Arizona republican., 1899-12-23

the reserves. Ever since then the large sheep owners in the northern part of the territcry have been en- deavo-ing, to have the order rescinded. No adverse action was taken until word was received that Delegate Will son had introduced a bill in congress flor the protection of the stock inter- ests of the country" in disregard of the much larger agricultural interests of the Salt River valley.
 Subsequently the following letter was given publication in papers of the northern part of the territory, and was held up as proof of Delegate Wilson's faithfulness to the interests of his con- stituents:
 House of representatives,
 Washington, Dec. :, 1899. Hon. H. F. Ashurst,
 Williams, Arizona.
 Friend Henry: I have this day had a long sitting with the secretary of the interior on the subject of the exclusion of sheep and other stock from the for est reserves, and it was without avail.
 Our discussion grew sometimes heat ed and while he listened and all Shat, and replied only on theory, admitting that he knew nothing, he seems bent in his determination to prevent the grazing of sheep and all other stock on these reservations.
 He has issued the order for the eXclu- sion of sheep, and when I told him that eha int in that section, and should not be exclud- ed while cattle and horses might still be grazed on the reservation, he replied that I need not trouble myself about that, that he would not make fish of one and fowl of the other, that they would all have to go. and the forest be preserved. He is bent on this and our only relief is in congress.
 I shall introduce, tomorrow, a bill, with a number of others, for the pro- lection of the stock interests in that country.
 Now, in order that I may be backed with the strength of public sentiment, desire that you hold mass meetings there and along the line of railroad or somewhere the stCckmen can meet, for it has come to a point where they are all interested alike, and pass resolu- tions with preambles preceding the resolutions, whereasing that the order is destructive to public interests in the territory. and then resolving that the delegate in congress be instructed to use all his influence for the passage of such a bill as would protect these in terests.
 Don't wait about this, but do it quick, and forward your resolutions to me. Show great gatherings of people. Make your crowd large, and your voice strong, but polite, of course, as I know you will do, and let the matter be hur- ried.
 Meantime, I want the maps of these forest reserves, with all of the data that you people can get together. in order that when I come to present it to the committee, and in the house, I may be able to make my showing strong.
 You can do this by hurried action. and get the matter here before it is reached in the house, and don't fail.
 Truly yours, J. r. WILSON.
 Those whose interests do not lie in the destruction of the northern forests decided to show great gatherings themselves and do some "whersasing.' % Ca word coined by the delegate out of his inner consciousness). on their own account. Several meetings were held and q week ago at a meeting held at O'Neill hall, the Forest Reserve Pro tective Association was organized and the following address was issued to those interested in forest preservation:
 ''To agriculturists and others in terested therein: Whereas the inte- rior department after the most com plete investigations covering a period of many years were convinced that the protection of the forests of the va rious watersheds of the country were necessary in order to continue the flow in the various streams in the greatest amount and in accord with that con- clusion did withdraw certain of said forests from public use as grazing lands. and
 Whereas, upon the earnest so- licitation of certain persons said order was temporarily suspended. giv- ing owners of sheep permission to pasture their flocks thereon until such time as the matter could be fully heard upon all sides and by all par ties in interest. And
 Whereas the time of such tempo rary suspension having passed; and said flocks having been ordered from such reserve, it is known that a strong effort is being made to have the said order made permanent, and ilOcks and herds to be allowed to graze upon and through said reserves, at the will of the owners thereof.
 Now therefore, the farmers of the Salt and Gila valleys having organized