Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1912-06-07
HOMESTEAD BILL
PASSED CONGRESS
President Now Has it Under
Consideration
SECRETARY FISHER
OPPOSING THE BILL
coIoradoans Should Exert Their In
fluence with Congressman In
Behalf of the Measure.


Colorado has every reason to be TAX
ing lively interest in the new homestead
bill which has been just passed by con-
gress and now awaits the signature of
the president. The interests of several
thousand homesteaders are at stake, and
anything affecting them affects in like
measure the welfare of all.
Word comes from Washington that
there is danger of the president vetoing
the BILL, doing so Oh the recommendation
ofSeoretaryFisher, of the interior depart
ment, whose opposition to the bill arises
from his belief that its passage marks a
backward ste p in the conservation policy.
Friends of Colorado are therefore called
into action if the bill is to become law
as passed by congress.
Few realize what the bill will mean
to the West generally and to this state in
particular, The main features as agreed
upon by the conference committees of the
senate and house are as follows:
First-A reduction in the period of resi-
dence from five to three years. upon all
homestead entriss, whether made before
or after the passage of the act.
Second-A leave of absence from the
land of five months each year. the time
of leaving and returning to be reported to
the local land office Under the old law
leaves of absence could be granted only
for specific reasons, total or partial fall
ure of crops, sickness or other unavoidable
casualty.
Third-The cutting in half of the pres
ent requirements as to cultivation,
Just what the scope of the last men,
toned provision will be is not shown by
the reports now at hand. Under the en-
larged homestead act of Feb. 9. 1909,
allowing maximum entry of $40 acres.
40 acres cultivation is required beginning
with the second year of the entry and 30
acres the third, fourth and fifth years,
Whether 20 acres the first year, and 40
acres the second and third years will
be the future requirement will not be de-
finitely known until the bill becomes law
At all events the new law will bring a
measure of relief fully understood and
appreciated only by those who have been
trying under the most adverse and dis
couraging circumstances to meet the
present requirements.
The Importance of such legislation to
entrymen themselves and to the state can
hardly be overestimated 1t will cause
many thousands of acres now vacant to
be entered and during the coming three
years millions of acres will pass to pat
emit, making thousands of permanent
homes. all contributing heavily to the
maintenance of the various counties by
taxation.
Upon the passage of the act and its
signature by President Taft. applications
by the hundreds will come into the local
land offices. All those entrymen who
have already lived upon and cultivated
their lands for three years will be ready
for final proof.
Credit for this remedial and beneficial
legislation is due in large measure to
Senator Simon Guggenheim for his efforts
in the Senate on behalf of the bill. and
to Congressman Taylor and Ruoker for
their work in the house. The Colorado
members in both branches of the national
legislature have been ardent and tire!ess
workers for the accomplishment of this
much needed legislation.