The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-01-22
WEDNESDAY, JAN. %. 1908.
OPPOSE N LEASING.

OF discussion at the convention OF the
National Wool Growers association
was the range leasing problem, a
matter in which most of the members
of the organization are greatly in
terested. The convention placed it.
self IN record as opposed to the cor.
templsted change in existing condi-
lions, and presented strong arguments
in support of th atiposition.
There il difference of opinion upon
this subject, even among the livestock
interests that are directly affected, but
those who oppose theileasing PROPOSE
ton contend that it would be unjust
to residents of the western states. 1t
10 submitted that heretofore the free
use of the public domain has been
offered to citizens who were engaged
in the livestock industry; hat such
privilege has been enjoyed by resi-
dents OF states that are now thickly
populated, and that similar condi-
tons should obtain in western states
that are in process of development.
1t is commended that settlement in these
older states a not retarded by the
custom Of free grazing on the public
domain, nor is itadiscouraged by sim
liar conditions existing in the west at
the present time. In fact, the free use
OF the public domain!for grazing pur-
poses is an attraction rather than q
encouragement Ito prospective set.
tiers.
The views of members Of the Ma
tional Wool Growers association
were expressed in resolutions which
are in part to this effect:
We find no occasion in the existing
conditions for any attempt on the part
OF the general government to regulate
or restrict thesuse of the public range.
We attest, from actual experience and
long acquaintance with the range in
the public land states, that the claim
emanating from high official sources
that it is being destroyed by unre.
stricted grazing. and particularly by
rowing bands of sheep, is not true:
and we are confident that the good
sense and business Judgment of those
engaged in the range stock business,
and who must rely on the productive.
ness OF the range in successive years,
will be a safer guarantee for the
protection of the range in the future
than could any system of government
control be, however c%unningly de-
vised.
The conduct Of the business of those
engaged in raising stock that Craze up
on the public lands, in conformity
with regulations and under restric.
tons laid down by a department Of
the national government, and carried
out by subordinate appointed by and
responsible to it, would be found in
tOlerable and disastrous.
We are entirely confident In the be-
lief that the proposed Legislation for
government regulation or control OF
the public range will operate to i'm
pede and retard the settlement and de-
velopment Ut the western states, and
that one of the most powerful induce.
ments the government q present for
the settlement of its lands within their
borders Is to continue to offer in the
future, as 1t has IN the past, TO all
corners, equal opportunities and
privileges in the use OF such lands for
grazing purposes until they shall
eventually be appropriat ed by actual
settlers.
These and other considerations
which have been impressed upon us
by actual experience with the system
proposed, as it is now in operation on
the forest reserves, impel US to con-
denim it unqualitiedly. Wherefore,
we protest against the passage of
senate bill 296S, introduced by Senator
Burkett, or any other measure provid.
ing for the leasing of any of the public
lands Or the granting of permits for
the use of the same for grazing pur-
poses.