The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-02-21
No Modification of POI
icy Regarding Pub
lie Domain.
Frauds by Cattlemen and
Others to Be Prose-
Cuted.
President Strong Sup
porter of Uncompro-
missing Attitude.

The great number OF Western live
stock men who have been IN the city re-
Gently TO make themselves heard on the
BGrRett bill for leasing OF the grazing
privileges on the public lands have been
given the most direct and comfortless
assurance that after March the Hitch
cock policies Of conducting the public
domain viii he continued without in
terruption or essential change.
Under Mr.. Garfield there is to be no
modification or the policies which have
eliminated In a great number OF pros
ecuJ:ons. and a determined insistcnce
on the enforcement OF law throughout
the public domain. The frauds by which
a small number OF cattle barOns have
monopolized in large part the grazing
lands, by which the gigantic lumber cor
poraions have secured so much Of the
forests OF the inter mountain country,
by which the coal companies under con-
troll OF the railroads have been able 10
monopolize the coal business Of many
States, and by which the Guggenheim
Mining and Smelling trust is now alleg-
I'd TO be working itself into domination
Of the mining interests, are 10 be pur-
sued as vigorously as ever
SlOCk Men DlScOrSO ate.
Illegal fences must come down and
stay down. The huge nocks OF sheep
that have been driven about the public
domain, owned by men so rich and
powerful that they have often ke-u
able even 10 control State Legislatures,
viii have TO be subjected 10 the land
laws OF the nation.
Such Is the policy. notice OF which
was served on the stockmen IN the
most distinct terms. The attacks that
have been made in the Senate and elsc-
where on the Hitchcock regime will
have no effect
While there has been no vigorous de-
Tense on the floor or the Senate. the
President, In a message, emphaticalIy
approved the policy Of Secretary HIGH
cock. Mr.. Roosevelt called on Congress
for an appropriation more effectively to
carry on this war He gave enectual
notice to the 5tockmen that he was IN
desperate earnest. and would not cease
until this long-standing method Of en-
riChing few individuals at the expense
OF the people is ended. regardless of
financial and political Influences.
Users Must Pay.
he declared that those who use pub
&c lands should pay for their use and
enjoy them on terms fixed by the Gov
eminent, not by the might OF powerful
stockmen. who frequently enforce their
terms with WincheSters, and that lands
must be opened for homestead purposes.
Among the men who came 10 see
what would be done at this Congress is
c. w. Merchant, who owns some Is 900
head OF cattle on the range in New
Mexico He mas been in the cattle bust
neSs for forty years. and left Texas
VIII his herds when the State finally
won Its struggle with the free-grass cat
tlemeu. Colonel Merchant takes prac-
teal view OF the question, based on his
Texas experience. He says the Govern
ment Will surely win in the fight. be-
cause il is right; that President Roose-
welt has~the support OF the great masses
OF the people Of the plains and the West
IN general. and that while the stOCkmen
have powerful influences. they cannot
hope to stem the tide for the demand OF
nliblfc lands