The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-03-29
New Law Of
Intcrcstto Settlers
Provides Leave Of Absence to Home
steaders For Purpose Of Perform
ing Farm Labor.

ing Farm Labor.
That during the pendency of
the existing war any homestead
settler or entryman shall be en-
titled to leave of absence from
his land for the purpose of per-
forming farm labor, and such ab-
sence, while actually engaged in
farm labor, shall, upon compliance
with the terms of this act, be
counted as constructive residence:
Provided that each settler or en-
trynan within fifteen days after
leaving his claim for the purpose
herein provided shall file notice
thereof in the United States Land
Office, and at the expiration of
the calendar year file in said land
office of the district wherein his
claim is situated a written state
ment, under oath and corroborat-
ed by two witnesses, giving the
date or dates when he left his
claim, date or dates of return
thereto, and where and for whom
he was engaged in farm labor
during, such period or periods of
absence: Provided further, that
nothing herein shall excuse any
homestead settler or entryman
from making improvements or
performing the cultivation requir-
ed by applicable law upon his
claim or entry: Provided further,
that the provisions of this act
shall apply only TO homestead
settlers and entryman who may
have filed their application prior
to the passage of this act. Tie
secretary of the interior is author
lied to provide rules and regula-
tons for carrying this act into
effect.
The privilege of such absence
may be exercised by any person
who had made a valid settlement
on public land before December
20, 1917, or who has made, or
shall make, entry pursuant to
filed before that date.
If no entry has been made
prior to the filing of the notice
stipulated in the act and herein
below mentioned, you will give it
the current serial number and
make record thereof on your
serial number register, noting that
no entry has been made; also on
the tract book if the land is de-
scribed by subdivisions, section,
township and range.
There is no limit either 10 the
number or the length of the abb
sences homesteader may have
under this act. They do not in
interfere with the five
month absence privilege accord
ed by the homesteader during
each residence year, pursuant to
notice and without reason stated,
but the periods thereof are to be
regarded as forming part of the
seven months residence ordinari-
ly required.
Each person intending to avail
himself of the privileges of this
act must, within Is days after
leaving his homestead, file at the
local United States land office a
notice that be has left the land,
pursuant to the provisions of said
act, for the purpose of perform
ing farm labor elsewhere. On or
before February ] of each year
he must file witnesses, with re-
gard to such absence or absences
during the last preceding calen-
lar year. Said statement must
contain the date or dates when he
eft the claim and the date or
lates return thereto; also the
name or names of the places
where he was engaged in farm
abor during the period or periods
If his absence and the name or
lames of the persons for whom
aid labor was performed. Unless
le complies with these conditions,
le will not be entitled to the
benefits of the act.
The act does not excuse
lomesteader from full compliance
With the law with respect to cul-
ivation of his land and the erec-
ion Of habitable house thereon.