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

ditlons 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. Upon facts presented at many
I public meetings held throughout the West
and upon innumerable suggestions 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
Ilal application to each locality of
form of control specifically suited to
picable to any other locality or not.
Your commission recommends that suit
able authority be given TO the Presi-
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-
tions which Is absolutely necessary for the
wise solution of these problems, authority
should be given to classify and appraise
the grazing value of these lands, to ap-
point such officers as the care of each
grazing district may REQUIRE. to charge
and collect moderate fee for grazing
permits, and to make and apply definite
and 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
to be subject to entry under reasonable
regulations Notwithstanding such permit.
-- Mining Laws.
Your commission has not yet found 1t
possible to take up the extremely impor-
fu INT feet IF of a m nj ~
laws with the thorOughness which 1t de-
serves. From the evidence already sub
mitted 1t is obvious that important
changes are necessary, both in the United
States and In Alaska. The commission
hopes to treat this matter more at length
In subsequent report.
Rights of Way.
Year after year the question of rights Of
way across the public lands and reserva-
lions has been called TO the attention of
the Congress In the reports of the Secre-
tary of the Interior and the Commissioner
of the General Land Office The laws on
this subject are numerous and apparently
often incongruous. Rights of way are
granted contingent upon the execution Of
work within definite time, but decisions
and practices are now in force under
which II has become almost impossible to
divest the public lands OF the incubus Of
these rights. granted conditionally in the
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 of
this subject and will report hereafter
upon 1t.
mendation of your commission In its pre-
vtous report thereto attachedl that entry
of agricultural lands included In forest re-
serves be permitted under surveys by
directed to the recommended n which II
here renewed, that In such cases actual
residence at home on the land be rigidly
required and that no Communication be al
lowed.
Large and Small Holdings.
Detailed study Of the practical operation
Of the present land laws. particularly Of
the desert.iand act and the communication
clause Of the homestead act, shows that
their tendency far too often Is to bring
about land monopoly rather than to null
tiply small holdings by actual settlers.
have become so complicated that the set
Tier Il at d marked disadvantage In COM
parison with the shrewd business man
who aims to acquire large. properties
. premium on perjury and dishonest
methods in the acquisition Of land. II is
apparent, In consequences. that In very
many localities; and perhaps IN general.
passing into the hands Of spectators and
corporations than into those Of actual
settlers who are making homes.
This = not due to the character Of the
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