Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-03-11

Jack. Mr.. Hale was asked concerning
the changes which time has wrought
In the cattle trade Of Texas ind he
said:
II resigned my position as editor Of
the Texas Livestock journal - COM
mence the publication of n livestock
market report at st, Louis. This was
ak years ago At that time the cnt-
tie business was recovering from sc-
rles OF reverses, 1t had suffered TO
some extent from droutl. from the
closing Of the northern trail, from
pvcrstocking the ranges, from con-
tinued low prices. from severe winters
and at times from n combination OF
these causes. But the interest was
regaining It's prestige and obtaining
permanent foundation. one great help
to Texas stockmen has been the in
crease Of reliable demands from the
Indian Territory. The cattle that could
no longer be sold to the Colorado and
Montana ranchmen were sold to 20 10
the Indian Territory, where luNurlant
grasses guarantee the shipping to mar
ket In the fall of the thin cattle that
are received In the spring, Next came
AN additional demand for cattle 20 fat
ten on oil meal and hulls, This great
dcmand-,the growth OF the last ilve
yelrs-hns served the purpose Of re-
lleving the Texas grass ranges Of great
demands upon them and at tha same
time equalized the run OF cattle to mar
ket 50 that butchers and packers could
rely upon the Texas cattle supply to
keep the shops going all the yenr
round, instead OF furnishing n spas
modic and uncertain supply when the
grass fat or half fat cattle could be
sent in. The development of the pas
ture system is another good thing that
time has brought about to benefit the
/ tat ~ fh4ua on ia.
merely progressive. bringing the re-
sources Of the country into proper har-
mony and perfection
Fashion in beef consumption In
| tending to lighter animals than here
tofore and in this fashion is meeting
| the Texas stockman half way. For
| merly a premium was paid for heavy
cnttle. whereas now the premium is not
| sufficient to pay n stockmau to make
| his cattle heavy unless II Ii done
| chenply. Texas, however. has In
creased the average weight Of cattle
| and has not far to go to satisfy all
demands. Quality is now the great
requisite, and here Texas shows n
steady and reliable gain that will give
! the state reputation that will add
| to the market value OF Its cattle prod
| uct
"'The change in market conditions Is
| also n benefit TO Texas stoctmen.' said
| Mr.. Hale. ~ Know thot i am an no
! vocate OF my own location in saying
this, but those who are not blind can
! see the changes are important. At
| Weatherford some years ago 1t was
| said that there was only one buyer for
| Texas cattle a. Chicago. This mennt
that a combination of packers had con-
troll Of the trade. For years this was
said and believed. but ! do not believe
IT now. Now there are other markets
ana they are growing and the greatest
for Texas stockmen IL st. Louis. II ls
the growth of the past FIVE years. Then
It was last. and now Il is first. If you
ship to st. Louis the big packers VIII
try to buy your cattle. hut they have
to compete with Chicago. Cleveland
Detroit. Indianapolis. Buffalo. New
York, Boston and Philadelphia. also
with the export trade. Kansas city, In
minor way, Is also taking care OF
some of the Texas trade, 50 that Texas
stoclSmen who once had doubtful
market at one place has now three
markets and better competition Mt all
OF them than at the doubtful ons flvC
or six years ago. There IL no more
monopoly on beef than there is on dry
goods.