New-York tribune., 1907-06-20
PUBLIC LAND POLICY DISCUSSED.
Western Men Air Their Views and Griev-
ances and Make Suggestions

Denver. June ls-At the opening of the Public
Land Convention to-day Fred p. Johnson. sec
retary of the convention and a member OF the
general committee. announced that the work of the
committee credentials had been handicapped by
ndscrlmlnate issuing of delegates tickets and
declared that all of the work would have to he
done over, it being impossible to separate the ac-
credited delegates from others holding delegates
tickets who were not entitled them. In order to
avoid the possibility of charge that the conven-
ton is inimical 10 the administration the general
committee had intrusted to Mark Woodruff chief
Of the Pixies Peak forest reserve force tho duty
Of receiving credentials issuing tickets and bv
!nhuehdo ne was accused of attempting defeat
the purposes of the convention by ssIIing ticksts
10 supporters of the administration who were not
dcctedlteu deleSates. Every delegate was required
TO present his credentials again and get a new
ticket. " IA"
The first report of the committee On credantta,
preclpltated Il lively debate when IL was discov-
cred that the committee had given to Colorado one
VOC LOT every delegate present and for every
ueIesAte accredited, making a total of 1876 With
the other states only those present were given
votes. Murdo Mckenzie, president of the American
Nauonal Livestock Association and an adheent of
tiTSiueht hooseVeIts leasing policy. led the at
tack on the report Senator Warren seconded Nc
henzie The report referred back TO the
committee with orders TO bring In a report in ac-
cordance with the call
ample opportunity was given the delegates to
ar telr grievances regarding the regulations and
restrictions on the of the public lands enforoad
by the federal departments, and to set forth thar
views as TO the policy the government should adopt
Wer
reierred TO subcommittee Of the committee ON
resolutions, consisting Of Frank H. Porst of Calf
tornla Clarence b. Douglas. of Indian Territory:
h w. Ross, of Washington; Patrick Sullivan ~
wyoming and S. Luna, of New Mexico
The first subject to-day was Public Land
Policy. Past and Present" The discussion was
opened by Congressman Robert w Ronynge or
colorado Mr.. Bonynge said it was not in accord
with the constitution with the history of the
administration Of the law for the government to
hcld control OF large of land for an indett-
mite period The powers of the national govern
meHt. ne SAID must be found in the constitution.
Mr. BonynSe claimed that If the plan of the ad-
ministration for Withdrawing $50 100000 acres OF
and S0OCCOOO acres of grazing land is carried out
it will bar fve-sixths of the public lands from
entry.
Thomas ]. Walsh, of Montana read a paper in
which he severely criticised the withdrawal OF coal
lands and the plan of the President to lease these
lands and also the plan to lease grazing lands lie
contendcd that the government has no right TO
lease such lands, and expressed the opinion that
the forest reserve is "a burden and blight"
c. p Arnold. of Wyoming. made sarcastic
speech on the work OF the forestry reserve in
Wyoming
To Congressman Frank w. Monden OF Wyoming
had been assigned the subject THE Government
as a Landlord He traced the various steps taken
of late leading in the direction government land
lordism, and characterized President Roosevets
plan Ito provide for the government control of the
government pasture lands of the West on the same
general principles which apply the govern
nent control of the forest as the most
tremendous and sweeping grant of arbitrary power
OF peace tc sn executive officer OF the govern