The Washington times., 1925-10-24
BANKRUPT
NOW,| IS
CLAIM
Senator Cameron to Introduce
BilI-Prices to Soar If Help
Is Denied, He Says
By WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON

By WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON
The new Congress will be asked
to save Americas great livestock
industry from complete destruc-
ton" by the extension of imme-
date Federal aid, it was an
nounced today by Senator Cam
eron (Rep.) of Ariz., sponsor of
the recent senatorial investigation
into the condition of public lands
In the West.
With the cattle industry vir-
tually bankrupt and facing fur
Their losses, Cameron declared,
Congress must either provide ade-
quate relief or watch meat prices
soar to unheard of heights.
Wants Land Law Revision
Linked to the relief for the cattle
Industry. Cameron said, legislation
Will be proposed to revise the pub
lie land laws and give eleven west
ern states a share in the proceeds
of the public domain.
The states, which would be bene-
fitted, headed, are Washington,
o. egon. California. Arizona, New
Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada,
Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, in
which is located 81 per cent of all
public lands.
Cameron announced he would
sponsor legislation calling for:
1. A complete revision of public
land laws by which the states will
share in all Federal income from
the natural resources on public
lands.
2. A provision prohibiting extern
sion Of the national park system.
5. A program intended to promote
the development OF natural re-
sources in the public domain
For the benefit of the cattle in
dustry, Cameron will sponsor leg
islation providing:
l. An amendment to. the in
termediary credit bank act to pro
vide easier credits for the live
stock industry.
Drift" Fences Asked
2. Authorization OF grazing leases
Tor minimum period of ten years
by which livestock owners can con-
tract with the Government to graze
their herds in national forests
3. Provision for judicial review,
including appeals to the Federal
tlemen and the forestry service.
4. Granting Of permission to cat
tlemen to maintain drift" fences
on the public domain.
This legislation will be based on
the results of A score Of hearings
held throughout the cattle country
last summer by a subcommittee of
the Senate Public Lands Committee,
Cameron said. His relief proposals,
he added. will have the committees
support.
The plan to give Western States
Q share in the proceeds obtained
from pubic lands is necessary. Cam.
eron explained, because 81 per cert
of the total area in the eleven
States named lie within Federal
domains and are not subject to
State taxes.
Owns MOsOt of States
In Nevada. he added, the Govern
ment owns 81 per cent of the States
total area while in Utah "a per cent
of the whole State is owned by the
Government.
Such conditions. Cameron de-
clared. have given these States
bankrupting tax burdens.
In its investigation the committee
found that Of the 10000. 900 acres
Of public lands. 23O. 600. 900 acres are
withdrawn from settlement. either
because Of mineral resources or "a
National forests, and 1S5, 900 900
acres are deserted grazing lands
open for homestead entry
In that portion withdrawn from
homestead entry, Cameron added.
the cOmomittee found 40, 600, 900 acres
which included the most valuable
natural resources in the West. with
water-power sites. giant timber
ranges. oil fields. coal. marble and
other mineral deposits.
The committees findings. with
special reference to the cattle in
cnstry. will be submitted to Con
Rress as soon as il convenes