, 1900-01-17

from the country east OF
the Missouri river could not vote with
intelligence upon a bill regulating the
of water In irrigation.
Furthermore, IL irrigation in the sew
eral states were under the control of
the national government, almost in
Vulnerable water commissioners and
other such employees would receive
their appointments from Washington.
1t is evident that a situation of that
kind would be little short of disas-
trous. The federal government has
enough to do with the domestic affairs
OF the states now. 1t should not be in
vited to take hold of a matter with
which 1t has no more concern than it
has with the opening and care OF couu-
ty roads.
The only way to avoid the complica-
lions which would grow IL OF nation
al control or regulation Is to take the
work Of retaining the arid region out
OF the hands of the men at Washing
ton and entrust it entirely to the states.
In regard to leasing the public range,
owners of small herds OF cattle or sheep
entertain the erroneous idea that 1t
would result in turning the range over
to a few stock barons. On this ground
they oppose a grant OF the arid lands
to the states. But If they would learn
a lesson from the experience of Texas
they would see that their fears are not
well founded. Texas has leased its
range lands, and the results have been
highly satisfactory to both the state
n the cattle growers.
A great danger confronts the range
stock industry in the fact that with an
open range it is impracticable to pre-
vent over-stocking. One mans range
is invaded by another, and in a short
time the grass is trodden down and to
Sheep men invade cattle ranges, the
wars between the owners of cattle and
the owners OF sheep arise. These diff
culties are unavoidable as long as the
idhSo . oIth " eve OIt dhu Ilp ma
acquires by lease or purchase a right
to control a definite part of it.
Under a well-regulated leasing sys.
TEN owners of small herds would be
better protected than they are now,
Their rights would be defined, and
owners OF large herds would not be
able to trespass upon them. They
would not be compelled to pay an eXor,
bitant rent per acre, and they could i'm.
prove their part OF the range from over,
crowding.
In this connection the plan for divid,
ing up the range suggested by Mr.. Ell,
wood Mead should be taken into con,
%sideratlon. His plan is that no graz,
ing Liant should be let to a stock grower
who did not have under his control q
proportionate amount of irrigated
land upon which he could grow winter
feed for his stock. 1t is a matter OF
easy calculation how many acres OF
grass land should go with an acre OF
irrigated land. The grass land would
be used in summer, and in winter the
stock would be maintained on the pro.
duct of the irrigated land. By follow,
ing this plan, small as we'll as great
stock growers would have a chance, and
the owners Of irrigated land would be
guaranteed a good market for the pro,
duct of their farms.
The more the subject is studied. the
more it appears that the policy Of wis,
dom for the arid states is to advocate
and, II possible, secure a grant of al
the non-mineral arid land within theil
limits. The people of these states should
unite in a request for such a grant, in,
stead of disagreeing among themselves
: concerning what should be done.-Den,
l yer Republican.