The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-27
THE STOCK CONVENTION.
Sheep Grazing Problem Comes
Up for Discussion.
A COMPROMISE EFFECTED
Resolution Adopted Requesting the APP
pointmsnt of an International Com
mission on Needed Laws.
Several Papers Read

growers OF the great West-the con-
flicting interests of the cattlemen and
sheepmen-was precipitated upon the
National Live Stock convention to-day
by the consideration of resolution
recommending to the department of the
interior that the rule prohibiting the
grazing of sheep on the forest reserves
in the West be abrogated. A substi-
tute resolution approving the action of
the government in protecting the forest
reserves was introduced by Ralph Tai
bot of Colorado. John c. Mckay of
Utah, the author of the original resolu-
lowing paper:
Forest reserves have been estab-
Hshed in most of our western states,
without reference to the representatives
or the states most directly interested,
or the conditions of their admission as
political communities. The National
forest policy seems to be directed and
1mpelled by the American Forestry as
ISOLATION, whose membership roll con-
tains $50 names, 371.-a clean majority
are residents of New York, Massachus-
etts, Pennsylvania, New. Jersey. and the
District or Columbia; so claiming resi-
dence in Washington City. The organ
ization is SO constituted that few
active members can shape the course of
the association and become a powerful
influence in framing the policy of the
government relative to the disposal of
forest lands. While the objections of
the association are worthy and impor-
tant, where timber is needed-yet, as
sertions of fact are made, and express
slons used, which are so erroneous and
misleading, that one would not think
ma 70 frHy
gust body.
The principal objects set forth are
the preservation of the water supply
and of timber, where it is suitable for
lumber which are very worthy, and
very important. But the plan they sug-
gest is wrong, and detrimental to- the
citizens of the western states. The
American Forestry association alleges
that, timber being cut, and stock being
permitted to Craze therein, eating the
grass and underbrush, destroys our
water supply. That the keeping of
sheep is nomadic, and recommends the
exclusion of sheep from the pasturage
within these reservations, as destroyers
OF the forests and desola ters of the
plains; the herders are incendiaries of
forests, and recommends the use of
the army to guard the reserves B. 10
Fsrnow, chairman of the executive COM
m1ttee, says that he has not heard a,
single good reason against the reserves.
The reasons usually can be sifted down to
some small speculative interest, that is
supposedly sacrificed to the greater
communal interest The poor man who
mas taken up homestead in the woods
mot to make home, but to speculate
with the timber on the 100 acres-feeIs
injured because his speculation may
not pan out The sheep herder feels in
jured because he looses the free range
ha pJl r;r
fore, and which he did his best to de-
stroy by his reckless manner Of using
1t. third class is formed by those
who consider the reservation policy one
imposed upon western communities by
Eastern cranks, ignorant of western
conditions Let US analyze these
statements, and ascertain the facts
'They assert that forests protect the
source of streams in mountain and
highland districts, by preserving the
snow from melting and impeding the
percolation of melted snow or rain from
reaching the valley below.
My observation and experience in
the mountains for over 20 years, teaches
me that snow melts first in belts of
timber or brush. What snow remains
IN the mountains after the first of July
in each year, is on open ground, where
1t has been laid by drifting. These
snow banks are on open land, and water
1rom springs are the sources of supply
after the first of July. When Utah was
first settled, people who located on
streams and rivers thought they needed
all the water to irrigate their farms
with, and declared that there was not
room for any more. But others came
and commenced to cultivate the soil, to
make canals to irrigate their farms,
TO use the water more systematically,
and to greater advantage, and to-day,
;,.,.ir,, u
where one was formerly. Time has de-
monstrated that water is not lost by
1loodlng 1t over land, for it will perco
late through the soil and return to the
natural drainage of the country, or
break out in living. springs on lower
level, and then 1t can be utilized on the
lower lands. The only practical way to
preserve water in the arid region is to
build reservoirs and retain the water
during the flood tide
The timber within most of these re-
serves belongs to the coniferous genera,
is very scrubby, full of knots and unfit
for lumber.
"The use of the word 'nomadic,' as
defining this mode of sheep keeping is
calculated to give a false conception of
the pursuit. The owners are not no
MAIDS, nor are their fiocks
Mature has given us our deserts and
mountain ranges, separated by inter-
NeHiiS NfAateyS, loT the use OF man and
beast. Animals have been created
adapted to different conditions and diff
ferent localities. Sheep are a peculiar
animal; they will eat a greater variety
OF browse and vegetation than any
other animal with which am acquaint-
ed. In the summer time they require
shade, and the timber belts are their
natural range.
There is no domestice animal that
will remain in the timber and eat the
grass and browse. Our deserts are
their natural winter range. Horses and
cattle are not so easily moved from
summer to winter range, nor do they
thrive so well on snow.
The eating of the grass and browse
in the timber is safeguard against
forest fires. Mr.. Fernow and others
show an animosity towards their fellow
citizens, whose interests are directly af-
fected by these forest reserves, and inn
pute to them Interior motives for pro-
testing. 1t seems as though they would
like to establish a feudal system in
America, have large tracts of land set
apart for reserves so that Soma i6ealiSt