Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-01-19

'~eutlons-hA5 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
Iscontrol or the open range
Fifth. Upon facts presented at MANY
pubic meetings held throughout the West
and upon innumerable sugges tons which
nave been received and considered.
! Your commission concurs in the epinion
CT the stockmen that some form of gov
ernment 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
ual application to each locality of a
form OF control specifically suited TO
that locality, whether it may be APP
plicable to any other locality or not.
Your commission recommends that suit
able authority be given to the Pres-
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
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
permits, and to make and apply definite
and appropriate regulations to each graz
ling 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
Mining Laws.
Your commission has not yet found It
possible to take up the extremely impor
kn. Of ANAFr
laws with the thoroughness which it de-
Serves. From the evidence already SUBJ
United it is obvious. that important
changes are necessary, both in the United
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-
ions has been called to the attention of
he Congress in the reports of the Secre-
ary of the Interior and the Commissioner
bf the General Land Office. The laws on
his subject are numerous and apparently
bitten homogeneous. Rights of way are
granted contingent upon the execution of
work within definite time, but decisions
md practices are now in force under
which II has become almost impossible to
iyast the public lands of the incubus of
hese rights, granted conditionally in the
irst place, but still In existence although
Rights such as these are very numerous.
hey 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
erious hindrance of new enterprises.
our commission is engaged on a study of
his subject and will report hereafter
pon 1t.
Attsatier Is called again to the recon-.
hendation of your commission in its pre-
inns rppOrt thereto Attnphp6) that entry
agricultural lands included In forest re-
erves be permitted under surveys by
netes and bounds. and special emphasis is
Erected to the recommendation, which Is
ere renewed, that in such cases actual
esdence at home on the land be rigidly
equired and that no communication be al
bwed.
- Large and Small Holdings.
Detailed study of the practical operation
the present land laws, particularly of
10 desert-land act and the Communication
ause OF the homestead act, shows that
bout land monopoly rather than to null
ply small holdings by actual settlers.
he land laws, decisions, and practices
I'VE become so complicated that the set
II Is at q marked disadvantage in COM
rlson with the shrewd business man
DO aims to acquire large properties.
Il infrequently their effect Is to put
premium on perjury and dishonest
pparent, in consequence. that in very
any localities, and perhaps in general
larger proportion of the public land is
ssing into the hands Of spectators and
operations than into those OF actual
tiers who are making homes.
This is not due to the character Of the
nd In all parts OF the United States
own to your Commission where such
-ge holdings are being acquired the
nuine homesteader Is prospecting along-j