Use of Appropriations To Pay Salaries of Land Commissioners

A decision was requested as to whether fiscal year 1975 appropriations could be charged with the costs of compensation paid to land commissioners appointed in land condemnation cases in fiscal year 1975 who did not perform their services until fiscal year 1976. The United States incurred a valid obligation to pay land commissioners appointed in land condemnation cases, despite the fact that the court order appointing the commissioners did not charge the United States with such costs. The land commissioners involved may be paid out of fiscal year 1975 appropriations at rates not limited by legislation restricting the rates of compensation to be paid to land commissioners in fiscal year 1976 since the contractual obligation for payment arose at the time of the appointment even though the exact amount of the obligation remained uncertain until the presiding judge set compensation.