The Lamar register., 1904-08-10
CHANGE IN LAWS
RECOMMENDED BY sTockMEN
Want Forestry Bureau Transferred TO
Department Of Agriculture
Would Have Public Land
Classified,

Denver. Aug. Recommendations
relative to the laws and future needs
of the public land system in the West
ern states to be submitted to the
Roosevelt land commission were adopt
ed by the National Live Stock Associ-
alton conference yesterday. They were
considered most conservative. They
were largely dictated by James Will
son, secretary of agriculture, Senator
Francis e. Warren OF Wyoming. and F.
j. Hagenbarth, president of the Ma
tional Live Stock Association, and IA
vored the transfer of control of the
Bureau of Forestry from the Interior
Department to the Department of Ag-
riculture;, the passage of law giving
the secretary of agriculture authority
and determine on those that should be
leased for grazing purposes; govern
ment control OF all public grazing
areas under local government rules;
with a proviso that whatever may be
done by Congress shall not be radical
or antagonistic to vested rights.
Following are the resolutions:
ITO the special land commission ap-
pointed by. President Roosevelt to in.
vestigate conditions in the arid and
ing lands and forest reserves:
Whereas, The President having ap-
pointed special land commission to
investigate the present conditions and
future requirements of the public
land system in the arid and semi-arid
states and territories in reference to
grazing lands and forest reserves, and
whereas, Said commission has re-
quested the good Offices Of the Nation
al Live Stock Association of the Unit
ed States in obtaining a consensus of
the views of the live stock interests
of the West regarding the proper con-
troll and disposition of the public graz
ing lands, and
whereas, After full discussion in
open convention, the fact has devel-
oped that conditions over the vast
area included in the grazing districts
OF the West, are so varied and con-
flicting that much time must OF neces-
sity be consumed in the classification
of the public grazing area, as well as
the determination of range customs
and usages in different districts. and
Whereas, The past creation of for
est reserves has often been ill-advised
and far-reaching. and the administra-
tion thereof. as concerns the grazing
interests, has been faulty even to in
ment of the Interior is not fully
equipped to study and handle the for
est reserve question; and
Whereas, Feeling that the present
grazing system has been built up
through a term of many years consum-
ing the life work of the western pi-
oneers and of the younger generation,
entailing untold hardships and even
sacrifice of life, and believing that
such sturdy efforts entitle the great
majority of the present occupants OF
the range to no uncertain voice in the
initiation Of any legislation that may
affect their interest; therefore be it
"Resolved, That we favor the pass
age of a law which will authorize the
secretary of agriculture to thoroughly
classify the vacant lands of the United
States and determine the conditions at
present governing the use OF the graz
ing areas and to ascertain those sec
tions of the range area. If there be any,
to which a lease system can be salts
factorily applied, and be it further
Resolved. That the power to create
and administer forest reserves shall
be vested in the Department of Agri-
culture which is specially organized
and equipped for this purpose; and be
1t further
hGSOlNeu, nat we BONtlH-
ment control of and jurisdiction over
all public grazing areas. by or through
the Department of Agriculture, local
questions being decided on local
grounds and under regulations made
to meet local conditions; that the
range rights of present users Of the
grazing area as determined by priority
OF occupancy and present use. shall
be carefully safeguarded. and that no
sudden or stringent upheaval of exist
ing conditions which would cause
commercial distress shall be made; on
the other hand, such legislation must
be gradual in its effect and leases
granted only where locally satisfactory
as determined by the proper authori-
ties"
The conference adjourned sine die
after the adoption of the resolutions.