12 PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSION, 



Second. Upon the results of careful examinations made for the 

 Commission of the grazing systems of the State of Texas, the State 

 of Wyoming, the Union and Northern Pacific railroads, and of the 

 Indian Office in the case of permits to stockmen for the use of Indian 

 lands suitable for grazing, and of the grazing conditions throughout 

 the West. A map has been prepared showing the general location 

 and area of the summer, winter, and year-long ranges, and the sec- 

 tions which are largely dependent upon a temporary water supply 

 for their utilization in grazing, and those where there has been 

 extensive development by wells and windmills. We believe that this 

 map will be found exceedingly valuable and interesting in the consid- 

 eration of all grazing problems, and it is therefore submitted in the 

 appendix. 



Third. Upon the results of a meeting called to confer with the 

 Commission by the National Live Stock Association in Denver early 

 in August, 1904, which was attended by the Secretary of Agriculture 

 and by representative stockmen from all the grazing-land States and 

 Territories. The opinion of the stockmen present was almost unani- 

 mous in favor of some action on the part of the Government which 

 would give the range user some right of control by which the range 

 can be kept from destruction by overcrowding and the controversies 

 over range rights can be satisfactorily eliminated, the only question 

 being as to the most satisfactory method by which such right may be 

 obtained. 



Fourth. Upon 1,400 answers received to a circular letter addressed 

 to stockmen throughout the West. These answers show that under the 

 present system the pasturing value of the ranges has deteriorated 

 and the carrying capacity of the lands has greatly diminished ; that 

 the present condition of affairs is unsatisfactory ; that the adoption 

 of a new system of management would insure a better and more per- 

 manent use of the grazing lands; that a certain improvement in 

 range conditions has already been brought about by range control on 

 the forest reserves, and that the great bulk of the western stockmen 

 are definitely in favor of Government control of the open range. 



Fifth. Upon facts presented at many public meetings held through- 

 out the West and upon innumerable suggestions which have been 

 received and considered. 



Your Commission concurs in the opinion of the stockmen that some 

 forni of Government control is necessary at once, but is opposed to 

 the immediate application of any definite plan to all of the'^grazing 

 lands alike, regardless of local conditions or actual grazing value. 

 The following plan is intended to bring about the gradual applica- 

 tion to each locality of a form of control specificallv suited to that 

 locality, whether it may be applicable to any other "locality or not. 

 Your Commission recommends that suitable authority be "given to 

 the President to set aside, by proclamation, certain grazing districts 

 or reserves. To the Secretary of Agriculture, in whose Department 

 IS found the special acquaintance with range conditions and live-stock 

 questions which is absolutely necessary for the wise solution of these 

 problems, authority should be given to classify and appraise the graz- 

 ing value of these lands, to appoint such officers as the care of' each 

 grazing district may require, to charge and collect a moderate fee 

 tor grazing permits, and to make and apply definite and appropriate 

 regulations to each grazing district. These regulations should be 



