Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-01-09
SHEEPNEN TO DESERT
C. 0. P. SUGGESTION
BY THE HEAD OFFICER
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CONTINUED from First Page)
aspirations, will frown on any
attempt to deliver the wool
growing vote to any but the
Republican party.
The majority of us, however
are not out for office and as we
have received no consideration
from our party in power for
many years why should we still
support it? If there was a ques-
ton of doubt as to which way
the wool growing vote would go,
we might receive more consid-
eration.''
CONDITION OF BUSINESS.
The year 1915 has been a. success
full year for the wool grower" said
President Sproat. Our wool has
brought the highest price ever received
for an Idaho clip and our lambs have
broken all price records. The total
receipts for wool and mutton for the
past year must be approximately $15,-
100000.
While the receipts have been
increasing, expenses have kept
pace with them. Our hay, which
last year cost us 81 per ton Is
this year costing us around SIS.
Cotton seed which last year sold
at $50 per ton is this year cost
Ing 500. Corn which could be
bought last year for S1.50 per
hundred Is now costing So to
SGD. Under last years prices
the cost Of running one eve
was around s4.25 per annum,
with present prices about Sc will
be necessary
RANGE RoBLEM.
From all appearances this will be
the last convention of the Idaho Wool
growers association where the indi-
vidual members will have had access
to the free range of this great state.
The 640-acre homestead act is now
oren on the statute books and with
the Unsuitable demand for range, all
range of any value whatever, will
quickly be under filing Before another
convention arrives conditions under
which We run our sheep will have
changed radically. The next three
years viii determine the fate OF the
wool growing industry.
"On account of the scarcity OF range
many growers have already disposed
of their holdings, many more are Just
waiting an opportunity to cut loose
The grower without any landed in
vestment has had the best of the deal
Most of us have not been in n posi-
ton to dispose of our sheep by rea
son of the large investment carried
in ranches and improvements thereon.
The question of what we could make
of our ranches has been the deterring
element in the sale of our floCks Many
Of those ranches have no value except
for stock ranches. their value con-
sisting in their location adjacent to
the open range.
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP SOON.
he difficulty Of disposing Of these
ranches ut q price commensurate with
the improvements thereon with the
free range gone has left them on our
hands. This range as It passes into
private ownership will unquestionably
be used for the purpose for which it
is best adapted In a few years those
ranches will again be of value as the
possibility of the average rancher
to make a living on any Gao acres of
grazing land Is doubtful. That land
will ultimately come on the market
and the business which can make the |
best use Of Ii will be the business
which will buy II The wool growing
has been able to make the i
greatest return from the money in
vested. Ultimately this will be a |
great sheep country but the land will |
be privately owned"
"CUR DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS"
President Sproat referred to the |
Of our Democratic friends. in |
to put a tariff on wool"
rs being infinitely satisfactory to the |
wool growers.
He opposed the proposed increase in
grazing fees in forest reserves on the |
ground that il Disseminated against !
The sheep industry In favor OF other
departments Of the forestry service, as
he grazing department was already I
self sustaining.
Referring to the heavy losses sus-
aimed through the rayages Of preda-
.ory animals, President Sproat said .
hat at the Salt Lake meeting Of the \
national association an outline would
% presented for Uniform wild animal .
bounty in all western states Presi-
lent Sproat. in closing. urged greater
20 operation between wool growers.
WELCOMED TO THE CITY
In the absence of President Jess p.
fIawley of the Commercial club, for
ner President II. j. McGirr warmly
welcomed the members of the associa.
ion. which is meeting IN the CONNER
;ial club rooms.
A committee on resolutions was
named consisting of j. T.. Clinton, Jr,
n. A. Van Sieklin, Andrew Little, DR..