The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-10
HURT BY NO TARIFF
Government Animal Expert
Makes Startling Statement.
Says Live Stock interests Suffer
by Discrimination.
FREE ADMISSION BAD.
Would Have the Present Rules
Modified.
George d. ROmmePs Address to
the StOckmen.
FREE ADMISSION BAD.


MANY breeders believe that the
present tariff laws act as positive ais
elimination against American pfed
stock. and this sentiment has found
voice in d more or less tangible desire
for the withdrawal of the duty-Iree
privilege. Some breeders urge that II
the regular duty was imposed, more
care would be exercised in buying ana
only the best could be imported. This
idea was expressed officially by the
American Shorthorn Breeders associa-
ton when it imposed a registration fee
of 800 on all animals imported from
foreign countries, except those from
Canada The rule met with VlolehI
opposition at the time Of its passage,
but its operation has shown that IL Is d
wise rule and its repeal is unlikely
In this manner. George NJ Rommeis
animal expert of the bureau of animal
industry. United States department OF
agriculture. took UP the important
topic Of Government EncOurage TnenJ
Of Improved Breeds Of Horses, beIore
the Stock Breeders association at the
state house this morning Mr.. Rom
mel enjoys this distinction Of holding
the only position OF his kind in the
country. His Investigations and re-
searches have made him noted along
those lines;
Taking up the adverse proposition.
Mr.. Rommel said:
THE complete withdrawal of the duty
free privilege. without the present re-
strictions regarding pedigree and regis
tratiOu would be undesirable for the red
son that short-bred animals recorded IN
European books of record would not be
kept out. AS it is at present, the i'm
porter does not bring in such animals,
the duty preventing him. although he
could do so if he wished by paying the
duty and thus avoiding the scrutiny OF
his pedigree certificates.
"A more reasonable plan which has
much merit il that duty be placed on
mules, the importation of females OF
approved pedigree being permitted with
out duty This would give a very de
sirabIe impetus to the importation OF
mares. If this plan We're adopted It
would seem desirable to require the inn
porter to state whether his animals
were intended for breeding purposes
and to have the pre- 1nt pedigree re-
striCtiOns apply to breeding males as
well as females.
"A further restriction that has been
suggested is to have all mares and stall
lions imported inspected by VeterinaT-
ians for unsOundness and refused ad-
mission if found unsOund. There is Et-
tie doubt that many unsound horses
are imported. but the government has
Eu authority to reject them the laWsrez
Quiring sanitary inspection only
THAT there is a necessity for the es-
Enlistment Of the breeds Of horses in
can doubt, and its possibility seems
equally evident 1t requires more than
skill at a horse trade, it demands
knowledge of pedigrees, heredity and
faith in ones self and in horseflesh.
The problems that confront the horse
men of the country must be solved, and
one can not doubt that they VIII be.
Sentiment must play a minor part; we
must buy the best where we can md It,
use it intelligently, and await results
A spIerdid opportunity exists here Tor
the constructive breeder, the man who
will apply ability. perseverance and
courage to the problem"
Mr.. Rommel discussed the various
past policies of the government in re-
gard to impertations. taking up in
detail the historical side of the matter.
Speakin of the present policy, he
said.
sThe policy of the government at
the present time is to encourage the
in1portation of animals of the highest
class. whose value will more than
compensate for their competition with
the product of American breeders, the
object being the adaptation of foreign
breeds to our special conditions, or
the establishment of American breeds
by fusing the Imported and native
blood, the ultimate end being prac-
teal Independence of foreign breed
ers- That this policy is sound does
not sem open to question. America
has the facilities of soil. climate, feed,
and pasture to supply her own de-
mands for breeding stock of all kinds.
The quality OF her wool. meat and
horses is unrivaled i'm the worlds
markets. If the high standard of
these products is admitted. you must
also admit our possibility to produce
breeding stock of equal value.
Now If we are to hold our own in
the worlds competition. we must
maintain and even raise our standard.
This means that the breeding stock
which supplies our fiocks, herds and
studs must be specially suited to our
conditions. and therefore must be dis
tinctly American. The door should
always be open to let in the best
blood lines and for new and desira hi q
species, breeds. and families but every
Introduction of this kind shall have to
be made with great care and intelH-
gence, especially when we shall have
succeeded in developing types pecu-
liarly our own
Mr.. R0mmel created decided interest
IN this statement:
"A little study of the importing busi-
ness is only from one-tenth to one-eigbtb
as extensive as it was twenty years ago.
AT the present time, more horses are
imported than cattle, but for the five
year period 1S99-1903, more sheen were
imported than horses. but the number
was continually decreasing. For this
period. the average annual importation
was cattle 265. horses 2.002. sheen . 100
swine 1855. For the year 1904. the num-
Der Of cattle. horses and sheep import
ed was, cattle 684, horses 2. 634. sheer
.25s. swine 191 and for 1905. cattle 2314
horses 2.s53, sheep 1900. The largest
number Of horses come from France
with British North America second. and
the United Kingdom third. The largest
numb Der of cattle and sheep come from
British North America, with the United
Kingdom second. Swine importatfons
have not been reported by countries
There appears to be a difference here
between tn condition in the horse i'm.
porting trade at the present time an6
that OF other animals Comparing the
fve-year period. 1s99-19O3, with the ons
Immediately preceding 1t, It win be seer
that there was an average annual de
crease Of more than half in cattle and g
eifght. decrease in sheep, but an increase
81 ,aarI1 tn-ica Is much in horsas III.