The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1932-05-27
STOCKMEN MAKE
SHARP PROTEST
UNABLE TO LEASE GRAZING
LAND ON FAIR TERMS,
THEIR CLAIM

Some of the reservation home
steaders who mix stock-raising with
their farming, up in the Wolf Creek
area, have come to the Commercial
club with loud complaints about
what is happening with regard to
the leasing of grazing land in their
district. They say that a large block
of the range has been leased to
sheep owners who bring in their
sheep in summer, take them away
in the fall, and pay no taxes to the
county. In some cases the block of
land includes land Immediately adj
iacent to ranch door yards.
When the ranchers seek to lease
land for their stock they are re-
quired to lease 80 acres for each
head of cattle. Six acres for each
sheep. At the prevailing, almost in
visible price of livestock the graz
ing charges would soon put them
out of business, they say.
The farmer-stockmen are at a
loss to understand the position of
the reservation superintendent in
view of the promise of department
officials at Washington last winter
when a large delegation of stock
men from different parts of the
state went to the capital and pro-
tested and argued against adoption
of the proposed grazing stipula-
tions, designed for and in use on
forest reserves. At that time err
tain high officials declared they
would tear up the new stipula-
tons and proceed under the old
methods.
Payment of cash in advance for
leases is another requirement the
ranchers are utterly unable to meet.
The Commercial club took inn
mediate action and Secretary Cor
don sent the following message to
members of the Montana delega-
ton
Farmers of this vicinity are
again protesting the action of the
local Superintendent Of the Indian
Reservation. He refuses to lease
less than 80 acres per head Of cat
tie, making it necessary for each
farmer to pay $500 per head for
to go on the range. We can
not understand why these farmers
are forced to lease at least 80 acres
per head of cattle in order to range
their cattle. 1t means that the farm
ers cannot pay it and the Indians
will not receive anything for their
and as it will be vacant. Indian
Department also demands cash
payable in advance. Under such
conditions farmers are going to be
'orced to sell their cattle and leave
he country. Please take appro-
,riate action" Commercial Club of
Wolf Point, Montana. Charles Cor
lon, secretary.
Replies were received promptly
Senator Wheeler wired. "Will
AXE matter up Immediately"
Senator Walsh wrote a letter.
.fter reviewing the contents of Cor
on's message, he said:
81 will give the matter immediate
ttention, and with that end in
lew, | am presenting the matter
D the Commissioner for his consid-
ration and action. Upon hearing
rom him, l will communicate with
Congressman Leavitt wrote:
Your telegram in connection
18th the requirement of the super
ltendent that farmers lease not
ISIS than thirty acres per head of
attle is received. I have called the
.tuation as you outline it to the
ttention of the Commissioner of
,dian Affairs and he is nov CIV
it his consideration.
81 hope the matter a be work
| out in a way which will be sat
factory to all concerned"
Another meeting of stockmen.
rmers, and Commercial club mem
rs was held at the court house
nursday afternoon. The situation
deemed serious for the farmers
it'll stock.