Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-16

passage by congress could best be
promoted.
Though the meeting was called by
the Arizona Cattle Growers associa-
ton, the invitation was to all cattle
growers. whether members or not 1t
seems that the most of them here
about belong to the association. Any
how. every person attending was a
member and all were enthusiastic in
the discussion of both propositions.
The forest ranges are now controlled
by certain rules and regulations gov
erning the grazing of sheep and cat
tie and certain changes are contem-
plated by the forestry service. The
officials. however. desire to confer
with both interests before anything
is done. that the best possible
changes may be made for the benefit
OF all. Mr.. Heard. who has always
been a worker in the association, was
selected as a most capable represen-
tative and accepted the mission.
The other question is a more neb-
ulous one. as sentiment has not yet
so thoroughly crystallized. though the
cattle growers have been discussing
it for years and trying to secure
action. Moreover. it deals with the
open ranges. the public domain. not
now protected as a part of the forest
reserves or national parks and gov
erned only by the general land laws.
Discussion Of that subject was there
fore more extended and general
The Curtis bill provides for the al
Ints NJ nv long
term leases. giving the lease holders
the privilege of fencing their ranges.
developing water. building houses or
making whatever improvements they
choose, and protecting them in this
leasehold and improvements against
others who invade the ranges they
cannot now fence and take advantage
of the improvements made by their
predecessors The majority of the
cattle growers arc favorable to the
bill. though there are some. of course.
in opposition. The bill has been be-
fore congress for long time and is
now in the hands OF the committee on
public lands.
After q thorough discussion. ii was
decided that inasmuch as the chair
man of the committee on public lands
is at present rather unfriendly to the
bill and quite a number of congress-
men are in opposition to il. there is
little likelihood of its passing at this
session of congress. which is now
growing very short. II was thought
better, therefore. not to urge the
matter just now. but i'm the event of
an extra session to send another
Int1 10 III
there be no extra session. to take IL
up vigorously at the next regular
session.
The arguments of the proponents
Of the bill are numerous. One is the
justice OF protecting the man who
makes improvements. The greatest
argument. however. is that with such
the same ranges will
support vastly more cattle, the indi-
vidual stock grower being protected
If a man can secure a
lease of a good big range for term
Of years. he can afford to fence it,
build dams to catch flood waters on
the leased property. sink wells. build
camp houses or do whatever he likes
TO develop and protect both water
supply and stock feed. With these
improvements on fenced range vast
treas. it is contcnded. can he made
% support cattle that are today
worthless except during the rainy
season. when there is grass and wa
er everywhere. The man who gets |
/ range of this sort and fences il has
protection against invasion. and
'nows just what his range will sup
'ort the year around. Under present |
Arizona can feed and va