Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 1.djvu/724

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PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 447-JUNE 29, 1940 Payments from fund. Insurable property. American vessels; cargoes, etc. Proviso. Contraband. t. S.-owned com- mercial vessels; car- goes, etc. Reinsurance of com- panies. War risks. Procurement of in- surance by agencies, etc. 5I.S. C., Supp.V, II 134-134h . War-risk insurance for nisters, etc., of Atniertmn vessels. Suits against U. S . fund. Payments of return premiums, losses, settlements, judgments, and all liabilities incurred by the United States under this subtitle shall be made from such fund. "SEc. 222. The Commission may insure against loss or damage by the risks of war, property, as follows: "(a) (1) American vessels (including vessels under construction), (2) cargoes shipped or to be shipped therein: Provided, That in the event of the suspension of the present neutrality law no vessel or its officers and crew, carrying contraband and no cargo of contra- band shall be insured under any provision of this Act, (3) their disbursements, and freight and passage moneys, and (4) personal effects of the masters, officers, and crews of such vessels. "(b) (1) Commercial vessels (including vessels under construc- tion) owned or controlled by the United States or any department or agency thereof, (2) cargoes owned by the Government or in which the Government has an insurable interest, to the extent of such interest, (3) their disbursements, and freight and passage moneys, and (4) personal effects of the masters, officers, and crews thereof. "SEc. 223. (a) The Commission may reinsure any company author- ized to do an insurance business in any State of the United States on account of marine and marine war risks, including protection and indemnity risks, assumed by any such company, on (1) property or interests as set forth in section 222 (a) and (b) of this subtitle, and (2) masters, officers, and crews of American vessels (including any such vessel owned or controlled by or chartered to the Commission) against loss of life, personal injury, or detention by any government except that of the United States following capture. "(b) The Commission may reinsure, in whole or in part, with companies authorized to do an insurance business in a State of the United States, war risks assumed by the Commission under this subtitle. "(c) Any department or agency of the United States is hereby authorized to procure insurance from the Commission as provided for in section 222 (b) of this subtitle, except as provided in the Government Losses in Shipment Act, approved July 8, 1937 (50 Stat. 479). "SEc. 224. Whenever the Commission determines that insurance for masters, officers, and crews of American vessels against loss of life, personal injury, or detention by any government except that of the United States following capture, arising from risks of war, cannot, with the aid of reinsurance provided for under this subtitle, be obtained on reasonable terms and conditions from companies authorized to do an insurance business in a State of the United States, the Commission is authorized to provide such insurance on a basis corresponding to the war risk insurance protection supplied, prior to such determination, for such personnel by companies author- ized to do business in a State of the United States. "SEC. 225. In the event of disagreement as to a claim for losses or the amount thereof, on account of insurance under this subtitle, an action on the claim may be brought and maintained against the United States in the district court of the United States sitting in admiralty in the district in which the claimant or his agent may reside, or in case the claimant has no residence in the United States, in a district court in which the Attorney General of the United States shall agree to accept service. Said suits shall proceed and shall be heard and determined according to the provisions of an Act entitled 'An Act authorizing suits against the United States in admiralty, suits for salvage services, and providing for the release of merchant vessels belonging to the United States from arrest and [54 STAT.