Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Livestock Convention Petitions Congress to
Enlarge Homesteads.
CATTLE AND SHEEP MEN AGREE ON POINT
Resolution is Adopted Asking Laws for All
Parts OF Public Domain.
WISH GROWTH OF FORAGE PROTECTED
Present Laws Declared Immicable TO Set
tlement and Improvement,
PRESIDENTS WESTERN KNOWLEDGE A JOY
Speakers Claim Roosevelt Better Fit
ted 10 settle Problem Than Most
Men because He Understands
Conditions on Ranges.

Men because He Understands
Conditions ON Ranges.
KANSAS CITY, Jan. 15-The National
Live Stock association, at its annual con-
vention here this afternoon, by a rising
vote adopted resolution endorsing Presi-
dent Roosevet's suggestion that congress
appoint q commission OF experts TO settle
the range problem, which for years has
been a bono OF contention between cattle
men and sheepmen. The resolution had
already been favorably passed upon by toe
executive committee aA a substitute for
one presented by A. r. Robertson Of Texas
yesterday, which favored tho leasing Of the
public lands for grazing.
The question was opened by a paper by
Colonel John P. Irish OF California, in line
with the resolution.
Iowa Delegate Opposes.
lively discussion followed. e. Harris,
member Of the executive committee from
Iowa, talking at length in opposition to the
resolution, argued that the question, which
was of the greatest import to the farmers
of the west and middle west, was being
manipulated. The supporters of the resolu-
tion. he asserted, were juggling with Presi-
dent Roosevelt's name in order to curry
favor. Mr.. Harris gave a history of tho
discussion of the question at previous con-
ventions and said that the supporters Of the
resolution introduced today had always
evaded the issue until now. when they hal
a distinct majority. He advised against
action on the question at the time.
Jerry Simpson, former congressman from
Kansas and now from Roswell, N M, ridi-
culed the stand taken by Harris, and fav-
ored the resolution, as did also Delegates
Williams Of West Virginia and Gelfelder OF
Nebraska. Then, upon the motion of John
ID. David OF Idaho, the discussion was
closed.
When the resolution was put to a vote 1t
was carried by a large majority, the dele
gates rising in their seats.
Later Senator Francis Emory Warren Of
Wyoming, president Of the National Wool
Growers association, indorsed the resolu-
tion and complimented the convention upon
its passage. He said congress, the pres-
dent and ths aecFetary of the interior were
anxious to do something on the public do
main question.
Delegates Turn Up Late.
After yesterdays period of sightseeing
and last nights ball the delegates were
slow in gathering this morning. but when
they finally got started much work was
disposed Of
The convention will finish its work to-
morrow and will be followed on Saturday
by the annual meeting OF the National
Wool Growers association, at which i'm
portant action regarding the range problem
is expected.
One Of the most important resol ltions
introduced in the live stock conv sntlon
today n he ha nd n 10
bitterness existing between the cattlemen
and sheepmen over the question OF ranges.
A. r. Robertson Of Texas had yesterday
introduced a resolution calling for an
amendment OF the laws regulating the graz
ing on public lands and approving the
leasing ~ such lands In states where such
n policy is desired by the people
This was referred to the executive COM
mittee and finally laid upon the table.
Use of the Public Lands.
In its place the following substitute reso-
luton, prepared by the eattlemen, and
which. It Is said, is approved by the sheep
men. was offered:
\ Resolved. That the use of the public
Y lands of the United States has become
outgrown ana obsolete, owing TO the rapid
advance OF civilization, and we believe that
the time has come when congress should
take action looking toward laws that will
RECOGNIZE the changed conditions and Will
encourage the settlement and Improvement
In the largest possible area, and provide
protection TO settlers using said lands for
Resolved, That We approve the sugges-
tiOn OF President Roosevelt in his last
annual message 10 congress, that larger
areas OF these semi-arld lands should be
allowed .tOr homestead ana that a COM
mission OF experts be appointed 70 investi,
suggest to congress the remedies that will
be fair and just and will build up rather
OF the west
To Prevent Forage Destruction.
Resolved That a memorial from this
the attention OF congress as briefly pos
sible TO the fact that the present land
laws encourage the destruction of the
forage upon the public lands and retarJ
improvement and settlement; that the me
mortal petition congress to adopt the sug
gestion OF President Roosevelt 10 appoint
q commission OF experts TO make a careful
prevailing ana to suggest new laws thai
will beneht all sections OF the country, tn,
varied and conflicting conditions existing
I'm the different sections OF the west beinE
the principal obstacle that has prevented
the stockmen from agreeing among them
selves upon a plan Tor a change In tn,
section would cause loss and ruin to an
other, where different conditions prevailed
Resolved, That said memorial be pre-
pared Immediately and presented TO tht
present session OF congress, with an urgeE
this grave question may be settled at az
early date, and to the further end tina
congress may not act hastily and unad
Visedly in changing the present laws unit
properly informed through it's commission
of expertseas 20 the actual prevailing con
ditions In all sections.
John F. Hobbs OF New York. who wa
10 have read a paper az the morning ses
sion, was detained by the illness OF hi
wife. and his paper was not presented.
The attendance today was lighter thai
usual, a number OF delegates taking ad
vantage OF an excursion TO St. Joseph, fur
nished by the stookmen Of that city, VIII
prepared a special train for the occasion.
Among the addresses at the mOrnin
session was one by Hon. William N
Springer OF Washington. ID. c.. on 'Th
Proposed Merging OF the Packing Plants {
This Country and the Effects and Remedy,
and one by Dr. W. II. Dalrymple Of Louis
iana on Infectious Diseases and The
Prevention" Hon. II. S. Peer OF Ne
York was also on the program 20 read
paper, but telegram from his wife toda
announced that he was on the Atlanti