60 STAT.] 79TH CONG. , 2D SESS.--CH. 964-AUG. 14 , 1946 pensation in accordance with the Classification Act of 1923, as amended, except that for a period of not to exceed nine months from the effective date of this provision, the Secretary may make appoint- ments and continue employees of the Farm Security Administration and the non-civil-service employees of the Emergency Crop and Feed Loan Division, utilized in the performance of the functions of the Farmers' Home Administration under this Act, without regard to the civil-service laws or regulations. "(b) The Secretary may administer his powers and duties under this Act through such area finance, State, and local offices in the United States and in the Territories of Alaska and Hawaii and in Puerto Rico as he determines to be necessary: Provided That existing regional offices shall be liquidated on or before June 30, 1947. The Secretary may authorize one office to serve the area composed of two or more States (Territories or Puerto Rico) if he determines that the volume of business in the area is not sufficient to justify separate State offices. "(c) Accept and utilize voluntary and uncompensated services, and with the consent of the agency concerned, utilize the officers, employees, equipment, and information of any agency of the Federal Govern- ment, or of any State, Territory, or political subdivision. "(d) Within the limits of appropriations made therefor, make necessary expenditures for personal services and rent at the seat of government and elsewhere; contract stenographic reporting services; purchase and exchange of supplies and equipment, law books, books of reference, directories, periodicals, newspapers, and press clippings; travel and subsistence expenses, including the expense of attendance at meetings and conferences; purchase, operation, and maintenance, at the at t of government and elsewhere, of motor-propelled passenger- carrying and other vehicles; printing and binding; and for such other facilities and services as he may from time to time find necessary for the proper administration of this Act. " (e) Make contracts for services and purchases of supplies without regard to the provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (U. S . C . 1934 ed., title 41, sec. 5) when the aggregate amount involved is less than $300. "(f) Acquire land and interests therein without regard to section 355 of the Revised Statutes, as amended. This subsection shall not apply with respect to the acquisition of land or interests in land under title III. "(g) Compromise or adjust claims and adjust and modify the terms of mortgages, leases, contracts and agreements entered into or admin- istered pursuant to this Act as circumstances may require, in the following manner: "(1) Compromise of claims of $10,000 or more must be effected by reference to the Secretary of thearTreasury or to the Attorney General, pursuant to the provisions of section 3469 of the Revised Statutes (U. S . C 1940 edition, title 31, see. 194); "(2) Claims of less than $10,000 may be compromised or may be adjusted or reduced on the basis of a reasonable determination by the Secretary of the debtor's ability to pay and the value of the security and with or without the payment of any consideration at the time of such adjustment; releases from personal liability may also be made with or without the payment of any consideration at the time of adjustment of- "(A) borrowers who have transferred their farms to other approved applicants under agreements assuming the outstanding indebtedness to the Secretary under this title; and "(B) Borrowers who have transferred their farms to other 1065 42 Stat. 1488. 8U.S. . 0 §661- 674; Supp. V, § 661 et seq. Ante, pp. 216, 219. Administration. Liquidation of regional offices. Voluntary services, etc. Expenditures for personal services, sup- plies, etc. Contracts for serr- ices and supplies. Ante, p. 809. Acquisition of land. 33U.8.C.i733. 50 Stat. 525. 7U.8.C.i§1010- 1013; Supp. V, § 1011. Adjustment of olaims, eto. Claims of $10,000 or more. 31 U. S. C., Supp. V, 194. Claims of less than $10,000.
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