The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-01

After years struggle, during which
time volume of testimony was present.
ed to the department of agriculture. or
more particularly to the forestry branch
of that service, 'stockmen of Washington
and other Western states wherein for
est reserves have been established have
lost their privilege TO pasture sheep, cat
tie or any herds whatsoever within the
boundaries of a timber reserve. A de-
cisfon to this effect has been handed
down by the department, and instruc-
tons have been issued to all government
forest rangers to maintain IT. treating all
found guilty OF disobeying the order as
trespassers
The whole question was settled a few
days since in Washington, ID. C., when
the department refused to grant permits
allowing grazing In the Yellowstone Ma
tional park timber land reserve, and in
cooperating therein a section making the
rules and regulations as applicable to
that district apply to all government tim
Der land reserves in the United States.
So far as Washington is concerned the
decision. 1t is said, is the strongest body
blow that could be delivered to the sheep
industry in the vicinity of the Rainier re-
serve, and will TO a great degree retard
its development The young but grow
ing industry of cattle raising will also
be affected by the order. inasmuch as out
side the reserves in this state there Is
but limited amount of pasture land on
which to raise herds. With the Rainier
and Olympic reserves open for pasturing
stockmen say in the near future the
raising Of sufficient amount OF cattle
and sheep to supply the local markets of
the state, and 1t was to this end the
struggle was undertaken. and large
amount of money spent in an effort to Sc
cure grazing rights on the reserves.
Reserve Grazing Lands.
When, during President Cleveland's ad-
of the great depletion OF Western for
ests. to establish timber reserves in the
West for the purpose of preserving the
natural growth Of the varied species of
wood, the idea was considered good one
by ranchmen, lumbermen and commercial
men alike. In the selections OF the re-
serves. in this state particularly. the
areas most adapted TO the idea to be
carried out, II is said by conversant lum-
bermen, included large tracts of the rich
est of Washington's grazing lands. Being
to agriculture. From the time OF their
survey until a year ago large bands of
sheep and great herds of cattle. COM
parativfly speaking, found their feed in
the Rainier and Olympic reserves The
grass was tall. OF an excellent forage
variety and the number of stock grew
In large proportion.
their rounds. observed that cattia were
doing considerable damage by tramping
down young underground and rubbing
bark on the trees An investigation of
these reports was ordered. and a compe-
tent expert In forestry was sent to Wash
ington to look over the reserves. He
found this condition TO be true and in
his report recommended that the stock
be expelled, otherwise much damage
would result.
Sheepmen's LOSING Fight.
When this report was announced sheep
tTAA % al a,s l.
damage was in no way due to their
rocks. II was pointed out that to ex-
pei sheep from the reserves would be to
practically put to death the industry in
Washington, outside the reserves
there was not sufficient strictly graz
ing area to maintain the industry. or at
least permit of its growth. A large sum
Of money was raised and much expert
testimony taken tending TO show that
sheep In grazing on the reserve did not
do any harm. Then a representative Of
Washington sheepmen was sent to the de-
partment of forestry for tho purpose of
laying the matter before Secretary Will
cision a slight hope was held that their
prayers would be granted.
In connection with the grazing restric-
ton on government reserve lands tho
new code of rules and regulations given
the rangers provides methods of fight
ing forest fires. means to prevent the
destruction Of public timber and many
other measures OF more or less import
ance.
Al the next session Of congress the de-
partment, II IL announced by local rang
ers. will make an effort TO have a ranger
appointed for every 5000 acres of unoc.
cupied timber land. without regard to
ownership This IN moro for the purpose
| of preventing the outbreak of timber
fires which IL is said can be accomplls he'd
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