The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-05-26
INSURE STABILITY Of STOCK INDUSTRY
CONTROVERSY Between SHEEP
AND CATTLE MEN SOON BE
At AN END.

national forest reserves, the question
has arisen whether the same or some
similar policy might not be applied to
the open 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 lacol conditions
has been recognized. Rules occasioning
needless hardship to stockmen have
been modified, and emergencies de-
promptly met.
When a new reserve has been pro-
lowed to remain during the first year;
it, afterwards, this number is found to
range, it is gradually reduced. Stock
men are aided in effecting a 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 vicinity of
the ranges are given such preference
in the allotment of grazing privileges
as will protect their interests. First
occupants of the range and formers
owning improved lands adjacent are
also preferred. The rights of large own
ers 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.
When necessary, the construction of
drift or division fences is also allowed,
provided the area fenced is not greater
than the needs of the stock owner.
Outside the forest reserves however,
is an area of public land, estimated at
| 400, 100000 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 it's use,
and the result has been abuse of the
range. Millions of acres have been
recklessly overgrazed and practically
| ruined. In his last annual message, the
president says: ut is probable that the
present grazing value of the open pub
lie range is scarcely more than half
| what it once was or what it might cas-
lily be again under careful regulation"
Some stOckmen have to the exclusion
of others, possessed themselves Of the
strategic positions-that is, the lands
controlling the streams. springs, and
other watering places, and by this
means have Secured temporary control
Of the adjoining grazing lands. Charges
Of fraudulent entry have led to litiga-
ton. Great areas have been illegally
fenced. Again, stock owners, notably
sheep and cattle men, have defended
their conflicting claims by 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 governing
the forest reserves. This conclusion is
strengthened not only by the success
attending the forest reserve policy, but
also by the effect of fencing the public
grazing lands. Though illegal. this
fencing has in most cases greatly i'm
proved the condition of the area In
to avoid the application Of sweeping
and ironclad regulations to an area so
vast and to conditions so different. The
investigations of the public land COM
| mission show that immediate applica-
ton of any inflexible rule to all graz
ing lands alike, regardless of local con-
| ditions or grazing values. would be dis
| astrous, and that improvement must be
sought through the gradual introduce
| ton into each locality of such form OF
control as is specifically suited to It.
| In his message, already referred TO-
| the president says:
1.-The best use of the public grazing
lands requires the careful examination
and classification Of these lands in or
der to give each settler land enough