Arizona republican., 1917-02-09
GRAZING RATE
RECONSTRUCTED
BY SECRET ARY
D. F. Houston Of Depart
ment of Agriculture mod
flies Charge, Means big
Saving to Many Stockmen

Through an appeal directly to D. F.
Houston, secretary of agriculture,
most important modification of the
proposed charge for grazing privileges
in the national forests has been secur-
ed. Instead of an Increase of 30 1-3
per cent for the first year the increase
is to be but rs per cent while all fur
Their increases as contemplated IN the
order issued by the secretary in NO
vember, will be deferred until spec
life study of the subject can be made.
Since the ultimate increase in charges
was to be 100 per cent over the old cost
Of grazing this concession by the de-
partm-t of agriculture is of vital i'm
portance.
Under date of February l, Secretary
Houston has announced his new rul-
ing to T. w. Tomlinson, secretary of
the American NationuI livestock AS
ISOLATION to which so many Arizona
stock men belong. Secretary Tomlin-
son has Just forwarded the ruling TO
members here, from Denver.
Secretary Houstons letter to Secre-
tary Tomlinson in full as follows:
After a very careful consideration of
the statements presented by the COM
mittee appointed by your association
and the many statements, resolutions,
and letters from local stockmen, l have
reached a definite conclusion in refer
ence to the proposed increase in graz
ing fees.
The purposes of the national forests
are to improve and protect the forests
for the purpose of securing favorable
conditions of stream flow, and to fur
nish a continuous supply of timber for
use Of the people. The conservation of
the national forest resources should al
ways be given first consideration and
their use regulated in the way which
will be for the best interest of all the
people. The timber, grazing, water
power, and other resources, which are
used for commercial purposes, should
be charged for at a rate which repre-
sents their fair value. If charge only
sufficient TO cover the cost of admins
tratiOn were made, all of the profit
from the commercial use of the ma
tiOnal forests would go to a compare
lively few individuals instead of to all
OF the people to whom they belong and
who are entitled to share in their
benefits. This principle applies to the
present situation, and the charge for
grazing should be ba sed upon the real
value of the forage upon the national
forest ranges as determined by a care
full survey of all the facts and not by
sales.
Whether or not the fees charged at
present represent a fair value of the
forage is the question to be decided.
The facts before me clearly indicate
that the present charge does not rep
resent the full value of grazing priv
ileges on the national forests This is
conceded by many stOckmen. There
is. however difference of opinion as
TO the real value TIE stockmen rep
resenting some localities contend that
the present charge represents the full
value Of the range, while the stockmen
of other localities concede that the
grazing is worth more than is now be-
ing charged but contend that the pro-
posed increase of 100 per cent would
be in exces sof its real value
My attention has been called to many
factors which have a bearing on the
matter. Among these are the small
average ownership of stock in some
localities, and the possible hardship
which the proposed increase would
cause new settlers and small owners
the ownership of watering places anC
other Improvements by the stockmen
the losses from predatory animals anC
poisonous plants, and the uncertain.
ties which attend the issuance of onl!
annual permits or permits subject t
annual reduction. This indicates tn,
possibility of "a variation in the rea
value of grazing on different forests o
in different general localities, and ais.
that In a few instances the proposed in
crease might not be justified. l ap
pIeciate that there is a possibility o
considerable variation in the value O
grazing on the different forests Their
does not seem to be any doubt, how
ever, that the grazing everywhere i
worth more than the present rates.
In view of all these facts, | hav
concluded to modify the plan outline
in my letter Of November g. 1916. In
stead of an increase of 80 1-3 per cen
Tor the first year, an increase of 2
per cent will be made on all forests a
this time to apply on permits issue
for grazing periods beginning on O
after March l, 1917 further increase
Will be deferred until a specific stud
of the existing condition upon each c
the national forests has been mad,
Upon the basis of the facts thus oh
tanned, after having considered all {
the advantages and disadvantages {
the locality, additional increases wi
be made when the real value of tn
forage upon any forest is found to b
more than the amount charged, but n
such additional increase viii be mad
effective before March /, 1918.
The several suggestions which hay
been made for amendment of the reg
ulations Will be most carefully consid
cred and such changes as are deeme
advisable will be submitted to you fl
comment by the advisory board of you
association before their final adoptio
Very truly yours,
d. F. HOUSTON,
Secretary of Agriculture.