Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-15
PRESENT SYSTEM A FAILURE.

"Durlng the past ten years the decrease In
this state in the assessed valuation of live
stock run upon the open range has been
$9,O00,000 1t Is now the opinion of many
of the leading stockmen of the state that
the uncertainties and losses which go with
lack of control on the open range more than
offset the advantages of free pasturage which
the open range offers, and many of them are
leasing as large bodies of land as they can
secure from the amount of grazing land now
at the disposal of the state. Recently one
OF the leading sheep raisers of the state
applied for lease of 10000 acres of state
land, offering 10 pay cents an acre per an
mum, stating that he preferred to pay the
state 81, 500 year for the security which
exclusive control would give rather than con-
tinue the risks which the free range in
wolves.
'In more than half of this state the sue
cess of farmers depends upon an opportunity
to make use of some Of the grazing land To
succeed a summer range for stock is as
Indispensable as the possession OF a water
supply. This can only De secured by the
lease or purchase of land for that purpose.
The grazing lands should be leased, not sold.
The limits of irrigation are not yet deter
mined and public control of these lands
should be retained until further experience
is had as to their proper ultimate disposal.
Their preservation and best use. however
require that there be some fixed tenure in
their possession and use. If they can be
leased for a fixed period Of five or ten years
the lessee could then afford to take steps to
increase their productive value.
1.-THE objection hitherto urged to leasing
grazing land has been that it would be
controlled by cattle barons.' This cannot
only be absolutely prevented but the leas-
ing privilege can be made n most effective
aid to reclamation and enhance the profits
of farming. In Wyoming Ii would do more
to promote canal building and increase our
population than all other influences COM
bined, and that, too, without injury or in
justice to any one.
1.-THE best results from either irrlgable or
grazing lands require that they be held in
small tracts and used together. The privi-
lege of leasing the grazing land should be
reserved to those who own and use the ir
rigable. 1t should be made an incentive to
immigration and premium on development
plan outlined as follows would, in my
mind, prove of great benefit: Give each set
tier and irrigator of 100 acres the right to
lease a certain area of grazing land con-
tiguous to his home If possible, or, II not
wherever 1t can be had. Make the rental
fixed sum, to prevent competition in bid
ding, and the rate low enough to insure
making leases desirable. One cent an acre
per annum Is the rate recommended. The
maximum area which one individual might
be permitted to lease should be definitely
fixed. In Wyoming four sections of grazing
land or 2,560 acres, to 100 acres of irrigable
land would, II is believed, afford the proper
ratio.
REVENUE FOR THE STATE.
"Under such a system, the area of grazing
land leased would only be extended as farms
multiplied. The transition from our pres
ent condition would be too gradual to be in
furious. Every irrigated farm having this
grazing land attached thereto would be in
creased in value and many would be worth
double what they are today. At present the
state or nation derives not 1 cent OF revenue
from the use of these lands. If leased at
j cent an acre per annum the income of the
state OF Wyoming would be $500, 900 a year.
The foregoing plan would necessitate the
cession OF the grazing land to the states by
the general government. Great interest is
being manifested by the people of the arid
states In this proposition, and it is being
looked upon favorably by many men of in
fluence in matters relating to national legls-
tion who have heretofore opposed lt.
-"Ihe superylalon OF the water supply was.