Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 59 Part 1.djvu/550

This page needs to be proofread.

PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 366 , 367-AUG. 11 , 1945 [CHAPTER 366] August 11, 1945 [H. R . 2613] [Public Law 179] Sebastian Martin grant lands, N. Mex. Adjustment of claims authorized. 7 U.S . C., Supp. IV, 11011. Procedure in settle- ment of claims In dis- pute. Sale of unclaimed lands. August 11, 1945 [H. R . 3239] [Public Law 180] I. R. C., amend- ment. 55 stat. 718. 26 U. S. C., Supp. IV, i 2400. AN ACT To authorize the War Food Administrator or the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust boundary disputes by settling claims to certain so-called Sebastian Martin grant lands, in the State of New Mexico. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That either the War Food Administrator or the Secretary of Agriculture be, and either of them is hereby, authorized to adjust claims to any portions of the so-called Sebastian Martin grant lands, situated between State Highway Numbered 64 and the western boundary of said grant, and between the fence constructed by the Government on the west side of Ojo Sarco Creek and the eastern boundary of said grant, in the State of New Mexico, which are administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of July 22, 1937 (50 Stat. 522, 525; 7 U. S. C ., secs. 1010-1012). SEC. 2 . That for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, if the War Food Administrator or the Secretary of Agri- culture shall find, within twenty years after the acquisition by the United States of the lands described in section 1, that the title to any portion or portions of the aforesaid lands is in dispute, and that the person or persons claiming the same or their predecessors in the occupancy thereof and under whom the right thereto is claimed, have been in open, actual, visible, exclusive, hostile, con- tinuous, and adverse possession thereof, for a period of ten years previous to the date on which the United States acquired such land or interest, irrespective of whether color of title during such posses- sion can be established or not, either the War Food Administrator or the Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to execute and deliver, on behalf of and in the name of the United States, to the person or persons so occupying said lands, whom either of them finds entitled thereto under the provisions of this Act, a quitclaim deed to such land or interest. SEC. 3 . Either the War Food Administrator or the Secretary of Agriculture is further authorized, upon a finding by either of them, that any lands situated within the areas described in section 1, which are not claimed by any person or persons as aforesaid, or right to which cannot be established as aforesaid, are not suitable for use and administration in connection with the land-conservation and land-utilization program administered under title III of the Bank- head-Jones Farm Tenant Act, to sell such lands so situated, under such terms and conditions as either of them deems will best accom- plish the purposes of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act: Provided, however, That the consideration to be paid for such lands shall not be less than the value as appraised by authorized representatives of the United States. Approved August 11, 1945. [CHAPTER 367] AN ACT To exempt certain mechanical pencils having precious metals as essential parts from the tax with respect to jewelry, and so forth. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 2400 of the Internal Revenue Code (relating to the retailers' excise tax on jewelry, etc.) is amended by striking out "to a fountain pen or smok- ers' pipe if the only parts of the pen or the pipe" and inserting in lieu thereof "to a fountain pen, mechanical pencil, or smokers' pipe if the only parts of the pen, the pencil, or the pipe". 532 [59 STAT.