The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-03-19


agancy would find very difficult to
defend.
"Third-It is my firm belief that
the livestock industry in the national
forest states will be much better
served if grazing fees represent the
reasonable value of the grazing pr!vi-
lege, and / find this view is shared
by large number of stockmen, both
those who use the forests and those
who do not.
81 am inclosing herewith copy OF
the program Of the forest service OF
this department as to grazing fees and
ten-year permits. You will note that
this program is based upon:
"First-A proper use of the grazing
resources to best serve the public in.
terest:
"Second-Reasonab consideration
of the commercial value of the forage
to the livestock industry;
"Third- The effect Of the fees
charged upon the livestock producers.
No Increases
"No increases in existing fees will
be made prior to the season OF 1870,
but in issuing permits the right will
be reserved to the government to
make certain advances in the fees, be-
ginning with 1926, provided economic
,onditions affecting the livestock in
lustry justify such advances. If con-
ditions justify, the fees will gradually
be advanced, beginning with 1926, IN
til they have reached what is con-
;idered to be the fair and reasonable
value which will be applied in full in
1926. The secretary of agriculture may
at any time modify this program, il
economic conditions seem to require
it.
eff fees should be fixed at the cost
of administration Of the range use,
I estimate that that would call for 4
reduction in the present fees of be-
tween 60 and 70 per cent. That would
mean a reduction in the receipts from
the national forests of about $1,6OO,-
900 per year. 1t would mean also u
reduction in the payments made to
the school and road funds of the
in which national forests are
located to the amount of about $780, |
900 per year. Still further, it would
mean a reduction in the amount ap-
annually for road and trail
of about 100000 per
year.
Crates fixed for grazing upon the
national forests at the cost of ad-
would probably represent
from 10 to 25 per cent Of the actual
value of these grazing privileges, this
being arrived at by comparison with
the rentals paid for corresponding pri-
vate lands.
During the course Of the confer
ence in my Office you suggested that
should take no action looking toward
increases of the grazing fees until
congress had an opportunity to act.
I answered you by saying that I had
already stated that there would be no
increase for the coming year, and our
program, as set forth in this letter,
no increase for either
1924 or 1925. There is, therefore,
ample opportunity for congress to
AXE such action as it may see fit.
"I have set forth frankly the views
leld by myself and the forest ser
ice, and have stated clearly the ad-
illustrative policy adopted after ma
ure consideration, so that if congress
wishes to adopt different policy there
s ample time for action before any
ldvance in fees is called for by our
Program In the absence of action by
congress the program as outlined i'll
he foregoing will be followed by this
department.. In some regions our
tudies show that fees now charged
re higher than we consider just and
On these forests the fees
ill be reduced next year. !"