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Functions —General. XXXYI. The function of the National Office is, under the authority of the Plenary Commission, the Administration Council, and the Director-General, fixed by Article XXXVI of 1920 and by the present decree. XXXVII. The members of the Plenary Commission must be French citizens and have all civil and civic rights ; are eligible for four years' service, except as hereinafter provided. Their reappointment will not be made until the expiry of the four years, and then will not be made for more than two years in each of the categories fixed by paragraph (2), Article XXXVI (1920). Half the members to retire after the first four years will be selected by drawing lots ; the remaining members will hold office for two years longer. Retiring members will be eligible for reappointment. Members of the Plenary Commission may retire on giving good reason. Members absenting themselves from meetings who, after notices by two registered letters, fail to offer legitimate excuses will be considered to have forfeited their appointments. Within six months members of the Commission who have retired before the completing of their normal term may be replaced. The appointment of new members shall be for the balance of the term. No gratuity shall be paid to members of the Commission. Travellingexpenses of members non-resident in Paris may, however, be repaid. XXXVIII. Commission will meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as required either by the President of the Commission or the Director-General. Ten to form a quorum. If a quorum is not obtained, Commission will be called again, and discussion may proceed regardless of the number present. President exercises casting-vote when voting equal. Minutes will be signed by the presiding officer and by the Director-General, National Office. They will enumerate the members present. The Plenary Commission will elect by secret vote two Vice-Presidents, who shall obtain an absolute majority. If a second vote is necessary it will take place, and a relative majority will be sufficient. XXXIX. The seven members of the Council of Administration will be elected by secret vote by its members, (Article XXXVIII, paragraph (3) of the decree), as in the case of the Vice-Presidents of the Council. They must include at least two delegates from the regional banks. Term, two years, except as provided hereinafter. After the first two years three members retire ; second year, four; third year, three ; fourth year, four ; and so on. Retirement divided by lot. The remaining members hold office until reappointments are made. Retiring members will be eligible for reappointment. Members who retire from the Plenary Commission will cease to hold seats on the Council. Same action in the event of absence as is taken in connection with the members of Council. Replacements made similarly. No gratuities, but non-residents of Paris may draw travelling-expenses. XL. National Council meets quarterly, or more frequently as considered necessary by the President or Director-General. Quorum, four. If no quorum, second meeting called, and may proceed even if quorum not present. President exercises casting-vote. Minutes to be signed by President and Director-General; must contain names of those present. Council elects President and Vice-President by secret vote. Similar provisions as regards absolute majority as that which applies to Plenary Commission. XLI. Council has full power to administer the holdings of the National Office, namely, —to compound, and expropriate with or without payment; to decide upon applications for advances and fix interest charges ; to fix interest to be paid on deposits ; to dispose of reserves, as provided by Article LXIII; to deliberate on submitted budgets, on the accounts of the Director-General; and appropriation and allocation of legacies ; to pronounce upon office accounts ; to authorize appropriation of buildings, also rates of buildings which belong to the office ; to authorize and accept leases, with or without promise of sale ; to annul or cancel, with or without indemnity ; to launch loans by emission of bonds, the sum total of which must not exceed 20,000,000 francs per annum (i.e., in any one year). Above this sum the authorization of the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance must be obtained. The Council accepts or refuses, without any authorization from the superior authority, allocations or legacies made to the office without charges or conditions, or any building aj)propriation. If these legacies involve charges, conditions, or building obligation, the Council must be applied to ; if, however, any of these legacies have family claims, the Council will be applied to. The Council will keep the Commission advised of its decision. Every year the Council will forward the Minister of Agriculture a full report on the year's operations, after the same has been considered by the Commission. XLII. The Director-General (Administrator ex officio) attends and votes at all meetings, of the Plenary Commission, the Administrative Council and all commissions functioning under the office. He assigns from among the personnel of the National Council the Secretary to the Plenary Commission and the Council of Administration. The Director-General, under the authority of the Council of Administration, assures, through the Administration Council, the functioning of the services and the execution of the decisions of the Plenary Commission and the Council of Administration. He assigns the permanent personnel of the office, as well as the temporary auxiliaries. He may delegate on his responsibility all of his powers to one or several of his officers, with the consent of the Council. The Director-General represents the office in the Courts and in civil acts. He may, without authority of the Council, personally deal temporarily with matters where less than 40,000 francs are involved ; pass leases annually worth less than 15,000 francs. He may also contract, buy or sell furniture, and recondition furniture, when value does not exceed 15,000 francs; compound, when the amount in dispute is not more than 15,000 francs; beyond these amounts the authority of the Council will be necessary. He may accept temporarily, without authority, allocations and legacies. XLIII. The Ministers of Agriculture and Finance, after the advice of the Council of Administration, will fix the number, salaries, &c., of the personnel of the office, and make staff regulations.