The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-05-04
THEY FAVOR COMMISSION
MONTANA CATTlEMEN WILL
WORK FOR ELECTION OF MEN,
BERS TO LEGISLATURE.
North Montana Roundup Association
Adopts Strong Resolutions at
Annual Meeting.

The North Montana Roundup asso-
ciation in session in Helena, declared
in favor of the creation of railroad
commission by the adoption of the re-
! port of the executive committee which
| urged all members to endeavor to Sc
cure the election to the legislature of
| men pledged to bring such a commits
| sion into existence.
The recommendation of the commit
tee was contained in the closing clause
| of the report, and read:
I'VE particularly urge the election to
| the state Legislature of men pledged
to use all honorable means for the Gre
| alton OF a state railway commission.
| to be elected by the people. which shall
be empowered to protect the business
men and the industries of the state
against inadequate service and iniur-
| ious rates; the salaries and expenses
of such a commission to be paid by
special tax levied against the railway
| properties in the state"
In its report, read at a meeting of
! the association, the committee stated
that the season just past, and 50 far
the present one, was unfavorable to
the owners of cattle and sheep, that
weather conditions had caused enor-
nous loss, and the depredations of
wolves but little less loss.
, The committee protested against the
| conduct of the Great Northern railway
! in neglecting to build stockyards in
places most convenient to shippers. and
stated that where they were built they
were not convenient nor conducive to
| speedy loading.
The practice Of changing the Great
Northern combination cars into ears
for the shipment of beef cattle was
condemned; it was stated that the cars
were too long and narrow for such use
The tonnage system of shipping was
| also declared unfair
The policy of the Great Northern in
encouraging the importation of south
ern cattle and overstocking the ranges
was condemned. The policy of all the
railroads in refusing to allow return
| transportation to shippers was con-
| demned. 1t was stated that return
transportation was due the shipper as
right, not as a privilege.
One clause of the report which was
| adopted is to the effect that in case
any member of the association has any
difficulties with any railroad he shall
| report the matter to the officers Of the
association, and the latter shall be en-
powered to employ able counsel at the
expense Of the association.
This resolution. asking for the enact
ment Of federal legislation, was adopt
| ed:
Whereas, 1t is for the benft of the
whole livestock interests and the desire
| Of this association to secure the enact
ment OF such laws as will invest the in
| terstate commerce commission with
the power and authority to regulate in
| a more speedy, perfect and efficient
| method than now exists the charging
demanding and collecting of the un-
| reasonable rates of freight and to pro-
vide system of transportation of live
stock less injurious to them than the
unrestricted methods now in use bv
railroads; therefore.
| "Resolved, That it is the earnest de-
! sire of this association to secure in ba-
halt Of these measures the combined
! efforts of our representatives in con-
gress in the enactment of such laws as
will give to the interstate commerce
commission the authority to act in be-
half of the people as against the in
/ furious methods of the railroads. and
copy Of this resolution, duly signed nv
! the president and secretary. be for
Warded to Senators w. A. Clark and
Paris Gibson and Congressman joseph
NJ. Dixon"
nc eoliiiill'tee Oh resolutions sub
mitted voluminous report which was
adopted in it's entirety.
The division officials of the Great
Northern railroad were thanked for the
efforts they made during 1903 to pro-
cure for the stockmen efficient service
A strong protest was made against
the frightening of the running time for
stock trains over the roads between St
Paul and Chicago. It was stated that
1t has come to the knowledge of the as
ISOLATION that it was intended to make
the running time between the two
points "A hours instead of IS, as here
| tofore. This, it is said, would mean a