The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-29
FEWER CATTLE SHIPPED
But on the Other Hand Prices in
1893 Averaged Higher.
THE MATTER OF BOUNTIES
b State Board OF Stock Commissioners
Recommends That the Bounty on Coy
otes Be Removed and That the
Wolf Bounty Be Five Dollars.

| Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, Dec. developments Of cattle
from Montana were considerably less
this year than in previous years, ac-
cording to the annual report of the state
board of stock commissioners. presented
to Governor Smith to-day by John T.,
Murphy. president. and w. G. Preuitt.
secretary. During the year the inspec-
tors reported the shipment OF 172. 225
from the state. This was about 10 per
cent. less than last year. and still more
so as compared with previous years. A
more apparent shortage next year Is
cerned, but as the decrease Is almost
altogether i'm range herds. while thu
ranch cattle are increasing in number,
the total number in the state Is no less
than heretofore. Allowing $4,000 for
home consumption. the total output for
the year was 232. 225 head. While the
output was less than previous years.
the price per head was an advance of S
per cent. over 1897 or any previous year.
This higher average was occasioned,
says the board, mot alone by a little
higher price on an average for the year,
but also from the fact that an unusual
amount of breeding stock vas retained,
and h proportion OF steer cattle in
shipments was necessarily greater, thus
raising the average slightly as to i've
rage and quality. In addition, the mar
ket was unusually steady, being mark
ed by fewer extremes than in former
years"
Not only were less cattle shipped from
the state this year. but fewer were
shipped in than in any previous year.
Only $1,000 head were imported. a fall
ing off of IS per cent. as with
last year. This is explained by the un-
usually high prices prevailing for young
stock. The annual report shows clearly
that the large cattle herds held by a
few people are giving way to what are
called ranch cattle. Possibly more ami
mails in the aggregate are owned by
more people, SO that Montana is in real
ity increasing its cattle holdings. The
inspectors recovered 16,05S strays, az
g%regating $500. 900. Through the Stock
growers association the owners of
strays recovered 1927. 943.9 80. the greatest
volume of business i'm the history of the
board or association. During the year
~ arrests were made by the stock in
spectors. nearly all for direct violation
of the stock laws. OF this number 80
were convicted.
About s25, 900 was received by Mon
tan stockmen for stock killed by rail-
roads. The number of stock killed in
that manner Is, however, fast decreas-
ing, as the railroads are rapidly fencing
their rights-of-way. In regard to
bounty legislation the board recon-
mends either the repeal of the boenty
on coyotes, or its reduction to a mini
mum and the increase of the wolf
bounty to 81. Stockmen maintain that
the wolf, and not the coyote, is respon-
sible for loss to stock. and that an ex-
mination of the claims filed against
the bounty fund will show that fully
IS per cent. of all claims filed are for
coyotes. Under the circumstances
says the board, lit seems folly to con-
tinue the expenditure of so large an
amount of money for the determination
of an animal that Is almost harmless
to stock. and we feel that the stockmen
are justified in their demand for the en-
tire abrogation of the coyote bounty or
at least a radical reduction in the
amount" II that does not produce
enough revenue for the prompt payment
OF wolf bounties, the board recommends
an additional levy of 1 mill on the live
stock interests of the state. The boards
recommendations for a reduced coyote
bounty or its ~abrogation will, 1t is hard
ly necessary to say, by no means meet
with the appreciation of the sheep men,
who claim the reverse as to the amount
of stock killed by the two animals.