The Winslow mail., 1926-03-26
An Early Solution
Of The Grazing
Question Probable

PHOENIX-"The Grazing Act of
1885, which resulted from reso-
luton submitted to the United
| States senate by Senator Ralph H.
Cameron and commonly known as
the "Stanfield Grazing Bill" has
been practically approved by the
secretary of interior, the secretary
of agriculture and the subcommit-
tee of the senate committee on pub
lie lands. The bill has been re-
drafted pursuant to negotiations be-
tween the two secretaries and the
senate committee. Such action is
generally regarded that the meas
ure has the support of the admin
| istration and will make it most
probable that the signature of the
president will be affixed. The
original bill received the endorse
| ment of the American National
Livestock association, the National
Wool Growers association, the Ari-
zona Cattle Growers association,
the Arizona Wool Growers asso-
| citation, the New Mexico Cattle and
Horse Growers association and a
large number of other organiza-
tions. The redrafted bill includes
the following features:
The bill provides legal basis
for grazing in the national forests
and on the public domain.
The forest grazing section con-
firms existing permits and stabi-
Lies their use by providing for
preference to permittees by renew
ing ten-year permits.
1t contains a provision for a re-
distribution of grazing privileges
only when needed to promote the
economic development of commun-
tiles located in the vicinity of the
forests.
Fees are to be moderate.
The secretary is directed to
waive fees during periods of
drought and general distress.
The measure provides for local
boards, a majority of the members
to be elected by permittees, to CO.
operate with the administration on
grazing to hear and to determine
controversies. The boards decis-
ion will be final unless changed by
the secretary of agriculture or the
secretary of the interior,
Respecting the use Of public do
main the bill provides for the crea-
ton of grazing districts and addi-
tions thereto only on petition OF
range users. 1t further provides
that preference be given to GUS
tomary users of the range to the
fullest extent of use and to per-
sons who own or control lands
dependent on public domain graz
ing.
Another provision is for ten-year
leases of public lands, renewable
and fees moderate.
Local boards will be elected by
public land range users of each dis
trict to cooperate with the graz
ing administration, and leases arc
to be assignable.
Hearings and appeals on contrO-
versies are to be made as in min
eral and homestead land cases, lie.
| through Iu0 ISSISCSlo VI CAS@ AohN
office.
Twenty-Five per cent of the re
ceipts of the rentals of the public
domain is to be paid into the treas
ury of the state wherein the lanC
lies.
The bill is the direct result O
the long fight waged by Arizona''
two senators, Cameron and Ashurst
for the relief of the livestock mel
of Arizona which resulted in tht
holding of the series of Ashurst
Cameron investigation hearing
held in this state during June o
last year and which eliminated il
the waving of grazing fees in th'
national forests for the years 1922
and 1926.
Senators Ashurst and Comeron
as the subcommittee of the senatt
committee on public lands, toured
the state and held hearings il
Douglas, Tucson, Globe, Phoenix
Prescott, Flagstaff, Springervillt
and other places, where hundreds
of Arizona stockmen from all parts
of the state were present to givC
testimony or submit eficence. From
Arizona the Senators proceeded tt