The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-03
GRAZING IS DISCUSSED
Forest Supervisors Take Up
Problems of Department
in Meeting Here.

| Increase Of the grazing fees, extern
sion OF the authority of the super
visors, the value Of cooperation with
stockmen's associations the blanket
| system OF sheep grazing. game pro-
lection and the results Of the general
POLICY OF the forest service were among
| the subjects discussed at the meetings
Of the forest supervisors and district
officers yesterday morning and after
noon. The meetings were part of
conference of officials of District No.
Of the federal service which began
| Monday.
District Forester r. A. Silcox pre-
sided over the meeting. He outlined
the subject and then turned the meet
ing over to Assistant District Forester
c. u. Adams. who led the discussion.
Mr.. Adams spoke for a few moments
on the subjects discussed at the meet
ing of the district foresters and as
sistant district foresters in charge Of
grazing held at San Francisco last Oc-
tobcr The summary Of this meeting
as given by Mr. Adams formed the
basis of the discussion yesterday.
Grazing Fees.
The increase in the grazing fees was
the first point taken under considera-
ton. The forest service has long been
cosnizant of the fact that the fees for
the past few years represent only
about one third Of the actual value Of
the forage. The service has been in
favor Of doubling the price. 1t was at
first thought advisable to charge the
full commercial rate, but this plan
was abolished when it was taken into
consideration that this action would
mean the appraisal of individual
ranges. which would be impossible I'M
der present conditions. The service is
still uncertain about the provisions to
be made in this respect, but it Is
thought that either a 25 per cent or a
SO 1-3 per cent raise will be made 1or
1917.
The supervisors went on record in
favor of making their grazing author
ization continuous and Of setting Feb
ruary Is as a final date for the filing
of grazing applications. Under the
present ruling the grazing authorize
ton is given the supervisors each year.
Delay sometimes means a loss and it
thorization continuous.
Results Of Policy.
Tho newt noint hro,rbf IN fnr 5;c
cussion was whether Or not the general
policy of the forest service for the
eight years of its existence in this dis
trict has resulted in wider distribu-
ton of grazing privileges. Statistics
were brought to bear in the discussion
and it was shown that no small per-
mitees had been refused and that the
per cent of small owners had greatly
increased. This was found to be cspe-
cially true in the case of sheepmen.
the records showing an increase of $40
per cent in the first grade, or owners
with from one to 1000 sheep. The
larger grades also increased but this
was said to be due to the excess of
ranges and not at the expense of the
smaller owners
Cooperation Needed.
The value and need of CO. operation
with stockmen's associations was fully
recognized by the supervisors and it
was unanimously agreed that such as
socations should be encouraged. Much
progress along this line has already
been made. such as the introduction of
better sailing and herding methods
and the use of blooded stock in prop
agation.
While the blanket system of grazing
sheep has been found practical in
every way, 1t was not thought advis-
able by the supervisors yesterday to
make the system obligatory for the
reason that it was new and that it
would be better to spread the idea by
education.
In the discussion of the matter OF.
game protection it was decided. that
the supervisors should CO. operate fully
in enforcing the laws in the forest to
the extent of looking up evidence and
side of their own forests they will re-
port the violations to the game warden
as they come to their attention.
DR.. C., II. Shattuck. dean of the for
cstry department of the University of
Idaho, was present and made many
suggestions Of value to the supervisors
in carrying out their work. DIR. Shat
tuck tours the national forests each
summer and his talk came straight
from his large fund Of experience.
Last evening the American Society
OF Foresters met at the chamber of
commerce building and listened to an
address on Forestry Regulations, in
Relation to Community Development"
WILL GIVE CLOTHING.