The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-07
SENATOR FOSTER STATES HIS po-
sITION IN THE MATTER.
SETTLERS should He Given Preference
and He Thinks II wise to Pre-
serve Them From OvergraxinE-
suggestions ms to Provf.,oa..

IN some sections a mistaken idea exists 10
the effect that the department approves Of
leasing forest reserves. This is not intend
ca by any Of the proposed bills now be-
ioie congress. as these reserves. 1t is ex-
pected. are TO be continued under the de-
partment of the interior and subject 10
sncn regulations as the secretary OF the
Interior may make.
Senator Fosters position on the matter
IL this: He believes that in leasing rublic
grazing lands, the settler should be given
preferred leasing rights and due provision
should be made to opening up leased tracts
for agricultural and irrigation purposes
and for other means OF development. He
IL OF the opinion that II would be eminent
ly wise to preserve the grazing tracts snd
not to allow them to he destroyed by over
grazing. He believes that one Of the rain
features OF any legislation looking to the
leasing of these lands should be with the
view Of encouraging settlement. to give the
settlers preferred rights and by allowing
them to utilize the grazing lands In cor
nection with the carrying on Of their farms
He n Of the opinion that ample time should
be given to free discussion Of the main
issue of leasing the public lands. He does
not anticipate that a perfected and suita-
BILE bill win he prepared for some time to
come. probably not for year.
The senator thinks II would be well for
interested
fully and freely and TO draw up and draft
bills which will assist In securing proper
law In case we are to have n law.
Following are some OF the principal sur
gestions which Senator Foster has received
from various persons in the state OF WASH
ington and he presents them for the consfd-
Grafton of the people most Interested In
the hope that the matter will receive fun
DISCUSSION looking to the preparation Of a
n With no ffcfa tn
persons interested in the sheep and cattle
Industry Of the state:
senator Fosters suggestions.
l. That the rate OF rental shall not be
less than one cent per acre per anrum,
and the maximum and minimum areas
leased shall. n 81 Gases. be eaGn,a,sd AZ, %
velopment, and no lease nor any right ac-
auired shall be asTgnable. nor shau leases
be subiet and no lease shall be male Tor
a longer period than ten years and only
one lease shall be made to any one person
in any state or territory, unless In some
cases where the use OF summer ana
winter range is deemed necessary
q Subject to the preferred rights OF set
tiers leases may be renewed for one or
more periods. not exceeding ten years.
area comparable with the best utilization
Of land for grazing purposes and the needs
and conveniences OF settlers.
l. All settlers actually occupying and
farming agricultural land shall have a
preferred right to lease grazing land ad-
jacent or convenient thereto. and subject
TO such right the occupant OF range
actually engaged In grazing stock thereon
shall have a preferred right to lease such
range
& All lands leased for grazing purposes
shall be open to entry as mineral lands
and otherwise under the land laws of the
United states. and shall be subject to
G.x.< hA at nf
irrigation works. and any area leased rs
Eraxing land. but afterwards found TO be
more valuable. rs the result OF irrigation
or other development. to be more valu-
able for the uses OF settlers or for town
site purposes, together with sufficient
Grasing land convenient or adjacent
thereto for the use of bona fide settlers.
shall be cancelled from the lease and
proper adjustment made OF the rental
With the lessee. None OF the foregoing
provisions shall deprive the lessee of
means of watering stock pastured on his
less~hold nor shall those entering upon
such land for the purposes stated above
be deprived OF ordinary easement conven-
fences. nor shali the lessee he hampered
IN the grasing of his stock by means OF
wilifui distractions
4 wiinul entry or trespass for grazing
stock upon lands leased for grazing pur-
poses, regardless of Indicated or estah-
iished limits OF such leased lands, either
by posts monuments. fences, natural
boundaries or other Indicated or estas-
lished and recognized boundaries shall be
deemed q misdemeanor.
7 Lenses shall be made TO persons who
are citixens OF the United states or have
declared their intention to become such.
ard who are residents of the state or ter
ritory IN which the land is located.
Az state or territorial boundaries
pr,,viSlon shall he made for the leasing Of
ranges or grazing areas that viii meet the
requirements of the settlers or range cc-
cupants
Grazing areas necessary for the tran
sit Of stock between their summer and
winter range or for the transit ~ stock
for other purposes. or areas which. from
me nature 81 the water supply. are not
suitable for subdivision into ranges may
be- withheld for common uses and suit
anie permits may be issued for occupancy.
IN common. Of such areas for transit
watering OF grazing purposes
10 where the value " the forest areas
as sources OF water supply SO far over
balances any pessihle value they may
have for grazing purposes, no graHiag
whatever shall BE- allowed. and nothing
contained In the proposed legislative act
on this subject shall be construed az PRO
viding for or permitting the LEASING 81
established forest reserves for graaing
PURPOSES
II Due notice shall be given by al
vertising once a week for eight cousecu-
tive weeks In the newspapers published
In or that circulate throughout the graz
ing districts before any leases are actually
made nor for thirty DAYS after the aual
publication OF said notices. In said pub
ucatian and notice 81 Intention TO Lease
lands, the time and place. convenient 20
lessees when leases wiz be made shall
be designated. texether With an outline
description Of the tracts 80 be le3sca
Il The rental nxcd per acre at which
LANDS shalt be leased must be plNiriy set
forth in the published notice ~ iutcntinn
20 lease and no other rental shah be &c
-euted when lands are leased and Tor the
protection OF settlers and small farmers
no competitive bidding FOR leases shall
BE- permitted.
n As matter Of convenience graziug
areas known TO be UNIT Cor other pGr-
noses may be consolidated under proper