East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-02-04

Dan p. Smythe of this city, has
been honored by being appointed by
President Roosevelt as a member of
a committee of seven which is to meet
in Washington on the nth inst. to
confer with the public lands commits
sion regarding the Burkett bill now
before the senate. The following tel
egram notifying him of his appoint
ment, was received by Mr.. Smythe
several days ago:
Washington, D. C., Jan 80.
Dan Smythe, Pendleton. Ore.
The American National Livestock
association and the National Wool
growers association at their recent
conventions at Denver and Salt Lake,
asked that / select a committee of
stockmen to confer with the public
lands commission as to the most
equitable and effective method OF
controlling, protecting and improving
the public range. VIII you act as a
member of this committee and meet
the commission in Washington Feb
ruary 117
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Mr.. Smythe has accepted the ap-
pointment and is intending leaving
for Washington in time to attend the
conference. Before going east he
will spend several days in Salem in
the interests of the bill that Repre-
sentative Slusher has introduced at
the instance OF the sheepmen of the
state.
Would Lease Ranges.
The object Of the Burkett bill. s.
1918. Is to provide for the leasing OF
the government Hands outside of the
forest reserves. It is entitled "a bill
providing for the control of grazing
upon the public lands in the arid
states and territories OF the United
States" On January II was read
twice and referred to the committee
on public lands. Ry the terms of the
bill leasing permits are to be grant
ed for periods OF not more than 10
years, and the prices to be paid are
left with the department. Stockmen
using the ranges without permits shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and subject to a fine of not more than
800 nor less than $40. or by impris-
onment from 10 days to one year, or
both at the discretion of the court.
Stockmen Object.
At the recent meeting OF the Ma
tional woolgrowers' association held
in Salt Lake the following resolution
regarding the bill was passed:
''whereas, A bill has been introduc-
ed In the United States senate by
bill 1918. which authorizes tho presi-
dent of the United States to establish
from time to time, by proclamation,
grazing districts upon the public lands
Of the United States; and
Whereas, We believe said bill to not
he specific enough In some of its
terms and provisions, and does not
make due allowance for the mag
nitude and variety of the interests
and conditions involved, and finally,
will confer. IL enacted, upon the de-
partment and bureau administrative
officers certain powers practically
legislative, and further does not make
any provision whereby the various
states interested may have a voice in
the administration thereof; therefore,
he It
"Resolved, BY the 43d annual con-
venton of the National Woolgrowers'
association assembled. that we insist
that IL such n law be passed it be
under joint government and state
control of the unreserved and unap-
pointed lands of the United States;
we view with jealous alarm any in
novation that threatens to throw our
affairs into confusion and which may
dcplive us of any voice in the man
agement of our grazing privileges. Be
It further
"Resolved That we respectfully
protest against the proposed senate
bin No. 1918 and urgently request the
president of the United States to ap-
point a commission of livestock men,
representative of the grazing inter-
ests which will be affected by the
proposed legislation, which said COM
mission shall he authorized to confer
and act with the present government
land commission with view to sug-
gesting and formulating such amend
ments to said proposed law as may be
deemed wise and proper, and for the
best interests of those concerned. Be
It further
"Resolved, That the secretary of