858 40 U. . C..§ 401- 410. Agency abolished. Transferofproperty, records, etc. Continuance of con- tracts, etc. Proviso. Funds. PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 622, 625-DEC. 23, 26, 1941 virtue of the provisions of title II of the National Industrial Recovery Act (48 Stat. 195, 200), and by virtue of all other provisions of law relating to such projects are hereby transferred from the jurisdiction and control of the government of the Virgin Islands, Department of the Interior, to the jurisdiction and control of the Department of Agri- culture. The Virgin Islands Homestead Authority is hereby abolished and its functions transferred to the Department of Agriculture. SEC. 2. All real and personal property owned or held by the United States in the Virgin Islands and employed exclusively in the prosecu- tion of homestead projects, and all equipment, assets, and records per- taining to homestead projects in the Virgin Islands, including the equipment, assets, and records of the Virgin Islands Homestead Authority, are hereby transferred to the Department of Agriculture. SEC. 3. All valid contracts, sales, transfers, leases, and other trans- actions heretofore entered into or affected by the government of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Homestead Authority, the Depart- ment of the Interior, or any officer or agency of any of the foregoing, in connection with homestead projects in the Virgin Islands are hereby continued in full force and effect: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture, or his designee, may compromise claims and obligations arising under, and adjust and modify the terms of such contracts, as circumstances may require. SEC. 4 . The Department of Agriculture is hereby authorized to use for the administration, development, management, and liquidation of the homestead projects in the Virgin Islands transferred to its juris- diction and control all funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated, allocated, or otherwise made available to the Department of Agricul- ture for rural rehabilitation projects and functions of like character to those transferred hereunder. Approved, December 23, 1941. [CHAPTER 625] December 26,1941 [H. R . 62081 [Public Law 373] District of Colum- bia. Authority of Com- missioners to order black-outs. Synchronization with Maryland and Virginia Assistance of Secre- tary of War. Noliability for dam- ages. AN ACT To authorize black-outs in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commis- sioners of the District of Columbia are authorized and directed, whenever a state of war exists between the United States and any foreign country or nation, to order black-outs in the District of Columbia at such times and for such periods of time as they may deem desirable, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, to regulate and prohibit the movement of vehicular traffic on the high- ways during such periods and to make such regulations as they may deem necessary to insure the success of the black-outs and to protect life and property during said periods. SEC. 2 . The Commissioners are authorized to negotiate with the proper authorities of the States of Maryland and Virginia with a view to effecting a synchronization of black-outs in the District of Columbia and such parts of those States as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this Act. SEC. 3 . The Secretary of War is authorized to assist and cooperate with the Commissioners of the District of Columbia in the execution of black-outs in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area. SEc. 4 . The municipality of the District of Columbia shall not be liable for any damages sustained to person or property during, or as the result of, an authorized black-out. [55 STAT.
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