The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-21
KANSAS NEWS.
Convention of StOckmen at
Dodge City, March 81.
Is Expected to Be Beneficial and
Well Attended.
TO DISCUSS PRICES.
Promoters of Independent Pack
ing Company Present.
Will Outline Their Policy to
Those Present.
TO DISCUSS PRICES.

Dodge City, Kan, March 21.-A call
has been issued for a convention of live
stockmen, to be held here March 81.
The call is addressed to southwestern
stockmen but copies have been sent to
all parts of the west and from the num-
Der Of letters received by H. B. Bell, the
secretary. the convention will be one of
the largest held in southern Kansas in
many years. Dodge City, for many
years was known as the central meeting
place for stockmen in the west but in
late years the interests have become so
widely scattered that Dodge City has
been almost forgotten.
Many important questions will be dis
cussed at. this meeting relative to the
1--we stock business. Among other things
the call states:
The purposes of this meeting are for
the discussion of and to help provide
ways and means for the betterment Of
present prices, not only of cattle, but
Tor all live stock.
The undesirable conditions which have
existed at the different great live stock
markets of this country for the past
year are no longer in comparison or pro
portion with prices paid by the con-
Eumer and, while the country in general
IS enjoying prosperity, good prices for
the most products and labor employed
there Is no Just reason why cattle should
sell on foot at the present low prices.
The consumption of food products in
this country made from the steer has
materially increased, but the producer
OF live cattle has received no benefit
Gherefrom.
Supply and demand are no longer
taken into account in fixing the prices
OF cattle on foot
The cause is lack of competition in
buying, brought about by a combination
OF the packers.
To change this system is the question
which IS of all Importance to the cattle
producers of today, and, at this meeting
on March 81, this will be the great ques-
tion presented.
The Independent Packing company
recently organized believes it has found
remedy. 1t is legitimate and healthy
competition. At this meeting represen-
tatives of this company will be present
and fully explain how it as a company
hopes to correct this evil of low prices
and viii try to instruct US how to bet
ter our conditions in the business in
which we are engaged.
We hope in this letter to impress on
your minds the one fact more than any
other that the oppression under which
the stock men and stock growers are
now laboring will never be changed un-
til we ourselves take an active part in
bringing about the desired result.
The promoters of the Independent
Packing company, which was organized
last winter have promised to attend
THIS l4tCCLlll5 dIlQ HIVE lSSueQ q state
ment in connection with the call for
the convention, portion of which is as
follows:
The undesirable conditions which
have existed at the various live stock
markets for some time have caused ev-
cry grower and feeder of cattle to give
this question serious thought. Supply
and demand is not taken into account
in fixing the price of cattle on the hoof.
We believe it is the rule of cause and
effect We believe we know the cause.
1t is a lack of competition in the buy
ing, brought about by a combination of
the packers of the United States. Now
what to do to effect a change to relieve
conditions from our view point is the
question.
If a sufficient number of men, who
are engaged in the live stock business,
viii interest themselves in completing
this organization, the promoters are
certain of good results. The stockmen
are a widely scattered body of men,
and it is difficult to reach them, and
fully explain in detail the plans of this
new company
At this meeting representatives of
the Independent Packing company will
be present, and explain in detail all
they expect to accomplish for the pur-
pose of lettering conditions, now COM
planned of. Also some of the benefits
90 the cattle industry generally.