Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-21
MICKEY IS IN A QUANDARY
Hats Between Two Opinions on the Land
Leasing Proposition.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE MEETS
Secretary Furnns Ike Estimate Of
Nebraska Crops Considerably
Below Those Previously
Given.
TATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE MEETS
From a Stan correspondents

From a STAFF CorrespcndentO
LINCOLN. Jan. 20-(Special)EWith Ne
braska's delegation in congress on the one
side and the stockmen Of the state on the
other, Governor Mickey is between two fires
on the land leasing bill question.
The governor has been urged in a petit
tion from Washington. signed by the sena-
tors and representatives. to recommend to
the Legislature that It draw up a memorial
petitioning congress to pass the Dietrich
bill for leasing public grazing lands in Ne
braska. And the stockmen, through the
Thomas County stockmen's association and
one from western Nebraska, which held its
meeting at Alliance yesterday. are urging
him just as strongly to take action calcu-
lated to place the Legislature on record in
opposition TO this measure.
my mind is not made up on the matter
and so | can say nothing definite now"
said the governor today. II have just re-
ceived the petition of the Thomas county
stockmen against the Dietrich bill. It was
presented by the president and secretary
OF that association. J. ID. Edmisten and F..
d. Roberts. I shall defer action until the
other protest from Alliance is in my hands,
which probably will be this evening or to-
morrow. But Of course II will require time
to deal properly with this matter. which is
OF great Importance to the people OF this
state"
Both the petitions referred to we're pub
lished in The Bee this morning.
The committee that will present the ALI
ance resolution to the governor will con-
sist Of Senators ]. r. Van Boskirk, w. c.
Brown; Representatives Frank Currier and
George C. McAllister. John e. Evans and
A. s. Reed.
May Take No Action.
From the action Of these two representa-
tive bodies of stockmen of Nebraska and
the sentiment of the members of the "legis-
lature as nearly as 1t can be obtained, the
general impression is that Governor Mickey
will decide favorably to the stockmen's
views and the homestead law. which all OPP
ponents of the Dietrich bill hold will be
deprived Of it's value and benefit to home
seekers IL this measure is passed by the
national congress, The governor. as has
said. will not commit himself. He added
to what already has been quoted. this brief
statement, which may be considered Of
some Significance:
81 would not take any action now, for l
have not fully looked into the matter, and
recommendations at all to the legislature. -
There are hfty-fve farmers in the present
Nebraska house of representatives and the
overwhelming sentiment among this num-
Der, who constitute over half OF the total
house membership. seems inimical to the
Dietrich bill.
A Douglas county member said today he
did not think the present legislature was
familiar enough with this land leasing
proposition to act wisely on It.
state Poultry show.
The State Poultry association is now in
session In the Auditorium and Is conduct
ing one Of the best poultry shows ever given
in the west. THE show this year" said
Rev. Luther p. Ludden today; els a litt:o
the biggest and best It has ever been. We
have exhibits here from Ave states and the
interest shown is the greatest l ever saw.
The outside public, however, is not taking
the interest 1t should considering the fact
that we have cut the price down to a nom
inal admission fee. / believe II the people
knew this 1t would materially increase
the attendance. We want the people to
come. and we firmly believe that II they
will only TAX a look at the, exhibit this
year they will become as enthusiastic as
the rest Of us"
There are more chickens, turkeys, geese,
ducks, pigeons and Belgian hares congre-
gated at the Auditorium than most OF us
ever saw together before and some of them
have pedigrees that II stretched out would
reach almost back to the food. The ex-
hibit Of Plymouth Rocks is the most ex-
~tensive, although the turkeys are a close
second.
A new department under the care OF Mr..
r. e. Smith has been introduced this year
that of eggs and dressed poultry. The
dressed poultry shown Is all put up and
owned by Armour q Co. and embraces
all varieties Of poultry and makes
a very nice appearance. The eggs shown
are from all over the state, Many say
this is the finest egg exhibit ever seen
west Of Boston and 1t is attracting wide