Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-12-12
crcRETARY OF AGRICULTURE IN
STATEMENT ON RAISING OF
PRICES ON FOREST
EFFECTIVE MARCH |, 1919
Advance for Time Delayed Because of
Disturbed Conditions Confront
ing Stockmen

increase IN natlOnal IOreSJ grazing Iees
first decided on in 1916 is no Longer
nstified, has announced new rates tC
90 INTO effect March l, 1919. Effective
at the same time, he has authorized the
granting of five-year grazing permits
where the conditions warrant and such
permits are desired by the stockmen.
Sin accordance with the conslusion
reached by me Feb l, 1915" Secretary
Houston has informed the stockmen
through letters to their two national as
sociations, that the charge for grazing
should be based upon the real value Of
the forage, ! have decided that begin
ming March l, 1919, the charge for graz
ing upon the national forests during
the year-long period will be from soc to
$3.50 per head for cattle, varying with
the advantages of the different ranges.
The rate for sheep and goats on each
forest will be 20 percent of the rate for
cattle The rate for horses will be %
percent more than for cattle, and the
rate for swine % percent less. The pro-
portionate charge for grazing during
only part of each year will be in ac-
cor1ance with the provisions of the
national forest regulations.
Decides Against Further Delay.
The original plan was to advance
grazing fees 80 1-3 percent a year for
three years, beginning in 1917; but Ola
account of the disturbed conditions
which confronted the stockmen that
year the advance made was only % per-
cent; while year later the emergency
situation created by the war led Secre-
tary Houston to suspend temporarily the
further carrying out of the plan. 81
am not unmindful of the difficulties
which still exist, " he says, but under
the circumstances it seems unwise to
further defer action on this important |
problem"
Regarding the authorization of five |
year permits Secretary Houston, after |
noting the fact that the stockmen have |
from time to time urged the issuance of
such permits, not subject to reduction
except for violation of their terms or to
stop damage to the forest or range, as a
means of stablizing the livestock indus
try, goes on to say:
"On several of the forests applica-
tons have already been approved for
permits during five-year period sub
iect to an annual reduction of percent
to provide for the issuance of permits to
new settlers, in addition to such reduc-
ton as might be necessary to prevent
damage to the forest.
Would Stabilize Industry
at appears that while the stockmen
are ready to subject themselves to what
ever restrictions are necessary Tor the
welfare of the forest from the stand
point Of timber production Of othe pri-
mary purposes for which the land was !
set aside, yet the possibility of the . {
percent annual reduction proves an en-
Oarrassment to them. 1t is appreciated
that the assurance of continued use OF
The range for a specific number of amin
ais during term of years would I'M :
lonbtedly tend to greater stability of
he Industry and encourage the handling
II business in way to increase the
quantity and improve the quality of the
er administration of the range itself.
On a considerable portion of the
iational forests we have reached the
'oint where permits for a period of
I've years can be put into effect with
nut difficulty. On certain other for
StS we are not in position to grant
I've year permits for more than a por-
'oh Of the stock at present upon them,
e'ause there is serious question wheth-
there is not now more stock than can
e carried permanently without injury
The forest. There is also the extra
JOCK which has been taken care of as -
war emergency, some of which we
ll not be able to continue, and for I
lat reason should not be included under
'e-year permits.
me issuance of annual permits Will
continued where reductions are nee
''4ry to insure against overstucking
where this may be required Tor any j,
"'f reason The plan is progressively 2
"ring about a-morc secure tenure Of R
" -ra2'ng privileges . eu4h the is y y
Di'e o. five--ear pera. : rs fast as y
''' can Ice done in cons.t' Al n of the >