, 1907-02-22

Colonel E. ]. Bell returned from
Washington on the afternoon train,
where he had been with other western
stockmen to advise with the president
and members of congress on matters
relating to public land questions.
No Leasing Measure Possible.
Colonel Bell believes it will be i'm
possible to get any leasing measure
through congress at this session, in
fact, no purely leasing bill is before
either branch of congress. He thinks,
however, there is some danger of con-
gress passing a law, az a rider to the
agricultural appropriation bill, turning
over all u~noccupied public lands in the
west to the department of agriculture
to be handled under practically the
same plan the forest reserves are now
handled. Although MI. Bell Is favor
able to leasing, he does not favor the
forest reserve permit plan Of handling
grazing lands, nor is this plan favored
by Senator Clark or Congressman Mon
dell. A large number of western cat
tlemen are of the opinion, though, that
it would be preferable to accept this
plan rather than to have no legislation
whatever.
Under Clifford Pinchot.
II the proposed plan should carry,
the lands will be under the manage
ment of Hon. Clifford Pinchot, who is,
in Colonel Bells judgment, an honest,
capable man, but withal an idealist
working for future generations rather
than for the benefit of the present.
Speaking Of the fence proposition,
Colonel Bell said he had an interview
with Mr.. Pinchot the day before he
left Washington, and that gentleman
informed him that he deemed it advis'
able for the stockmen not to be too
hasty in taking down their enclosures,
that in all probability after the incom
ing Of Mr.. Garfield as secretary, after
March 4, a definite policy would be
outlined and the stockmen would be
given to understand what they would
be expected 10 do. Pending the ad'
journment of congress and the change
in office, things We're in a somewhat
chaotic state, and therefore no posi-
tive statement could be made to those
who are now in violation Of the fence
law.
Royal Good Fellows.
Colonel Bell speaks in the highest
terms of the treatment accorded the
western men by the Wyoming delega
ton in congress, and says they arr
princes. He was more particularly de
lighted with an able address made b,
Mr.. Mondell at a banquet. He says /
was one of the most brilliant effort
from all standpoints he had eve heart
from a western man and wished tina
it could have been taken down wore
for word and reproduced in the west
Can't Get Together.
Mr.. Bell was greatly chagrined be
cause of the fact that western stock
men could not get together on any
single proposition, but were hopeless
ly divided at all times. Their visi1
was, therefore. without definite positive
result.
Laramie Plains Line.
At Chicago he learned Of the definite
plans of the Laramie, Hahns Peak and
Pacific railroad. and is Of the opinion
| that the road will be built into the
| North park country before the close Of
| the present year. He gives it as his
candid JUDGMENT that the road in ques'
| ton will do more for the country west
of Laramie and the city itself than
any other one agency. 1T is going to
be a profitable investment for the
| stockholders" said the colonel.
The colonel is in the best Of health
and spirits and than ever salts
fed with Wyoming and Albany coun.
ty. which he declares To b. Gods