The Lamar register., 1904-01-27

Denver. Jan. 2S. An enthusiastic
reception was extended to Clifford Pin
chot, chief of the Bureau of Forestry
of the Agricultural Department. f. IL.
Newell, chief photographer i'll charge
of the reclamation service, and Ii. n.
Savage. consulting engineer of the
reclamation service. by city and state
officials and prominent citizens yeSter-
day.
The gentlemen have been intrusted
with most important commission ny
President Roosevelt. having been as
signed to travel throughout the West
and obtain from state officials and
other authorities full information in
regard to land and forest reserves and
upon matters dealing with the federal
land laws.
In view of the visit of the members
of the commission to Denver, repre-
sentatives of different counties. partic-
,, ularly those of the western slope came
to Denver. They were given a hearing,
commencing at l o'clock yesterday at
ternoon and lasting until A.: 50. Prob
ably 100 representative citizens of the
state were present, and they listened
attentively to the speakers. The meet
ing was informal in character. and
, various topics with reference to the
| land and forestry laws were touched
upon.
Shortly before adjournment resolu-
tions were passed. These resolutions
oppose any change in the present laws /;
| indorse the proposed enactment of a
| law relating to the public ranges; in
dorse the bill pending in Congress 10
| transfer the Forest Reserve Depart
| ment of the federal government from
| the Interior to the Agricultural De
partment, and urge the delegates OF
| this state at Washington to lend their
| hearty support and to do all in their
| power TO have the change made at the
earliest possible date.
The Colorado Cattle and Horse
| Growers Association. representing the
organized stockmen of Colorado
through special committee appointed
| by the last convention. submitted the
following principles that in their opin-
| ion should be included in any amend
| ments to the laws regarding the use
| of grazing upon the public lands OF
| the United States:
Il. That all vegetation upon the
| public lands of the United States
should be placed in charge and under
| the control of the Department of Ag-
riculture.
"2. That actual settlers and owners
Of lands should have the first right
| to the use of grazing lands adjacent tc
| their titled holdings.
| }. The Department of Agriculture
| should make such reasonable rules and
regulations as will permit the use oi
| the grazing lands by settlers and land
owners in an economical manner and
| prevent destruction or deterioration OF
the forage on the same.
| "a That the public ranges should bC
| divided into districts with natura
! geographical boundaries and the resi-
dent stockmen of each district be nj
lowed to organize and to have voice
in the making of the rules and regula
tions for such district.
''5. That grazers on the public lands
he required to pay sum per head OF
| all stock graZed, sufficient 10 pay The
| necessary and actual expense of gov
| prnment supervision. but that the gov
! ernment should not seek TO derive an1
| revenue from the use of such lands fol
| grazing being satisfied with the n.tu
raj improvement of such lands due tt
economical use thereof.
IS. That in making rules and regula-
tiors. no individual rights should bt
| given: but the largest liberty possible
be given to the community.
-. That any law passed to put into
effect these proposed changes in th'
control of the government lands shoulC
give the Department Of Agriculture
plenty of time to i1augurate the pro
| posed changes. so that the changes ma!
be made gradually with time enough tt
enable the department to amend th'
rules as experience would show th'
! necessity
y. Existing conditions as to the use
OF the grazing lands by cattle, horse'