contentions of the claimant, the following excerpts from correspondence relative to this matter is respectfully referred to:

In a communication from Floyd D. Robbins, lieutenant colonel, Ordnance Department, ordnance officer, Fort Worden, to the commanding general, Ninth Service Command, Fort Douglas, Utah, under date of July 22, 1943, the following statements were made:

"3. On March 2, 1943, as Mr. Gordon could not obtain living quarters for his family, this office contacted the transportation officer, this station requesting information as to the necessary action required to obtain an extension of time on Mr. Gordon's travel orders. The transportation officer informed this office that his records did not indicate any further action was necessary. This matter was again taken up several other times during March 1943 with the transportation officer to ascertain whether any further information had been received relative to this matter.

"4. Due to the fact that an effort was made by this office to have this extension granted, information is requested as to whether the extension can be made at this time to cover the cost of the enclosed freight bill."

In a communication from Floyd D. Robbins, lieutenant colonel, Ordnance Department, ordnance officer, Fort Worden, to the commanding general, Ninth Service Command, Fort Douglas, Utah, under date of December 16, 1943, the following statement was made:

"3. Inasmuch as this bill was not incurred due to this employee s neglect as indicated by letter of this office July 22, 1943, file 201-Gordon (Ord.) subject 'Shipment of Household Goods' and 2nd Ind. HQ. NSC file 536 General SPKIT, it is recommended that time payments referred to in paragraph 2 be approved.' In a letter from Wayne A. Perrill, Chief, Civilian Personnel Branch, to claimant under date of July 18, 1944, the following statement was made:

"This office is well aware of the fact that an honest attempt was made by you to secure an extension of time and that through the misinformation and lack of information received from certain agencies on this post, the extension was not obtained. However, since the request received from Headquarters, Ninth Service, is in fact an order, this office has no alternative."

In a communication from Russell L. McKown, major, Infantry, past executive, to Army Service Forces, Office of the Fiscal Director, Gravelly Point, Washington 25, D. C., under date of September 26, 1944, the following statements are made:

"1. With reference to all preceding correspondence, it is hereby requested that the entire case of Cecil E. Gordon be reviewed by the Secretary of War.

"2. Due to the unusual circumstances and evident misinformation given Mr. Gordon, it is the belief of this headquarters he should be relieved of all liability in this matter."

Claimant submits that the above excerpts show a recognition on the part of responsible men in positions of authority and aware of the facts that to require

him to stand the moving expense involved in this claim would be an injustice, and claimant respectfully requests that his application for a refund be allowed.

STATE OF WASHINGTON, County of Clallam, ss:

CECIL E. GORDON.

Cecil E. Gordon, being first duty sworn on oath, deposes and says: That he is the claimant in the above claim for refund of payments made by Cecil E. Gordon, for packing, crating, and shipping household goods; that he has read the same, knows the contents thereof, and believes the same to be true.

CECIL E. GORDON.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of December 1946.

STANLEY A. TAYLOR,

Notary Public in and for the State of Washington, residing at Port Angeles.

ESTATE OF ELMO SODERGREN

AUGUST 9, 1949.-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. 4556]

The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 4556) for the relief of the estate of Elmo Sodergren, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

The purpose of the proposed legislation is to pay the sum of $686.62 to the estate of Elmo Sodergren, late of Stockholm, Maine. The payment of such sum shall be in full settlement of all claims of such estate against the United States for payment, under the price-support program, for the 1946 potato crop of the said Elmo Sodergren.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

It appears that Mr. Elmo Sodergren, of Stockholm, Maine, applied for a special potato loan on September 30, 1946. Loan Serial No. 11-002-273-S was assigned to this application; the potatoes were inspected and approved for loan; and documents for a loan in the amount of $331.60 were prepared for Mr. Sodergren's signature. Mr. Sodergren died within a short time following the completion of the loan documents, and the documents were not signed by him.

Shortly after the death of Mr. Sodergren, his widow contacted our county office in Presque Isle, Maine, and wanted to complete the loan by signing the necessary papers. She was informed the loan could not be completed until she had secured her appointment as the administratrix of the estate and had secured permission from the judge of probate to make the loan and that the last date for disbursing loans was January 15, 1947. The appointment as administratrix was not secured by Mrs. Sodergren prior to the final date for disbursing loans, January 15, 1947, and it is our understanding that she did not secure her appointment until August 1947.