East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-03-16
ON GRAZING LANDS
PUBLIC LAND COMMITS
SIONER ISSUES REPORT.
Oregon Stockmen TO the Number of
IS Answer Questions as to Condi-
ton and Treatment-Ovr 100
Replies From HOO Letters Sent
Out by the Commission.

Oregon stockmen to the number of
IS have written personal letters to
the public land commission appointed
by the president some time ago to
investigate public land and range
conditions.
The commission sent out 400 let
ters to western stockmen and receiv-
ed in reply about 100 personal let
ters all written with care and giving
detailed answers to questions asked
by the commission. In these 100
replies the commission has secured a
fair expression of public sentiment on
the matter of leasing range to private
owners and will act accordingly.
The questions asked in the letter of
commission were in regard to the
best method of handling the
public range, causes of the deteriora-
ton of the range. best method of re-
viving run down ranges and the best
method of insuring a permanent sup
ply of Grass on the range areas of the
west.
The East Oregonian has just re-
ceived from Senator Gearin a copy of
the report of the public land commits
sion on range leasing, giving detailed
facts of the progress of the work of
the commission. This report can be
secured by writing to either Senators
Fulton or Gearin at Washington, and
is a valuable study for stockmen who
are interested in the subject of ranges
and public lands. The report is ac-
companied by colored maps showing
the relative area of range and tillable
lands in the western states and is a
valuable addition to the library of
the stockmen.
In answer to the question, Has the
range improved or deteriorated in
Oregon recently?" 6S oregon stock
men answered "deteriorated," and 90
answered improved"
In answer to the question What,
in your opinion, is the most practical
method for the proper control and
| permanent Improvement of the pub
lie range in Oregon" 3S Oregon
stockmen answered individual pas
lures" 80 answered community di-
vision of ranges" one answered "the
! development of water" u answered
"sell the grazing lands" four an
swered irrigation and cultivation
and one answered "imit the grazing
season"
In answer to the question, "Ii
range has been diminished has it been
due to overstocking or to the man.
ner of handling stock?" SO answered
"overstocking, five drought" II
excessive sheep grazing" 16 answered
methods of handling stock" five
answered premature grazing" anC
five settlement"
In answer to the question, do yol
favor government control of th'
ranges under reasonable regulations
81 oregon stockmen answered yes,
four answered no." and three lef
the question unanswered.
The report deals at length with tn
forest reserve policy of the govern
ment as a means of improving range
by limiting the number of stock OF
certain areas and by preventln
= premature grazing by fixing the dat
of admission of stock late enough 1
the spring to insure no damage t
growing and tender GRASS.
Irrigation is also treated as a facto
in range improvement and better
ment by furnishing winter feed 70
, stockmen, thus preventing heavy wir
ter grazing on land that is overstocb
/ ! ed during the summer season.
r The East Oregonian urges all stoci
l n
cial title is Grazing Lands" an
either of the oregon senators wi
send a copy on request.