CHAPTER 2 —OFFICERS OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
§§21, 22. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632 , 642
Section 21, R.S. §2039, related to the Board of Indian Commissioners.
Section 22, act Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 388, §1,
§§23, 24. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section 23, act May 17, 1882, ch. 163, §1,
Section 24, R.S. §2042, related to the investigations by a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners, and was omitted as superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 6145 of May 25, 1933.
§25. Superintendent for Five Civilized Tribes
The offices of the Commissioner of the Five Civilized Tribes and superintendent of Union Agency, in Oklahoma, are abolished as of September 1, 1914, and in lieu thereof there shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Superintendent for the Five Civilized Tribes, with his office located in the State of Oklahoma, at a salary of $5,000 per annum, and said superintendent shall exercise the authority and perform the duties exercised prior to September 1, 1914, by the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes and the superintendent of the Union Agency, with authority to reorganize the department and to eliminate all unnecessary clerks, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
(Aug. 1, 1914, ch. 222, §17,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§25a. Application of civil service laws
The position of Superintendent of the Five Civilized Tribes is included within the competitive classified civil service and shall be subject to civil service laws and rules.
(Mar. 4, 1929, ch. 705,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§26. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632
Section, R.S. §2052, provided for appointment of Indian Agents by the President.
§27. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section, R.S. 2062; acts July 13, 1892, ch. 164, §1,
§§28 to 31. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632 , 634
Section 28, R.S. §2056; act May 17, 1882, ch. 163, §1,
Section 29, R.S. §2057, provided for a bond by Indian Agents.
Section 30, R.S. §2060, prescribed limits of residence of Indian Agents.
Section 31, R.S. §2058, related to duties of Indian Agents.
§32. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section, act July 1, 1898, ch. 545, §1,
§33. Superintendents in charge of reservations; administration of oath of office
Superintendents and acting superintendents in charge of Indian reservations, schools, irrigation and allotment projects are authorized and empowered to administer the oath of office required of employees placed under their jurisdiction.
(June 30, 1913, ch. 4, §1,
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is from the Indian Appropriation Act, 1914.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§§34, 35. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632 , 642, 650
Section 34, acts Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 355, §8,
Section 35, R.S. §2064, authorized Indian Agents to take acknowledgements of deeds and to administer oaths.
§36. Special agents and other officers to administer oaths
Each special agent, supervisor of schools, or other official charged with the investigation of Indian agencies and schools, in the pursuit of his official duties shall have power to administer oaths and to examine on oath all officers and persons employed in the Indian Service, and all such other persons as may be deemed necessary and proper.
(Mar. 1, 1899, ch. 324, §1,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Indian Agents
The services of Indian agents have been dispensed with. See note set out under
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§37. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 633 , 641
Section, acts Mar. 3, 1875, ch. 132, §10,
§38. Repealed. Dec. 16, 1930, ch. 14, §1, 46 Stat. 1028
Section, R.S. §2061, related to visits to Washington, D.C., by agents in California.
§39. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632
Section, R.S. §2063, related to compensation for extra services rendered by Indian Agents.
§40. Limits of superintendencies, agencies, and subagencies
The limits of each superintendency, agency, and subagency shall be established by the Secretary of the Interior, either by tribes or geographical boundaries.
(R.S. §2066.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2066 derived from acts June 30, 1834, ch. 162, §7,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§41. Special agents and commissioners
All special agents and commissioners not appointed by the President shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
(R.S. §2067.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2067 derived from act Mar. 3, 1863, ch. 99, §1,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Indian Agents
The services of Indian agents have been dispensed with. See note set out under
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§41a. Indian inspectors
Indian inspectors shall on and after March 4, 1909 be termed inspectors, and shall be included in the classified service.
(Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 297, §1,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§42. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632
Section, R.S. §2068, provided for interpreters for Indian agencies under Department of the Interior.
§43. Persons paid for other services not paid for interpreting
No person employed by the United States and paid for any other service shall be paid for interpreting.
(Apr. 4, 1910, ch. 140, §2,
§44. Employment of Indians
In the Indian Service Indians shall be employed as herders, teamsters, and laborers, and where practicable in all other employments in connection with the agencies and the Indian Service. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to enforce this provision.
(Aug. 15, 1894, ch. 290, §10,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§45. Preference to Indians qualified for duties
In all cases of the appointments of interpreters or other persons employed for the benefit of the Indians, a preference shall be given to persons of Indian descent, if such can be found, who are properly qualified for the execution of the duties.
(R.S. §2069.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2069 derived from act June 30, 1834, ch. 162, §9,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§46. Preference to Indians in employment of clerical, mechanical, and other help
Preference shall at all times, as far as practicable, be given to Indians in the employment of clerical, mechanical, and other help on reservations and about agencies.
(May 17, 1882, ch. 163, §6,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§47. Employment of Indian labor and purchase of products of Indian industry; participation in Mentor-Protege Program
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Indian economic enterprise
The term "Indian economic enterprise" has the meaning given the term in section 1480.201 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(2) Mentor firm; protege firm
The terms "mentor firm" and "protege firm" have the meanings given those terms in
(3) Secretaries
The term "Secretaries" means—
(A) the Secretary of the Interior; and
(B) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(b) Enterprise Development
(1) In general
Unless determined by one of the Secretaries to be impracticable and unreasonable—
(A) Indian labor shall be employed; and
(B) purchases of Indian industry products (including printing and facilities construction, notwithstanding any other provision of law) may be made in open market by the Secretaries.
(2) Mentor-protege program
(A) In general
Participation in the Mentor-Protege Program established under section 831(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (
(B) Treatment
For purposes of this section, no determination of affiliation or control (whether direct or indirect) may be found between a protege firm and a mentor firm on the basis that the mentor firm has provided, or agreed to provide, to the protege firm, pursuant to a mentor-protege agreement, any form of developmental assistance described in section 831(f) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (
(c) Implementation
In carrying out this section, the Secretaries shall—
(1) conduct outreach to Indian industrial entities;
(2) provide training;
(3) promulgate regulations in accordance with this section and with the regulations under part 1480 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), to harmonize the procurement procedures of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services, to the maximum extent practicable;
(4) require regional offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service to aggregate data regarding compliance with this section;
(5) require procurement management reviews by their respective Departments to include a review of the implementation of this section; and
(6) consult with Indian Tribes, Indian industrial entities, and other stakeholders regarding methods to facilitate compliance with—
(A) this section; and
(B) other small business or procurement goals.
(d) Report
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after December 30, 2020, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, each of the Secretaries shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing, during the period covered by the report, the implementation of this section by each of the respective Secretaries.
(2) Contents
Each report under this subsection shall include, for each fiscal year during the period covered by the report—
(A) the names of each agency under the respective jurisdiction of each of the Secretaries to which this section has been applied, and efforts made by additional agencies within the Secretaries' respective Departments to use the procurement procedures under this Act;
(B) a summary of the types of purchases made from, and contracts (including any relevant modifications, extensions, or renewals) awarded to, Indian economic enterprises, expressed by agency region;
(C) a description of the percentage increase or decrease in total dollar value and number of purchases and awards made within each agency region, as compared to the totals of the region for the preceding fiscal year;
(D) a description of the methods used by applicable contracting officers and employees to conduct market searches to identify qualified Indian economic enterprises;
(E) a summary of all deviations granted under section 1480.403 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), including a description of—
(i) the types of alternative procurement methods used, including any Indian owned businesses reported under other procurement goals; and
(ii) the dollar value of any awards made pursuant to those deviations;
(F) a summary of all determinations made to provide awards to Indian economic enterprises, including a description of the dollar value of the awards;
(G) a description or summary of the total number and value of all purchases of, and contracts awarded for, supplies, services, and construction (including the percentage increase or decrease, as compared to the preceding fiscal year) from—
(i) Indian economic enterprises; and
(ii) non-Indian economic enterprises;
(H) any administrative, procedural, legal, or other barriers to achieving the purposes of this section, together with recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to address those barriers; and
(I) for each agency region—
(i) the total amount spent on purchases made from, and contracts awarded to, Indian economic enterprises; and
(ii) a comparison of the amount described in clause (i) to the total amount that the agency region would likely have spent on the same purchases made from a non-Indian economic enterprise or contracts awarded to a non-Indian economic enterprise.
(e) Goals
Each agency shall establish an annual minimum percentage goal for procurement in compliance with this section.
(June 25, 1910, ch. 431, §23,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(A), is act June 25, 1910, ch. 431, §23,
Codification
Section is based on proviso of first sentence of section 23 of act of June 25, 1910. Remainder of first sentence of section 23 was classified to
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Apr. 30, 1908, ch. 153,
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a)(2).
2020—
1994—
"(1) no determination of affiliation or control (either direct or indirect) may be found between a protege firm and its mentor firm on the basis that the mentor firm has agreed to furnish (or has furnished) to its protege firm pursuant to a mentor-protege agreement any form of developmental assistance described in subsection (f) of section 831 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (
"(2) the terms 'protege firm' and 'mentor firm' have the meaning given such terms in subsection (c) of such section 831."
1988—
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§47a. Security required by Secretary; contracts with Indian-owned economic enterprise; public work
The Secretary, in his discretion, may require security other than bonds required by
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
"
§48. Right of tribes to direct employment of persons engaged for them
Where any of the tribes are, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Interior, competent to direct the employment of their blacksmiths, mechanics, teachers, farmers, or other persons engaged for them, the direction of such persons may be given to the proper authority of the tribe.
(R.S. §2072.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2072 derived from act June 30, 1834, ch. 162, §9,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§49. Repealed. June 30, 1932, ch. 317, 47 Stat. 421
Section, act May 25, 1918, ch. 86, §1,
§50. Repealed. Pub. L. 88–448, title IV, §402(a)(2), Aug. 19, 1964, 78 Stat. 492
Section, R.S. §2074, related to holding of two offices. See
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective on first day of first month which begins later than the 90th day following Aug. 19, 1964, see
§§51 to 52a. Repealed. Pub. L. 92–310, title II, §229(a), (c)(2), (e), June 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 208
Section 51, R.S. §2075, empowered President to require additional security from persons charged with disbursement of money or goods.
Section 52, act Apr. 30, 1908, ch. 153,
Section 52a, act Apr. 21, 1904, ch. 1402,
§53. Disbursing officers; acting clerks
Any disbursing agent of the Indian Service, with the approval of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, may authorize a clerk employed in his office to act in his place and discharge all the duties devolved upon him by law or regulations during such time as he may be unable to perform the duties of his position because of absence, physical disability, or other disqualifying circumstances: Provided, That such clerk, while acting for his principal, shall be subject to all the liabilities and penalties prescribed by law for official misconduct of disbursing agents.
(Feb. 14, 1920, ch. 75, §1,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1972—
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
Disbursement functions of all Government agencies, except Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and the Panama Canal, transferred to Division of Disbursements, Department of the Treasury, by Ex. Ord. No. 6166, §4, June 10, 1933, and Ex. Ord. No. 6728, May 29, 1934. Division subsequently consolidated with other agencies into Fiscal Service in Department of the Treasury by Reorg. Plan No. III of 1940, §1(a)(1), eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2107,
§§54, 55. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 632 , 634
Section 54, R.S. §2077, related to traveling expenses.
Section 55, act May 17, 1882, ch. 163, §1,
§56. Quarters, fuel, and light for employees
The Secretary of the Interior, in his discretion, may allow quarters, fuel, and light to employees of the Indian Service whose compensation is not prescribed by law, the salaries of such employees to be fixed on this basis and the cost of providing quarters, fuel, and light to be paid from any funds which are applicable and available therefor: Provided, That this authorization shall be retroactive to the extent of approving any expenditures for such purposes authorized by the Secretary of the Interior prior to June 7, 1924.
(June 7, 1924, ch. 328,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§57. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section, act Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462,
§58. Limitation on number and kind of employment
The number and kind of employees at each agency shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior and none other shall be employed.
(June 7, 1897, ch. 3,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Salary Restrictions
Act Apr. 18, 1912, ch. 83, §10,
Act Feb. 26, 1929, ch. 323,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§59. Transfer of funds for payment of employees; details for other service
When not required for the purpose for which appropriated, the funds provided for the pay of specified employees at any Indian agency may be used by the Secretary of the Interior for the pay of other employees at such agency, but no deficiency shall be thereby created; and, when necessary, specified employees may be detailed for other service when not required for the duty for which they were engaged.
(Mar. 1, 1907, ch. 2285,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§60. Compensation prescribed to be in full
The several compensations prescribed by title 28 of the Revised Statutes shall be in full of all emoluments or allowances whatsoever. But where necessary, a reasonable allowance or provision may be made for offices and office contingencies.
(R.S. §2076.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Title 28 of the Revised Statutes, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title 28 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§2039 to 2157. For complete classification of R.S. §§2039 to 2157 to the Code, see Tables.
Codification
R.S. §2076 derived from act June 30, 1834, ch. 162, §10,
§61. Estimates for personal services in Indian Office
Annual estimates in detail shall be submitted for all personal services required in the Indian Office, and it shall not be lawful to employ in said office any personal services other than those specifically appropriated for in the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation Acts, except temporary details of field employees for service connected solely with their respective employments.
(Aug. 23, 1912, ch. 350, §1,
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§62. Discontinuance and transfer of agencies
The President shall, whenever he may judge it expedient, discontinue any Indian agency, or transfer the same, from the place or tribe designated by law, to such other place or tribe as the public service may require.
(R.S. §2059.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2059 derived from act June 30, 1834, ch. 162, §4,
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation to Secretary of the Interior of authority vested in President by this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 10250, June 5, 1951, 16 F.R. 5385, set out as a note under
§63. Consolidation of agencies
The President may, in his discretion, consolidate two or more agencies into one, and where Indians are located on reservations created by Executive order he may, with the consent of the tribes to be affected thereby, expressed in the usual manner, consolidate one or more tribes, and abolish such agencies as are thereby rendered unnecessary.
(May 17, 1882, ch. 163, §6,
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation to Secretary of the Interior of authority vested in President by this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 10250, June 5, 1951, 16 F.R. 5385, set out as a note under
§64. Services of agents dispensed with
It shall be the duty of the President to dispense with the services of such Indian agents and superintendents as may be practicable; and where it is practicable he shall require the same person to perform the duties of two agencies or superintendencies for one salary.
(R.S. §2053; June 22, 1874, ch. 389, §1,
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2053 derived from act Feb. 14, 1873, ch. 138, §1,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Indian Agents
In a communication, dated November 29, 1940, from the Office of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior, it was stated that there have been no Indian agents since 1908, all of the agencies and schools having been placed under the supervision of superintendents.
§65. Discontinuance of agents, subagents, and interpreters
The Secretary of the Interior shall, under the direction of the President, cause to be discontinued the services of such agents, subagents, interpreters, and mechanics as may from time to time become unnecessary, in consequence of the emigration of the Indians, or other causes.
(R.S. §2073; Feb. 27, 1877, ch. 69, §1,
Editorial Notes
Codification
R.S. §2073 derived from act July 9, 1832, ch. 174, §5,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Indian Agents
The services of Indian agents have been dispensed with. See note set out under
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§66. Duties of agency devolved on superintendent of Indian school
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, may devolve the duties of Indian agency or part thereof upon the superintendent of the Indian school located at such agency or part thereof whenever in his judgment such superintendent can properly perform the duties of such agency.
The pay of any superintendent who performs agency duties in addition to those of his superintendency may be increased by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in his discretion, to an extent not exceeding $300 per annum.
(Mar. 1, 1907, ch. 2285,
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1972—
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174,
§67. Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 636
Section, act Mar. 3, 1893, ch. 209, §1,
§§68, 68a. Repealed. Pub. L. 96–277, §2, June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 545
Section 68, R.S. §2078, prohibited employees in Indian affairs from trading with Indians and made offenders liable to a penalty of $5,000 and removal from office.
Section 68a, act June 19, 1939, ch. 210,