The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-28
Determined Efforts Being Made to
Control Great Ranges of
the West.
CANN0N's WORK FOR COMBINE.
Homesteaders' Rights to Be sacri-
feed in the Interests Of the
Beef Trust and Wealthy
Cattle Owners.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Washington. April 27.-In the face of the
storm of public indignation that has been
raised by it's exactions, the beef trust is
attempting to strengthen its monopoly by
influencing legislation now pending on beef
In Congress.
1t is certain the beef trust Is backing the
cattle barons in an effort to obtain from
Congress law providing for the leasing
of the public lands in the Western States
This bill proposes that the big live stock
men and spectators shall have the
privilege Of leasing all Of the public grazing
lands for the nominal sum OF cents an
acre for a period of ten years. with a
privilege Of a renewal Of the lease.
Colonel John P. Irish OF San Francisco.
who draws a salary as naval officer Of thai
port has been in Washington several
weeks lobbying for the bill. delega-
lion Of range men from Nebraska arrived
in this city yesterday. to urge its passage.
Senator Paris Gibson Of Montana, Dem
ocrat. aays:
Backed by Packing-Houses.
''The big ranch cattle interests get the
support Of the big packins-house industry
morally. financially and politically and no
State government. as now constituted IN
which can be and is brought to bear In favor
of the big land monopolies. The State
governments. at the dictation OF the big
live stock interests. now use their power TO
the utmost, to put the pubic lands into big
holdings for the benefit Of the favored few
The cession Of the Federal lands to the
State or the leasing OF those LANDS 70 the
big cattle interests would result in Mon
tana. at least in half a dozen men control
ling the whole State.
this scheme. The men behind the cattlemen
have great political poYer and unlimi ed
financial resources. and the packing-house
agement to the limit The public domain
should be dedicated to the farmers and the
farmers only. They are the people who re-
create permanent wealth. Near my town
of Great Falls one man has 80 miles OF
tence, inclosing thousands Of acres of the
farming inv aaa n as s the @ ss
one of the greatest resources of aid in its
future growth
Spectators Control Plant.
This is but one instance. Mile after
mile Of the best land in the public land
livestock men through the fraudulent use
of the land laws to the serious detrfment
e IF the neS States as TaGs ens %
property and the home-seekers are cheated
out of the chance Of getting start in life
pioneers pI Of sa earlier days: "
Last week the Commissioner OF the Gen:
era1 Land Office. Binger Hermann, appeared
before the House Committee on Public
Lands and told them that the leasing bill
favored by the cattle barons was "ridicu-
lous. indefensible. unjust and huge
graft"
He concluded the testimony by saying:
Grabbing Land Leases.
IT am confident that this bill. u enacted
into law, will work incalculable H6ury to a
majority Of the peole OF the western States,
will retard the development of the public
domain and will impose additional priva-
tions upon the hardy pioneer; will compel
pay tribute and rental to the syndicate
owner or drive them from the open field;
will encourage great landed monopoIes up
on the vacant domain which should be free
to all. and will engender feeling OF hos
tility and Inequality among those who
should be friends and equals. With this
conviction 1 earnestly recommend that this
bill be returned to the honorable body
whence 1t came and that 1t be reported ad-
The Beef Trust Is opposing the national ir-
rigation bill because the passage Of this
bill would mean the breaking up OF the
great cattle ranges. Representative Cannon
Of Illinois. who Is said to be largely inter-
ested In grazing lands in Nebraska. has
served notice on the Western members
favoring the irrigation bill that a day will
be allowed in the House at this session to
play" with the bill. as he expressed 1t. but
and the big range monopolies stand to-
gether. The cattle barons are opposed to
a home building irrigation law, and Repre-
sentative Cannon has long been recognized
as the mouthpiece of the cattle interest In
his advocacy of State cession.