The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-28
Stockmen Differ Widely on the Subject of Gov
ernment Control of the Public Domain.
MOON ARGUES AGAINST ENDORSING PRESENT PLAN
Appears Before Committee and Submits Several Resolutions
Denouncing Regime Now in Force--Matter Will
Probably Be Threshed Out on Floor
of the Convention Today.

Los Angeles, Jan. 27.-The American
National Livestock association listened
today to a series Of addresses upon a
variety Of important subjects, in con-
nection with the industry and ad-
journed tonight awaiting the report
of the committee on resolutions. which
will be made to the convention at 10
o'clock tomorrow. The entire two
days sessions have been in complete
harmony, but it is expected that the
question of the adoption of the resolu-
tions will bring contest on the
subject of indorsng federal control of
the public domain. Former State Sem
ator A. NJ. Moon of Colorado, promi-
nent member of the Colorado Cattle
and Horse Growers association, is
leading the fight against the indorse-
ment of the government land policy.
Tonight he appeared before the COM
mittee on resolutions and argued at
length, submitting series of resolu-
tions upon the subject of public lands.
1t Is expected that the resolutions
committee will vote down, probably by
unanimous vote. all resolutions op-
posing federal control. The contest
will probably then be shifted to the
floor of the convention tomorrow. The
Colorado Cattle and Horse Growers
association stands practically, If not
entirely, alone in this matter. Several
livestock associations in Colorado
which were members of that associa-
tion withdrew from it and became in
dependent members of the American
National Livestock association because
ne "a fn
convention.
Makes Report.
The executive committee made it's
report today to the association, and its
recommendations will constitute the
principal part of the report of the COM
mittee on resolutions. Their recon-
mendations include an Endorsement of
the Fulton bill empowering the in
terstate commerce commission to sus-
pend a railroad traffic rate until it's
reasonableness can be determined; in
dorses the Culberson-Sm transpor-
tation bill providing for better railroad
service; approves of the Curts-Scott
bill providing federal control of graz
ing lands, with leasing and rental
privileges; favors the retention of the
protective tariff on livestock, wool
aud hides, and a reciprocity agree
ment with foreign nations extending
the markets of livestock and meat
products to those countries; favors lib
eral appropriations by congress to en-
able the bureau of animal industry
to continue the war on fever ticks, and
the passage Of law in the states pro-
viding appropriations for payment by
the state for condemned animals.
There is no doubt that all of these
recommendations will be adopted as
embodying the views of the association
on these subjects
Calls for Expressions.
Just before adjournment Of the aft
ernoon session, President Jastro called
for expressions of views of members
on these subjects, and particularly on
the matter Of public lands and the
subject of the tariff, but the responses
indicated practical unanimity in line
with the above expressions.
Cooler of Idaho believed there should
be provision in the law prohibiting
an assignment of leasing privileges of
public domain, thus preventing mo-
nopoly He thought also there should
be limit in the amount of acreage
that could be leased by one individual
Sheehan of Wyoming expressed the
opinion that the small ranchers and
Stockmen of the country were almost
unanimously in favor Of federal con-
troll, and, If there was any opposition.
1t came from holders of large acreage |
The sheepmen, he thought. favored it |
nearly without exception
President Jastro declared an ad-
journment until tomorrow
The subjects of federal control of |
grazing land, benefits derived from
livestock organizations, diseases of |
stock and the future Of the livestock |
industry were handled today by vari-
GUS speakers prominent in the affairs |
of the association.
Heard's Address.
The question of federal control of |
the public grazing lands is necessarily |
one of vital interest to stockmen, and
in the wise administration of these
public grazing lands SO as to obtain
from them the best beneficial use,
lies the prosperity of the stockmen,
and his prosperity means much in the
best development of the west
Owing to the bigness of this ques-
tion and the varying conditions exist
ing throughout the west. it is very
natural that there should be very
radical differences of opinion as to
the wisdom of the policy of federal
control. 1t seems to me, however.
that this matter should be discussed
with the utmost frankness and that
no effort should be made to obscure
the real issue by throwing corral
dust In the air." as one speaker at the
Denver land convention very tersely
put it,
1t is pretty generally admitted by
stockmen that the present range con-
ditions throughout the west involving
certain rights and resulting in almost
constant conflict, friction and misun-
derStandinG sometimes resulting in