The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-13
LOSE SI2,OOO,OOO
Terrible Effect of Passage of
the Lodge Bill
Set Forth in Annual Report of
Secretary Martin.
A TARIFF ON HIDES.
Means $I.25 Per Head to the
Producers of Cattle.
National Live Stock Convention
Has Busy Day.
Ii. w. McAfee and Jerry Simp-
son Make Speeches.

Portland, Ore, Jan. 13.-The business
sessions of the National Live Stock
convention opened today in the Baker
theater. There was a large attendance
of stockmen and the business of the
convention was taken up with a zest
that promises the accomplishment of
much work.
A good portion of the morning was
devoted to the consideration of live
stock conditions in the various states,
short addresses being made by mem
berS of the executive committee. The
feature of the session was the f1atter-
ing annual report of Secretary Chas.
M. F. Martin. This report showed the
| association to be in a prosperous condi-
ton and recorded the accomplishment
of much work of benefit to the stock
ralSerS. Attention was directed to ways
of accomplishing more than has been
and active cooperation was urged.
Secretary Martin, in his report gave
detailed statement as to what had
been done during the past year. what
the stock men desire in the future, and
the condition of the organization. Sew
eral new memberships had been secur-
ed, but because of unfavorable condi-
lions the number was not so large as
in previous years.
The bill providing for federal fnspec-
ton of all interstate shipments of live
stock had passed the senate and be-
come a law, but all the other measures
pending before the last congress had
failed of passage because of the dead
lock in the senate over the Panama
canal and statehood bills. The bill pro-
viding for a classified census of live
stock had been reintroduced, as had the
anti-shoddy bill, and the one provid-
! ing for the extension of the time limit
for unloading live stock in transit west
of the one hundredth meridian, and
that requiring transportation COM
lpanies to haul live stock at a minimum
of twenty miles an hour.
/ The stockmen, Secretary Martin said,
While not opposed to the protection of
/ the forests, have decided and pro-
nounced objection to the policy which
has been adopted by the interior de-
particularly to the segregation of vast
Arrears of grazing and agricultural
lands as portion of these reserves,
and the issue of orders excluding live
stock from grazing. thereon. This nl2<e
ter has grown to such proportions that
| if something is not done very soon, the
| industry in several of the western
states and territories will be complete
/ ly destroyed. Our efforts in this dt-
rection have so far been without effect,
but it is believed that if our request
to have the Division of Forest Re
serves transferred to the agricultural
department is acceded to, the stock
men, as a rule, will have no further
cause for complaint.
Should the Lodge bill. removing the
tariff on hid fsi become t law the loss oS
manufacturer, but upon the man who
produces the animal The average tariff
the cattle raisers of the nation to lose
$12, 800 600 annually. If the Lodge bill
question but an attempt would immedi-
ately be made to remove the tariff on
wool entailing loss OF at least t $4,000 ;o W
sheep to the figures prevailing under the
free trade law-9Sc to SIPS per head.
t'It was an undisputed fact that the de-
cline in the value of beef animals during
the past Is months amounts to more than
50 per hundred, hogs an average of S. per
head. Consumers, however, are paying
the same price for their meats as during
| the time maximum prices were realized
by the growers. At the home and export
| demand for meat products is as great as
! crease in the number of head of live
stock, these conditions are uncalled for
just manipulation of prices at market
| centerS, assisted by the lack OF knoWl-
edge on the part of producers as to the
The financial condition of the associa-
ton was not very f1attering. The dues
and fees are sufficient to pay all neces-
ouant Secretary Martin said it was I'M
itlst to expect few progressive organi-
cations to advance the funds necessary
to prosecute the work while others re-
The first order of business was the
consideration of resolutions, but Presi-
dent Springer instructed that all reso-
buttons would be sent to the committee
and acted on later. Much time was de-
| voted to the consideration of live stock
conditions in the various states. Among
| those who spoke were E. S. F>osney OF
Arizona, Mr.. Howard of California, Mr..
| Mcmillan of Idaho H. W. McAfee OF
| Kansas Charles W. Wright of New
Hampshire, and Jerry Simpson of New
| Mexico.
The burden of report of each speaker
was that while conditions of the mar
| ket and range are not as they would
like to have them, yet the live stock
industry is in good condition. Indica-
| tions point to improvement in the flu
ture The majority of states had griev-
ances on account of the shortage of the
range. The greatest grievance of the
stockmen appeared to be against the
railroads. These organizations, it was
stated, had caused great suffering to
hte stockmen by their dilatory meth
DDS of handling stock trains. Stock
cars had been Sidetracked to permit the
passage of empty cars, and Other
sources of delay had been permitted tC
interfere with the transportation OF
stock until the producer can not gel
his product to market in any sort OF
condition, it was reported
The consensus of opinion was that the
interest of the live stock industry de-
mands the passage of a law requiring
railroads to handle live stock in trair
load lots, and make not less than 1;
miles per hour, including stops, from
point of loading to point of delivery Il
was the expressed opinion that the con-
vention should take official action or
this nattar.
Greer Succeeds Crockett