The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-05-25
CONTROL OF GRAZING ON PUB
LIC LANDS.
Successful Permit System Now in
Force on Reserve Ranges Improves
Pasturage and Insures Stability
of Live Stoc r1dustry.

policy is in successful operation OH
the National forest reserves, the ques-
ton has arisen whether the same or
some similar policy might not be APP
piled to the open public range.
The policy Of the Forest Service is
not to hold the reserves out of use,
but to secure their fullest and most
permanent use. TO this end, grazing
under proper restrictions is permit
ted. Happily, these restrictions have
thus far met with general approval.
From the first, the Importance of
fitting the regulations to local condi
tions has been recognized. Rules oc
casioning needless hardship to stock
men have been modified, and emer-
gcncies demanding instant action
have been promptly met.
When Il new reserve has been pro-
claimed all stock grazing upon it is
allowed to remain during the first
year: if, afterwards, this number is
found to be too great for the re-
sources Of the range, ii is gradually
reduced. Stockmen are aided in eff
fectng Il satisfactory distribution Of
their stock upon the range and i'll Sc
curing from it the most profitable and
permanent use. Small stock owners
living in the vicinity Of the reserves
are given such preference in the allot-
mcnt of grazing privileges as will
protect their interests. First 'occu
pants of the range and farmers own
ing improved lands adjacent are also
preferred. The rights Of large own
ers based upon the range custom Of
the past are recognized, and reduc
tions in the number ofthcir stock are
required only when necessary to pro-
tcct the range Of the grazing rights Of
bona fide settlers.
Necessary range divisions between
owners Of different kinds of stock arc
made, and controversy between
shecpmcn and cattlemen is promptly
ended. Where necessary, the con-
struction of drift or division fences
is also allowed, provided the area
fenced is not greater than the needs
of the stock owner.
Outside the forest reserves, how
ever, is an area Of public land, estl-
mated at 400,000,000 acres, which has
no present value except for grazing
purposes. On this land grazing is
wholly unrestraincd by law. Com
mereial interests, great and small,
have competed for its use, and the
result has been abuse Of the range.
Millions of acres have been recklessly
overgrazcd and practically ruined. In
his last annual message the president
says: cit is probable that the pres
ent grazing value of the open pub
lie range is scarcely more than half
what it once was or what it might
easily be again under careful regula-
tion.' Some stockmcn have, to the
exclusion of others, possessed them
selves of the strategic positions
that is, the lands controlling the
streams, springs, and other watering
places, and by this means have Sc
cured temporary control of the ad-
joining grazing lands. Charges of
fraudulent entry have led to litiga-
tion. Great areas have been illegally
fenced. Again, stock owners, nota-
bly, sheep and cattle men, have de-
Tended their conflicting claims by
force of arms, causing serious loss Of
property and even Of life.
Obviously such conditions should
be corrected by law. The remedy
would seem to be to apply to the open
public range the regulations already
governing the forest reserves. This
conclusion is strengthened not only
by the success attending the forest
reserve policy, but also by the effect
of fencing the public grazing lands
Though illegal, this fencing has in
most cases greatly improved the con-
dition of the area inclosed. Care, how
ever, must be taken to avoid the ap-
plication Of sweeping and ironclad
regulations to an area so vast and to
conditions so different. The investi-
cations of the Public Lands Commits.
sion show that immediate application
Of any infexible rule to all grazing
lands alike, regardless Of local CON
ditions or grazing values, would be
disastrous, and that improvement
must be sought through the gradual
introduction into each locality OF
such form Of control as is specifically