Gladys Stray Calf v. Scott Land & Livestock Co.

I respectfully dissent. I conclude that the leases in question violate the Crow Allotment Act, as amended, and should be declared void.

The lessees, Scott Land & Livestock Co., et al, urge that the 1948 amendment to the Crow Allotment Act, which deleted an earlier provision prohibiting the renewal of leases of grazing lands prior to one year before their termination,1 opened the way for the practice now before us. The 1948 amendment, it is said, must be construed consistently with congressional intent gradually to emancipate the Crow Indians from government interference in managing their…