The Glenwood post., 1908-04-25

The Post has frequently eX-'
pressed the hope that the differ
ences existing between some of
the stockmen and the forestry SER
vice might be settled speedily and
in such manner as to work as
little hardship to the stock indus
try of this state as possible and
yet carry out the beneficent pur-
poses of the government forestry
plans.
AS is well known we have found
much to commend in the forestry
=, regulations, although we have OBJ
served some features which we
have considered might be modified
with benefit to the stockmen and
farmers without interfering with
the general plan of the govern
ment.
This paper has taken the broad
stand that the stockmen could not
afford to ignore the regulations
of the department relative to
grazing and the general use of the
forest and have repeatedly advis-
ed the stockmen to pay their graz
ing fees since we have felt that
it would not prove profitable to
them to attempt to do otherwise
Nearly all in this locality have ac-
cepted this advice and paid their
fees. some of them quite reluct-
antly, it is true. but they have
nevertheless paid them. The most
fragrant violation of the regula-
tions of the department is that
committed by Fred Light of
Snowmass, who has persistently
defed the government and refus-
ed to pay the fee while his cattle
have grown fat on government
grass within the national forest.
A suit against Mr.. Light was
begun by the department nearly a
year ago. but action has been de
layed in. the matter in the district
attorneys office owing principally
it is said, to an extraordinary
amount Of legal business both in
that effice and the forestry SER
vice, and to the resignation of
United States District ATTORNEY
Earl Cranston and the appoint
ment and qualification of his sue
cessor.
During the past week there has
been in Glenwood representative
from the law division of the for
estry department. Mr.. G. s. Arm
old, of Washington. The Post in
terviewed Mr.. Arnold concerning
the Light case, and he states that
upon the final determination of
this will hinge the question of
whether or not the government is
bound by state law and obliged
to fence its own lands within the
boundaries of this state. Mr..
Arnolds says if Mr.. Light wins
his suit the government will
doubtless fence all its forests i'll
Colorado, but the fees will be col
lected just the same as heretofore.
The following is the substance of
Mr.. Arnold's remarks on the sub
ject Of the Light case:
"The bill for injunction against
Fred Light has been filed and ev-
cry effort will be made by the
forest service to bring it to a
speedy whatever the
result may be, it is to the advan-
tage of the government that it be
settled as soon as possible. If all
the national forests in Colorado
must be fenced. in order that a
very few stockmen may not Craze
their cattle without permit where
other stoekmen- great majori-
ty-pay for the right, the sooner
the government starts building
the fences the better.
"The only question involved il
Must the government fence iti
lands in Coloradoi' If it must
as il must if the government loses
its case. thousands Of dollar'
which otherwise would be put in
to permanent Improvements
ephones and roads-will be vast
ed in fences, miles Of fences thai
an nok ths slightsst benefit II
anybody. It Il believed II u Hasl