Show GRAZING FEES v the returns from grazing w will rise is as more stock use the for forests in consequence of range improvement pro and the development of new ranges there is now in contemplation an increase in the gragg gragg fee would result in a marked further addition to the receipts fund when regulation of grazing on the national forests began a low law scale of charges was adopted this was necessary essry at the outset both to prevent undue disturbance to the live stock industry which has been accustomed to td using the ranges free of charge aal to facilitate cili tate tato the working out of a system of control which would secure the best use of the range and restoration of its productiveness ti veness during the past 10 years of grazing regulation the value of the range to the stock men has materially increased improved methods of managing both the range and the stock have been introduced losses are fewer production is greater and the product 1 is s of a higher quality at the same time the outside public range has been greatly reduced while the demand has as grown although there have been some readjustments of grazing charges cli arges there has been no general advance in the rates present users of the nasonal forest ranges are paying much less than the prevailing local rates on private state and indian lands this may be illustrated by some typical examples in montana lands of the northern pacific railroad leased for sheep grazing bring the equivalent of 25 cents per head as against a charge 5 cents on adjoining national forest lands on the crow indian reservation in ahe same state competitive bids realized ial 81 cents L tor for sheep heep while cattle grazers glazers bid 3 on adjoining national forests the sheep mateis rats i 1 13 12 1 2 centi and the cattle rate 54 cents on oil the white mountain and san carlos carios indian reservations in arizona cattle catt lepay pay horses ka S and sheep 50 CLI cents ts on adi adjoining bining national forest forast lands quite cuite as cattle pay 43 cents horses GO 60 and nd shep 12 c nt in call calf fernia fer nia the southern pacific railroad co obtains 0 5 cents per acre re for land leased for sheep grazing while similar and adjoining national forest lands yield 14 1 45 4 5 c cents per acre the present demand privileges on a majority of the forests far exceeds the carrying capacity and the demand is on the increase Under these conditions the stockmen stoc kmen using the national r orest forest ranges are enjoying special advantages over those who must pay for range on a competitive basis or do without the value of ranches and stock is markedly increased as is well recognized in current corn coin mercial transactions by virtue of preference arence privileges to use of the forest ranges it is an established principle of national F orest forest that the man who is accorded a privilege of exclusive use of land or material for commercial profit shall pay the public in proportion to the value of what he receives this is just both from the standpoint of the public as owners of the forests and from the standpoint of other individuals over whom otherwise the holder of the privilege would be unduly favored it has become plain that increase of the benefits fi ts delved by stockmen stoc kmen from national forest administration without vit hout a commensurate increase in the charge for the grazing privilege has created a situation which calls tor for readjustment the proposal under coh consideration involves a moderate annual advance for three years before final action is taken an n opportunity will be given for all parties interested to be heard if the plan is made effective it will bo be put in operation on march I 1 1917 and should eventually iring bring the grazing receipts receipt to more than a year |