Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-26
tions of Arizona and southern New Mer. |

lions Of Arizona and Southern New Mex
leo. In answer to questions put by GA
zETTE reporter as to the condition of the live
STOCK industry as connected with the rail-
roads in that territory. he merely referred
to the following communication, addressed
to the railroads named, which he said was
full exposition of the situation. which
he would favorably recommend to the line
he represented:
To the General Freight Agents Of the Atchi-
son, Topeka and Santa Fe, Southern PACING
Texas and Pacific, and Union Pacific rail-
ROADS.
GENTLEMEN-By the direction of the Live
stock association of Southern New Mexico
and Arizona, in Joint convention at Deming.
\. NJ. this Goth day of November, 1891, we
beg the honor to submit for your considera.
ton the following report:
The depressed condition of the cattle
business throughout the West is so well
known to the transportation companies that
we deem any reference to it here unneces-
sary, but we beg to respectfully submit
the deplOrable results of the drouth which
has prevailed in the Southern Pacific por-
ton of our respective territories during the
past spring and summer.
The most conservative cattle-growers
here now estimate that not less than so or
60 per cent of all the cattle upon tie RANGES
in the entire southern portion of the two
territories will perish for want of grass and
season. The condition of fully one-half of
the ranges is SO distressing that whole
herds will be swept away unless provision
is made by the railroads for the removal of
all the steer cattle, including yearlings, as
soon as spring opens; in other words, I'M
less all the steers are thus removed from
the ranges, there will not be enough food to
support even the female cattle, which
would result in the utter destruction of the
livestock industry of our respective terri
tories. To avoid this calamity, which would
be great misfortune to New Mexico and
Arizona, and even the transportation COM
panies, we respectfully ask such modifica-
ton OF railroad rates as will enable the cat
tiemen of these territories to market their
cattle, said rates to take effect not later
than the 1st day of January next, and to
remain in force until the lst day of July,
1922
1t is probable that the buyers from Mon
tana and Kansas, which states have been
our chief markets heretofore, will purchase
our steer cattle next year, provided we can
secure rate low enough to enable them to
remove our herds, which will then be so
weak that the percentage of loss must inev-
itably be large.
The fact that many of the steers in cases of
no probable demand must be sold to save
the stock cattle on our ranges from perish
ing will make it necessary for US this
year to seek buyers.
This must be done soon. and contracts
made for delivery before spring opens. To in
sure market for all our steers the matter of
the rate should be fixed by January l. next.
Many persons who have shipped under the
existing rate since the cattle have become
poor, have not only lost the value of the
cattle, but money besides, so that now we
respectfully ask rate of S15 per car from
Silver City, N. NJ, to Kansas City, with
privilege of feeding in transit, and also beg
to request a reduction in the Wyoming
rate as follows: a rate of $50 per Car from
Silver City to Orrin station on the Union
Pacific; and further beg respectfully to ask
the Southern Pacific company to make 4
proportionate reduction in their rates from
points in New Mexico and Arizona on all
cattle shipped TO Montana and Kansas.
We have the honor to be, etc.
BREWSTER CAMERON, Secretary.