The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-02-01
TO LEASE GRAZING LAND
Senator eurkett's Bill AS a Solution.
Refers to Western Nebraska

Senator Burkett's Bill AS a Solution
Refers to Western Nebraska
Following is the text of a bill which
has been introduced In the United
States senate by Senator Burkctt rel
alive TO solution of the public graz
ing lands of western Nebraska and
other states, which have been lately
the scene of warfare wagcd by Sccrc
tary Hitchcock of the interior depart
mcnt. The bill was read twice and
then referred to the committee on
public lands The bill reads:
Providing for the control Of grazing
upon the public lands in the arid states
and territories of the United States.
Whereas there are approximately
four hundred million acres Of public
lands which yield no revenue to the
government or the states, and the larg-
or part of which under present condi-
lions Is not suitable for cultivation,
nor located so that 1t can be reclaimed
by irrigation nor valuable for timber
or mineral, but useful only for pastur-
ing live stock; and
Whereas there is no authoritative
grazing upon the public lands, and
this area is not being used to the best
interests of the people, nor under "A
system which secures its full grazing
value, but is being used In way which
destroys to a large extent the turf
grass, and forage upon the land, ana
Whereas there is no law to prevent
ovcrcrOwding of the public range nor
to authorize occupancy thereof for
which reasons no incentive exists to
protect and improve the range or tO|
establish permanent business there
on, and many controversies arise, re-
sulting both in loss Of life and dcstruC
ton OF property; and
Whereas to safeguard their business
interests ana improve both the quality
of the stock and the condition Of the
range it is necessary in many local.
ties for stockmon to secure the right
of exclusive use of the range by fcnc-
ing; and
Whereas grazing on the public lands
is a valuable privilege protected by
federal and state laws, and therefore
it is fair and equitable that persons al.
lowed a definite use of the public
lands should pay fair price for such
privilege and for the protection given
them; and
Whereas it is essential that home
stealing of these lands be encouraged
where practicable by assurance to the
hOmesteader of reasonable grazing ia
cilities for such number of stock as is
necessary to consume the products of
his agricultural lands; and
Whereas the secretary of agricul-
ture is already charged with the SAM
tary protection of live stock and its
movement from one state to another,
also with experimental investigations
to preserve and improve the forage.
and to propagate grasses and forage
plants suitable to improve grazing con
ditions upon the public lands, and with
the administration of forest-reserve
grazing lands adjacent to and inter
spersed with the public lands herein
mentioned; and
Whereas the administration OF the
forest reserves by the department of
agriculture under the present system
of permitting grazing thereon protects
the growth of grass and other forage,
encourages and aids the permanent es-
tabishment of the livestock business
thereon, gives such opportunity to the
use thereof as is most beneficial to
the public, and encourages rather than
retards the establishment of homes
and the permanency of business; and
Whereas the application of a similar
system to the grazing of the public
lands is to the public interest: Now,
therefore. in order to secure the OBJ
jects and benefits hereinabove set
forth, to obtain a revenue from the
use of the honorable public lands, to
control grazing upon the public range,
to protect and improve the forage, to
recognize and protect range equities,
and to encourage the establishment of
homes and the permanency of bust
ness:
Be it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives of the United
States of America in congress assem-
bled that the president of the United
States is hereby authorized to estab-
fish from time to time, by proclama.
ton, grazing districts upon the unre-
served, unappropriated public lands of
the United States. Thereupon, the
secretary of agriculture, under rules
and regulations prescribed by him,
shall execute or cause to be executed
the provisions OF this act and all other
laws affecting the grazing or use of
public lands within such grazing dis
tricts, except such laws as affect the
surveying, prospecting, locating, APP
propriating, entering, relinquishing,
reconveying, certifying, or patenting
of any lands within such grazing
districts; appoint all officers neces.
sary for their administration and
protection; regulate their use for graz.
ing purposes; protect them from dep
relation and injury; restore and i'm
prove their grazing value issue per.
mits to Craze live stock thereon for
periods of not more than ten years,