THE CALL OF THE LAND 



ning for a~ federal leasing law like that of 

 Australia or of Texas. Several drafts of 

 lease laws have been before the House Com- 

 mittee on Public Lands. The "cattle 

 barons" and great cattle companies are not 

 suppliants for leases. Such are sufficient 

 unto themselves. They can isolate their 

 herds, thus securing the advantages we have 

 described without the expense of fencing. 

 A stockman rich enough can hire his little 

 army of cowboys with their necessary out- 

 fit round-up wagon, and so on for his 

 herd, asking no aid from any outside source. 

 He can ward off nomads and, if so disposed, 

 plague settlers. It is the herdsman of ordi- 

 nary means who would be glad to lease. 



The purpose of the various bills is to hold 

 United States grazing lands for homesteads 

 so far as they are or can by irrigation be 

 made suitable, meantime renting these lands 

 at an equitable rate for grazing purposes 

 any part of a leased tract to be at once cut 

 out of the lease whenever entered upon for 

 homestead purposes. 



Numerous and earnest objections are 



56 



