duly sworn to before a notary public or other authorized officer, or (b) the statement or testimony of such witness before a naval investi- gation, board of investigation, court of inquiry, or court martial, or Coast Guard investigation: Provided, That the use of such testimony shall not in any litigation make admissible the remainder of the said record or compel the production of the remainder of said record by the United States. In considering such affidavit or statement or testimony, the court shall give such weight to it as the court thinks proper under all the cir- cumstances of the case. Time for lng suit SEC. 6 . The time during which a claimant may file suit of the nature agat U described in section 1 upon a claim against the United States shall be computed by excluding the time during which a stay under section 2, or any extension thereof 2 shall be in effect as to any proceedings by or on behalf of such claimant for the taking of a deposition or the production of evidence in connection with or in relation to such claim. pAdjdication and SEC. 7 . The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to consider, ascer- tain, adjust, determine, compromise, or settle claims for damages caused by vessels of the Navy or in the naval service, and for compen- sation for towage and salvage services, including contract salvage, rendered to such vessels, and to pay the amount of any claim so deter- mined, compromised, or settled, and upon acceptance of such pay- ment by the claimant, and not until then such determination, settle- ment, or compromise of such claim shall be final and conclusive for all purposes, any law to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That this section, as respects the determination, compromise, settle- ment, and payment of claims, shall be supplementary to, and not in lieu of all other provisions of law authorizing consideration, adjust- prior tosept.8,l939. ment, determination, settlement, and payment of claims: Provided further, That no claim in excess of $3,000 shall be considered here- under which accrued prior to September 8, 1939: Provided further, iPatments rompdes- That all payments of claims made under this section shall be made ignated appropria- tion. out of the appropriation "miscellaneous expenses, Navy": And pro- »Caims exceeding vided further, That the payment of any claim on which a net amount exceeding $1,000,000 is determined to be due from the United States, or which is compromised or settled at a net amount exceeding $1,000,000 payable by the United States, shall not be authorized by this section, and all claims determined, compromised, or settled hereunder at a net amount exceeding $1,000,000 payable by the United States shall be certified by the Secretary of the Navy to the Congress. Reports to Con- SEC. 8. (a) On payment of any claim determined, compromised, or gresssettled under section 7 of this Act at a net amount exceeding $3,000, but not exceeding $1,000,000, payable by the United States, the Secretary of the Navy within twenty days of payment shall file a report with the Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives setting forth the nature of the claim, the vessel or vessels involved, the amount paid with respect thereto, the basis of the determination, compromise, or settlement, and other pertinent Omissis for facts: Provided, That during any war the reports required under this section may omit any fact or facts disclosure of which, in the opinion of the Secretary, would be prejudicial to the National security. (b) Subject to the proviso of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Navy shall report to the Congress, at each session thereof, all claims which have been paid under this Act. Approved July 3, 1944. [58 STAT. 726 PUBLIC LAWS--CH. 399-JULY 3, 1944
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