The copper era and Morenci leader., 1922-07-28
FOREST PERMITTEES FORM ASSOCIATION
 RMUTUAL BENEFIT

An organization, known as The National Forest Permittees' Associs.- tion, has been formed in Arizona | with the hearty approval of every | cattleman in the state and those who are being asked to become members are losing no time in Joining. The first formal meeting of the National Forest Permitees' Associa- | tion, which has been in course of | organization for a month or so. was held at Prescott, Arizona, on July | 3rd and 4th, and from reliable re- ports of this meeting it is very evi dent that this movement, formulated in the interest noly of those stock men in the state who are users of the National Forest for the grazing of their stock, will rapidly become very popular among the permittees.
 The objects for which this As sociation has been formed deal pri marily in encouraging a greater and more intelligent understanding of the livestock industry on the forests among the government officials and members of Congress who have i'll their power the enactment of laws and regulations governing the man. agement of grazing on the forests areas. The grazing on the National Forests throughout the entire west has always been administered under identical regulations, and for a lorg time the livestock interests in our state have recommended that a more practical set of regulations be ap- piled to the breeding conditions of Arizona. which are unlike the con- ditions of grazing on the forests ia other states.
 The National Forest Permittees' Association is starting out with de, finite purposes in view, and that DO Hey, it is felt. marks a very success fJl beginning. In addition to ad- vocating certain needed improvements in the methods of operation on the part of the Forest Service, particul- arly in urging for the permittees a  iong-term lease for grazing to re- place the annual permit at present in force. this Association will prepare itself to SOW to the government of ficials and committees in Congress that the grazing fees now charged on the National Forests in Arizona are excessive. This latter mission is particularly pertinent inasmuch as it is the announced intention of the Forest Service to make a substantial increase in the fees next year al over the forests of the west The The government bureau for sometime has been conducting Investigations to determine the value of forest ranges in the different states with this one end in view, and the stockmen of Arizona feel that the singular con- ditions prevailing in the state justify a reduction rather than raise in the charge for grazing.
 Another vital phase of forest graz ing that in an expected early adjust ment will be threshed out by the new Association is the declared desire oi the Forest Service to transfer to the Government the ownership of the i'm provements constructed on the ranges by the stockmen during the half century and more of use. The Ma tional Forest Permittees' Association is opposed to such action as unrea- sonably depriving the users of equities built up through long usage, pioneer ing, hard work and large eXpendi- lures of money, and will conduct it's Investigations and campaign along this line.
 Probably the foremost duty of this new Association will be in way of education. It has always been very apparent that in the discussions and enactment of laws in respect to forest grazing, the United States Senators and Representative are without ac curate and reliable information or the livestock breeding conditions on taining in our state, and this new Association will have representatives III Washington Tor thlS purpose. it enersetictlly strive for recognition in this way has not in the past beer attempted on such scale by tht stockraisers of the state, and thougf it will require extensive facilities or the part of this organization, tht stockmen feel that it is very essentia; that action in this direction be taken
 As matter of fact, the livestock interests on the forests realize tha this new sep in organization is a5 soluteiy necessary to bring about th' remedies needed to hold up the il: dustry and to forestall any measures