The San Francisco call., 1907-02-12
CATTLE AND SHEEP
GROWERS HEARD
Senate Committee Takes
Up Matter of Charging
Small Fee for Grazing
VIEWS OF ROOSEVELT

WASHINGTON, Feb 1l-Govern-
ment policy in regard to the control of
grazing lands in the public domain and
the interests Of large and small cattle
men and the sheepmen and the effect
OF protection Of stockmen on the home
steaders were considered today at a
public hearing before the Senate COM
mittee on agriculture.
The hearing was had on an amend
ment by Senator Burkett of Nebraska
TO the agricultural appropriation bill
.authOrizing the Secretary of Agricul-
~tUre TO district the unreserved land and
collect reasonable fees for grazing. The
cattiemen We're represented by mem
bers Of the American National Live
stock Association, who favored the
measure, while the sheepmen, repre-
scented by members Of the National
Wool Growers Association. opposed it.
During the proceedings a letter from
President Roosevelt addressed TO Sen
ator Warren was read. II indorsed
general control by the Government Of
grazing lands, but insisted upon the
protection Of the homesteaders. and ar
raigned the sheepmen severely
The csttlemen and sheepmen criti-
cised each other and defended their
own motives The cattlemen made no
defense OF the charges that they had
been violators Of the law. and the
sheepmen asserted that it was neces-
ssry for fencers of public lands TO
make their peace with the Government
for they would be convicted if ever
brought TO trial"
After a number Of cattlemen were
heard, DR.. J. NJ. Wilson OF Douglas. as
the spokesman for the National Wool
Growers Association. OF which Senator
Warren is president opposed the
amendment Wilson said that to turn
loose an army OF special agents 10 en-
force the proposed law would be to in
The Presidents letter TO Senator
Warren follows:
White House, Washington, Feb. II. 1907.
Ny Dear Senator Warren; In accordance with
our recent conversation, am very ekld 70 send
you this short statement OF my position regard
1ug Government control Of range. am fully
IN accord with your view that the local control
OF the range should be in the hands Of Western
men familiar with stock raising and 1 believe
in fun local participation in the management Of
range land OF course you must not divide
the responsibility 10 point where you can hold
10 one responsible. but cooperation between the
stockmen and the Governments officers is alb
soutely essential
The grazing fees should be small. especially 50
at first. ] am not anxious that the Government
public range, but only enough 70 pay for ad-
ninistrston and Improvement. and any surplus
might well 60 TO the States and Territories in
which the fees are collected
As soon as bin for range control is passed
It goes without saving that such control should
not pc taken nurriedly, but gradually, as grazing
districts can be organized There is one prime
essential in this policy Of range control-the
homestsader must be protected in his rights 10
create a home for his family. and he must have
whatever range rights are necessary for that
purpose
1t is unlawful at present to fence the public
domain. All fences unlawfully maintained viii
be taken down. Unless Congress takes action
10 legalize reasonable and necessary fencing
through Government control of the range there
will be & very serious loss TO sfockmen through
out the West. whose business In very many
cases cannot be conducted without fencing. and
This loss VIII often fail hardest on the small
I cannot consent to clause continuing for
year, or for any length Of time, the present
illegal fencing.
The utmost, VIII consent to, 50 far as my
power extends in the matter Of legislation, is
10 continue such fences as in my judgment il is
right and proper FOR me TO continue. Ny first
IS for the homesteader and the small stock
man. The opposition have 10 our proposal
Craze wandering noeks OF sheep ana Who do
not promote the real settlement Of the country.
These men are the men whose interests are
Numerically hostile 10 those of hthe home
maker. who wish 70 eat OUT and destroy the
country where he desires permanence 70 live. and
who. when they have thus ruined the land Of
the homesteader and small stockmsn. move else
where TO repeat the process of devastation.
Many OF the sheepmen who are permanent dwell
ers sympathize with our movement. Others. un-
fortunately, sympathlze with their nomadlc
brothers, The ultimate result Of whose actions is
70 destroy the country
1t must be distinctly understood that the
amendment TO the proposed measure for Gov
eminent control Is opposition aimed at the IN
reresrs Of the homemaker. OF the homestesder,
OF the small stOckman. Of the large stockmen
who desires that the country shall become bet
ter and not worse. and that It is in the inter
ests Of those who think that in continuing the
present system they viii he able 10 monopoliZe
who are quite indifferent as TO whether in the
long run they destroy IL Sincerely yours.