LEAVES OF ABSENCE. 125 



endar year. It. should be reported in the same manner as annual 

 leave on Form 647. 



INSURANCE. 



To facilitate securing insurance at the lowest possible rate a 

 mutual benefit association has been formed of employees of the 

 Forest Service, the Geological Survey, and the Reclamation Serv- 

 ^ ice. This is solely for the purpose of giving employees health, 

 accident, and life insurance at cost and preventing unnecessary 

 burdens falling upon the associates of sick or disabled men. In- 

 formation concerning membership in this association can be ob- 

 tained from the supervisor. 



LEAVE WITHOUT PAY. 



Supervisors may grant leave without pay when urgent private 

 business, family sickness, or an absolute necessity requires absence 

 from duty, but in no case for more than thirty days. Leave with- 

 out pay may be granted without reference to the period of prior 

 service, but report thereof must be attached to the pay voucher, 

 on Form 647, as in the case of leave with pay. 



ABSENCE CONNECTED WITH DUTY. 



The absence of a forest officer from his district or from the re- 

 serve, absolutely required to obtain supplies, horseshoing, mail, 

 or for other purposes necessary to the performance of his duty, 

 such as fire fighting, may be considered actual service and does 

 not require leave. Such absence must not be longer than is 

 actually necessary. Where it is practicable for an officer to obtain 

 all facilities within his district he will be allowed no absence for 

 this purpose. Supervisors are required to be familiar with the 

 situation in each case and to approve only necessary absence. 



When a forest officer is legally required to attend as juror or 

 witness he may leave the reserve without loss of pay, after obtain- 

 ing the supervisor's permission. 



Supervisors need not obtain permission in such cases, but should 

 report such absence on Form 647 at the end of the month. 



