Arizona republican., 1909-09-04

crease of 71.45O head over the preced- ing fiscal year, or more than double the outside shipments Inspected for slaughter within the territory 65,I62. an increase of 3623 head; a total out put of the cattle industry of 202.371 for the fiscal year, as against I27,29S for preceding fiscal year, making a total increase in annual output Of 75.073 head. There were also 61S9 head of horses shipped to outside points. This large increase in ship ments Is partly the result of five reasonably good seasons with respect to range conditions, combined with good prices and a businesslike disposi- ton on the part of range cattlemen to unload their ranges. The territory is to be congratulated upon its prosperity in this important industry, but it should be borne in mind that the area on which this has been accomplished Is very large-approXimately 72.000,000 acres-and this output is only about one head of cattle to $50 acres of land To this, of course, should be added the sheep output (concerning which we have no data in this office) and a limited amount of horses. This still suggests the thought that there is room for improvement-not by placing more stock on the range under present natural conditions. but by i'm proving the natural conditions so that the range will carry more stock This implies systematic regulation and an opportunity for the man who is dis posed to make improvements. It does not mean that a paternal government should make improvements for the in dividual who desires to make use of them. But it means that the govern ment should grant to each individual some definite and exclusive rights, subject to reasonable restrictions, re- quirements and rentals, affordinz the individual an opportunity to conserve the natural feed on his range, to i'm prove the same in any manner he may find practicable, and to enjoy the ex- elusive use of the results obtained by his wisdom, his industry and the money he has invested, without fear of en- croachment by others. We favor the leasing of the range or grazing lands of this territory under limitations de- signed to prevent monopoly, and for sufficiently long terms of lease to war rant the lesses in making substantial improvements.
 Desert We'll Entry
 "One of the most noteworthy means by which the range cattle industry can be improved and made more sa- cure in Arizona is by the development of stock water from subterranean sOurces-principally by digging or drilling wells This kind of improve ment can and should be encouraged by congressional enactment As con- ditions now exist, should a man go out upon the public domain where his cattle range and invest money in sink ing a well there is no provision in law whereby, by virtue of such improve ment he may acquire ownership of the well he has thus dug. nor be permitted to enclose it under fence and enjoy the exclusive use of it. 1t is, under pres ent conditions, on public land, and is therefore public property, and, if utilized, its use is equally the property of all who may desire to range or graze stock in that immediate locality. This condition offers no inducement for the expenditure of money in these much-needed improvements; conse- quently but few wells are dug where many are physically practicable and necessary. The man who digs a well in an arid or semi-arid country is public benefactOr regardless of the question of any personal profit he him. self may derive. He should be per mitted to own it and enjoy its exclu- sive use if he desires to do so, and to