PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 297, 298-JULY 14, 1941 Priorities in use of SEo. 3. Vessels holding warrants issued pursuant to this Act shall ertain facilities, etc. be entitled to priority over merchant vessels not holding such war- rants, with respect to the use of facilities for loading, discharging, lighterage or storage of cargoes, the procurement of bunker fuel or coal, and the towing, overhauling, drydocking or repair of such ves- sels. Vessels holding warrants shall have such priority as among themselves, as the United States Maritime Commission shall deter- mine to be necessary and advisable in the interests of national defense, or as may be specified in the warrants. Persons in the United States, including the Philippine Islands and the Canal Zone, furnishing any of the above-mentioned facilities shall be authorized, and under rules and regulations prescribed by the United States Maritime Commission with the approval of the President may be required, to grant such priorities, anything in any contract whether heretofore or hereafter made to the contrary notwithstanding. tation and transport- SEC. 4. In the administration of this Act it shall be the policy of tion. the Commission to make fair and reasonable provision for priorities with respect to (1) the importation of substantial quantities of stra- tegic and critical materials, (2) the transportation of substantial quantities of materials when such transportation is requested by any defense agency, and (3) the transportation in the foreign or domestic commerce of the United States of substantial quantities of materials deemed by the Commission to be essential to the defense of the United Sounjust discrimi- States: Provided, That there shall be no unjust discrimination between nation. ports of the United States. Nothing in this Act shall authorize the exaction of any sum from the holder of a warrant solely for the cotastwie transpor- privilege of carrying cargo on any route. Vessels that on January 1, 1941, were engaged primarily in the coastwise transportation of coal for national defense and domestic consumption shall be granted war- rants only so long as they continue in the same service as of said date, except that in case any such vessel ceased, before June 15, 1941, to engage in such transportation of coal and before such date became principally engaged in the transportation of defense materials, the Commission may grant such vessel a warrant for such service as it deems suitable pursuant to section 2. uCitizen of the SEC. 5. The term "citizen of the United States" as used in this Act includes corporations, partnerships, and associations existing, author- ized, or organized under the laws of the United States or any State, district, Territory, or possession thereof. Penal provision. SEC. 6. Whoever willfully violates any rule, regulation, or order issued under the authority conferred herein shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5.000, or by imprisonment for not more than rction of pros two years or both: Provided That the District Court of the Canal ecution. Zone and the several courts of first instance of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands shall have jurisdiction over offenses com- mitted against the provisions of this Act within the Canal Zone and the Philippine Islands, respectively. Approved, July 14, 1941. [CHAPTER 298] July 14,1941 AN ACT Ia. .s 43] To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to proceed with the construction of certain [Public Law i74] public works, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Pnbc work. proj- United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary ects . of the Navy is hereby authorized to establish or develop the following shore establishments by the construction of the following public- works projects, with which shall be included the authority to acquire 592 [55 STAT.
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