The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-06-21
WEST OPPOSED
TO ANY CHARGE
Existing Land Laws Satisfac-
tory and Should Not Be
RuthIesSIy Violated.
END OF DENVER MEETING
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS IN
THE MINORITY.

Denver. June 2o.-The first public land
convention ever held came TO an end late
this afternoon with the adoption of a Sc
ries of resolutions which were not so rad
zeal as expected letter was receiV ed
from President Roosevelt and was fea-
ture of the days session. The resolution
over which there was the most dispute
read:
we oppose any change in the existing
Law and customs as to grazing livestock
upon the public domain, outside of forest
reserves"
UnaIterabiy Opposed to Change.
The resolutions say that experience has
demonstrs ted the wisdom or the policy OF
treating the lands of the nation as pub
lie trust, to be disposed of in all cases
and wherever possible to actual settlers.
The people of the west are unalterably op-
posed to any change in this wholesome
and beneficial policy. Forest reserves
should only be created where they do not
infringe this policy. In all cases the rights
Of the states ana the people of the states
TO the free and unhampeTed use OF al
waters within forest reservations should
not only be permitted but encouraged, and
no charge should be imposed thereon. me
necessity of forest reservations Is recog-
nized by this convention and reasonable
regulations by the government commend
co. The resolution, however, faVorS the
prompt elimination from forest reserVa-
lions of all lands not timbered or suitable
TO conserve the flow of streams used for
irrigation.
Reports Under Oath.
IL is especially urged that the reports
of special and secret service agents of the
land department and of the department of
agriculture. shall be made under oath. 4
modification of any existing orders which
prevent bona fide filings on any of the
public coal lands is demanded The ma
tional irrigation law is heartily endorsed.
It is asked that congress legislate ap-
propriately with respect to school lands
in reservations so that each state de-
prived of these lands may receive it's full
quota of lands or its equivalent, for the
purpose for which they were originally in
tended.
1t is finally demanded that in states
wherein forest reserves are situated and
not desired and are excessive. the reserva-
ton should be reduced to reasonable linn
its whether the land restored contains
timber or not.
Sharp Contest Expected.
At the opening OF today's session the
delegates were looking forward to a warm
fight on the floor of the convention over
resolutions in favor of turning the public
grazing lands over to the various western
states for local management and against
the inauguration of any policy that viii
result in the United States government
becoming the permanent holder and land
lord of the remaining public lands or the
natural resources connected Herewith.
The convention was remarkable IN that
its discussions were almost entirely con-
fined to criticism of the national admin
istTation's policy of handling the public
lands James R. Garfield, secretary of
the interior and r. a. Ballfnger, commits
siOner of the general land Ofilce, were
heard on the first day, but since then
there has been but one address in support
of the administration. Conservatives,
however. declare that the two sides to
the controversy are really not far apart.
as both contend they are striving for
changes in the present policy that will
make it easier for new settlers TO ac-
ouire home sites and become an integral
part of the great region lying west OF
the Mississippi river
Chance to Be Heard Granted.
on the opening of the convention this
morning Murdo Mckenzie, president of
the American Livestock association, de-
man6ed to knew when those in favor of
the present plan of administration Of pub
lie lands could be heard
The chair announced that they would be
heard Immediately after Secretary James
r. Garfield and Chief Forester Clifford
d. Pmchot had made their responses TO
the papers already read.
Five resolutions were introduced and
read The commercial bodies of Colorado
Springs and the directors of the Colorado
State Forestry association introduced res
olutiOns indorsing the work of the for
estry service.
The Colorado and Wyoming Lumber
Dealers association, I'm a set of resOlu-
tions objectett to leasing the range. called
for a reduction in the area of forest re
serves and approved government land
lOrdism.
When the report of the committee on
credentials was read it was found that
DR.. W. J. MCGEE had been appointed a
delegate by the governor of Missouri.
While there was doubt as to whether
Missouri was included in the call of the
convention. DR.. MCGEE. who is a member
of the Inland Waterways commission,
was seated
Fight Over Delegates.
Before the adoption OF the report b f. /
Montgomery, of Colorado. sought TO GUST
the American National Livestock assOcia- !
ton, the National Wool Growers associa-
ton, the National Irrigation association /