Gilpin observer., 1908-01-23
CLASH over
LAND POLICY
RESOLUTIONS OF COLORADO AND
HORSE GROWERS Asso-
CIATION.
OPPOSE GRAZING FEE
FIGHT TO BE CARRIED INTO
AMERICAN NATIONAL LIVE
STOCK CONVENTION.

Denver.-By an overwhelming ma.
Jority the Colorado Cattle and Horse
Growers Association in convention at
the Albany hotel Monday night placed
itself on record as being unalterably
opposed to President Roosevelt's land
policy.
Delegates from the Colorado associ-
alton to the convention of the National
Live Stock Association, opening here
Tuesday, were then instructed by an
unanimous vote to carry this position
into the convention and to take the
fight against the Presidents policy
down the line.
Never before in the history of the
Colorado Cattle and Horse Growers
Association has a question raised SO
much discussion nor been more warmly
championed and opposed than that de-
cided Monday night by vote of 178 to
116.
For nearly four hours, during which
time one delegate was openly accused
of making false statements and being
in the paid employ of Chief Forester
Pinchot, the wordy battle waged
warmer and warmer, until brought to
q climax by Senator E. M. Ammons,
one of the most prominent ranchers
and cattlemen of this state, who, as
member OF the minority in the commit
tee on resolutions, upheld the report
of the minority condemning the Presi-
dents land policy. His address in
large measure was responsible for the
dnal action Of the convention.
At the session Of the committee on
resolutions Of the State Association
yesterday afternoon a spirited debate
on the subject Of forest reserves and
public grazing lands was had, fve
members Of the committee being IN
favor Of the policy Of President Roose-
welt and the other two members being
as stubbornly opposed to 1t. Those IN
favor of the governmental policy were:
Samuel Hartsel, ]. B. Killiam, ]. H.
Riley, C. B. Rhodes and ]. B. Cochran.
Those presenting the minority report
Of the committee. opposing the admin
istration policy, were Senator E. NJ.
Ammons and Colonel B. F. Montgom-
cry.
Following is the minority report as
adopted by the state association:
I'VE, the undersigned, q minority OF
your committee on resolutions, re-
spectfully report the following on the
subject Of the forest reserves and the
public grazing lands:
Resolved, That we do not approve
the land leasing law and we respect
fully request our senators and con-
gressmen to labor to have Congress
leave the land laws alone; and that
all forest reserves be limited to actual
forest areas; II any change is made 1t
should be to encourage the settlement
and private ownership of our public
lands and not to retard it.
Resolved, That no fees be enacted
or charged within or without the for
est reserves for grazing; and that all
revenues derived from forest reserves
be restricted to the sale of merchant
able timber; and that no charge be
made to actual settlers for the use OF
timber for domestic purposes.
Resolved, Further. That the graz
ing fee tax has doubled our taxes in
our sparsely settled regions and that
all such special privileges are and
have been abused through misuse and
intimidation, thereby working great
hardship to the settlers.
Resolved, That Congress make a
suitable appropriation for administrat-
ing forest reserves.
Resolved, That we endorse the dec
larations of the farmers meeting held
at Glenwood Springs. Colorado. No
vember 20, 1907. representing Routt,
Rio Blanco. Garfield. Pitkin and Eagle
counties. Colorado"