The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-26

The Way TO secure NiSllant prosecuting
officers, to create n strong sentiment
for the punishment Of petty thieving.
and a respect for properly rights is 10
cultivate and organize this public opin-
ion INTO an aggressive force in every
community.
I'm a grazing country where stool.
runs at large the year round the next
thing to do. after teaching the rights
OF property, is TO regulate and publish
brands and marks OF ownership This
can only be done by a strong assocla-
ton, as the expense is considerable.
Every rancher should have a brand
book, in order TO keep posted as to
estrays and 10 restore them to owners.
A further use of brand-books is to keep
tab on cattle being driven off by
strangers.
Il am not familiar with brand laws
in other states. but in Nebraska we will
have to have a state registration
of brands similar to one just going into
effect in South Dakota. The registra
ton in counties permits of too much
confuson-only one man in state
should use the same brand
The most pressing need for strong
association al this time however, is to
bring pressure on w-malxing bodies
and transportation companies. There
is a necessity for some new laws and
changes in existing laws. No one indi-
"
secure legislation except they have
pull in some way. In all this country
of ours everything in the way of BUSH
ness and production is organized more
or less compactiy, except the live STOCK
and agricultural interests. With the
immense financial backing which would
be behind an organization of allied
stock growing interests, it would seem
no arguments were needed to show the
desrability of such an organization in
every county, and in every state, If we
would succeed. Railroad companies,
stockyards corporations, banks, insur-
anee companies, boards of trade, iron
and steel manufacturers, all sorts of
trusts and combines take a hand in
legislation by maintaining committees,
and attorneys, and Hobbies to look after
legislation affecting their several inter-
ests. l maintain thai stockmen have
the right TO do the same, and not only
have the right. but it is their duty.
There should be county and local or
CARNATIONS to look after local affairs,
and as far as possible to see that only
men familiar with our affairs should go
to the legislatures From these local
bodies should be formed state organiza-
lions of all allied stock interests, whose
duty ii should be 10 maintain a close
watch on all legislation. 1t is not
necessary for me to try to specify laws,
but as | have said, there Is need for
many new ones to correspond with the
immense increase in livestock indus
tries in all ways.
1T has recently been shown in at
least two Western states that even
small organizations have sufficient
power to control transportation rates,
when they choose to exercise it.
With proper leadership and thor
ough organization, stock growing in
terests can be as well protected from
a. and unfair and nningt trent
ment as can any other interest.
de Toequeville. in his famous book,
Democracy of America says: In
democratic community individuals are
very powerless.' This is the point /
wish to impress upon all stockgrowers
and their friends AS individuals we
can do nothing; combined for lawful
purposes, we can accomplish any neces-
sary end. whether ii be to enforce laws,
secure just legislation, secure equitable
transportation and stock yards or other
charges, educate public opinion, or
maintain upright dealings among our
members. All that is needed is CO.
operation, organization, leadership and
attention to details, and the world is
ours
G. f. Patrick of Pueblo, Col, deliv-
cred an address on The Benefits to Be
Derived from an Interstate OrganiZa-
ton" He argued that organizations of
to organize He cited
many abuses suffered by shippers from
railroad companies, stockyard compan-
les and packers. Local organizations,
he said, could not properly meet these
abuses. He declared that individual
shippers were at the mercy OF the inn
mense organizations. and could not
expect prosperity until they were pre-
pared to meet combinations with conf
bination. He declared that merchants
had been as slow to recognize the ne
of combined action as the stock
shippers, and that where individuals
had made movements in the right di-
rection by vigorous agitation. they had
been silenced with annual passes and
freight rebates. Cities and markets, he
said, had suffered as well as individual
shippers from railroad discrimination,
and ii should be the work of organized
to see that fair play is given to
all.
The next number on the programme
was to have been paper by Ralph Tai
bot, attorney for the Colorado Cattle
Growers association, on The Conserva-
ton of the Ranges" Mr. Talbot was
unable to be present and his paper was
read by his law partner, Mr.. Wadley
Mr.. Talbot confined himself to the con-
of laws for the preservation of
livet stock on the ranges. He began
with the assertion that the Cattle Grow
ars' association was the only society of
It's character in America that had a con-
tinuouS active existence since its first
IT has profited by Its mis-
takes, he said. and therefore may now
serve as a model for other associations.
Its object, he said, among other things.
has been To secure the best law for the
protection of owners of the cattle from
theft and unjust claims and charges.
Said he: while, of course. there still
existed in the Colorado statutes many
defects in the carrying out of the sug-
gestions made by the association. new
n sturdy beginning has been
made. and along the right lines and with
the proper ends of proper achievement
in view. No state or territory can hope
to reach material progress without the
aid of similar organizations. having for
their objects similar aims and purposes.
in harmony with each other
Nothing short Of interstate organization
will suffice 10 protect the stock interests
Of America
He urged the necessity of better and
more uniform laws regarding brands. SO