MEMORANDUM OF NOVEMBER 23, 1956

MEMORANDUM TO HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND INDEPENDENT ESTABLISHMENTS AUTHORIZING FEDERAL EMPLOYEES TO BE EXCUSED FROM DUTY ON DECEMBER 24, 1956

Employees in the Federal service in the Metropolitan Area of the District of Columbia, and in the field service of the Executive departments, independent establishments and other agencies of the Government, including the General Accounting Office, the Government Printing Office and Navy Yards and Naval Stations, whose services are determined by the respective heads of the departments, independent establishments, and other agencies not to be needed for maintaining any skeleton forces which may be necessary for the transaction of urgent public business, shall be excused from duty on Monday, December 24, 1956; and such day shall be considered a holiday within the meaning of Executive Order No. 103581 of June 9, 1952, and of all 13 CFR, 1952 Supp.

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statutes so far as they relate to the compensation and leave of employees of the United States.

The heads of departments, agencies, and independent establishments shall adopt a liberal policy for the granting of annual leave to all employees who wish to take such leave during the rest of the period between the holidays.

This memorandum shall not be construed as authority for excusing from duty (1) those employees in the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or other departments, establishments, or agencies who for national security or other public reasons should, in the judgment of the respective heads of such departments, establishments, and agencies, be at their posts, or (2) those employees whose absence from duty would be inconsistent with the provisions of existing law.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 23, 1956.

LETTER OF AUGUST 16, 1955 [EMERGENCY FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS]

[WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW] THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, August 16, 1955.

DEAR MR. STREIBERT:

The Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1956, appropriated $5,000,000 for the "Emergency Fund for International Affairs." As set forth in my letter to you of September 15, 1954,' it is my intention that this fund be used to extend U. S. participation in international trade fairs and to demonstrate to peoples of other countries our accomplishments in the cultural field both through direct Government activities and by means of assistance and encouragement to private groups. It is also my desire that this fund be used for projects of all kinds that will demonstrate in a dramatic and effective manner the excellence of our free enterprise system as reflected in our products and our cultural values.

I hereby designate you the coordinator of the appropriations made to date under the title "Emergency Fund for International Affairs." These appropriations are available for allocation by you among the agencies which are participating or may participate in the program. These agencies will submit their requests for apportionment of allocations directly to the Bureau of the Budget. I shall continue to look to you for the preparation of a quarterly report of expenditures for me to transmit to the Congress as required by law.

I wish to emphasize that these funds are to be used solely for expenses directly chargeable to approved projects or to administrative expenses of the program. Direct administrative expenses chargeable to the program should be kept to a minimum and agency overhead should be met from the general funds of the participating agencies.

In order that this emergency program may proceed as expeditiously as possible, and pursuant to authority contained in the Acts appropriating these funds, I hereby delegate to the agencies using funds allocated to them under this letter the power to expend them in their dis

1 Not filled with the Federal Register Division.

cretion for items that will further the general purposes set out above and without regard to the following provisions of law:

(a) Section 3648 of the Revised Statutes, as amended; 60 Stat. 809, as amended (31 U. S. C. 529) (advance of funds).

(b) Sections 302-305 of the Act of June 30, 1949 (Federal Property and Administrative Services Act), c. 288; 63 Stat. 393-396 (41 U. S. C. 252-255) (competitive bids; advances).

(c) Section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (41 U. S. C. 5) (competitive bids).

(d) Section 3710 of the Revised Statutes (41 U. S. C. 8) (opening of bids).

(e) Section 2 of the Act of March 3, 1933, c. 212; 47 Stat. 1520 (41 U. S. C. 10a) (Buy American Act).

(f) Section 3735 of the Revised Statutes (41 U. S. C. 13) (contracts limited to one year).

(g) Section 901 of the Act of June 29, 1936, c. 858; 49 Stat. 2015 (46 U. S. C. 1241) (Travel of U. S. employees on U. S. ships).

(h) Section 1009 of the Act of January 27, 1948, c. 36, as amended; 62 Stat. 14 (22 U. S. C. 1440), to the extent necessary to permit the Department of State to participate in this program without regard to the provisions of Section 1001 of said Act of January 27, 1948, 62 Stat. 13, as amended (22 U. S. C. 1434). (Special personnel security provisions relating to activities under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and applicable to all such international activities carried on under the jurisdiction of the Department of State.)

(i) Section 16a of the Act of August 2, 1946, c. 744; 60 Stat. 810 (5 U. S. C. 78) (hiring automobiles and aircraft).

(j) Section 322 of the Act of June 30, 1932, c. 314; 47 Stat. 412 (40 U. S. C. 278a) (rental of buildings).

(k) Section 1 of the Act of June 20, 1878, c. 359, as amended; 20 Stat. 216, as amended (44 U. S. C. 322); and Section 3828 of the Revised Statutes (44 U. S. C. 324) (advertising).

(1) Section 87 of the Act of January 12. 1895, c. 23, as amended; 28 Stat. 622,

as amended (44 U. S. C. 111) (printing by G. P. O.).

This supersedes my above mentioned letter of September 15, 1954.

Sincerely,

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

Honorable THEODORE C. STREIBERT, Director, U. S. Information Agency, Washington 25, D. C.

LETTER OF AUGUST 21, 1956
[PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL
PROGRAM]

[WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW]

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, August 21, 1956.

DEAR MR. STREIBERT:

As you know, the "International Cultural Exchange and Trade Fair Participation Act of 1956" became Public Law 860, 84th Congress, on August 1, 1956. It is my intention to issue in the very near future an Executive order implementing this Act, which will appropriately delegate the powers and duties conferred upon me by the Act.

The Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1957, Public Law 814, 84th Congress, appropriated $5,900,000 under the head "President's Special International Program" to carry out the provisions of Public Law 860. The Second Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1957, Public Law 855, 84th Congress, appropriated an additional $4,000,000 under this head for United States participation in the Universal and International Exposition of Brussels, 1958, as authorized by Section 3 (c) of Public Law 860.

In order that this program may proceed as expeditiously as possible, you are hereby authorized to allocate the funds thus appropriated. Until the issuance of the Executive order mentioned above, the provisions of my letter to you of August 16, 1955, regarding the apportionment of funds and the power of the operating agencies to expend these funds without regard to certain provisions of law as specified therein, shall continue in effect. These funds may be also expended without regard to the limitations of Section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U. S. C. 55a) on the employment of experts and consultants. I hereby de

1 See Letter of August 16, 1955, supra.

LETTER OF DECEMBER 27, 1956 [U. S. PARTICIPATION IN BRUSSELS UNIVERSAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1958]

[WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW] THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, December 27, 1956.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY:

With respect to United States participation in the Brussels Universal and International Exhibition, 1958, as authorized by the International Cultural Exchange and Trade Fair Participation Act of 1956 (Public Law 860, 84th Congress, approved August 1, 1956), I hereby determine, pursuant to authority vested in me by section 8 of that Act, that the performance of functions without regard to the following additional provisions of law and limitations of authority is in furtherance of the purposes of said Act:

(1) That part of section 3734 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, now codified in section 267 of title 40 of the United States Code (40 U. S. C. 267) (restrictions on buildings; approval of sketch plans; changes; limit of cost).

(2) Section 1 of the act of August 24, 1935, 49 Stat. 793 (40 U. S. C. 270a) (bonds of contractors for public buildings).

(3) Provisions contained in section 1 of the act of October 22, 1913, 38 Stat. 212 (5 U. S. C. 54) (publicity experts).

(4) The Civil Service Act of January 16, 1883, 22 Stat. 403, as amended (5 U. S. C. 632 et seq.), and other civil service laws, and the Classification Act of 1949, as amended (employment and compensation of personnel).

(5) (a) Standardized Government Travel Regulations, (b) rates of per diem allowances in lieu of subsistence expenses under the Travel Expense Act of 1949, as amended (5 U. S. C. 835-842), and (c) section 10 of the act of March 3, 1933, 47

Stat. 1516, as amended (5 U. S. C. 73b) (travel expenses).

(6) Sections 189 and 365 of the Revised Statutes (5 U. S. C. 49 and 314, respectively) (employment of attorneys or counsel and payment of fees therefor), except with respect to litigation involving an interest of the United States.

Waivers of provisions of law and of limitations of authority coming into existence by reason of the foregoing determination shall be deemed to be additional to those heretofore existing under my letters of August 16, 1955,1 and August 21, 1956,2 to the Honorable Theodore C. Streibert, Director of the United States Information Agency.

All waivers of statutes and limitations of authority effected above should be utilized in a prudent manner and as sparingly as is feasible. Suitable steps should be taken to insure that result, including, as may be appropriate, the imposition of administrative limitations in lieu of the waived statutory requirements and limitations of authority.

Sincerely,

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Honorable JOHN FOSTER Dulles, Secretary of State,

Washington 25, D. C.

MEMORANDUM OF FEBRUARY 6, 1957

[1957 RED CROSS CAMPAIGN]

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, February 6, 1957. MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

Because of its humanitarian purposes,

the American Red Cross is close to the hearts of all who are concerned with the welfare of others. Federal employees and military personnel have demonstrated this fact through their splendid record of contributions to the Red Cross.

The need for our generous support of imperative Red Cross services continues. The past year has been a busy and costly one. Disaster expenditures alone were the highest in seventy-five years, and for several months the organization has been engaged in extensive relief operations on behalf of the people of Hungary. The Red Cross must always be kept ready to assume its responsibilities to victims of disaster, to the armed forces, to veterans, and their families, as well as through its safety services, nursing and national blood programs, community and international services.

The 1957 Red Cross Campaign will be conducted during the month of March in accordance with the approved Federal fund-raising policy and program which specifically provides a separate solicitation period for the American National Red Cross in all communities, except those where the Red Cross participates in a local united campaign, as well as among military and civilian personnel overseas. It is my desire that officials and employees throughout the Federal establishment cooperate with their respective Red Cross chapters and units and extend their full support to this campaign.

LETTER OF JUNE 18, 1958 [DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS CONCERNING AID TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR VETERANS' MEDICAL CARE]

THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, June 18, 1958.

MY DEAR MR. WHITTIER:

Under the provisions of H. R. 6908, an Act "To authorize modification and ex

1 See Letter of August 16, 1955, supra.

2 See Letter of August 21, 1956, supra.

I am confident of a response that will do credit to the Federal service and be an important factor in the success of the Red Cross campaign.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

tension of the program of grants-in-aid to the Republic of the Philippines for the hospitalization of certain veterans, to restore eligibility for hospital and medical care to certain veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States residing in the Philippines, and for other purposes,' approved by me this day, I am authorized to furnish financial aid to the Republic of the Philippines for the medical care and treatment of certain veterans.

By virtue of the authority vested in me, including authority so vested by section 301 of Title 3 of the United States