Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-13
WOOLGROWERS
IN PORTLAND
sheepmen From All Parts of the
Country Meet in Annual Session
Much Interest Manifested.
QUESTION OF RANGE DISCUSSED
Protest Against the Too Extensive
Setting Aside OF Lands for Gov
ernment Forest Reserves.

Portland. Ore. Jan. 1.-THE con-
ventIon Of the National Woolgruwers
association was called to order here
today with sheepmen from western
states and representatives OF allied in.
terests from various parts of the
country present. Among those in at.
tendance were two Of President Roos.
evelts commissioners to investigate
the public land question. which will
be one Of the important matters pre-.
sented for consideration by the wool
growers. United States Senator War.
ren, Of Wyoming. president Of the
Woolgrowers' association. pres.ded,
and the business of the convention
was inaugurated with the reading of
his annual address.
In the absence OF Secretary Morti.
mer Levering, the report OF that OF.
fetal was read by Assistant Secretary
Fred p. Johnson. The report dealt
principally with efforts to reorganize
the association under the revised con-
stitution. Attention was called to the
fact that the amendments admitted
organizations OF sheepmen to mem
bership In the Woolgrowers' associa.
tion. A suggestion was made that
the change In the constitution be rat.
flied.
The crowded condition OF public
lands and encroachments upon
ranges by government forest reserves,
the report stated, had resulted In the
past year In large number of sheep
raisers being forced out of the busi.
ness.
The secretary noted with pleasure
that the government is going TO take
note of the condition of the western
sheep and cattle ranges and proposes
to take steps toward a change. The
report dealt with a proposed change
In the method Of handling wool so
that the producer may be enabled to
deal directly with the manufacturer.
The report of expenses OF the sec.
retary's department showed a deficit
of little more than $500. owing 10 de.
lays in collecting dues. The adoption
OF a well defined policy to be carried
by the secretary was urged as neces-
sary to insure the success of the or.
ganization.
The real business of the day was
taken up when the committee on cred.
entails reported and constitution was
brought up for adoption. The only
change OF importance in the docu-
ment was In the membership clause
admitting organizations of sheep rails.
ers to membership In the woolgrow.
ers organization.
The constitution was adopted as
read. During the debate on the con.
dition Of the wool industry In the west
the concensus OF opinion was that the
government In setting aside extensive
forest reservations for the purpose OF
aiding irrigation. and bettering nat.
ural water supplies, was going TO ex.
tremes and cutting down the ranges
to an unwarranted degree. Il was
suggested that the relief sought by
sheepmen will be attained could thev
secure the passage OF q bill, now pend.
Ing In congress. transferring the ex.
ecutive control OF public lands to the
department Of agriculture from the
department Of the interior. Resolu.
tions for the passage Of this bill were
unanimously adopted and copies or.
dered sent to congress.
Tomorrow morning there will be q
Joint session of the Woolgrowers and
the National Live Stock associations.
Reelection OF Senator Francis e. War
rem as president OF the woolgrowers
Is practically assured.