The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-18
La Tvs DO not FIT
Workable Plan Of Range Leasing
Needed in. Montana.
ACTION OF ASSEMBLED sTocKMEN
Building Up Big Market
in Chicago.
Special to The Journal

Special to The journal.
Miles City, Mont April 18.-The annual
convention OF the Montana StockgroWers'
association was most successful meet
ing. This association is seventeen years
old, and stands at the head. Even the
Texas Cattle association, good as it con-
fessedly is, must concede the supremacy
OF the Montana body in organization and
effective administration. A resolution ia
vorlng the project of government leasing
OF the public arid domain was adopted by
the association this year. The convention
refused to indorse the bill pending in con-
gress, but simply expressed approval of
a workable plan of public land or range
leasing.
Former opponents of this measure are
coming toNa distinct revision of their
older beliefs. The factEis they are con-
fronted by conditions which cannot be ig-
nored. and which will not yield to mere
theory. The land laws of the country do
not fit this grazing country. Lands are
classified only as agricultural or mineral,
when there are vast areas Of this semi
arid region which never~will be desira BILE
either for mining purposes or for agricul-
ture. EE ~
Let such arid and sub-arid reaches Of
country, which must forever be classified
as non-irrigable, be set apart by the gov
y
lands now are, to be subject to special
laws, rules and regulations for their dis
posal After official examination and
classification let the United States reserve
and apportion certain areas for horses
and cattle by lease or otherwise, and al
lot other and separate reservations for
sheep only. A system similar to this is
already successfully practiced in Assini-
boia and Alberta, Just north of Montana.
Why not adopt it here?
Ideas such as these were preached dur
cussed by stockmen, with the result that
fair land leasing law, which will not ex-
clude the entry Of a wouldbe homestead
er, had the support of the convention.
Jerry Simpson addressed joint meeting
of wool growers and cattlemen. He did
not speak on the leasing proposition be-
cause, he said, the National Live Stock
association, for which he is travelling, had
not instructed him to do so. The national
association was non -committal on the
subject. Mr.. Simpsons speech pleased
the stockmen and made good impression
here.
The officers of the association for the
coming year are: Joseph G.. Brown.
president; David Frat and J. R. Phelps,
vice presidents, and w. G. Prenit, sec
rotary. ~
The Woolgrowers' convention, which be-
gan on Monday, disposed of great deal Of
routine business and considered some new
business also. One of the new plans dis
cussed was to encourage the foundation
of a wool market at Chicago. The begin
ming Of this project involves the construc-
ton Of a monster wool warehouse in that
city. ires
A committee was appointed to confer
with A. G. Leonard, general manager of
the Union stock yards, who was then in
Miles City, and if deemed feasible, to CO.
operate with the Union Stock Yards COM
pany in a plan for warehousing and mar
keting northwestern wool There seems
little reason why the immense wool prod
uct. Of, these northwestern ranges should
be consigned to either; Boston or. Phi1a-
delphia, which now are the principal wool
markets OF the UrNted States. aa "a
The woolgrowers, reelected their off
GERS Of! last year and adjourned. The as
ISOLATION is sixteen years old, and its
president, A. S. Wiley, has held that posi-
ton for eight years. "