East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-04-09

Washington advlces state that 1t is
expected the time will probably come
when congress will give an attentive
ear to what President Roosevelt has
to say on the public land question.
but until that time arrives the presi-
dent will give his views directly to
the people.
president called attention to the pro-
visions of the act of February 25,
1885, prohibiting the erection Of
fences on the public domain. He
went so far as to express his opin-
ion that the law in its existing form
works considerable hardship on the
stockmen of the west, and showet
his clear disapproval Of the law, but
pointed out that as long as the law
remains on the statute books, he, as
president, is compelled to see that its
provisions are enforced.
The president believes that some
fencing of the public domain. might
be carried on without injury to any
one; indeed 1t is his opinion that
fencing under proper restrictions
would do more good than harm, new
erthe!ess the law prohibits all fencing
Of the public domain, and It is up to
him to see that the law Is enforced.
Every opportunity was given con-
gress to modify the law of 1885; a
law that has been dead letter for
many. many years. but congress saw
fit to ignore the question altogether,
| and now the president is going to
| prosecute men who are maintaining &
fences in defiance of the law. If le-
gitimate stock interests are hurt ths
men affected can blame congress-:
they cannot blame the president.
Aside from his determination to
enforce the law, the president is try
| ing to force the hand of congress
force 1t by bringing to bear the pres
sure of public opinion. When the
people of the west fully realize that
the president is determined they ara
very apt to let their senators and con-
gressmen know that II is time to
change the law but until public sem
timent is aroused congress Is not apt
| to act.
| The administration would like to
see the fencing law modified, but at
| the same time would like to see a
new law enacted providing for leas-
ing the public range. The president
looks at the grazing problem from
several view points. Primarily, ha
believes that the range is valuable
asset, and 1t is only fair that the
government should derive some reve.
nue. from its use, Just as 1t now de-
riVcs a revenue from its forests. Sec
ondly, he has become convinced that
| under the leasing system the public
range would be perpetuated, and
would not be overgrazed. as has been
done in many instances when no re-
strictions were imposed. Thirdly, he
believes that under leasing system
the range wars of old days would en-
tirely disappear: that the small stock
owner would be protected against
the cattle baron, and that bloodsheC
on the range would become a thirl
of the past. He does not favor a big
tax: merely a nominal sum-enougt
~ pay lilt COSl VI tlHilillSlIdllbH dnI
yield a slight revenue in addition.
Under such a system fencing woulc
he permitted by the men holding
government leases. and had congress
enacted such law, many a mile O.
fence that must now be destroyed
would be allowed to stand. Natural
ly the fence owners. though they bl
violaters of the law, will feel ag
grievci, but they have no grount
for resentment against the presi
dent. He did what he could to hav,
the law ,nodified he would hav,
beer glad had congress legalizec
fencing, but congress refused to act
and now the stockmen must pay tn,
fiddler. The only way they car ge
relief is to bring pressure to bear or
their representatives in congress, bu
II is now too late to save the fence