Gilpin observer., 1906-01-04

Grafton and effect of the present land
hws, and to recommend such changes
rs are needed to effect the largest prac-
itical disposition Of the public lands to
actual settlers who will build perma-
!neut homes upon them, and to secure
in permanence the fullest and most ef-
fective use OF the resources of the pub
lie lands"
Z This commission consists OF w. A.
Richards, commissioner of the General
Land Office; +. H. Newell, chief engi-
neer Of the reclamation service, and
Clifford Pinchot, forester Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture.
In its second partial report, trans
mitted by the President to Congress on
February 13, 1905, the commission re-
ferred TO the grazing problem as fol-
lows:
AT present the vacant public lands
are theoretically open commons, free
to all citizens; but, as a matter Of fact,
. large proportion has been parceled
out by more or less definite compacts
or agreements among the various in
terests. These tacit agreements are
continually being violated. The sheep
men and cattle men are in frequent col
lision because of incursions upon each
others domain. Land which for years
has been regarded as exclusively cattle
range may be infringed upon by large
bands Of sheep, forced by drought to
migrate. Violence and homicide fire.
quently follow, after which new adjust
ments are made and matters quiet
down for time. There are localities
where the people are utilizing to their
own satisfaction the open range, and
their demand is to be let alone. so that
they may parcel out among themselves
the use OF the lands; but an agreement
made to-day may be broken tomorrow
by changing conditions or shifting in
terests.
THE general lack of control in the
use of public grazing lands has re-
suited, naturally and inevitably. in
overgrazing, and the ruin Of millions
Of acres of otherwise valuable grazing
territory. Lands useful for grazing are
losing their capacity for productive
ness, as, of course, they must when no
legal control Is exercised.
The conclusions as to grazing
reached by your commission were
based:
First. Upon the results Of long &C
quaintance with grazing problems in
the public-land states on the part of
each member of your commission.
Second. Upon the results of careful
examinations made for the commission
of the grazing systems OF the state OF
Texas, the state of Wyoming, the
Union End Northern Pacific railroads,
and OF the Indian Office in the case OF
permits to stockmen for the use of In
dian lands suitable for grazing. and of
the grazing conditions throughout the
West. A map has been prepared show
ing the general location and area OF
She summer, winter and year-long
ranges, and the sections which are
largely dependent upon temporary
water supply for their utilization in
grazing, and those where there has
been extensive development by wells
and windmills. We believe that this
map will be found exceedingly valuable
and interesting in the consideration of
all grazing problems. and it is there
fore submitted in the appendix.
Third. Upon the results Of meet
ing called to confer with the commits
sion by the National Live Stock Asso-
citation in Denver early in August,
1904 which was attended by
the secretary of agriculture and by
representative stockmen from all the
grazing land states and territories. The
opinion of the stockmen present was
almost unanimous in favor of some ac-
ton on the part of the government
which would give the range user some
right of control by which the range
can be kept from destruction by over
crowd1ng and the controversies over
range rights can be satisfactorily elm
mated, the only question being as to
the most satisfactory method by which
such right may be obtained.
Fourth. Upon 400 answers re-
ceived to circular letter addressed to
stockmen throughout the West. These
answers show that under the present
system the pastuling value OF the
ranges has deteriorated and the carry
ing capacity of the lands has greatly
diminished; that the present condition
OF affairs Is unsatisfactory; that the
adoption OF n new system of manage
ment would insure "A better and more
permanent use of the grazing lands;
that a certain Improvement In range
conditions has already been brought
about by range control on the forest re-
serves. and that the great bulk of the
western stockmen are definitely in
favor Of government control of the
open range.
Fifth. Upon facts presented at
many public meetings held throughout
the West and upon innumerable sug-
gestions which have been received and
considered.
your commission concurs in the
opinion of the stockmen that some
form of government control is neces-
sary at once, but is opposed to the i'm
mediate 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 gradual APP
llcation to each locality OF form of
control specifically suited to that local
ity, whether 1t may be applicable to
any other locality or not. Your COM
cio,, rnnaa,, mo N dS ihnt cuII hln MI.