The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-05-07
SYNOPSIS Of G40-Acre Homestead
ELL.

Following is q synopsis OF the pr!n-
cipal features of the 640-acre ''stock
raising homestead bill" as finally |
agreed upon by the house committee
after extended hearings. The meas
ure is considerably less liberal than
the Mondell grazing homestead bill,
although following that measure in
a general way. The bill, which has
the approval of the secretary of the
interior, will permit the honest cad
entry of 64o acres of land after their
designation rs Of the character con-
templated by the law, to wit: Chiefly
valuable for "graZing and raising for
age crops" containing no merchant
able timber and not susceptible Of ir-
rigation from amy known source Of
water supply, and "of such character
that $40 acres are reasonably required
for the support of y family" The
bill also puts the following limitation
on the secretary
"Providcd that the secretary Of the
interior Shall not designate for entry
under this act lands Of such charac-
ter that, in his opinion, G4O acres will
not support family" This proyis-
ion is the entering wedge for the leas-
ing of grazing lands.
Title to these homesteads may be
secured by making permanent inn
provememts to- the amount of 81 .25
per acre, half of which sum mnst be
expended within three years. Persons
holding pending homestead entries
may take an additional to make Il
total of 640 acres, providing their
original entries have been designated
as of same character Of lands. This
will preclude all agricultural entry
men from any benefits under the pro-
posed law unless the bill is modified
before enactment Persons who have
submitted final proof, or have re-
ceived patents to homesteads, may
also take additional subject to the
same limitations, however. In case
there is insufficient vacant lands con-
tiguous to pending or patented home
steaders to allow their taking the
maximum additional. the additional
may be taken within radius of 1C
miles. All designated contiguous
.;.:. .:.t ;ses;:, { -st BE entered, however.
Persons having entered Or acquired
under the homestead laws, prior tC
this act, lands the area of which is
less than G40 acres, and unable to fine
contiguous or adjacent lands upol
which to make an additional filing
may relinquish the former entry an(
will be allowed to take GAO acres else
where in the same district. Such ell
try cannot be disposed of except OF
terms and under such rules as th
secretary of the interior prescribes
Homestead entrymen or patentee
will have 30-day preferential righ
of filing on additional contiguou
lands. Where entrymen are unabl
to sure the maximum additional be
cause of insufficient contiguous lands
the secretary will divide the area
Where a single 4O-acre tract is cor
tiguols to two entrymep, the one frs
filing gets the land.
Anyone having previously acquire
) lands under the homestead laws, sti
owning and occupying such tract
,,,N h,,u ord j,
ing lands, when designated, for S1.2
] per acre, to bring his entire holding
to GAO acres, Oh terms to be deter
mined by the secretary.
The bill as reported will give el
l trymen nothing more than surfac
right-all minerals being specifcall
reserved to the government. Entry
men Of lands agricultural in chara.
ter will not be able to take al add
tional under the law as proposed, q
the area embraced in both origin;
l. and additional must have been desie
mated as "of character contemplated
grazing lands. This restrictlo
does not apply to those desiring t
purchase the additional.
The question of II grazing lease la
intended to be incorporated in thi
bill, was defeated in the committe,
Those who favor the lease law fo
grazing lands are responsible for til
prohibition contained in the bill, III
der which the secretary may not des
ignate lands he regards as Of sue
character that $40 acres would nc
support family. Introduced as
separate resolution, however, til
grazing lease people have a measul
now before the house, requiring til
secretary to classify and report land
suitable for grazing leases, with
recommendation for their disposition
This resolution, if carried, will resu