The Delta independent., 1916-07-28
FARMERS WISE TO
HERD LAW" DANGER
CITY DWELLER IN DARK
Fight Against Disguised Fence-measure Turned to City
and Town. Eleventh Hour Petitions for Bill Circu-
lated in Pettish Anger by Backers, and
Disclose Strange Things


rather than being beneficial to the
small and struggling farmer. would
rob him of his greatest source OF sus-
tenance. The average rancher OF Colo
RADIO can raise on his acres only feed
ing crops His one, or two or three
cows-which James ]. Hill declared
the salvation of the country IN tho
future-are that which stand between
him and his family and hard times
thru periods OF stress and planting.
and failure of crops. Deprive him OF
the opportunity to feed those cattle
on the public domain and he Is
robbed of his greatest farming asset.
He is forced to build fences about his
own acres, on which he cannot prop
erly feed his own cattle. to keep them
off the lands untitled. lands that In
Western state only partially settled
are the God-given property OF the
man who is struggling to make him
self a home. SO long IS they remain
open.
They Turn Deaf Ear.
And as those things were realized
by the farmers, business men and
stockmen OF the state. together with
the fact that the proposed law would
mean that 50.0O0.000 acres OF unfenced
lands in the state would be closed 10
grazing: that II would drive from
the state livestock growers and in
consequence deprive the rancher OF
his market for hay and forage crops.
that II would discourage as long as
remained state law the settler from
turning his face towards Colorado:
that depreciation in land values. and
constant rancor and discord between
neighbors would fall to the lot OF the
state-these things were realized and
the agriculture farmer, big and little.
turned deaf ear TO the siren song
OF the measures hackers.
There was lapse of interest--a
hiatus during whi,h no petitions
were circulated. and the Great Divide
stilled its clamorous noise. And then
July G-therc appeared In Denver
newspaper an editorial of warning. .
calling attention to the fact that.
leaving all other considerations out
OF II. the sinister influences behind
the herd law should build for II oppo-
sition. The editorial challenged the
unselfish purpose OF voiney Hoggatt
he whose record on the state land
board has in II no hint OF burning de-
sire to thwart the big cattle owner
or big land owner-and his masters.
Bon and Tam 1t pointed out tho
dangerous possibilities of the bill.
In eabyish Anger Renew Flight.
And that morning the henchmen OF
The Post were summoned They
secured Denver for signers-begin-
ming with the employees of The Denver
Post II is easy TO get signers in
cities to petitions proposing a law OF
any kind. no matter how nefarious.
how ridiculous. how drastic. And In
two days The Post and Great Divide.
seeking for selfish interests to foist
on the state a law disastrous to the
states greatest promise OF future
wealth. continuing that effort in
pctulant and pettish fit of anger over
competitors honest criticism. garn.
cred its majority OF signatures
which can by no means he termed
supporters-to its petitions After the
OF the state-those who alone will be
affected directly by the law-had
turned down the dangerous fencing
measure. the city dweller was turned
TO AZ means OF saving II from the
limbo OF forgotten things. And BY
that same ingenious process-imposi-
ton on the voters OF city and town
who. II is hoped by them. will con
tnue negative lethargy concerning
the truth about the measure-The
Post and The Great Divide plan to
force the law on the statute books.
Those opposed to the measure de-
clare all they ask OF tho voters OF
Colorado is an impartial study OF the
so'called herd law. study based only
on desire to cast their ballots to
the end that the greatest good to the
greatest number be done. That kind
of study will convince. they contend.
those who have given little attention
to the matter. and those who are hon.
estly the measures adherents. that the
bill liz an iniquitoas one. designed and
supported for selfish reasons. Misled
by specious argument. by false state
ment. by confusing clothing OF YER
biage In which the hackers have of.
fered their measure to the public,
some are sincere in their belief II is
In reality herd law. beneficial. II
passed. to the state. II is to these and
the unthinking and careless the op-
ponents appeal.
As In other campaigns waged By he
Denver Post. II Ia well that particuix,
attention be paid to consideration OF
what already has been mentioned
The Denver Post for II; Against IT.
EYarY 0rRanlsail0n Mada Ifa "a -