Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 60 Part 1.djvu/235

This page needs to be proofread.

208 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 268-MAY 22, 1946 [60 STAT. them for house construction and other essential purposes, and to accelerate the production of houses with preferences for veterans of World War II and at sales prices or rentals within their means. To carry out this program, it is necessary to invest a housing expediter with adequate powers, including the power to issue policy directives. Accomplishment of these objectives will assist returning veterans to acquire housing at fair prices, stimulate industry and employment, prevent a post-emergency collapse of values in the housing field, and promote a swift and orderly transition to a peacetime economy. Termination. (b) The provisions of this Act, and all regulations and orders issued thereunder, shall terminate on December 31, 1947, or upon the date specified in a concurrent resolution by the two Houses of the Congress, declaring that the provisions of the Act are no longer necessary to deal with the existing national emergency, whichever date is the earlier. Applicability. (c) The provisions of this Act shall be applicable to the United States, its Territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia. Housing Expediter. SEC. 2. (a) There is hereby created an office to be known as Hous- ing Expediter; and the President is authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint an existing official of the Govern- ment to serve as Housing Expediter, or to appoint the Housing Expediter either within any existing agency or as an independent officer of the Government. In the event of an appointment of an existing official, he is hereby authorized and permitted to continue in his present post while serving as Housing Expediter, except that he shall receive no additional compensation by reason of his appointment hereunder. If, however, such Housing Expediter is appointed within an existing agency of the Government, he shall receive compensation in compliance with the laws and regulations applicable to officers within such agency; if the Housing Expediter is appointed as an inde- Compensation. pendent officer of the Government, he shall receive compensation at the rate of $12,000 per annum. Functions and pow- (b) The Housing Expediter, in addition to such other functions and powers as may be delegated to him by the President, is authorized to- (1) formulate such plans and programs as are necessary to provide for an increased supply of housing accommodations of all kinds and, in particular, of homes available for sale or rental at moderate prices to veterans of World War II and their immediate families; (2) issue such orders, regulations, or directives to other execu- tive agencies (including the Office of Economic Stabilization and the Office of Price Administration) as may be necessary to provide for the exercise of their powers in a manner required by or consistent with the execution of the aforesaid plans and programs, and to coordinate the activities of such agencies directed to the execution of such plans and programs. Each executive agency shall carry out without delay the orders, regulations, or directives of the Housing Expediter, and shall, to the extent necessary modify its operations and procedures from time to time to conform to the directions of the Housing Expediter; (3) recommend to the President the enactment of such legis- lation as may be necessary to provide the authority to carry out such plans and programs as are not authorized under existing law; (4) consult and cooperate with other agencies of the Federal Government, State and local governments, industries, labor, and other groups, both national and local, with respect to the problems created by the housing emergency and the steps which can be taken to remedy it.