New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03
SELLING PUBLIC LANDS.
BIG FENCING SYNDICATE IN
THE WEST.
MILLIONS OF ACRES OF THE PUBLIC
DOMAIN UNLAWFULLY INCLOSED-
SETTLING THE CATTLE FIGHT.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE tribune

lBY TELEGRAPH TO TBIBUNE.l
Washington, May 2.-Oficials Of the Interior
Department have developed the existence Of
powerful fencing syndicate which has been OPP
Grating throughout the West to the unques-
tionable disadvantage Of the small farmer In
the Territory of New Mexico, it is positively
established, the operators for this syndicate here
have inclosed pastures amounting TO more than
ore million acres of the most desirable land in the
Territory. The statement was made to-day by
a well Informed official Of the Interior Depart
ment that the relations Of the fencing syndicate
with the Beef Trust closer than any one
suspects. but until additional information is
secured the knowledge of the relations of the
two combinations cannot advisedly be discussed.
1t was the purpose of this syndicate to fence
almost the entire public domain of the West
Then, with the passage of the Grazing bill, au-
thorizing the leasing of public lands at two
cents an acre, they would be secure in the total
monopoly of the public lands on which to
pasture cattle thereby to WELD control of the
cattle supply and crowd the small farmer. who
has already been subjected to the grossest hard
ships, out of existence.
BROUGHT TO LIGHT BY THE TRIBUNE.
These facts have come TO the surface as a re-
suit OF the special investigation of The Tribune.
II now remains for the government, which is
vided for in legislation already enacted for
the forthcoming year. to get the bottom of
this evident outrageous wholesale scheme to
absorb the valuable green pastures of the West.
To this end the President and the Secretary of
the Interior have been untiring in their efforts.
The interests of the homeless American citi-
zen, for whose benefit the public domain is in
tended TO be appropriated, the leaders of the ad-
ministration have kept under close eye At
the time. the utmost care has been used
not to take any action which will be too drastic
on the illegal tenants occupying the green past
ures covering millions of acres in the West
Instructions have been sent to the field inspec-
tors to proceed with all possible expedition to
serve notices on the rangers TO vacate the lands
IN time that they may so brand their cattle as
to be able TO separate them in case of promiscu-
Gus mixing with other herds Solving this prob
lem. every official says. is stupendous. But the
fences must go. AS an Illustration Of the in
creased demand of homesteaders in the State
of Nebraska, where the major part of the public
domain is GnlawfulIy occupied. within the last
year the number OF settlers increased fifteen
hundred over the preceding year. These men
were obliged plant their homes less
desirable territory. because the capitalists had
unlawfully inclosed the lucrative grazing farms
through which valuable streams Of water flowed
with formidable wire fences.
In spite of the vexatious character of the
problem, Secretary Hitchcock was sanguine to-
day that d peaceful settlement can be made.
He said that the law must be enforced. primarily
in the interest of the people of the country,
and in substance added: When the intelligent
cattle raisers and men of affairs in the West
realize that the trespassing has gone beyond
all limits. they viii he willing to acquiesce in
the enforcement of the law"
While combinations and syndcates and cattle
kings have inclosed miles Of land in the States
and Territories Of Arizona, California. Colo
RADIO. Idaho, Kansas Mantana. Nebraska. Ne
vada. New-MeXico North Dakota. Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Dakota Utah. Washington and
Wyoming, the conditions are most acute in the
State of Nebraska and the Territory Of New
Mexico. At a conference held with Secretary
Hitchcock by Senator's Willard and Dietrich.
Messrs. Bartlett Richards Charles Coffey. Z. s.
Harris and others, a petition signed by many
people of Nebraska whose interests are with the
cattlemen was presented. asking the depart
ment TO grant an extension Of the period within
which the fences may remain. The Nebraska
oattlemen here own about fifty thousand head
OF cattle. and Craze over millions of acres of
public land. The land unlawfully occupied in
Nebraska constitutes the greater part of the un-
appropriated public land Of that state.
FENCES MUST BE DOWN BY JULY l.
Under the plea that it is not unlawful to oc-
cupy land TO which there is disputed title the
Infringing tenants in New Mexico hope to main
tain their fences. This plea is made by Charles
Goodnight, Of Denver, president Of the Inter
state Land and Cattle Company, which has en-
closed more than million acres of land. But
the order has gone that these fences like
the others. must be down by July / if il
requires deputy marshals or troops The claim
made by this combination was referred TO in
The Tribune Of April ~ BY an act OF Congress
all Spanish claims not filed in the Court Of Pri-
waite Land Claims before a certain date we're TO
be invalid. That date has long since passed
and the court is TO be dissolved. The pro-
meters OF the syndicate now hope to secure the
passage of a bill in Congress extending the time
Tor trying these claims, expecting TO battle the
authorities in carrying out the law. But the In
terror Department has received assurances that
no legislation Will be passed at this session TO
protect the fence monopolies in New Mexico or
other Western territory In New-Mexico. as in
Nebraska, the greater part Of the public domain
yet unappropriated is illegally occupied for
grazing purposes. i is estimated that over
2J0OO0.0OO acres. or nearly one-half of the pub
lie land Of that Territory. is unlawfully used by
the cattleInen for pasturing.
This fencing problem win he the chief topic at
many more conferences by officials and will be
taken under consideration at the special Cabinet
meeting TO be held 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning
PFFT HBAPEES Ape PEtnv