The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-31
LIVE STOCK IN MONTANA
An Interesting Report Submitted
by the Commissioners.
SHIPMENTS OF THE. YEAR
The Total Shows Decrease OF Is Per
Cent From 1eee-Bounty Law
Works well-The Horse
Industry.

| I Helena, Dec. 30.-During the year
| 1899 there were 203,4SS head of cattle
shipped out of the state or slaughtered
| for home consumption, according to
| the 14th annual report of the state
board of stock commissioners sub
mitted to the governor to-day. The re-
port presents the usual interesting in
| formation respecting one of the great
| industries Of the state. The produc-
| ton of the state, as reported to the
| stock inspector by the local inspectors
| shows falling off of about Is per cent
as compared with last year. It is pre-
dicted that because Of the curtailment
of the ranges the shortage will increase
as the country becomes more settled.
Speaking of the shipments and lhe
cause Of the decrease the report says:
'fCattle shipments fall somewhat short
| OF the previous year, probably about
l5 per cent, which may be accounted
for in the decrease of range herds, and
the indications are that there will be
a gradual increase in the shortage FOR
| some years to come. The state is rap
| idly becoming settled and range prtvi-
| leses are accordingly curtailed, al
| though it is doubtful if this will create
any ultimate decrease in the total
| number of cattle in the state, as ranch
| cattle will eventually increase proper
| tionately as the range herds disappear.
During the past season the inspec-
| tors report a total of 203 49S head of
cattle shipped out of Montana includ-
| ing home consumption and those that
were shipped out to the feeding dis
tricts in the corn states. Of this num-
Der there were 10,755 strays recovered
by the inspectors. the proceeds of s,367
being paid direct to the owners, while
the remaining 1888 head We're paid Cor
to owners through the Montana Stock
growers association
"On account of the high prices pre-
vailing for stock cattle, the number of
young stock brought into the state
during the year was not up to the nor
NAL number, as the total did not eX-
ceed $4,000 head. Of this number 1,S44
head We're thoroughbred cattle, brought
in for breeding purposes. Stockmen
throughout Montana are procuring the
best breeding stock to beehad which
augurs well for the future of the cat+
tie business in this state"
In regard to the system of inspection
of cattle at the markets, the report
says: "The inspection of cattle at the
markets has been satisfactory. as
usual This inspection is of great val
ue to the stockmen, particularly the
smaller owners, as every animal is
carefully inspected, record made OF
all brands and proceeds from the sale
Every facility is afforded for. thorough
and expert work and Notwithstanding
the large number of cattle crowded on
the market within so short time,
errors are infrequent and complaints
few This market inspection Is main
tained throughout the year. go that 1t
is an impossibility to ship cattle from
the state to market at any time with
out undergoing inspection. Proceeds
of strays are sent to the Montana
tow, AVID 30
to individual owners, who are located
by means of the official record or
marks and brands"
The location and the work OF the Il
inspectors that were employed during
the year are fully set forth The in
spection service for the year is pro-
nounced better than ever before, as the
finances have been in better shape.
Each county has afforded better in
dividual inspection than ever. The re-
suit of the inspectors work is shown
in the number of arrests for violation
of the stock laws. Sixty arrests We're
made during the year. OF those arrest
ed, 16 We're convicted. 20 are awaiting
triel, one was eXtradited to Canada
and convicted, two We're taken to other
states and convicted, and two forfeit
ed their bail and are now fugtives
from justice. Nearly all of the regular
inspectors are deputized as sheriffs and
the general laws against criminals. The
force of inspectors is pronounced etii-
cient and of inestinable value to the
live stock interests of the state Dur
ing the year 7S2 cattle We're killed by
the railroads of the state.
Praise is accorded to the Montana
Stock Growers association and to the
North Montana Stock association for
assistance, the former having finan-
cially aided the board by contributing
s9,260, which has been a help in prose-
cutting the work of the board.
The new bounty law passed by the
last legislature proves to have been
wise measure for the stock interests
"The new bounty laws appears to be
working most satisfactorily" says the
report land we hope it will have the
result of greatly decreasing the num-
ber of depredating animals in Mon
tana The tax is heavy one on the
suit is attained the expense will be
cheerfully borne. We feel that the
livestock interests should be accorded
such legislation as they request, in
view of the fact that they are taxing
themselves exclusively for their own
protection, besides contributing their
proportion to the support of the gem
eral interests. The number of claims
filed for bounty is decreasing, while
the fund has been greatly augmented
by the increased tax levy, SO there is
not only a sufficiently large fund to
provide cash bounty so that certificates
may be worth their face value. but the
old claims under previous acts are
likely to soon be paid up. We believe,
too, that the restrictions of the new
law prevent the practice of fraud to the
extent that existed under the previous
law"
The assignment of the old, unused
brands, owing to the difficulty in new
brands that are desirable, is commend
ed. The board finds that the old
brands are palmer than any new ones
available and by continuing to use
them the records are relieved of dis
used brands. There are about 10000
brands on the records. Not all, how
ever, are in use, as legal assignments
have not been procured for all of them.
The new year begins with $3S477 in
the stock inspection and indemnity
fund, as compared with $19,l35 Jan. /,