The Glenwood post., 1907-03-02
VARIOUS OPINIONS
OF STOCK MEN
Some Later News From the BdSdlt
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Passed
bV Cdttiemen Elsewhere


ing of stockmen held at Basalt on last
Friday was success so far as mem
bers and interest go. There were So
people in the hall when President
Light raped for oder and more
came in later. The resolutions,
which were prepared in advance, wer 3
of the same general character as those
passed at Rifle except that they were
more elaborate.
There was the customary oratory by
the usual speakers but all were good
natured. In listening to the familiar
arguments advanced one was almost
forced to wish that harry Koch or
Gene Grubb were present to furnish a
target and enliven the proceedings a
bit. In their absence Fred Morrell
of the forest service was asked to give
the government side of the question,
which he did as we'll as possible con
sidering the lively bombardment with
questions.
When it came to the agreement to
refuse to take ont grazing permits
committee of two was appointed to
pass through the audience and secure
signatures to this agreement.
The agreement was quite indis-
criminately signed, railroad men,
laborers and newspaper men having
La mi iprr hair
signatures with those of the stock
men.
At this time N R. Downey of
Peachblow left the room. declaring he
would not sign the paper but that he
would take permit and pay for it as
heretofore. He was told by one of
the committeeman. SO he says, that he
must sign the agreement or he would
be expelled from the association, and
when the reporter saw Downey on the
streets he was wondering if this could
still be called free country.
Another member VINO has refused to
wear halter fashi oned by any asso
citation, is 8. p Sloss secretary of the
nOdTIuR OEh dsSOCldllol. NIL kolo5S
resents the collection of the fee just as
much as do his associates, believing
that until congress has spoken and
given absolute authority for the col
lection of such fee it should not be at
tempted by the forestry department.
Price says it may be all right for
Fred Light, who is eight miles from
a forest reserve in one direction and
three miles in another, to take on a
defiant air and refuse to pay the fee
if be chooses to do so but Mr.. Sloss,
who is one of the most successful
stockmen of this county, says he can
not afford such an experiment and
will take his permit as usual not
withstand;ng the action of the asso
citation of which he is secretary.
MI Sloss says. however, that he
will pay his full share of any expense
necessary IN defending any Of his as
sociates who may be arresetd for vic.
lating the government provisions.
Jim Dalton, treasurer of the associ
alton, who has charge cf the Ham
merich ranch, remarked just after the
meeting that he mad signed the agree
ment against his conscience, and that
he was not certain what he would do
about it.
The most indifferent people at these
meetings are the forestry officials,
who as rule maintain silence unless
called upon for their views. They are
paid for doing their work and it is of
little consequence to them what the
cattlemen may choose to do. The
policy of the department is 10 CO.
possible, but if this CO. operation can
not be secured they go right along
with their work as though nothing
had happened.
Besides there is no fear that the re-
serves will not be filled. Almost
every supervisor in Colorado has ap-
plications from outside cattlemen who
are anxious to turn their herds on
Colorado's good grazing territory, and
are more than willing to pay the fee.
But there is one thing about the for
estry system-it is an absolute pro,
lection to the home people-the peo,
pie near the reserves. True, there
may have been occasional violations
ofssthis rule, but these are rare indeed
and the parties responsible have
suffered the penalty for non compl-
ance with the department rules. The
Post learns that it is the policy OF
the department to fill the reserves to
the apportioned number and if local
people do net wish a place on the
reserves outside or transient applica
tions will be considered and these will