Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1921-07-14
GRAZING LAW
IS NOT FAIR

Editor Herald: 1t seems to me that
every dairyman in Idaho should take
exception to section 1885 of the Idaho
law. as quoted by the stock inspector
in his Notice To Stockmen" in the
Herald of June 30.
This section provides, in effect that
the COW owner who uses the public
range for pasture not only may, but
must, turn registered beef-type bull
loose on the range with them. The
enforced use of registered bull may,
or may not, be good thing for the
beef producer, but how about the own
er of dairy COWS? He may use the
range only when having a registered
beef-type bull loose with his cows,
unless the cows are taken up each
night to be MIXED, and the owner
keeps registered dairy-breed bull;
but no dairy bull is allowed on the
public range
Now, all stockmen know that beef
type bull long in a dairy herd spells
the ruin of that herd and vice versa.
dairy-breed bull is destruction to a
beef herd. But that is not a good rea-
son for giving the beef producer the
right of way on the range with the
bull most suitable for the production
of the kind Of cattle he wishes to raise
and excluding the dairy herd owner
from the range on the same terms.
The rancher owning a COW or two, and
the dairyman with a small or large
herd, has just the same right to the use
of the public range, as the breeder of
beef stock, and should be protected by
law in the exercise of that right on
exactly the same terms.
What difference does it make to the
beef-grower, or to the public, what
type of bull the dairyman keeps at
home, or whether he keeps a bull at
all? Why should he not be free to take
his cows where he will for service?
What right has anyone to dictate to
him in this matter, or penaliZe him
for refusing to yield to dictation, by
denying him the use of the range?
1t seems to me that the section under
consideration is class legislation of the
rankest kind and, therefore, uncon-
stitutional
think it was Bacon, the Father of
English Law" who said, "All law is
founded on justice" Viewed in this
light, the section above mentioned can
not we'll be considered law, at all;
since it is manifestly unjust to allow
the use of the public range to the beef
producer, on terms denied the dairy
man.
Milk as an article of food, is far
more essential to the healthy growth
of the human animal from early in
fancy to- adult age than beef is, and
dairying is an important industry in
Idaho, and has difficulties enough to
contend with, without being unjustly
handicapped in this manner.
| Now for a remedy I suggest that
those in Boundary county interested
in dairying, express their Views on
this matter through the columns of
the Herald while those in other parts
Of the state write their local papers
and all ask their congressman to work
for the repeal of that part of section
1885 under consideration, and for the
enactment of a law in its stead, just
to beefmen and dairymen alike.
Personally would suggest some
thing like this: That all owners OF
bulls be required to keep them off
the public range unless controlled by
herder or herders. except in places
remote from where cattle of other
breeds are being grazed. This re-
moteness should be stated in miles,
with the execution that, where the to-
biography of the country is such that a
bull cannot straw from his own herd
to that OF another kind OF cattle, the
distance clause should not apply.
A law such as outlined here would
no equally lust to owners Of All kinds
Of cattle. and would stimulate the
breeding OF nure stock. since the range
could he rsad freely nv all. without
fear of PRODUCING raixed cattle.
ADELBERT c. FRY.