The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-02-12
THEY ADMIT THEIR GUILT
Cattlemen Attempt No Defense Against
Illegal Fencing.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE govern.
ment policy in regard to control of the
grazing land in the public domain and
the interests of large and small cattle
men and the sheepmen and the effect
Of protection Of stockmen upon the
homesteaders were considered today
at a public hearing before the senate
committee on agriculture. The hear
ing was had on an amendment by Sen
ator Burkett to the agricultural bill au-
thorizing the secretary of agriculture
to district the unreserved land and
charge and collect reasonable fees for
grazing.
The cattlemen were represented by
members of the American National
Livestock association, who favored
the measure, while the sheepmen, rep.
resented by members of the National
Woolgrowers' association, opposed 1t.
During the proceedings a letter from
President Roosevelt, addressed to
Senator Warren, was read. 1t indorsed
general control by the government oaa
grazing lands, but insisted upon the
protection of the homesteaders, and
arraigned the sheepmen severely.
The cattlemen and sheep men crit
icized each other, and defended their
own motives. The cattlemen made no
defense Of the charges that they had
been violaters Of the law, and the
sheepmen asserted that it was nec-
essary for fencers Of public lands to
make their peace with the government
for they would be convicted if ever
brought to trial."
A. @. Derecqueles, of the American
National Livestock association, out
lined the position of the cattlemen in
favor Of government control, and then
called upon individual cattlement for
statements
j. M. Boardman, Of Helena, Mont,
asserted that every cattleman had
violated the law in regard to fencing.
why, If you want to get the list Of
violaters, just take the membership
Of the cattlemen's associations" he
said,
Including yourself?o asked Chair
man Proctor.
@ Yes, but have taken my fences
down." replied Mr.. Boardman. He
added that he had fallen into political
disfavor, and could no longer get IA
vors.
T. w. Gray, Of Gunnison, Colo,
spoke for the leasing system, in order,
he said, to protect small raisers of
cattle in Colorado against Utah sheep
raisers bringing in large focks that
quickly reduce the ranges to a condi-
tion where cattle starve. "We have
to fight these sheepmen or get moth
ing" he said.
(Which do you do?" asked Senator
Long.
ASK the criminal courts of Colo
rado,' replied Mr.. Gray He de-
scribed the high ranges in Colorado as
ideal for the small cattlemen.
y with the sheepmen barred ~ sug-
gested Senator Dolliver.
The witness replied smilingly that
1'the altitude is too high for sheep
He was asked about the ssunwritten
law governing the amount Of range
land bona fide settler might use. He
said the only unWritten law in this
direction concerned the number Of
sheep that might be brought in from
other sections.
.sWell,'' he replied, 100000 head
dropped in once. But the sheepmenl
did not take that many away"
Colonel Lockhart, Of Colorado,
Springs, Colo, and G. r. Aver, of
Baggs, Wyo., spoke briefly in favor Of
the amendment.
Omnibus Plea Of Guilty.
q want to plead guilty for myself |
and my neighbors," !" said G. =. Mer-.l
chant, of Carlsbad. N. NJ. who then
admitted that cattlemen in his section
had fenced tracts 100 miles wide east
and west and 300 miles north and
south, and that the fences had been up |
25 years. He told OF a visit few
years ago from a special agent of the
government. who made them destroy