The Coconino sun., 1925-09-11
PRESIDENT JOHNS REPORT
SALT LAKE CONFERENCE

'The meeting at Salt Lake City was
very important an largely attended.
Though there were only 66 votes in
the conference perhaps there were
about 1000 livestock men present at
different times during the meeting.
Each of the IL states was allowed
three votes for the cattle interests and
three for the sheep interests. From
Arizona C. B. Laird represented the
cattlemen and E. A. Sawyer with N.Y.
self represented the sheepmen. The
meeting developed very sharp differ
ences in opinion and some very strong
speeches were made particularly by
stockmen from Wyoming, Idaho and
Utah.
''The declaration of principles was
presented and practically unanimously
adopted. AS you will see, the conten.
tion of Arizona that all fees for graz
ing in the future shall be based on the
direct cost of economic administra-
ton was adopted. Also, the principal
of local option on the public domain
was adopted together with preference
given to the present user of the lands.
All of this can be readily seen and un-
derstood by careful reading of the
recommendations
"The senatorial investigation open
ed on the day following the confer
ence and the work of the conference
was presented to the senate commit
tee by President Hagenbarth for the
wool growers and President Bixby for
the cattlemen. 1t was the concensus
Of opinion of the United States sena-
tors that great deal of good was ac-
complished by the conference AL the
effect of its actions upon future legis-
Iation will be lasting and effective"
The following is a declaration of
principles as regards the forests ana
the public domain.
/. That by law there be a recogni-
lion, definition, and protection of
rights to grazing upon national forest
ranges upon an area basis.
g. That such rights shall be based
upon established priority and prefer
ence at the time of the enactment of
the law.
3. That such rights be definite and
transferable with provision for egless
and ingress from and to ranges, and
subject to provisions necessary for the
protection of other resources of the
national forests.
4. That the holders of such rights
shall be responsible for wilful damage
done by them to resources of the for
est.
5. That the exercise of such right
shall be such as will insure the bene-
ficial use of the grazing resource as
considered from the standpoint of
general business welfare.
6. That no charge basis shall be
made effective in such law which re-
suits in depreciating investment
values in the privately owned depend
ent properties Of the holders of such
lights, and that provision be made for
returning whatever amounts are col
lccted for grazing to the state.
z. Ii is the concensus of opinion
that the Rachford report is based upon
unsound economic principles and
therefore should not be adopted.
S. Having adopted our recommen-
dations as above, it must naturally
follow that any contested point aris-
ng between holders of rights and the
government can finally be taken to
fhe United States district court.
The conditions in the various sec
tions of the public domain in different
states are so varied and often opposite
that no definite and complete blanket
plan can be formulated that will
eonitably and effectively apply to all
states, and that therefore we recon-
mend to the public lands committee
that
l. It's hearings in the various
states must of necessity largely de,
termine the scope and details of such
plan or plans as properly may be
formulated for the different states
and make effective such legislation as
seems necessary for solution of the
public domain problem.
2. That any principles underlying
i grazing use of the public domain
nlust recognize: (a) The necessity for
definiieness of control in the opera
tor. (b) A charge basis which does not
depreeiate investment values in pri,
ratelJ owned properties dependent
upon the use of such ranges. (c) That
priority and use shall be the general
basis of the granting of right to oc-
cupy such ranges.
3. That precedin~ any application
If any law to this problem, the pub
iic domain should be classified as to
It's proper use with reference to the
Aest economic development and bene-
Sit to The general public.
d. Any law enacted covering this
matter should be based upon the prin-
ciple of local option, within a state or
grazing district.
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