The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-11-13

NOASLlOSl dLuouS luSlu Is u duOpI
practical system of leasing the public
grazing lands of the west. Such re-
form not only would benefit the recla-
nation fund, into which the grazing
fees would be turned, but it would
bring about numerous changes of pol
itcy and practice for which there is a
rapidly growing demand.
Western senators and representa-
tives are today more favorable to a
leasing law than at any time since the
subject was first seriously proposed
by President Roosevelt's public lands
commission. The people of the west
are coming to favor it with almost
unanimous voice. They are beginning
to realize that the day of the great cat
tie baron and sheep baron is passing,
and the day of the small owner and
homebuilder has arrived.
Much Land to Be Leased.
1t is roughly estimated that there
are 250,000,000 acres of public grazing
land in the west, which today yields
no revenue, and which likewise is for
the most part without government
regulation of any sort. Presenting
that this estimate is too great, and
that only 10O,0O0,OOO acres of grazing
land could be leased under govern
ment supervision, if that land could be |
leased to stockmen at an average cost |
of ten cents per acre per annum, the |
yield to the reclamation fund would be |
$10,000,000 more than it now receives |
from the sale of public lands. Ten
cents an acre is a higher price than
was originally suggested, but when it |
is recalled that the railroad companies |
are receiving 81 per acre for the privi-
lege of grazing some of their range |
lands, this figure would not seem ex-
orbitant Ten millions year from |
grazing fees is all that is hoped under |
the proposed bond issue, and there is |
little doubt that a practical grazing
law, enacted at the coming session of |
congress, would yield a return some
where in that neighborhood.
West Approves Plan.
Practical western men who have |
discussed the leasing problem with |
government officials during the past |
summer report that sentiment in favor |
of the change has developed rapidly in |
the past year, especially among the
smaller stockmen. others not inter
ested in stockraising, but interested in |
the upbuilding of the west are favor
ing it because it means an increased |
population for the range states. A |
vast range occupied by a single cattle
baron, is now destitute of settlers; |
homeseekers will not locate in such a |
section, for they find it impossible to |
establish themselves with such sur
roundings. That same country placed |
under administration, leased at rea-
sonable rental for term of years, and |
in moderate areas, will invite settle |
ment and afford protection to the |
small stockmen-the men who build |
homes, establish communities, invite |
other settlement, and in the end build I
up small towns where the evidences
of civilization in the way of schools,
churches, good roads, postal service
and the like make their appearance.
Most of the western states are now
clamoring for settlers; yet their great
est areas now destitute of homes are
those given over to the livestock in
dustry. Only recently vast areas in
the grazing states have been set apart |
for entry under the dry farm act, un-
der which 320-acre homesteads may be |
taken. The lands adapted to dry |
farm culture lie adjacent to the less
valuable grazing lands, and the more
desirable areas are those along |
streams and rivers whose waters are
so situated as to be unadapted to irri-
cation development.
Great Development Ahead.
BY building up communities in this |
country and controlling the range un-
der leasing system, the advocates of
this advanced idea see ahead great de-
velopment for the states wherein dry |
farm possibilities are found. Eastern
Oregon and Washington, many parts
of Idaho, much of Montana, Wyoming
and Colorado and Northern Nevada,
Arizona and New Mexico would be de-
yeloped by such system, and in like
manner the states now most in need
of money for irrigation would receive
the necessary funds from grazing
fees.
Whether or not leasing law will be
passed at the coming session depends
largely upon the amount of effort put
forth to secure its passage. 1t is a
part of the administration conserva-
ton program, just as it was a part of
the Roosevelt program. But President
Roosevelt could not induce congress to
pass leasing law, any more than he
an,,I1 .no,,,o 1Abn. y,,oaianak3nvS In ha