Chapter 277. To provide for refunds to veterans of the World War of certain amounts paid by them under Federal irrigation projects
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CHAP. 277.— An Act To provide for refunds to veterans of the World War of certain amounts paid by them under Federal irrigation projects. February 21, 1925.[[S. 2397](/us/bill/68/s/2397).][[Public, No. 433](/us/pl/68/433).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * Reclamation projects. That as used in this Act—
(a)Terms construed.“Veteran.” The term “veteran ” includes any individual a member of the military or naval forces of the United States at any time afterPersons excluded. April 5, 1917, and before November 12, 1918; but does not include
(1)any individual at any time during such period or thereafter separated from such forces under other than honorable conditions,
(2)any conscientious objector who performed no military duty whatever or refused to wear the uniform, or
(3)any alien at any time during such period or thereafter discharged from the military or naval forces on account of his alienage; and
(b)“Reclamation law.” Vol. 32, p. 388. The term “reclamation law” means the Act entitled “An Act appropriating the receipts from the sale and disposal of public lands in certain States and Territories to the construction of irrigation works for the reclamation of arid lands,” approved June 17, 1902, and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. Sec. 2. Veteran no longer retaining, etc., a farm unit may apply for refund of charges paid.
(a)Any veteran—who at any time since April 6, 1917, has made entry upon a farm unit within a Federal irrigation project under the reclamation law and
(1)who no longer retains such entry because of cancellation by, or relinquishment to, the United States after or
(2)who, prior to receipt by him of a final certificate in respect of such entry, but in no case more than one year after the date of passage of this Act, desires to relinquish such entry—may, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, file application for the refund providedIf already compensated not entitled to refund. in subdivision (b). A veteran who has been compensated, in cash or otherwise, for any such relinquishment shall not be entitled to the benefits of this Act, and before payment of such refund the Secretary of the Interior, under such regulations as he may prescribe, shall require proof that the veteran has not been so compensated.
(b)Investigation and refund by the Secretary. Upon receipt of such application the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to investigate the facts and, in his discretion, to pay as a refund to any such veteran entitled thereto, a sum equal to all amounts paid to the United States by such veteran, or for his account, as construction charges and as interest andPayment from project allotment. penalties on such charges in respect of such unit. Every such refund so approved by the Secretary of the Interior shall be paid from the appropriation for the project on which the entry in question was made. Sec. 3. Benefits payable to estate.
(a)The estate of a veteran shall be entitled to the benefits of this Act in any case where the veteran, if living, could have availed himself of such benefits. Application for such benefits shall be made by, and payments thereof shall be made to, the executor or administrator of such estate. 957
(b)A veteran (or his estate) accepting in respect of any farmAll rights in unit relinquished on accepting benefits. unit the benefits of this Act, shall be deemed thereby to have relinquished, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, all right, title, or interest of such veteran (or estate) in such farm unit and any improvements thereon. Sec. 4. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to cancel anyCancellation of permanent water right. application for permanent water right for any farm unit in respect of which a veteran (or his estate) has received the benefits of this Act, and to terminate all rights and liabilities of such veteran (or estate) in respect of such application. Sec. 5. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make suchRegulations to be made. regulations as he deems necessary to execute the functions imposed upon him by this Act. Approved, February 21, 1925.