The herald., 1896-10-14
And the Cause of the Declining
Market
FOREIGNERS COMPETITION
Bears the Market to the Point o.
Ruin
Americans Can Hold the Trade Only BY
Furnishing the Best Meat Pro-
ducts of the World.
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special wire
FORT WORTH, Tex. Oct. 13.-Presi-
dent Thompson, in his annual address
at the meeting of the Live Stock ex-
change, said: Up to few years ago
the producer of this country was sue
cessful and prosperous. He entertained
no fear of competition from foreign
lands; he practically had the markets
of the world open to him for the dispo-
sition of his vast surplus. and at sat
isfactory prices. These conditions be-
coming apparent to foreign consumers,
they set about to discover. If possible,
some country whose products and sur
plus could be used in competition with
ours. Canada opened new fields for the
production of wheat and other cereals.
South Africa and heretofore undevel-
oped countries began raising wheat and
other grains, the producers of New Zea-
land, Australia, South America and
other countries were soon induced to
venture into the undetermined and
questionable experience of finding Il
market for their surplus beef and NUT
ton, and to such an extent were the
enterprises carried that the receipts
of these imports at different foreign
markets in connection with those sent
by us became so great as to cause the
prices of the same to decline to point
where the European producers began 20
appeal for legislation to protect their
home Industries from ruin. In many
sections such prohibitive legislation
was secured, and our country, being the
largest producing country. was the
greatest sufferer in consequence. 1t oc-
ours to me that the question as to
whether this legislation Is just Is not
for us to especially consider. but 1t be-
hooves us to satisfy, nay convince, our
European producers and consumers
that our livestock and meat food pro-
ducts are the healthiest and best In the
world, and that when any distinction
is made it should be for our products.
The unsoundness Of our meat and
meat food products has been the al
legged cause for some of the inimical leg
islation enacted. We know the reason
to be without foundation in fact, and
would heartily welcome representatives
Of any and all foreign countries to our
ranches, our feed lots, our stockyards
and our abbatoirs, where our meat food
products are prepared for consumption.
and after being prepared and critically
inspected examined and found healthy.
to be sealed and so qualified by such
representatives. We court the most
careful scrutiny and critical scientific
examination OF the health Of our live
stock and meat food products. Can we
do more in this line? This is ques-
ton that merits your serious considera
tion. These measures, together with
much needed legislation by our con-
gress, looking to a reciprocal exchange
of our commodities should be one of the
great aims of this convention. Reel
procity would open for our surplus the
foreign gates of commerce that are now
closed to us, and the resultant and ben
eficial effect would soon be felt in ev-
cry channel of commerce throughout
the length and breadth of this great
land.
Since its inception, this organization
has in all it's proceedings acted as a
strictly non-partisan legislative body,
welding its influence without the hope
Of fee or reward in the interest of its
constituents, the producer and the con-
sumer. Let us not lose sight of this
object, and in our deliberations at this
convention bring to bear our best ef-
forts with this end ever in view. Let
all our acts be such as are best calcu-
lated to encourage. foster and protect