Gunnison news-champion., 1914-04-03
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Delegates to attend the meeting of
The Cattle and Horse Growers Associa-
tIon which meets April y IN Denver were
elected at a special meeting Of the Gun
arson County Stock Growers Associa-
tion held IN this city last Saturday af-
ternocn. Besides selecting a large
number Of delegates. the cattiemen in
this special meeting sdopted resolutions
setting cut their stand on the public
land leasing question which will be the
heading subject of discussion at the
Denver convention. Another question
of vital interest which will come be-
fore the cattle and horse growers asso-
citation at the meeting next week is that
of settlement by the railroads for the
killing Of cattle and the destruction of
. property by FIRE.
At the same time that the cattlemen
meet ~ Denver. there will be a conven-
tion Of the western governors which
has been called to discuss the public
land question. These meetings are im-
portant as the Kent Bill which pro-
vides for the leasing of the unoccupied
and unappropriated lands of the United
States, is now before Congress.
The cattlemen of Gunnison in their
Resolution request that the maximum
charge of four cents, which is provided
for in the Kent Bill, be reduced to two
cents. The stockmen believe that this
charge Of four cents an acre is too great
rs the tYl will effect only the low and
arid ranges producing none or little
vegetation. The most valuable graz
sne lands in the mountain states are
now within the National Forest and the
grazing fee already established.
The community leasing feature is also
usged by the stockmen here This
Feature is now in the bill and they be-
keve that it should be retained.
There is urgent need of some action
which will bring about some arrange
ment for the settlement by the railroads
1t is said that there is now no adequate
law in Colorado which provides for
settlement for cattle killed and the des-
truetion of property, and legislation in
this matter is greatly needed Two
years ago an agreement for the settle
ment Of these claims was entered into
by the stockmen and the railroads but
now this agreement has expired, and it
is said that the stockmen have great
difficulty in making settlement with the
railroads.
The resolutions adopted by the Gun
nison stockmen last Saturday in regard
to the public land question are as follows:
WHEREAS: There is now before the
Congress of the United States, H. X.
lo539, known as the Kent Bill, for the
leasing of the unoccupied, unappro-
prlated, public lands of the United
States, said bill provides that the max
lmum fee per acre he &c. Whereas,
he most valuable grazing lands in the
mountain states are now within the Ma
tional Forests and the grazing fee al
ready established, consequently only the
low and arid ranges, producing little or
no vegetation. VIII be effected by this
bill.
THEREFORE. Be it resolved by the
GunnisOn County Stock Growers Asso-
citation, at its special meeting in Gun
nison, March Is. 1914. respectfully re
quest that the maximum fee be reduced
from 4e to 2c per acre or a charge made
per head on this basis.
BE 1T FURTHER RESOLVED that we
believe the necessity of this bill exists
and the revenue derived from the rent
al of these lands be turned over to the
respective counties from which il is re-
ceiV -one-half for good roads, and
one-half for educational purposes.
Respectfully submitted.
LEWIS II. EAsTERLY,
Pres. GunnisOn Co. Stock Growers Assn.
RALPH X. ALLEN,
Secretary.
II "a Cp.y