The San Francisco call., 1901-12-02
LEGISLATION TO AID sTocKMEN.
Bill Will Be introduced Providing for
Leasing Land for Grazing Purposes

During the present session of Congress
the following bill will be introduced in
the interest of the nations stock-growers.
1t provides for the leasing for grazing
purposes of vacant public domain and re-
serves all rights of homestead and mill
eral entry:
Section i. Be 1t enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives Of the United States
of America in Congress assembled that al
vacant public lands west of the hundredth
meridian west from Greenwich shall be leased
for stock-grazing purposes, subject to the right
of homestead and mineral entry under existing
laws of the United States, and when so entered
to be Cancelled from the lease.
Sec 2 Leases of such lands shall not be
subject to bid The uniform rental shall be
cents per per annum. payable annually
in advance and preference for such leases shall
be given to owners of cultivated agricultural
land for leasable lands abutting upon their
freehods in proportion of ten acres of lease
hold to one acre of freehold. A like preference
of ten acres of leasehold to one acre of free
hold shall be given to stock growers who are
also freehoders; this preference shall apply
only to lands within the counties upon which
their stock habitually range If in case of
either Of the preferences above provided there
shall not be sufficient leasable lands in the
county to give each person entitled to the pref
erence the maximum proportion of ten acres
to one, then said lands shall be prorated be-
tween the persons entitled to such preference.
The further preference to lands not leased under
the foregoing provisions of this section shall
be given to stock growers who in actual
and occupancy of said lands during the
wear ending on January l. 1901 to be leased
- ~. .rn IN nronoptnn 70 their resnec+iye 49,
ests in and use thereof Where the States lease
State lands the bona fide holders of such State
leasehods shall be benefciarfes of the prefer
ence given above to stock growers who are
also freeholders; provided that such State lease
holds are not held by any one person in tracts
exceeding $40 in any one body. Freehold
rights under this section shall not apply to
townsite property, nor to any lands deriving
title from Spanish or Mexican grants.
Sec. 3. All leases to run ten years. with the
privilege of renewal for a second term of ten
years. the first lessee having the preference for
such second term, provided he shall have COM
piled with the requirements of this law and
the terms of his lease and has not allowed his
leasehold to deteriorate.
Sec. 4 The revenue derived from the leases
herein authorized shall be paid into the treas
ury of the United States and the net revenue
after deductng the expense or administering
this act shall be held in trust to be paid to
such States and Territories wherein the lease
holds are situated as provide a State engineer
and other proper means for devoting the same
to the diversion storage of water and its
distribution for irrigation of agricultural lands
Only such revenue is derived in any state
or Territory shall be returned to it for such
Sec. s. The Secretary of the Interior shall
have the power to cancel lease when its holder
becomes ineligible, and shall administer this
act, making all needful rules and regulations
for that purpose
Sec. 6. Nothing in this act shall deprive the
United States of control of all reservations for
any purpose. existing hereafter created
Sec. 7. This act to take effect and be in force
from and after its passage.
In connection with the bill the follow