East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-11-10

That the pine trees around sumpter
are not filled with doves of peace in
honor of stockmen's meeting at that
place this week is shown by n COM
plaint made for Grant county stock
men by the Baker City Herald of yes
terday.
While little has been said concern
ing the meeting, yet it is known that
a bitter protest Is being made by
Grant county over the division of the
range in the eastern division of the
Blue mountains forest reserve.
The Herald says of the meeting:
The spectacle of the Grant county
range, like a great pie, being divided
among themselves by the greedy stock
barons from all over the state to the
exclusion of residents of the county
itself is being presented at the Sump-
ter meeting of the stockmen and range
officials according to those who have
attended the meeting. The same con-
dition obtains In the allotment of Ba-
ker county range land.
The meeting, of course, is under the
direction of the forestry officials, and
what is being done is being done with
their cognizance. Indeed the basis
upon which they are. making the al
lotment is the very basis upon which
the sheep barons are taking to them
selves the Grant county range to the
exclusion of growth among the little
fellows. The cattlemen are more for
tunate and receive the allotment of
last year with slight increase.
Basis of Allotment.
The allotment is made with pre-
vious entry as its basis. If a man ran
sheep or cattle In the Grant county
reserve last year. whether he did so
as an invader or not he has similar
right under the present arrangement
TO grace his stock there in the coming
asun.
Although a cut in the number of
sheep entered is being made the cut is
propoItionate and the small grazer
suffers more i'm proportion, since his
stock are fewer than the big stock
men, according to the complaint of
those in attendance, since he is de-
prived of the right of growth to an
equal standing with the largest sheep
owners.
The biggest portion of the reserve
to be allotted is in Grant county.
Thera are present at the meeting at
Sumpter stockmen from all over the
state of oregon. Heppner has the
biggest delegation, about 80. There
are present almost a score from Uma-
Ap1i n,ytn
delegation. Monte B. Gwinn, the
Idaho politician and stockman, is one
of the big men present at the meet
ing Altogether, there are over 200
stocEmrn present and there are fully
400 stockgrowers represented at the
meeting. Some of these men are
from Grant county, but the big pro-
portion of them are outsiders whO
range stock in that county.
Grant County Kicks.
TIE general feeling in the county is
that the allotment of grazing land ia
outside stock is excessive and pro-
test is being raised.
A written protest was made al
Sunlpter today. 1t was presented by
Mr.. d. B. Shelter, superintendent OF
the reserve by Mr.. G. s. Smith, rep
resenting the citizens of Grant county
What action will be taken regarding
It is not definitely known, but 1t viii
receive the attention of Mr.. Shelter
TODAY. Mr.. A. Il. Potter, head of the
western division of the forestry de
partment Is expected at Sumrter ant
will address the meeting.
The Grant county people object too
to the attitude of the big stock baron!
10 the residents of the county ano
their flocks. 1t is one that make,
It more difficult to receive justice
In Illustration they point to the open
ing OF the conference when superin
tcndent Shelter arose to address
meeting of men that packed the hall
and even crowded men down the stair
ways leading into the room.
Shelters Promises.
1--WE shall protect the small cattle
men" said Mr.. Shelter in opening tn
meeting. land after seeing to hi
rights the shcepmen shall have tn
balance of the allotments." At thi
point he was interrupted by a ma
representing the big interests who in
formed him that the big sheepme
We're standing upon their rights an
that they would be content with moth