The Ordway new era., 1906-01-05

l9O3, TO report upon Ine icohuitioh, op-
eration and effect Of the present land
laws, and to recommend such changes
as are nee ded to effect the largest prac-
ticai disposition of the public lands to
actual settlers who will build perma-
nent homes upon them. and to secure
in permanence the fullest and most ef-
fective use OF the resources OF the pub
lie lands"
This commission consists Of w. A.
Richards, commissioner OF the General
Land ONCE; +. II. Newell. chief engi-
netr 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:
"The conclusions AZ to grazing
reached by your commission were
based:
First. Upon the results of long &C.
Quaintance with apaZing problems In
the public.land states on the part OF
each member OF your commission.
Second, = Ubon the results OF careful
examinations made for the commission
Of the xrazinGsystems OF the state OF
Texas. the state of Wyoming. the
Union and Northern Pacific railroads.
and u the Indian ofiice 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 andsarea OF
the summer, winter and year-long
ranges, and the sections which are
LARGELY detendent upon a tetporary
water supply for their utilization In
grazing, and those where there has
been extensive development by wells
and windmills. We believe that TINS
man. will be found exceedingly valuable
and interesting in the consideration OF
all Kraxing problems. and 1t Is there
fore submitted in the appendix.
Third. Upon the results OF a 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 Ds
the secretary Of agriculture and by
representative stockmen from all Ine
grazing-l,,nd states and territories. Inc
opinion OF the stockmep present was
almost unanimous In favor OF some nc
tion 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
crowding and the controversies over
range rights can be satisfactorily elm
mated. the ,opIy question being as to
the most satisfactory method by whicn
such right may be obtained.
Fourth. Upon 1,40O answers re
cetyed to a circular letter addressed to
stockmen throughout the West: These
answers show that under the present
system the pasturtng value OF the
ranges has deterlorated and the carry
ing capacity of the lands has greatly
diminished; that the present condition
of. AFFAIRS is unsatisfactory; that the
adoption of a new system Of manage
men. would insure u better and more
permanent use VI the grazing iands
that n certain improvement In range
conditions has already been. brought
about by range control on the forest re
serves, ard that the,s great bulk Of the
veste m stockmen hre definitely II
fsycr OF government control OF the
open range.,
"Fifth. Upon facts presented a
many public meetings held Throughout
the West and upon innumerable sug
gestions WHICH have been received ant
considered.
"Your commission concurs In the
opinion OF .ttei .stockmen that some
! form OF government control Is neces
sary at once. but is opposed to the I'M
mediate application of any dehnitt
pian to all Of the grazing lands aiike
regardless of local conditions or actua
grazing value. IA, The following plan IL
intended to bring about the gradual ap
lication to each locality OF form O.
control specifically suited to that local
ity. whether 1t may be applicable tt
any other locality or not. Your com
mission recommends. that suitable a,i
| thority be given to the President to Sc
| aside. by proclamation, certain grazint
| districts or reserves. To the secretar,
of agriculture, In whosa department II
| found the special acquaintance will
range conditions audi livestock ques
lions which Is absolutely necessary fol
the wise solutiAh OF these problems
authority should be given to classif.
and appraise the krAsfHg value Of these
lands, to appoint such officers as thu
| care Of each grazing district may re
| auire. to charge and collect a moderate
| fee for grazing permits. and to make
| and apply definite and appropriate reg
| ulations to each grazing- district
These regulations should be framed
and, applied with special reference Il
bffneiMR about the largest permanen
occupation Of the country by actual set
tiers and home seekers. All land GOV
! cred by Nny permit SO given shoult
| continuSAo be subject to entry tu1del
| reasonable regulations notwithstand
ing such permit"
Regulation Of Grazing.
Following ARE the recommendation
1 OF the dpmriSstiou: 4
| 1. Pbllc lands IN the arid LIANT
| states ~ be ooQupiea for grazing pur
| poser under government permits only
u The government permit .systen
4 10 n but INTO e9ect - any area oul.
Nhse 'sue6 asst iiss Nithir erasin!