The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1906-01-11

1
ton and "Reminiscences and surveys,
such as has been the history in the
great irrigation works of every other
country, there are to-day in course Of
construction, dozen huge projects,
and last June, just three years after
the law was passed, the first project
was completed.
OF Vast Import to Nation.
Secretary Hitchcock's vigorous work
in saving the public domain for home
seekers, and in bringing into prac, .cal
operation policy for the absolute
creation out of a desert nothing, OF
thousands and eventually millions OF
prosperous American homes is. in
reality the greatest work Of the gener-
alton. The actual benefit of this great
internal development and improvement
of the nations property far surpasses
the work of any other department OF
the government.
(7he folloping is Tie last PORTION offhe report
Of whose members are employed nnder Secretary
HIeAeoek, and trhose Cse1vs on land /rdEds accord
ssfh their eAiefS)
Grazing Lands.
The great bulk of the vacant public
lands throughout the West are unsuitable
for cultivation under the present known
that they can not be reclaimed by irriga-
ton. They are, and probably always must
be, of chief value for grazing: There are.
Of public grazing land, an area appro1i-
mately equal to one-fifth the extent Of the
United states proper The exact limits
can not be set, for with seasonal changes
iar nf w
grazing one year are almost desert In an
other. There are also vast tracts Of wood
ed or timbered land in which grazing has
classification of the public lands is made
it will be impossible to give with exact
ness the total acreage. The extent Is so
volved so great as to demand in the high
est degree the wise and conservative ham
ding of these vast resources.
1t Is a matter of the first Importance to
know whether these grazing lands are be-
ing used in the best way possible for the
continued development Of the country or
whether they are being abused under.
velopment and by which the only present
value Of the land Is being rapidly de-
stroyed.
theoretically open commons, free to all
citizens; but as mater of fact a large
proportion have been parceled out by more
or less de definite eompacts or agreements
agreements are continually being violated.
The sheepmen and cattlemen are in FREE
quent collision because of incursions upon
years has been regarded as exclusively
cattle range may be infringed upon BY
large bands Of sheep. forced by drought
quentfy 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 satis-
rp no nd hnfv
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
tons OF shifting interests
the general lack Of control In the use Of
public grazing lands has resulted, natu.
the ruin Of misDs Of acres & .therw ane
valuable grazing territory. Lands useful
for grazing are losing their only capacity
for pro cSa as, q course. they
1t is not yet too late to restore the value
of many OF the open ranges. Lands app
parently denuded of vegetation have Inn
upon coming under any system OF control
which affords means Of preventing over.
stocking and Of applying Intelligent man
the VALUABLE s forage p sSms lha nave
been utterly extirpated. and It Is imprac.
ttcable even to reseed them. On other
tracts Il vii Be possible, by careful man
to recover their vigor and to distribute
seeds, which will eventually restore much
Of the former heritage. Prompt and effect
i've action must be taken, however, II the
value Of very much of the remaining pub
lie domain Is not to be totally lost.
The conclusions as to grazing reached
by your commission were based:
First. Upon the results Of long acQuain-
lance with graxing problems In the public.
land States on the part OF each member
Of your commission.
eecond Upon m roaplfs Of carsful N.