The Glenwood post., 1907-03-30
Discuss the Grazing Fee Which They
Declare q HdrdShi -b|dCkmdi|inq
Resolutions are WithdrdWn---
Holmes Graft Tabled
OFFICERS ELECTED FOR ENSUING YEAR

this II double taxation. We are op-
posed to the rules for the simple fact
that we cannot possibly live under
them.
We were given to understand that
the tax would be lowered and not
raised. The tax will be raised unless
you protest.
Mr. Light neg glected to explain why
they could not live under the present
rules and why it is that cattlemen
from other states are anxious to put
their cattle on Colorado's splendid
grazing areas and beg fol the privi-
lege of doing so. Mr.. Light probably
means that he doesn want to pay the
fee aud doesn't propose to do SO if he
can help it and in this no one can
blame him.
Forestry Official Explains
Fred Morrell, technical assistant of
the forestry department, then secured
the floor and presented the govern
ment's attitude on the question of for
est reserves. Among other things
Mr.. Morrell said:
. / wish to say that the forest ser
.ina mon are not here with the in
tention of butting into your meeting
Now, | think the chairman of your
meeting will corroborate that we
were invited to give information, and
| wish to say in the outset, | do not
wish to antagonize. A great many
of the members of this association
have signed an agreement not to take
out permits this year, We are not
here now to give you any bluffs.
We are here to inform you of the at
titude of the forest service. There
have been many statements to the
effect that the grazing tax is illegal.
As far as know, and as far as the
service knows there has not been a
single decision declaring the grazing
fee illegal. Now it there is any man
who can point to a single decision
against the legality of the grazing
fee, want to hear it. There has
been decision against the criminal
part of it. While | do not pretend
for my part to give you any advice, |
cannot see the advantage of every
man in this association refusing to
apply for permit and bring a case
which he must carry to the supreme
court" Here Will Harris interrupt
ed by saying, "We are not asking for
YOUR advice. We are able to take
care of ourselves.
Mr.. Morrell read from letter from
Supervisor Mark Woodruff, of the
Pixies Peak reserve, IN which that
official said all former patrons of his
reserve were taking their permits and
that there was no trouble whatever.
He referred to the conviction and 6ne
of Mr.. Phelps for grazing cattle on
the Pixies Peak reserve without per
NIT and while he did not say that
this example was partially responsible
fol the general compliance with the
rules, the Post believes that more
than one of the listeners was set to
thinking by Mr.. Woodruff letter.
Mr.. Morrell also referred to the
Norrell trespass case which was dis
III ssed at the suggestion of Mr.. Pin
chot. He claimed that it was not a
representative case and that de.
cision on that case would settle moth
ing and could not be used as a. pre-.
cedent by either side.
Then MIR. Morrell told the cattle
men that matters had been misrepre-
sented to them by the Denver News
and the Glenwood Avalanche and
cited numerous instances where these
papers had made false statements and
given false advice concerning the re.
serve policy. Ie said if the stockmen
wished to take these biased statements
rather than to make inquiry at head
quarters where they would be giver
the facts they must suffer for it.
In answer to this Mr.. Holmes sait
he had not meant to misquote or mis-
represent the officers or the condition.
and II he had done 80 he would make
correction, but everyone seemed t.
take this statoment With n Grain nj