SUBCHAPTER II—TITLE II OF WAR CLAIMS ACT OF 1948
Editorial Notes
Codification
§4131. Definitions
As used in this subchapter the term or terms—
(a) "Albania", "Austria", "Czechoslovakia", "the Free Territory of Danzig", "Estonia", "Germany", "Greece", "Latvia", "Lithuania", "Poland", and "Yugoslavia", when used in their respective geographical senses, mean the territorial limits of each such country or free territory, as the case may be, in continental Europe as such limits existed on December 1, 1937.
(b) "Commission" means the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States established pursuant to Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954 (
(c) "National of the United States" means (1) a natural person who is a citizen of the United States, (2) a natural person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and (3) a corporation, partnership, unincorporated body, or other entity, organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, or any possession of the United States and in which more than 50 per centum of the outstanding capital stock or other proprietary or similar interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by persons referred to in clauses (1) and (2) of this subsection. It does not include aliens.
(d) "Property" means real property and such items of tangible personalty as can be identified and evaluated.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §201, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 1954 (
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017 of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Separability
Transfer of Functions
For provisions transferring Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to Department of Justice, as a separate agency, see
§4132. Claims authorized
The Commission is directed to receive and to determine according to the provisions of this subchapter the validity and amount of claims of nationals of the United States for—
(a) loss or destruction of, or physical damage to, property located in Albania, Austria, Czechoslovakia, the Free Territory of Danzig, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, or Yugoslavia, or in territory which was part of Hungary or Rumania on December 1, 1937, but which was not included in such countries on September 15, 1947, which loss, destruction, or physical damage occurred during the period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending May 8, 1945, or which occurred in the period beginning July 1, 1937, and ending September 2, 1945, to property in territory occupied or attacked by the Imperial Japanese military forces (including territory to which Japan has renounced all right, title, and claim under article 2 of the Treaty of Peace Between the Allied Powers and Japan) except the island of Guam: Provided, That claims for loss, destruction, or damage occurring in the Commonwealth of the Philippines shall not be allowed except on behalf of nationals of the United States who have received no payment, and certify under oath or affirmation that they have received no payment, on account of the same loss, destruction, or damage under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946,1 whether or not claim was filed thereunder: Provided further, That such loss, destruction, or damage must have occurred, as a direct consequence of (1) military operations of war or (2) special measures directed against property in such countries or territories during the respective periods specified, because of the enemy or alleged enemy character of the owner, which property was owned, directly or indirectly, by a national of the United States at the time of such loss, damage or destruction;
(b) damage to, or loss or destruction of, ships or ship cargoes directly or indirectly owned by a national of the United States at the time such damage, loss, or destruction occurred, which was a direct consequence of military action by Germany or Japan during the period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending September 2, 1945; no award shall be made under this subsection in favor of any insurer or reinsurer as assignee or otherwise as successor in interest to the right of the insured;
(c) net losses under war-risk insurance or reinsurance policies or contracts, incurred in the settlement of claims for insured losses of ships directly or indirectly owned by a national of the United States at the time of the loss, damage, or destruction of such ships and at the time of the settlement of such claims, which insured losses were a direct consequence of military action by Germany or Japan during the period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending September 2, 1945; such net losses shall be determined by deducting from the aggregate of all payments made in the settlement of such insured losses the aggregate of the net amounts received by any such insurance companies on all policies of contracts of war-risk insurance or reinsurance on ships under which the insured was a national of the United States, after deducting expenses; and
(d) loss or damage on account of—
(1) the death of any person who, being then a civilian national of the United States and a passenger on any vessel engaged in commerce on the high seas, died or was killed as a result of military action by Germany or Japan which occurred during the period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending December 11, 1941; awards under this paragraph shall be made only to or for the benefit of the following persons in the order of priority named:
(A) widow or husband if there is no child or children of the deceased;
(B) widow or husband and child or children of the deceased, one-half to the widow or husband and the other half to the child or children of the deceased in equal shares;
(C) child or children of the deceased (in equal shares) if there is no widow or husband; and
(D) parents of the deceased (in equal shares) if there is no widow, husband, or child;
(2) injury or permanent disability sustained by any person, who being then a civilian national of the United States and a passenger on any vessel engaged in commerce on the high seas, was injured or permanently disabled as a result of military action by Germany or Japan which occurred during the period beginning September 1, 1939, and ending December 11, 1941; awards under this paragraph shall be payable solely to the person so injured or disabled;
(3) the loss or destruction, as a result of such action, of property on such vessel, as determined by the Commission to be reasonable, useful, necessary, or proper under the circumstances, which property was owned by any civilian national of the United States who was then a passenger on such vessel; and in the case of the death of any person suffering such loss, awards under this paragraph shall be made only to or for the benefit of the persons designated in paragraph (1) of this subsection and in the order of priority named therein.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §202, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Apr. 30, 1946, ch. 243,
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017a of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
1 See References in Text note below.
§4133. Transfers and assignments
The transfer or assignment for value of any property forming the subject matter of a claim under subsection (a) or (b) of
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §203, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017b of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4134. Nationality of claimants
No claim shall be allowed under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §204, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017c of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4135. Claims of stockholders
(a) Ownership interest in entity which is a national of the United States
A claim under
(b) Ownership interest in entity which was not a national of the United States on date of loss
A claim under
(c) Indirect ownership interest; minimum requirement
A claim under
(d) Calculation of award
Any award on a claim under subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall be calculated on the basis of the total loss suffered by such corporation, association, or other entity, and shall bear the same proportion to such loss as the ownership interest of the claimant bears to the entire ownership interest thereof.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §205, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017d of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4136. Deductions in making awards
(a) In determining the amount of any award there shall be deducted all amounts the claimant has received on account of the same loss or losses with respect to which an award is made under this subchapter.
(b) Each claim in excess of $10,000 filed under this subchapter by a corporation shall include a statement under oath disclosing the aggregate amount of Federal tax benefits derived by such corporation in any prior taxable year or years resulting from any deduction or deductions claimed for the loss or losses with respect to which such claim is filed. In determining the amount of any award where the allowable loss exceeds $10,000 there shall be deducted an amount equal to the aggregate amount of Federal tax benefits so derived by the claimant. For the purposes of this subsection, such Federal tax benefits shall be the aggregate of the amounts by which the claimant's taxes for such year or years under chapters 1, 2A, 2B, 2D, and 2E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, or subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §206, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Internal Revenue Code of 1939, referred to in subsec. (b), was generally repealed by section 7851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Title 26. The Internal Revenue Code of 1954 was redesignated the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by
Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is subtitle A of act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736,
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017e of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Amendments
1986—Subsec. (b).
§4137. Consolidated awards
With respect to any claim which, at the time of the award, is vested in persons other than the person by whom the loss was sustained, the Commission may issue a consolidated award in favor of all claimants then entitled thereto, which award shall indicate the respective interests of such claimant therein; and all such claimants shall participate, in proportion to their indicated interests, in the payments authorized by this subchapter in all respects as if the award had been in favor of a single person.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §207, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017f of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4138. Certain awards prohibited
No award shall be made under this subchapter to or for the benefit of (1) any person who has been convicted of a violation of any provision of
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §208, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, referred to in text, is act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54,
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017g of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4139. Certification of awards
(a) The Commission shall certify to the Secretary of the Treasury, in terms of United States currency, for payment out of the War Claims Fund each award made pursuant to
(b) The Commission shall recertify to the Secretary of the Treasury, in terms of United States currency, for payment out of the War Claims Fund, awards heretofore made with respect to claims against the Government of Hungary under
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §209, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017h of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4140. Claim filing period
Within sixty days after the enactment of this subchapter or of legislation making appropriations to the Commission for payment of administrative expenses incurred in carrying out its functions under this subchapter, whichever date is later, the Commission shall give public notice by publication in the Federal Register of the time when, and the limit of time within which claims may be filed, which limit shall not be more than eighteen months after such publication.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §210, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The enactment of this subchapter, referred to in text, probably means the date of enactment of
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017i of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Protests Relating to Awards by Commission; Notice by Publication in Federal Register
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and
§4141. Claims settlement period
The Commission shall complete its affairs in connection with the settlement of claims pursuant to this subchapter not later than four years following the enactment of legislation making appropriations to the Commission for payment of administrative expenses incurred in carrying out its functions under this subchapter.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §211, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017j of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Protests Relating to Awards by Commission; Notice by Publication in Federal Register
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and
§4142. Notification to claimants
Each award or denial of a claim by the Commission, whether rendered before or after a hearing, shall include a specific statement of the facts and of the reasoning of the Commission in support of its conclusion.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §212, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017k of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4143. Payment of awards; priorities; limitations
(a) Order of priority of payments
The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay out of the War Claims Fund on account of awards certified by the Commission pursuant to this subchapter as follows and in the following order of priority:
(1) Payment in full of awards made pursuant to section 4132(d)(1) and (2) of this title, and thereafter of any award made pursuant to
(2) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the other awards made pursuant to
(3) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the other awards made to individuals and corporations pursuant to
(4) Thereafter, payments from time to time on account of the unpaid balance of each remaining award made pursuant to
(b) Regulations
Such payments, and applications for such payments, shall be made in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe.
(c) Aggregation of awards
For the purpose of making any such payments, other than under subsection (a)(1), an "award" shall be deemed to mean the aggregate of all awards certified for payment in favor of the same claimant.
(d) Death or disability of claimant
If any person to whom any payment is to be made pursuant to this subchapter is deceased or is under a legal disability, payment shall be made to his legal representative, except that if any payment to be made is not over $1,000 and there is no qualified executor or administrator, payment may be made to the person or persons found by the Secretary of the Treasury to be entitled thereto, without the necessity of compliance with the requirements of law with respect to the administration of estates.
(e) Partial payment; extinguishment of rights
Payment on account of any award pursuant to this subchapter shall not, unless such payment is for the full amount of the award, extinguish any rights against any foreign government for the unpaid balance of the award.
(f) Losses occurring in Commonwealth of the Philippines
Payments made under this section on account of any award for loss, damage, or destruction occurring in the Commonwealth of the Philippines shall not exceed the amount paid on account of awards in the same amount under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946.1
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §213, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Small Business Act, as amended, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is
The Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, referred to in subsec. (f), is act Apr. 30, 1946, ch. 243,
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017l of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (d).
1970—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(3), (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Protest Relating to Awards by Commission; Notice by Publication in Federal Register
Notwithstanding the provisions of
Recertification of Certain Awards
1 See References in Text note below.
§4144. Fees of attorneys and agents
No remuneration on account of services rendered on behalf of any claimant in connection with any claim filed with the Commission under this subchapter shall exceed 10 per centum (or such lesser per centum as may be fixed by the Commission with respect to any class of claims) of the total amount paid pursuant to any award certified under the provisions of this subchapter on account of such claim. Any agreement to the contrary shall be unlawful and void. Whoever, in the United States or elsewhere, demands or receives, on account of services so rendered, any remuneration in excess of the maximum permitted by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than twelve months, or both.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §214, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017m of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4145. Application of other laws
To the extent they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter, the following provisions of subchapter I and title I of the International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, as amended [
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §215, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subchapter I, referred to in text, was in the original "title I of this Act", meaning title I of act July 3, 1948, ch. 826,
The International Claims Settlement Act of 1949, referred to in text, is act Mar. 10, 1950, ch. 54,
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017n of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4146. Transfer of records
The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to transfer or otherwise make available to the Commission such records and documents relating to claims authorized by this subchapter as may be required by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this subchapter.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §216, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017o of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
§4147. Administrative expenses
There are authorized to be appropriated out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated such sums as may be necessary (but not to exceed the total covered into the Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts under section 4336(d) 1 of this title) to enable the Commission and the Treasury Department to pay their administrative expenses in carrying out their respective functions under this subchapter.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 826, title II, §217, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2017p of the former Appendix to this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.