The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-17
FUTURE ORGANIZATIONS.
Sheepmen and Cowmen Are Drifting
Apart.

StOckmen are still indulging in much
speculation concerning the future OF
the National Livestock association.
The Herald saw in the organization
of the American Cattle Breeders and
the reconstruction of the National Wool
Growers association here during the
convention week distinct menaces to
the existence OF the big mixed o~gani-
cation. The moves were quietly made
and DrOtestatiOns of friendliness to-
wards the big organization then con-
Quoting its most successful annual
meeting were marked features. but
they were in themselves evidences of
shortcomings on the part of the Ma
tiOnaI Livestock association, and every
thoughtful stOckman 50 regard them
now.
1t is only fair to assume that the
steps taken to provide and maintain
separate organizations lacked premedi-
tatiOn. No concerted action had been
taken, by either sheepmen or cattlemen,
before they gathered here, to work
singly for separate needs tt cannot
be doubted, however, that individual OF
both interests had long ago II allied
that their interests could not be fully
protected or promoted through one as
ISOLATION; and while no outward or Wis
ible sign Of discomfort had appeared
coWmen at least remained unsatisfied
in their desire to have \ national or
ganiZatiOn-
The latter have generally insisted
that the National Livestock association
in its provisions for convention repre-
sentatiOn favored sheepmen, and that
it has been dominated by the sheep enc
of the livestock business in conse-
quence. It's represen tation is based
upon local and state Organiza tons. and
as result of the good times sheepmen
have been enjoying, their local associa-
tions are well supported.
The western COW associations on the
contrary, have Iapsed lamentably in the
past ten years. and many states are
without an organization of this kind
at all
This. in part, is the reason why the
sheep membership Of the national asso-
citation so very largely oUtnumbers the
cattle membership; and it also explains
why more western cOwmen have not
been identified with the association
crowd.
Disintegration Inevitable.
1t is believed now that the cowmen
will Immediately connect themselves
with their own organization, and if
they do. the disintegTatiOn of the na-
tiOnal will set in. In that event their
withdrawal but hastens the downfall
of the big mixed affair. Under the plan
which it now operates, it is a fair
weather institution. Another depres-
sion in the livestock business, whether
in sheep or cattle. would work its dis
TuptiOn, surely.
In the judgment of The Herald, mem
bership by the association is not con-
ducive TO the continuous prosperity Of
the national organization, because il
makes the existence of the latter de-
pendent upon uncertain support But il
| it we e favO able cattlemen would fail tC
identify themselves with an organiza-
ton which would not distinguish be-
tween the value Of a sheep and COW
The. present basis of representation III
conventions of the National Livestock
has been one delegate for 10000 cattle
or sheep At present 10000 cattle are
worth, say $3O,00O and 10000 sheep, one
tenth of that account
The plan equalizes the cost of mem
| bership between COW associations and
| sheep associations. but t knocks ths
voting strength Of western cattleI1eT