The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-18
Live Stock Commission Men
Meet in X. c.
Convention Is in the Nature OF
Celebration.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
Deals Largely With the Victory
Lately Won
In the Contest With the Packers
of the Country.

Kansas City, Mo. July 1S.-Live
stock commission firms in the principal
market of the country, that do an
annual business estimated at eight
hundred millions of dollars, were rep
resented here today at the opening OF
the nineteenth annual meeting of the
National Live Stock Exchange asso-
citation. The live stock centers repre-
sented included nearly every city of
importance from Buffalo to Denver
and from St. Paul to Fort Worth.
Twenty delegates came from Chicago.
The national exchange is practically
the clearing house for the various local
exchanges on all matters relating to
the live stock trade and the annual
meetings are principally for the ex-
change of business ideas. James Z.
Swift of Kansas City, the president,
said this morning that as far as he
knew no pressing matter was to be
taken up at this meeting. The post
mortem question. among other things,
will be discussed. President Swift mem
tioning this topic in his annual ad-
dress, the reading of which was the
principal work today.
Swift's Address.
while we regret said Mr.. Swift,
''the passing of the seven-cent hog, we
rejoice that his memory bears no taint
of post mortem, and that he left with
US the ever welcome seven-cent steer
priced fleece and strong selling NUT
tom
Mr.. Swift said that live stock ex-
changes for years had been the butt
for shafts of cheap ridicule or the
basis for criticism. born either of
malice or ignorance. But now, he
said. there was a better understanding
of the proposition that these organlza-
tiOns are formed primarily to preserve
and maintain the absolute integrity
of contract and to guarantee to every
man who patronizes our markets an
absolute, open and unquestionable
square deal.
He spoke of competitive organiza
tions. which he said. though self
styled as cooperative, in the light of
development would lead to the abso-
lutte conviction that the cooperation,
if any. was limited in extent and con-
fined largely to the individual pro-
moters. and this movement at its in
ception sought to take advantage of
the public clamOr aroused In other
quarters and cleverly and unscrupu-
lousy tried to engulf us in the same
frenzied wave and at the same time
ride the crest to a port of financial
blessings for itself. But the attempt
failed.
Primarily organized to oppose the
socalled beef trust and fight the bat
ties of the people. we are suddenly |
advised that the country needs saving |
Seven Weeks War.
He continued: And then followed |
what might be termed the seven |
weeks war, a spirited contest be- !
tween the people and the commission |
men on one side and the large pack |
ers and one commission man on the |
other, and where did we find our |
competitors-the self appointed di- |
rectory chosen agents of pubic pro- |
lection? Did they line up in response |
to the counrry's call? Did they head |
the tens of thousands of protests |
against a new and unfair manner of
doing business or did they obey the
dictate of the packer? We all know |
the answer and we all know how diff |
ferent the result had there been no |
exchanges, or had there been more |
disloyal organizations
1T is a long cry from organizing to |
break the socalled tyranny of the buy |
ing firms. to enlisting the aid of all |
Questionable agents and combining |
with the packers to fasten post |
mortem collar upon the producing |
live stock public; to drive from our |
markets the principle of cash sale, to |
discriminate against the little man in |
favor of the big, and to sell the live |
stock, and mean all the live stock on |
the hook instead of on the hoof. We |
believe in co-operation; we believe in |
the brand that works with you and |
not against you; that is looking after |
your welfare and not your ruin and |
that stands ready at all times to give |
its time, energy and money in your in
terests and the principles of right |
mess of pottage.
I'VE wish to be understood as fully
appreciating the great savings and |
benefits accruing from modern pack
ing methods. It has been our province |
and our pleasure in the past to do all
we could for this great industry and
at the same time serve loyalty those to
whom we are always accountable. 1t
Is only as in the recent instance
when the rights of our customers are
In danger and the foundations of busi-
ness are threatened. that feel
obliged to fight: and it is only when
our cause is just and we fight together.
that we can or deserve to win.
Great Good to Come.
Great good will come out of this con-
test-not only a better feeling between
customer ard commission men, not only
a better feeling between market and
market. but eventually a better feel l.
ing between buyer and seller-a new |
respect born of better understanding |
Each side has its rights and its priv
ileges and We should be just as Jealous
TO invade the province of the other. |
always firm but fair and in so doing l.
we will best promote the interests Of
all concerned l.
''In conclusion permit me to call vo,,r
attention to the pleasing fact that since
our last convention, the growing and l.
progressive market at Denver has he
come a member of our national bodv
She came to us during the period of our |.
greatest activity and if the doctrine Of |
prenatal activity prevails, she should
certainly prove most vigorous mem
ber Her coming Increases the number
of markets to II. Formerly like the
colonial states-each independent and
in a measure Jealous of the other, all
dominated by another power whose
k-- I