Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 58 Part 2.djvu/681

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58 STAT.] PANAMA-INTER-AMERICAN HIGHWAY-MAR . 23, 1940 of Panama, the Banco Nacional, and the Export-Import Bank above referred to. 7. As both countries desire to complete the construction of this road as expeditiously as possible, the Republic of Panama shall initiate the work at the earliest practicable date. In order further to expedite the construction of this road, the Republic of Panama shall supply an adequate and sustained force of skilled and unskilled labor during the course of construction. The Republic of Panama further shall place the assignment of labor to this project in high priority among con- struction projects over which it has control, and shall use all the means at its disposal to provide for prompt deliveries of all necessary sup- plies, materials, and equipment for the work. 8. The Public Roads Administration of the Federal Works Agency of the United States shall act as purchasing agent for the procure- ment, inspection, and forwarding to Panama of all required equip- ment, articles, supplies, and materials for the work which are not mined, produced, or manufactured in Panama. Such procurement, inspection, and forwarding shall be done when requested by the High- way Department of the Republic of Panama with the approval of the Representative of the Public Roads Administration. 9. The Republic of Panama shall furnish free of charge in natural deposits all stone, gravel, sand, earth, or other natural products for the construction, whether or not these occur on the public domain, as well as easements necessary to make these deposits available. The Republic of Panama shall likewise make available free of charge lands necessary for the use of construction camps, storage of mate- rials, and all other purposes incident to the work. 10. The Republic of Panama shall make available for the repair of tools and equipment used in this construction, and at a reasonable cost for time and materials, the facilities of the mechanical shops of the Panamanian Highway Department in so far as these may be adequate for the purpose. 11. The Republic of Panama shall furnish without cost such office space in Panama City or elsewhere in the Republic as may be neces- sary for the use of the Public Roads Administration. 12. In so far as may be practical, the highway to be constructed shall follow the lines and grades of the existing road between Chorrera and Rio Hato, and shall begin at the point near Chorrera where recent improvements of the road by the Republic of Panama ended, and shall end at a point in or near Rio Hato, to be determined in common agree- ment by the Highway Department of the Republic of Panama and the Public Roads Administration of the Federal Works Agency. The lines and grades of the existing road, as well as general specifications therefor may, however, be rectified and altered when deemed necessary or desirable by agreement between the Highway Department of the Republic of Panama and the Public Roads Administration of the Federal Works Agency, in order to improve the existing line and grade for the purpose for which it is designed. 1601 Expedition of con- struction. Purchasing of sup- plies and equipment. Availability of nat- ural products, etc. Repair of tools and equipment. Offle apse Lines and grades d highway.