The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-02-01
Livestock Industry
Livestock Men at Portland.

entertained the members Oh Jnree I'LL
ferent associations at the same time
the National Livestock Association,
the National Woolgrowers' Association
and the Northwest Horticultural Asso-
citation. The last named is given at
tention by our horticultural editor,
who was present at the meetings. The
other two buried their animosities and
came together in a most friendly man
ner, which resulted in great harmony
marking the proceedings, and better
understanding between the two as
sociations was one of the happy conse-
quences. Men from every state where
livestock is raised were present and
lent their aid and advice in an effort
to advance the interests of all inter-
ested in stockraising. The addresses
were all able and far-reaching.
One of the most important pieces
of work undertaken was the PROPOSE
ton to establish an Independent pack
ing plant in each of the large stock
centers where the so-called meat trust
holds sway and controls the output
and it's prices. 1t was contended that
the livestock raisers were at the mercy
of this trust and to fight the combine
they must cooperate and build plants
of their own, to which all members
of the new corporation are to send
their livestock, thus helping to break
the combine and making prices more
equitable to both producer and con-
sumner. The move resulted in the as,
ISOLATION endorsing the plan to raise
five million dollars for the purpose,
among the stockmen, each individual
or firm to become member or the
independent concern upon contribut-
ing a share. The concern is to be in
corporated and each shareholder is to
be director.
Another important feature was the
outlining of plan to fight discrimlna-
ton against the stockmen by the rail-
road interests. 1t was said the rail-
roads are standing in with the meat
packers and making the producers
pay an outrageous charge on all ship
mentS.
The woolgrowers were active in IA
vor of better arrangements for using
the public land for grazing purposes.
They wanted the government to open
the reserves to them, and also demand
ed that the control of the reserves be
transferred from the hands OF the IN
terror department to the agricultural
department. The state of Washington
was we'll represented at this meeting.
The delegates were active in all work
that would tend to better their inter
ests. r. K Nichols, secretary of the
Yakima County woolgrowers, made
strong plea along these lines. He told
of conditions in this state, calling at
tention to the setting aside of pre-
serves in Washington, and showed how
vast areas of grazing land had been
closed to the sheepmen. "The sheep
man of Washington is not lawless
Nomad,' said the speaker, "and we
look upon our exclusion from the pub
lie land as a restriction Of personal
rights. We are willing to abide by
any law that the government may
make, but we believe that it should
pursue a different policy and allow us
to Craze upon the reserves. We hnoW
that the forest reserves must be kept,
but they can be made to serve the in
terests for which they are set aside
and our interests, too, without suffer
ing any damage. In Washington a
large portion of the public land is
gone, and it is all we can do to keep
feed for our sheep. All we ask Is to
be allowed to Craze on the reserves
and we will be careful not to inJure
MI 4. Do e. 6n0 nd p