The Grit-advocate., 1904-08-26
Tsr GRAZING LAND ouEeT,eM.
Csu'smsn indorse the Local Option
Plan Suggested BY c. e.
WantiAnd.

~, l3o4, "Den tne National Live
Sepek Association first took up the con-
sadeation OF a plan by which the graz
being depleted by overstocking. should
De saved to future generations, and an
equitable basis for control could be es-
teplished The debate was on the fol-
lowing resolution:
hfsolyed. that such of the public
l4Hos OF the United States as are adapt
Tor grazing should be subject to
Sase BY stockmen, who are citizens, at
reasonable rental, and under such
hntions as will tend to preserve the
ssses from destruction. and improve
EValue of the grasses thereon"
1.-THE debate was led by Mr.. c. +.
Wantland of Denver, Colorado. whose
twelve years experience in handling
western lands had made him familiar
with the situation. and gave him oppor-
tunity TO speak with authority, and
d4ew intelligent conclusions His rem
coy for the evils that were pressing on
the live stock industry in the West,
were embodied in these remarks:
Nov, as an Offset to all that has
Deen proposed. is it possible for stock
men to get together and formulate any
scheme which will be generally salts
Factory or that will at least satisfy the
majority? think So and suggest local
option plan. The registers and receivers
OF the United States Land Office to
40 the leasing, the plan to apply to any
county whenever the secretary of the
Interior is satisfied that a majority of
tAt stockmen in such county wish it to
take effect. Ii our contention is cor
rect, that proper control improved the
ranges, then this plan would soon
spread wherever natural conditions are
favorable or can be adjusted satisfac-
torily. The lands should BE- classified
by commissioners for each state. The
irrgable districts should be placed in
separate leasing groups to be leased for
short terms, so that the best use of the
land for agricultural purposes will not
be prevented or delayed.
Leases should cover tracts selected
to best serve the needs of the people
from five to ten sections for each sec
tion owned. Terms of lease on land
good only for grazing to be about five
years, and at rates ranging from one
Aoli icIl " lulet ttllto pei dtlc, loN
enough to cover years OF adversely as
well as prosperity. AS the people Of
the West believe in the private owner
ship of property. provision should be
made for gradual appraisals and sales
oftands ut stated periods, at fair
prices, and on long time.
In the desert misunderstanding the
winter ranges. where sheep can only
exist by moving great distances-leas-
ing districts should be restricted, eX-
cept in cases where the sheep owners
form themselves into associations gen.
erally satisfactory. adopting a license
system among themselves. Trails and
roads to accommodate traffic to rail
road shipping points should be ar
ranged by county authorities.
AS conditions are different in the
various states and counties of each
state, leasing operations should be sub
lect to temporary suspension at any
time If the governor or Legislature OF
any state certify that further leasing
in such county would not be in line
With good public policy. Lands covered
bY lease to remain subjec, to home
s'ead. desert act and mineral entries,
but these laws should be amended to
cover present defects. The receipts for
each state should be kept separate One
'hird of the gross receipts should be
paid over to the counties. thus enabling
them to reduce taxation: the remain
ING two-thirds to be used for expenses,
Tor irrigation surveys to be conducted
by the United States Geological Sur
vey. and as additional appropriations
Tor the completion of public land sur
Feys and the construction of irrigation
Geservoirs within the state
As nearly two-thirds of the public
and In Utah, Idaho. Montana. Nevada
and Arizona Is unsurveyed, the extern
son OF such leasing systems would nee
esSarily be slower than in other states,
mus giving ample time for the neces-
sary adjustment TO new conditions"
The matter of the disposal of the
srazing lands in any form met with
strong opposition. For four years the
subject has been kept alive. In the
the federal authorities took
it up. President Roosevelt. on request
Of the National Live Stock Association.
appointed a commission to investigate
the subject The commission met in
Denver recently with 200 members of
the National Live Stock Association,
and after three days session. where
at the subject was given extensive con-
the following recommenda.
ton was made to the commission:
To the special land commission ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt to in
restigate conditions in the arid and
So eml-arid states in reference to graz
ing lands and forest reserves:
Whereas, The President having ap-
pointed a special land commission to
Investigate the present conditions and
'ulure requirements of the public land
Sl stem in the arid and semi-arid states
and territories. in reference to grazing
lands and forest reserves; and
Whereas. Said commission has re-
luested the good offices OF the Nation
ll Live Stock Association Of the Unit
't States in obtaining a consensus of
the views of the live stock interests of
ne West regarding the proper con
roI and disposition of the public graz
M lands. and