The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-01-23
SHEEPMEN IN SESSION.
National Woolgrowers' Association
Will Meet In Helena Next Year.

VIII Meet IN 0elena Next year.
SALT LAKE, Jan. 19.-The conven.
tion Of the National Woolgrowers'
association. which has been in session
here for the past three days, adjourned
tonight, after electing its old officers,
with one exception, to serve another
term, passing resolutions urging leg.
islative action favorable to the sheep
industry, choosing Helena for its next
meeting place after q spirited contest
and getting on better terms than ever
before with the forestry department.,
through Clifford Pinchot, the chief
forester of the United States.
The report OF the committee on reso-
lutions commends the general policy
of the government in conserving the
forests, but adviseslremedying the ad-
ministration of the rules in many in.
stances. The creation of forest re-
serves in regions where there are no
forests and none can be Gre eated,
thereby Withdrawing good grazing
lands, is protested against.
A, committee of western stockmen is
asked for to meet the land commission
in the near future, to urge 1.-THE defer.
ring of government control:of the pub.
lie domain until the forest reserve
policy is more definitely settled and to
discuss the fairest wayt.of treating
clashing interests on the :public do.
main.
The present fee charged for grazing
sheep on forest reserves is declared
to be excessive, being greater lin pro.
portion to food consumed to that OF
cattle.
An equitable division :ofi forest re-
serve grazing ground between sheep
and cattle is demanded, with allotted
districts for different classes of stock,
where practicabl
The present importsduties on wool,
wooden fabrics, hides, meat and meat
| animals are unqualihedly indorsed
and emphatic opposition is voiced to
any legislation tending. to disturb
present conditions in the wool and
| livestock industry of the United
States.
The committee asks that Il committee
of livestock men be appointed to con.
fer with committee of railroad mer
and devise means Tor better car serv
ice: that the two committees choose {
committee from their number to mee
with the interstate commerce commits
sion to discuss the establishment O.
rates and other arrangements between
the stockmen and the roads. The bu
reau of animal industry is asked t
place men in the field to see that stOcl
IN transit Is furnished with proper
food and water and that all yards no
suitable for the unloading of sheer
are condemned. A law requiring
railroads handling livestock to main
tain speed limit of not less than L
miles an hour, including stops, il
favored.
Other resolutions provided for tn
support of an official organ by tn
convention and for the urging of
law against the manufacture IN of shodd,
and adulterated woolen goods.
The convention adopted q resolu
tion suggesting amendments to q bill
introduced in the senate by Senate
Burkett. authorizing the president Il
esta blish grazing districts in the pub
lie domain. The convention reg ard
this as an usurpation Of state author
ity and would have the authorit,
given to the president in the bill di
vided between the president and th
state authorities.