Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-25

the State of Utah; I. M. Nash, State
land commissioner Of the State OF
Idaho, and Charles j. Moynihan an at
torney of note in Denver. Colo, who
matters Other members will be sub
sequently named. In addition, the
President has announced that Secre-
taries Wilbur and Hyde will serve as eX-
oficio members, because OF the interest
the Departments of the Interior and
Agriculture will have in the inquiry.
! Favors Exhaustive Inquiry.
It is my understanding that the COM
mission thus designated will be charg~ d
with the duty of making an exhaustive
| inquiry into the direct and related
phases OF the subject-matter and of
submitting their findings to the Presi-
dent for use in subsequent consideration
of the proposal.
! Let us address ourselves to the rea-
! sons which find support in the advocacy
of passing title to this land to the
| States. 1t is my belief that the most i'm
| portant factor in the whole equation Is
! conservation. Most of the land is suited
only for graz ng. It's value for this pur-
| pose is being rapidly reduced through
reckless use and neglect. This is due to
lack OF constructive regulation to pre-
vent overgrazing and other abuses by
those who have no financial interest in
the land itself. The gross overpasturing,
| admitted by all who are familiar with
! the facts, has grazed the land almost
bare. The grass over vast areas has
| been destroyed to its very roots. It's
complete destruction is at hand unless
some sound economic regulatory policy
| is evolved. With the gradual diminu-
! ton of grass, marked increase in soil
erosion has followed swiftly. These COM
bined conditions have reduced the pro-
ductively of the land as much as 80 and
30 per cent in some instances. To con-
tinue the present unregulated condition
Is to invite economic destruction. Regard
for true principles of conservation lead
unerringly to the conclusion that o
change of policy in the very near future
is imperative This condition will correct
itself gradually and steadily II the land
IS surrendered to the States and they.
in turn, pass it to private ownership,
where the owner has the natural urge
to protect and preserve his estate. It
likewise will be cured if the State es-
tabliSheS, as 1t naturally will do, safe
guards against these evils as to such
part as may be leased for grazing pur-
poses. Undoubtedly, the States can be
trusted with their immediate knowledge
of conditions to meet the situation with
expedition and effectiveness. AS sound
economic safeguards are promulgated
and the soil restored to . higher pro-
ductive condition, more agricultural re-
turns will be produced and increased
herds will be grazed It seems to me
that due regard for the principles Of
conservation makes 1t necessary to ter
inmate the present situation with all
haste and to speedily place this vast
area under better regulatory supervi-
sion. That can and will be done when
the land is delivered to the States. It
will not be done so long as 1t remains
in Government ownership.
u. s. Control Held Unnecessary.
I assert with emphasis that there is
no longer any occasion for the Federal
Government to hold this land. Doubt
less In the past 1t was to the best In
terest of all concerned that the Gov
eminent retain and exercise control
over 1t. in order that 1t might not be
squandered. The States were then
young, inexperienced and perhaps would
have wasted the heritage. That time
able to protect this land now and de-
vote it to gainful purposes. They have
heretofore received grants for educa-
tional and other purposes and have pro-
tected them with efficiency and fidelity
It may be safely said that they are
prepared and will accept the proposed
grant with due appreciation Of their re-
sponSibility. Allow me to direct your
attention to a statement made by the
President in his communication, to
which reference has already been made.
He said:
1T may be stated at once that our
Western States have long since passed |
from their swaddling clothes and are |
today more competent to manage much |
Of these affairs than Is the Federal |
Government. Moreover, we must seek |
every opportunity to retard the expan- |
sion Of Federal bureaucracy and to
place our communities In control OF
their own destinies."
With this statement ! am in full ac-
cord. In addition, 1t should be borne
in mind that the States are more ia
miliar with the problems which, of ne
ceSsity, will arise In the administration
of this land than the Federal Govern
ment can possibly be. The land itself
is situated in the Western part of the
Nation. many hundreds. and in some
tional Capital. In the very nature of
things, the Federal Government is in
capacitated' by these long distances.
eliminating other factors, to cope with
the many difficulties inherinE in the
problem. The land is variegated In
class and character. It is not uniform.
Some OF 1t is desert, some rough and
rugged, some covered with sagebruSh,
some with greaseweed some with mes
quite. while some is spotted here and
there with cacti, each class presenting
different problems for solution in deter
mining the most advantageous use to
which 1t can be devoted. There is how
ever. one problem common to 1t all, and
that is water. Its scarcity has chal-
lenged the pioneers of every age who
nave ventured to exercise mastery over
this vast domain. That challenge still
exists and must be met, Those who
know conditions best, and therefore are
better equipped to meet and solve them,
live in that region, not In Washington
Therefore, the States are better able to
classify the land. cope with economic
conditions and evolve policies most
conducive to the highest degree of con-
servation productivity.
Sees GainfuI Use Under States.
speak with measured words when
1 say that the States, through
careful and scientific management,
can devote most of it to a gain
full use and cause it to bear some
revenue. Adequate and appropriate
legislation can be enacted providing
methods for sale or lease whereby some
of it can be used for homesteads; some
can be sold to the live stock growers,
both large and small, and some can be
leased to herdsmen upon which live
stock can be maintained, provided al
ways, Of course, that the revenue derived
shall be devoted to the purposes speci-
fed in the act of Congress making the
grant.
The grant should provide that all in
come derived from the sale. lease or
other disposition of the land. or any