Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-01-05

ditions has already been brought about by
range control on the forest reserves, and
that the great bulk of the western stock
men are definitely in favor OF government
control of the open range
Fifth. pom facts presented at many
public meetings held throughout the West
and upon lnnumerable Suggest ions which
have been received and considered.
Your commission cuncurs in the opinion
of the stockmen that some form Of gov
eminent control is necessary at once, but
is opposed to the immediate application of
any definite plan to all of the grazing
lands alike, regardless OF local conditions
or actual grazing value. The following
plan is intended TO bring about the grad
ual application to each locality Of a
form Of control specifically suited to
that locality whether it may be APP
plicable to any other locality or not.
Your commission recommends that suit
able authority be given to the Prcsi-
dent to set aside, by proclamation, certain
grazing districts or reserves. To the Sec
rotary OF Agriculture, in whose depart
ment is found the special acquaintance
with range conditions and livestock ques-
lions which is absolutely necessary FOR the
wise solution OF these prOblemS, authority
should be given to classify and dppralSe
the grazing value of these lands, TO APP
point such officers as the care Of each
grazing district may require, to charge
and collect a moderate fee for grazing
permits, and to make and apply definite
land appropriate regulations to each graz
ing district. These regulations should be
framed and applied with special reference
to bringing about the largest permanent
occupation of the country by actual set
tiers and home seekers. All land covered
/ by any permit so given should continue
te be subject to entry under reasonable
regulations Notwithstanding such permit.
Mining Laws.
Your commission has not yet found it
! possible to tehe up the extremely impOr-
tant subject of the revision of the mining
laws With the thOrOughness which 1t de
Bssrv From the evidence already sub
nit j it is obvious that important
cha - are necessary, both in the United
RStatrs and in Alaska. The commission
noI treat this matter more at length
-lsequent report.
Rights of Way.
ar after year the question of rights OF
Hy ross the public lands and reserya-
Ia us been called TO the attention Of
sress in the reports OF the Secre-
u ~ he Interior and the Commissioner
lie General Land Office. The laws on
h. subj ect are numerous and apparently
fen homogeneous Rights of way are
granted contingent upon the execution OF
work within a definite time, but decisions
yand practices are now in force under
which it has become almost Impossible 10
Ciyest the public lands OF the incubus OF
these rights, granted condittonally in tht
first place, but still in existence, although
the conditions were not fulfilled.
Rights such as these are very numerous.
They lie dormant until actual development
has begun to take place, either under the
reclamation act or otherwise; then they
appear in enormous numbers to the very
serious hindrance of new enterprises
Your commission is engaged on a study al
this subject and will report hereafter
upon it.
Attention is called again 10 the recon
1uendation of your commission in its pre-
yious report thereto attached that entry
of agricultural lands included III forest re-
serves be permitted under surveys hl
metes and bounds, and special emphasis !.
directed to the recommendation. WhICn ia