Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-06-08
GRAZING UPON
THE RESERVES
THE PERMIT SYSTEM Is NOW IN
SUCCESSFUL OPERATION
THERE.


THERE.
Washington, D. c., June Now
that the government grazing policy is
in successful operation on the national
forest reserves, the question has arts.
en- whether the same or some similar
policy might not be applied to the op-
en- 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 permitted.
Happily, these restrictions have thus
far met with general approval.
From the first, the Importance of fit
ting the regulations to local conditions
has been recognized. Rules occasion
ing needless hardship to stockmen
have been modified, and emergencies
demanding instant action have been
promptly met.
When a new reserve has been pro-
claimed all stock grazing upon it is al
lowed to remain during the first year;
If, afterwards, this number is found to
be too great for the resources of the
range, it is gradually reduced. Stock
men are aided in effecting satisfac-
tory distribution of their stock upon
the range and in securing from it the
most profitable and permanent use.
Small stock owners living in the vi
cinity of the reserves are given such
preference in the allotment of graz.
ing privileges as will protect their in
terests. First occupants of the range
and farmers owning improved lands
adjacent are also preferred. The rights
of large owners based upon the range
custom of the past are recognized, and
reductions in the number of their stock
are required only when necessary to
protect the range or the grazing rights
of bona fide settlers.
Necessary range divisions between
owners of different kinds of stock are
made, and controversy between sheep
men and cattlemen is promptly ended.
Where necessary, the construction of
drift or division fences is also allowed
provided the area fenced is not great.
er than the needs of the stock owner.
Outside the forest reserves, however,
is an area of public land estimated at
40O.O00,00O acres, which has no present
value except for grazing purposes. On
this land grazing is wholly unrestrain.
ed by law. Commercial interests, great
and small, have competed for its use,
and the result has been abuse of the
range. Millions of acres have been reck-
lessly overgrazed and practically ruin
ed. In his last annual message the
president says: ut is probable that
the present grazing value of the public
range is scarcely more than half what
it once was or what it might easily
be again under careful regulation"
Some stockmen have, to the exclusion
Of others, possessed themselves of the
strategic positions is, the lands
controlling the streams, springs and
other watering places, and by this
means have secured temporary con-
troll of the adjoining lands. Great
areas have been illegally fenced.
Charges of fraudulent entry have led
to litigation. Again stock owners, not
ably sheep and cattle men, have de-
Tended their conflicting claims by the
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 govern
ing the forest reserves. This conclu-
sion is strengthened not only by the
success attending the forest reserve
policy, but also by the effect of fenc-
ing the public grazing lands. Though
illegal, this fencing has in most cases
greatly improved hte condition of the
area inclosed. Care, however, must be
taken to avoid the application of
sweeping and ironclad regulations to
an area so vast and to conditions SO
different. The Investigations of the
Public Lands Commission show that
immediate application of any inflex
IDLE rule to all grazing lands alike, re-
CARELESS of local conditions or graz
ing 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 suited to it.
In his message, already referred to-
the president says: "The best use
of the public grazing lands requires
the careful examination and classifi
cation of these lands in order to give
each settler land enough to support
his family and no more. While this
work is being done, and until the lands
are settled. the government should
take control of the open range, under
reasonable regulations suited to loca
needs, following the general policy al
ready in successful operation on the
forest reserves"
Should the policy thus suggested be
established by law. great good would