The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-22
STOCKMEN MEET.
Tenth Annual Convention of the
American Association.
Called to Order in Broadway
Theater, Denver.
FEATURE OF SESSION
Was the Address of President
MurdO Mackenzie.
Discusses StOckmen's Grievance
l.
Discusses Stockmen's Grievance
Against the Railroads.

Denver Colo, Jan. 22.-President
Murdo Mackenzie's annual address was
the main feature of the opening session
of the tenth annual convention of the
American National Live Stock associa-
ton which assembled at 10 o'clock this
morning in the Broadway theater in
this city. A report on Legislative ques-
tions" of vital interest to all the mem
bers was made by S. H. Cowan, of
Texas, attorney for the association. The
delegates were welcomed in a felicitous
address by Governor Henry A. Buchtel
Mr. Mackenzie referred to previous
grievances stockmen had against the
railroads, saying that one of them-ex-
orbitant freight rates-had been cor
rected by the passing of the rate bill,
but the only way shippers could derive
any benefit from the measure was to
carry their complaints of unjust rates
to the interstate. commerce commission
without delay.
He told of efforts to have the law
amended which requires that live stock
in transit be unloaded for feed and rest
every "a hours and said that only par
tial success was had. The law was
changed so that by written request of
the shippers stock could be held on the
cars for sc hours. Continuing Mr.. Mac
kenzie said:
knowledge, more complaints of poor
service by the railroads than in any
year in the past, and unless something
is done to compel railroads to give
reasonable speed limit the perishabie
goods in transit, such as live stock, IL
will create such loss that ultimately
stockmen will have to abandon the
business. 1 would suggest that all ship
pers who are members of this asSOcia-
ton keep a record of the rate of speed
made by the railroads of all shipments
of stock in transit, and whenever it is
found that a loss has been incurred
through failure on the part of the rail-
roads to make reasonable time, a suit
should be instituted for the damage
sustained by the shipper.
There is another question which has
forced itself upon our notice during the
ure of many railways to supply cars for
the shipment of stock upon proper
notice.
There are some people who contend
that regulating the rates by the federal
government retards the building OF
railroads, but 1 would go a step further,
would like to see law passed pro-
hibiting the extension of a railroad now
In operation until first the owners of
such railroads could show that they
had equipped the road already built
with cars and motive power to supply
the demands of the public, and that it
had sufficient funds to equip the rail-
road which 1t intended to build 1
would also like to see law passed pro-
hibiting railroad companies from pay
ing any dividends on stock, especially
watered stock, until they first could
show that their roads were properly
equipped.
'I think a bill is pending in con-
gress that I believe will give US the
necessary relief Said bill penalties
the railroads for failure on their part
to supply cars upon receiving reason
able notice, and also provides for
penalty of $25 per car per day for
every day in which the railroads fail
IN this respect"
Mr.. Mackenzie said that the mini
mum carload weight for all classes of
live stock was too high and should be
adjusted. He spoke of the bill intro
duced in the present congress to
amend the meat inspection law
adopted by the last congress so as to
make the packers pay for inspection
The objection stockmen had to the
would have to stand the cost them
selves. something like three million
dollars annually.
Mr.. Mackenzie characterized the
question of the administration of the
forest reserves as one of the most i'm
portant on which the association
should take action.
The cooperative live stock COM
mission company, organized by stock
men for the purpose of fighting the
advance in commission rates is a sue
cess. Mr.. Mackenzie declared. He was
confident it would be a lasting benefit
to the stockmen.
Mr.. Mackenzie said he never ex-