Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-07-08
DRIFT FENCES MUST GO.
President Roosevelt Stands by the Secretary Of The Ia
terIor In Enforcing That Edict

Says a Washington dispatch: The
cattlemen have made final and wholly
unsuccessful effort to secure some mod
ifcation of the official order for the re-
moval of the fences from the public
ranges of the country. A delegation of
western senators and congressman ap-
pealed to the president on Saturday to
grant a further extension of time for
the removal of the drift fences on
the ranges. The president frankly and
firmly declined to further hold back the
enforcement Of the order. The men
then appealed to Mr.. Hitchcock, secre-
tary of the interior, but We're equally
unsuccessful.
When the order was issued by the
in April the cattlemen urged delay,
asserting that their herds We're being
prepared for the spring markets and
that the enforcement of the fence re-
moval order would work great hard
ship and financial loss upon the cattle
owners. Upon that showing the presi-
dent, who understands the conditions
on the ranges, agreed to defer the en-
forcement of the order until July /. The
cattlemen took advantage of the respite
and made every effort to secure the
passage by congress of leasing bill
which would give them authority tc
fence up something like 325,OO0OOO acres
of the public domain in the western
states.
Mr.. Hitchcock, secretary of the inter-
ior, made an open, determined and sue
cessful fight against the passage Of any
leasing bill. He demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the committees on pub.
lie lands that any such enactmen'
would serve as practical bar to the
homesteading of these lands and would
also work hardship upon the small
cattle owners in the west. The bills
were all defeated. Then the cattlemer
renewed their pressure upon the presi'
dent for a further modification of the
order. They urged that they be allow
ed to retain their drift fences. These
are fences across the ranges, at dis
tances of from 20 to 80 miles apart
which serve as protection to the cattle.
men, preventing their cattle from drift
ing away from prescribed sections
These fences were allowed to stand
without much objection by the govern
ment officials until the cattlemen begar
fencing across the ends and connecting
the drift fences into enormous pas
lures.
Settlers who attempted to remove an,
of these fences, for the purpose of max
ing roads, were frequently assaulted ant
brutally treated by the cowboys. Mil
lions OF acres on the ranges are nov
fenced In and held by cattlemen, with
out any warrant OF law. The presiden
and the secretary OF the interior ar
determined that these fences shall b
removed. N.
.There is no DESIRE" said Mr.. Hitch
cock today. ''on the part OF the depart
ment to cause the cattlemen any injur,
or loss, but there will be no further mo
dification OF the law for their benefit
II they show disposition to remove tn
fences they will be allowed to make pro
visions for the protection of their herds
But the ranges belong to the who'll
people, and the settlers and smaller cat
tie owners will be protected in thei
rights.
Special agents of the land depart
ment will give attention to this matte
during the summer months. Reports o
violations of the law and the refusal
the cattlemen to remove the fences vii
be made to the department of justic
and the violators prosecuted.