The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-01-30
TALK On LIVE
STOCK At
ENVER
President Mackenzie Tells the
Convention Efforts Made
for Legislation.
INTEREST OF sTocKMEN
He Touches Upon Several Evils Ex.
istfng and Points Out
Needed Remedies.

Denver, Colo, Jan. 3O-Murdo Mac
kenzie, president of the Stock Grow
ers' association, addressed the nation
al convention today.
Mr. Mackenzie said that since the
convention in May, 1905, no oppor-
tunity has been lost of pressing the
fight for an amendment to the inter-
state commerce law giving the inter-
state commerce commission power to
regulate rates. He hoped that in the
near future bill would be passed
by congress that would not only cor
rect existing evils, but would prevent
evils of a like nature in future. He
said:
Throughout our fight for this need
ed legislation we kept steadily before
us the rights of the railroads as we'll
as those of the shippers, and in this
way have been able to get the sup
port of some men who year ago
did not favor our side of the ques-
ton. am glad to say the president
of the United States, in his last an
nual message, has again strongly
recommended a bill which will give
equal rights to the railroad and the
shipper, and if the shippers of the
country will only do their share in
seeing that the congressman and SEN
atOrs from each district support the
president, this legislation Is certain to
be enacted"
Referring to the interstate COM
merce law convention held in Chicago
last October Mr.. Mackenzie said:
This convention was called speci-
fically for those supporting the presi-
dents policy, but the railroad officials
thought 1t might be good opportun-
ity to pack the convention with peo-
pie antagonistic to our policy and
outvote us in the convention. We
foresaw what the railroads had in
view and made it clear to them that
If they wanted to hold a meeting they
had better hold one of their o-Ia.
This they did, and have been trying
ever since, through the press and
otherwise. to disseminate literature
to prove to the shippers of this coun-
try that the presidents policy on the
rate bill is not what is best for the
shipper"
Mr.. Mackenzie told of the efforts
that were being made to have the law
requiring stock in transit to be un-
loaded every hours amended in Or
der to extend the time limit to 36
hours. The greatest opposition, he
said, was from the members of the
humane society. He continued:
Far be it from me to belittle the
work of this body, nothing but praise
is due its members. feel, however,
that some times they are governed
to some extent by prejudice and in
this case such was our experience
We know that this law does not ac-
complish any humane purpose, but
OH the contrary, its enforcement gen.
orally results in inhumanity and in
jury to the stock and we have time
and time again asked congress to have
the time limit extended to 36 hours.
Your executive committee and it's at
torney brought this matter before
Secretary Wilson in order that we
might get his cooperation in having
the law amended and l am pleased
to inform you that Secretary Wilson
has. to our entire satisfaction, proven
once more that he is friend to the
stockmen. He took the trouble to
come to Chicago to investigate the
question ON the ground. and before
leaving there he agreed with us that
the stockmen were right in their con-
tention, and promised to support a
bill extending the time limit. A bill
has been presented to congress with
the full endorsement of Secretary
Wilson extending the time limit to
So hours, and have every confidence
that this bill will become law. Ar
rangements have been made to send
to Washington within the next 80
days about 25 prominent shippers
from all parts of the country to tes-
tify before the proper committee now
considering this bill"
The president reminded the conven-
tion that the lines are being drawn
tightly in the markets of the world
against the Importation of live stock
from this country. He hoped some ac-
ton would be taken by the convention
that would suggest q method for hav-
ing removed the restrictions placed
by England and Germany on American
beef. He also stated that much
greater quantity of meat products
could be exported did this government
provide for adequate inspection. The
failure of congress to allow the full
amount Of emergency appropriation
asked by Secretary Wilson was re-
sponsible for the condition complained
Of. On the leading question, Mr.. Mac
kenzie said that II the government is
to lease the public lands, 1t should he
done on basis which would create
no hardship ON the lessee and the
lessee should have full control over
the lands on which he has q lease.
& Denver. Colo, Jan. 3O.-With the
avowed purpose OF reuniting their
forces and making vigorous cam
paign for the federal legislation de-
sired BY the live stock interests oi
the west, delegates to the ninth an
nual convention of the National Live
Stock association and second annual
convention of the. American Stock
Gr0Ners association. met In Joint Ses-
sion today ct Broadway theatre. Im.
p0ftAnt addresses were delivered by
Frank ]. Hagen nbarth. president Of The
national rotation and Murd0 Mac.