Full text of Aldrich-Vreeland Act of 1908
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546 SIXTIETH CONGRESS. SESS. I. CHS. 228, 229. 1908. thorized and empowered to enter into contracts within the full limit of cost fixed by Congress therefor. offers for sites to be SEC. 35. That the Secretary of the Treasury shall require all owners sbmted n writing. or agents of sites in each city mentioned in this Act, where sites or addition to sites are to be purchased, to submit offers of sale in writing. Rent of buildings And in case a site or addition to a site acquired under the provisions nntil removed. of this Act contains a building or buildings, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to rent until their removal becomes necessary such of said buildings as may be purchased by the Government, or the land on which the same may be located, where Proceeds. the buildings are reserved by the vendors, at a fair rental value, the net proceeds thereof to be deposited in the Treasury of the United States, and a report of the proceedings to be submitted to Congress Pwro. annually: Provided, That each site selected under the provisions of s EXPoUreto treets. this Act shall be bounded upon at least two sides by streets, unless otherwise specifically provided. Advertisingforpro- posais or sites. SEC. 36. That proposals for the sale of land suitable for all sites, or additions to sites, provided for in this Act, respectively, shall be invited by public advertisement in one of the newspapers of said cities, respectively, of largest circulation for at least twenty days prior to the date specified in said advertisement for the opening of said proposals. pamneationofpro- Proposals made in response to said advertisement shall be mailed and addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall then cause the said proposed sites, and such others as he may think proper to designate, to be examined in person by an agent of the Treasury Department, who shall make written report to said Secretary of the results of said examination and of his recommendation thereon and the reasons therefor, which shall be accompanied by the original proposals and all maps, plats, and statements which shall have come into his possession relating to the said proposed sites. Open soace for fire o Exceptional cses. Amendment. Repeael f tonflict- SEC. 37. That all buildings authorized to be constructed, enlarged, or extended under the provisions of this Act shall, unless otherwise provided herein, be unexposed to danger from fire by an open space of at least forty feet on each side, including streets and alleys: Provided, That in exceptional cases and for good cause shown the Secretary of the Treasury may, in his discretion, reduce the open space to less than forty feet and to any dimensions which he shall deem sufficient to afford fire protection. SEC. 38. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act. SEC. 39. That all Acts or parts of Acts in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Approved, May 30, 1908. May 30, 19ls. [.. . . '171.] CHAP. 229.-An Act To amend the national banking laws. [Public, No. 169.] Be it enactedby the Senate and Iloiuse of Representativ.esof the Uzited National bank cir- St'lte't of America in Congress assembled, That national banking assoculation. ciations, each having an unimpaired capital and a surplus of not less National currency asciationsb. gthan twenty per centum, not less than ten in number, having an aggreFiomnubati,, by gate capital and surplus of at least five millions of dollars, mav form voluntary associations to be designated as national currency associaApplications. tions. Corporate powers. presidents or vice-presidents, acting under authority from the board of directors, make and file with the Secretary of the Treasury a certificate setting forth the names of the banks composing the association, the principal place of business of the association, and the name of the association, which name shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Upon the filing of such certificate the associated The banks uniting to form such association shall, by their SIXTIETH CONGRESS. SEss. I. CH. 229. 547 1908. banks therein named shall become a body corporate, and by the name so designated and approved may sue and be sued and exercise the powers of a body corporate for the purposes hereinafter mentioned: P Provided, That not more than one such national currency association Limit. shall be formed in any city: Providedfurther,That the several mem- coebeis territoryof bers of such national currency association shall be taken, as nearly as conveniently may be, from a territory composed of a State or part of a State, or contiguous parts of one or more States: Andprovidedfurther, That any national bank in such city or territory, having the Subsequent admisqualifications herein prescribed for membership in such national currency association, shall, upon its application to and upon the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, be admitted to membership in a national currency association for that city or territory, and upon such admission shall be deemed and held a part of the body corporate, and as such entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the liabilities of an original member: And provided further, That each Banks restricted to national currency association shall be composed exclusively of banks oneocaton not members of any other national currency association. .Existence not The dissolution, voluntary or otherwise, of any bank in such asso- affected bydissolution of amember. association the of existence corporate ciation shall not affect the unless there shall then remain less than the minimum number of ten banks: Provided, however, That the reduction of the number of said Pretio n banks below the minimum of ten shall not affect the existence of the minmum. corporation with respect to the assertion of all rights in favor of or against such association. The affairs of the association shall be man- aged by a board consisting of one representative from each bank. By-laws for the government of the association shall be made by the board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. A president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and an executive committee of not less than five members, shall be elected by the board. Management Officers The powers of such board, except in the election of officers and mak- tExecutve ing of by-laws, may be exercised through its executive committee. The national currency association herein provided for shall have and exercise any and all powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, namely, to render available, under the direction and control of the Secretary of the Treasury, as a basis for additional circulation any securities, including commercial paper, held by a national banking association. For the purpose of obtaining such additional circulation, any bank belonging to any national currency association, below commit- Powers Additional bank circulation. depotsied with asxto having circulating notes outstanding secured by the deposit of bonds ation. of the United States to an amount not less than forty per centurn of its capital stock, and which has its capital unimpaired and a surplus of not less than twenty per centum, may deposit with and transfer to the association, in trust for the United States, for the purpose hereinafter provided, such of the securities above mentioned as may be satisfactory to the board of the association. The officers of the association may oApptrollto thereupon, in behalf of such bank, make application to the Comptroller currency. of the Currency for an issue of additional circulating notes to an amount not exceeding seventy-five per centum of the cash value of the securities or commercial paper so deposited. The Comptroller of the Currency Treasury may shall immediately transmit such application to the Secretary of the issue. Treasury with such recommendation as he thinks proper, and if, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, business conditions in the locality demand additional circulation, and if he be satisfied with the character and value of the securities proposed and that a lien in favor of the United States on the securities so deposited and on the assets of the banks composing the association will be amply sufficient for the protection of the United States, he may direct an issue of additional circulating notes to the association. on behalf of such bank, to an amount in his discretion, not, however, exceeding seventy-five per centum of to direct 548 SIXTIETH CONGRESS. AoPr et., bonds. SESS. I. CH. 229. 1908. the cash value of the securities so deposited: Provided, That upon the on deposit of any of the State, city, town, county, or other municipal bonds, of a character described in section three of this Act, circulating notes may be issued to the extent of not exceeding ninety per centum of the market value of such bonds so deposited: And provided Limit asto ommer- further, That no national banking association shall be authorized in cial paper. "pCommercial per" any event to issue circulating notes based on commercial paper in excess of thirty per centum of its unimpaired capital and surplus. pa- The term "commercial paper" shall be held to include only notes designated representing actual commercial transactions, which when accepted by the association shall bear the names of at least two responsible parties and have not exceeding four months to run. The banks and the assets of all banks belonging to the association shall be jointly and severally liable to the United States for the redemption of such additional circulation; and to secure such liability Liability of associaonforredemption. ien created. s.,ec. 30,p.IL the lien created by section fifty-two hundred and thirty of the Revised Limabiity beteen Statutes shall extend to and cover the assets of all banks belonging to the association, and to the securities deposited by the banks with the association pursuant to the provisions of this Act; but as between the several banks composing such association each bank shall be liable only in the proportion that its capital and surplus bears to the aggre- Additional or ex- gate capital and surplus of all such banks. Sale of securities held, on failre. pepositofproceeds. The association may, at any time, require of any of its constituent banks a deposit of additional securities or commercial paper, or an exchange of the securities already on deposit, to secure such additional circulation; and in case of the failure of such bank to make such deposit or exchange the association may, after ten days' notice to the bank, sell the securities and paper already in its hands at public sale, and deposit the proceeds with the Treasurer of the United States as a fund for the redemption suit if sum insuffi- of such additional circulation. If such fund be insufficient for that enttoredenotes. purpose the association may recover from the bank the amount of the deficiency by suit in the circuit court of the United States, and shall have the benefit of the lien hereinbefore provided for in favor of the United States upon the assets of such bank. The association or the ubitutiorl pernSecretary of the Treasury may permit or require the withdrawal of mitted. Action if members fail to maintain redemption fund. vol. s18 p. 123 any such securities or commercial paper and the substitution of other securities or commercial paper of equal value therefor. SEC. 2. That whenever any bank belonging to a national currency association shall fail to preserve or make good its redemption fund in the Treasury of the United States, required by section three of the Act of June twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, chapter three hundred and forty-three, and the provisions of this Act, the Treasurer of the United States shall notify such national currency association to make good such redemption fund, and upon the failure meeof fund of ot her of such national currency association to make good such fund, the Aseiation to sell securities of default- ing bank. Treasurer of the United States may, in his discretion, apply so much of the redemption fund belonging to the other banks composing such national currency association as may he necessary for that purpose; and such national currency association may, after five days' notice to such bank, proceed to sell at public sale the securities deposited by such bank with the association pursuant to the provisions of section Depofitsof proeeds one of this Act, and deposit the proceeds with the Treasurer of the fortredemption of United States as a fund for the redemption of the additional circula- tion taken out by such bank under this Act. Additional circulaSEC. 3. That any national banking association which has circulating tion by banks, on other thanbnited notes outstanding, secured by the deposit of United States bonds to states bonds. an amount of not less than forty per centum of its capital stock, and mppolication to which has a surplus of not less than twenty per centum, may make application to the Comptroller of the Currency for authority to issue additional circulating notes to be secured by the deposit of bonds SIXTIETH CONGRESS. SEss. I. other than bonds of the United States. CII. 229. 1908. The Comptroller of the Cur- 549 rency shall transmit immediately the application, with his recom- Approval by SecreetaryoftheTreasury. circulating notes to be issued. Whenever after receiving notice of such approval any such association shall deposit with the Treasurer Issue on deposit of bondswithTreaurer. mendation, to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall, if in his udgment business conditions in the locality demand additional circulation, approve the same, and shall determine the time of issue and fix the amount, within the limitations herein imposed, of the additional or any assistant treasurer of the United States such of the bonds described in this section as shall be approved in character and amount by the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury, it shall be entitled to receive, upon the order of the Comptroller of the Currency, circulating notes in blank, registered and counter- signed as provided by law, not exceeding in amount ninety per centum Not to exceed 90 per of the market value, but not in excess of the par value of any bonds cent of market value. so deposited, such market value to be ascertained and determined under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury. The Treasurer of the United States, with the approval of the Secre- citeds of Sttccepst tary of the Treasury, shall accept as security for the additional circulating notes provided for in this section, bonds or other interest-bearing obligations of any State of the United States, or any legally authorized citnectioondsas to bonds issued by any city, town, county, or other legally constituted municipality or district in the United States which has been in existence for a period of ten years, and which for a period of ten years previous to such deposit has not defaulted in the payment of any part of either principal or interest of any funded debt authorized to becontracted by it, and whose net funded indebtedness does not exceed ten per centum of the valuation of its taxable property, to be ascertained by the last preceding valuation of property for the assessment of s re t i on of Trea taxes. The Treasurer of the United States, with the approval of the uDs secthis of Secretary of the Treasury, shall accept, for the purposes tion, securities herein enumerated in such proportions as he may from time to time determine, and he may with such approval at any time require the deposit of additional securities, or require any association to change the character of the securities already on deposit. SEC. 4. That the legal title of all bonds, whether coupon or regis- ransfer of title in tered, deposited to secure circulating notes issued in accordance with the terms of section three of this Act shall be transferred to the Treasurer of the United States in trust for the association depositing them, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. A receipt shall be given to the association by the Treasurer ReceiptsfromTreasor any assistant treasurer of the United States, stating that such bond is held in trust for the association on whose behalf the transfer is made, and as security for the redemption and payment of any circulating notes that have been or may be delivered to such association. Assignments. No assignment or transfer of any such bond by the Treasurer shall be custody, etc. of deemed valid unless countersigned by the Comptroller of the Currency. bonds. The provisions of sections fifty-one hundred and sixty-three, fifty-one RS.ecs. 5163-5167, hundred and sixty-four, fifty-one hundred and sixty-five, fifty-one 1012. hundred and sixty-six, and fifty-one hundred and sixty-seven and sections fifty-two hundred and twenty-four to fiftv-two hundred and thirty-four, inclusive, of the Revised Statutes respecting United States bonds deposited to secure circulating notes shall, except as herein modified, be applicable to all bonds deposited under the terms of section three of this Act. SEC. 5. That the additional circulating notes issued under this Act irSctus of addition shall be used, held, and treated in the same way as circulating notes of national banking associations heretofore issued and secured by a deposit of United States bonds, and shall be subject to all the provisions of law affecting such notes except as herein expressly modified: 550 SIXTIETH CONGRESS. S of issue notes by banks, SESS. I. CH. 229. 1908. f Providpd, That the total amount of circulating notes outstanding of any national banking association, including notes secured by United Maximum of addi- tiona notes. States bonds as now provided by law, and notes secured otherwise than by deposit of such bonds, shall not at any time exceed the amount of its unimpaired capital and surplus: And provided further, That there shall not be outstanding at any time circulating notes issued under the provisions of this Act to an amount of more than five hundred millions of dollars. Redemptionl fundEC. a. That whenever and so long as any national banking associament for additional tion has outstanding any of the additional circulating notes authorized circulato to be issued by the provisions of this Act it shall keep on deposit in Vol. l,p. 123. Proportional signment of i states as- the Treasury of the United States, in addition to the redemption fund required by section three of the Act of June twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, an additional sum equal to five per centum of such additional circulation at any time outstanding, such additional five per centum to be treated, held, and used in all respects in the same manner as the original redemption fund provided for by said section three of the Act of June twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four. SEC. 7. In order that the distribution of notes to be issued under addi.... entlircuaion to the provisions of this Act shall be made as equitable a as practicable between the various sections of the country, the Secretary of the Treasury shall not approve applications from associations in any State in excess of the amount to which such State would be entitled of the additional notes herein authorized on the basis of the proportion which the unimpaired capital and surplus of the national banking associations in such State bears to the total amount of unimpaired capital and surprono. plus of the national banking associations of the United States: Promegtsn c asig- ided, however, That in case the applications from associations in any State shall not be equal to the amount which the associations of such State would be entitled to under this method of distribution, the Secretary of the Treasury may, in his discretion, to meet an emergency, assign the amount not thus applied for to any applying association or associations in States in the same section of the country. Information.etc.as SEC. 8. That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury curitie tbe e- to obtain information with reference to the value and character of the securities authorized to be accepted under the provisions of this Act, and he shall from time to time furnish information to national banking associations as to such securities as would he acceptable under the provisions of this Act. Tax circulation. R. S.,onsec. 5214, p. on0. centibrei Sby two p er vol. 32, p. 484. By bonds of higher interest. By other securities. SEC. 9. That section fifty-two hundred and fourteen of the Revised Statutes, as amended, be further amended to read as follows: S:EC. 5214. National banking associations having on deposit bonds of the United States, bearing interest at the rate of two per centum per annum, including the bonds issued for the construction of the Panama Canal, under the provisions of section eight of 'An Act to provide for the construction of a canal connecting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,' approved June twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and two, to secure its circulating notes, shall pay to the Treasurer of the United States, in the months of January and July, a tax of one-fourth of one per centum each half year upon the average amount of such of its notes in circulation as are based upon the deposit of such bonds; and such associations having on deposit bonds of the United States bearing interest at a rate higher than two per centum per annum shall pay a tax of one-half of one per centum each half year upon the average amount of such of its notes in circulation as are based upon the deposit of such bonds. National banking associations having circulating notes secured otherwise than by bonds of the United States shall pa for the first month a tax at the rate of five per centum per annum upon the average amount of such of their notes in circulation as are based upon the deposit of such securities, and afterwards SIXTIETH CONGRESS. SESS. I. Cii. 229. 551 1908. an additional tax of one per centum per annum for each month until a tax of ten per centum per annum is reached, and thereafter such tax of ten per centum per annum, upon the average amount of such notes. Every national banking association having outstanding circulating notes secured by a deposit of other securities than United States bonds shall make monthly returns, under oath of its president or cashier, to the Treasurer of the United States, in such form as the Treasurer may prescribe, of the average monthly amount of its notes so secured in circulation; and it shall be the duty of the Comptroller of the Currency to cause such reports of notes in circulation to be verified by examination of the banks' records. The taxes received on circulating notes Monthly returns of than United States bonds Useoftaxesonnotes secured otherwise than by bonds of the United States shall be paid United Sttes bonds. into the Division of Redemption of the Treasury and credited and added to the reserve fund held for the redemption of United States and other notes." SEC. 10. That section nine of the Act approved July twelfth, eight- Retiringcirculation. een hundred and eighty-two, as amended by the Act approved March amended. fourth, nineteen hundred and seven, be further amended to read as follows: "SEC. 9. That any national banking association desiring to with- Withdrawalofnotes draw its circulating notes, secured by deposit of United States bonds statesbonds. in the manner provided in section four of the Act approved June Deposits o twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, is hereby authorized for that purpose to deposit lawful money with the Treasurer of the United States and, with the consent of the Comptroller of the Currency and the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, to withdraw a proportionate amount of bonds held as security for its circulating notes'in the order of such deposits: Provided, That not more than lawful money. Pa. nine millions of dollars of lawful money shall be so deposited during any calendar month for this purpose. "Any national banking association desiring to withdraw any of its Notes secured by circulating notes, secured by the deposit of securities other than bonds othersecurities. of the United States, may make such withdrawal at any time in like manner and effect by the deposit of lawful money or national bank notes with the Treasurer of the United States, and upon such deposit a proportionate share of the securities so deposited may be withdrawn: Provided, That the deposits under this section to retire notes secured Deposits. Pro-iso- by the deposit of securities other than bonds of the United States shall positstoredeem note. not be covered into the Treasury, as required by section six of an Act vol' 2, . 29. entitled 'An Act directing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue of Treasury notes thereon, and for other purposes,' approvedJuly fourteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety, but shall he retained in the Treasury for the purpose of redeeming the notes of the bank making such deposit." SEC. 11. That section fifty-one hundred and seventy-two of the Isse of,notesi, p. Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby, amended to read as follows: 1000, amended. "SEC. 5172. In order to furnish suitable notes for circulation, the Engraving and Comptroller of the Currency shall, under the direction of the Secre- prnting tary of the Treasury, cause plates and dies to be engraved, in the best manner to guard against counterfeiting and fraudulent alterations, and shall have printed therefrom, and numbered, such quantity of circulating notes, in blank, of the denominations of five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars, fifty dollars, one hundred dollars, five hundred dollars, one thousand dollars, and ten thousand dollars. as may be required to supply the associations entitled to receive the same. Such notes shall state upon their face that they are secured by United States bonds or other securities, certified by the written or engraved signatures of the Treasurer and Register and by the imprint of the seal of the Treasury. They shall also express upon their face the promise of the association receiving the same to pay on demand, attested by the signature of the president or vice-president and Denomination. Characterofsecurity. 552 SIXTIETH CONGRESS. SESS. I. CI9. 229. 1908. cashier. The Comptroller of the Currency, acting under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall as soon as practicable cause to Additional notes to pre . be prepared circulating notes in blank, registered and countersigned, as provided by law, to an amount equal to fifty per centum of the capital stock of each national banking association; such notes to be Amount. Depoitfor derlivery deposited in the Treasury or in the subtreasury of the United States nearest the place of business of each association, and to be held for such association, subject to the order of the Comptroller of the Currency, for their delivery as provided by law: Provided, That the Comptroller of the Currency may issue national bank notes of the present form until plates can be prepared and circulating notes issued Useof presentform. Presentform additional e I r not e u Ifor a- as above provided: Provided,however, That in no event shall bank notes uon. of the present form be issued to any bank as additional circulation provided for by this Act." SEC. 12. That circulating notes of national banking associations, when presented to the Treasury for redemption, as provided in section three of the Act approved June twentieth, eighteen hundred and sev- Redemptionin lawVol. 18, p. 123. uthority oere- tythe of Designate incle eerpulic i". s., eo0 enty-four, shall-be redeemed in lawful money of the United States. S EC. 13. That all acts and orders of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Treasurer of the United States authorized by this Act shall have the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury who shall have power, also, to make any such rules and regulations and exercise such control over the organization and management of national currency associations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. SEC. 14. That the provisions of section fifty-one hundred and ninetynepos- one of the Revised Statutes, with reference to the reserves of national deposi- e 5191, p banking associations, shall not apply to deposits of public moneys by the United States in designated depositaries. Interest payable on special deposits public moneys. of SEC. 15. That all national banking associations designated as regular depositaries of public money shall pay upon all special and additional deposits made by the Secretary of the Treasury in such depositaries, and all such associations designated as temporary depositaries of public money shall pay upon all sums of public money deposited in such associations interest at such rate as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, not less, however, than one per centum per annum upon the Proing no average monthly amount of such deposits: Provided, hoawever. That modified. nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to change or modify the obligation of any association or any of its officers for the safe-keepUniform interest. ing of public money: Provided.further, That the rate of interest charged upon such deposits shall be equal and uniform throughout the United States. Appropriation. SEC. 16. That a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of the preceding sections of this Act is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. National Monetary Commision created. Appointment. Post, p. 931. SEC. 17. That a Commission is hereby created, to be called the National Monetary Commission," to be composed of nine members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Presiding Officer thereof, and nine members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker thereof; and any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. hnquirg as eto SEC. 18. That it shall be the duty of this Commission to inquire into system. etc. and report to Congress at the earliest date practicable, what changes Authority. are necessary or desirable in the monetary system of the United. States or in the laws relating to banking and currency, and for this purpose they are authorized to sit during the sessions or recess of Congress, at such times and places as they may deem desirable, to send for persons and papers, to administer oaths, to summons and compel the attend- offieials. ance of witnesses, and to employ a disbursing officer and such secre- -aries, experts, stenographers, messengers, and other assistants as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes for which said Commission was SIXTIETI CONGRESS. SESS. I. CuI. 229-231. 1908. created. The Commission shall have the power, through subcommittee or otherwise, to examine witnesses and to make such investigations and examinations, in this or other countries, of the subjects committed to their charge as they shall deem necessary. SEC. 19. That a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of sections seventeen and eighteen of this Act, and to pay the necessary expenses of the Commission and its members, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Said appropriation shall be immediately available and shall be paid out on the audit and order of the chairman or acting chairman of said Commission, which audit and order shall be conclusive and binding upon all Departments as to the correctness of the accounts of such Commission. SEC. 20. That this Act shall expire by limitation on the thirtieth day of June, nineteen hundred and fourteen. Approved, May 30, 1908. CHAP. 230.-An Act Pensioning the surviving officers and enlisted men of the Texas volunteers employed in the defense of the frontier of that State against Mexican marauders and Indian depredations from eighteen hundred and fifty-five to eighteen hundred and sixty, inclusive, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representativesof the United States ofAerica in Congress assembled, Thatthe provision, limita- 553 Powers. Appropriation. Immediately available. Accounts. Termination of act. May 30, 1908. [S. 5581.] 0 [Public, No. 17 .] Indian for service Pensionswars. tions, and benefits of an Act entitled "An Act granting pensions to in, extended to Texas , survivors of the Indian wars of eighteen hundred and thirty-two to volnI tp.ei. eighteen hundred and forty-two, inclusive, known as the Black Hawk war, Creek war, Cherokee disturbances, and the Seminole war," approved July twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, be, and the same are hereby, extended from the date of the passage of this Act to the surviving officers and enlisted men of the Texas volunteers who served in the defense of the frontier of that State against Mexican marauders and Indian depredations from the year eighteen hundred and fifty-five to the year eighteen hundred and sixty, inclusive; Surviving widows and also to include the surviving widows of such of said officers and included. roiw. Plroremarried: not have widows such That enlisted men: Provided, idedfutrther, That where there is no record of enlistment or muster Rest into the service of the United States in the service mentioned in this Act the fact of reimbursement to Texas by the United States, as evidenced by the muster rolls and vouchers on file in the War Department, shall be accepted as full and satisfactory proof of such enlistment Proofs. and service: And providedfurther, That all contracts heretofore made Contracts witi atbetween the beneficiaries under this Act and pension attorneys and torneys etc., void. claim agents are hereby declared null and void. Approved, May 30, 1908. CHAP. 231.-An Act Authorizing certain life-saving apparatus to be placed at the Farallone Islands, off the coast of California. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasurv is hereby authorized to cause a Lyle gun and the necessary beach apparatus used in connection with it to be placed at the Farallone Islands, off the coast of California, at such point as the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service may recommend, and to furnish ammunition for said gun and make repairs to the apparatus from time to time as necessary. May 30 1908. - [Public, No. 171.] Life-saving Service. Lyle gun etc.. obe Plaed a.tc Fa. one