Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-19
SILVER TROPHY
STAYS IN UTAH
CONTINUED from page one)

Iiuf1ane societies OF the united states
thought they saw chance to do some
thing that would be OF great benefit and
comfort to the animals that were being
shipped to the markets for slaughter
and petltloned and insisted that the
secretary OF Agriculture put into effect
the 2S-hour law that had lain dormant
on our statue books since 1879. This
perhaps, was done on the part OF the
Humane sOcieties with the very best
Intentions, but was done on theory
not on actual experience; then II was
our troubles commenced. Railroads
were notified that II they kept live stock
on the trains longer than 2s hours, they
would be prosecuted; therefore they
proceeded to enforce this Inv, which Is
proper and right they shou'd. This add
ed 10 the tonnage systems that the rail-
roads had put into effect n year or two
prior, ruined the handling of livestock
with any degree OF satisfaction maxi
ing IL more inhumane to the poor dumb
animals than ever before.
MERELY A FREIGHT TRAIN.
"A stock train is considered merely
as an ordinary freight train and Is
usually loaded beyond the capacity OF
the engine. making 1t impossible to
make any reasonable speed In my
Judgment, this tonnage system that
has been inaugurated by the railroad
companies--at least 80 far as live stock
is concernod-should be prohibited by
law. Ny experience along these lines
Will compel me to speak particularly
OF the Union Pacific, as 1t is over this
route have TO ship my stuff,
"A stock train of 25 or 80 cars is
turned over to the Union Pacific at
Green River; and often from 10 to 20
more cars of dead freight added to this
TO make up the tonnage, and you are
stared out for the east; you are SEEM
ingly sidetracked for most everything
you meet. and by the time You make the
next feeding place, II you make 10 or
u miles an hour, you think you are do
ing well. One year ago last Deem
Der. at meeting of the Idaho Wool
growers association at Weiser, they
saw fit. to send committee to WASH
ington, d. c., for the purpose OF getting
the Is hour law SO amended as would
put our stock on the market In the best
possible condition.
Being one of that committee. I can
state that almost one OF the first things
done was to interview the secretary of
agriculture for his views on the sub
ject, he. having studied the subject,
and Knowing well the hardships that
We're being worked on the shippers of
live stock by the operation of the %
hour law, was IN full accord with as,
and upon being asked by the Hon.
Burton l.. French, congressman from
Idaho, to draft such bill as In his
Judgment would be proper for the ship
ping of live stock, Immediately con-
sented and had the bill drawn up, which
was introduced In the senate of the
United States by Senator w, p. Hey
burn of Idaho. This bill, fully en-
dorsed by the agricultural department.
had stormy time of 1t before its final
passage; several of its best features
were cut out especially the speed limit
clause, which was placed at 16 miles an
hour.
ATTACK COMMENCED.
when this clause was eliminated the
Humane societies commenced their at
tack. and letters poured IN upon the
senator's and congressman from all over
tho country condemning this measure
Members OF the American National
Livestock association, together with
members of the Chicago Livestock ex-
change. were opposed to this speed linn
II clause being retained In the bill. they
having made q prior agreement with
the railroad companies. or at least
some of them. that no such clause
should be asked for. Thus II was that
the speed limit clause was cut out--the
most important clause In the bill, and
the one that would be of greatest bene-
mt to shippers where the railroad COM
panies have no opposition.
HOW 1T LOOKS TO HIM.
Where there is no competition, very
little consideration Is given to the
stockman or his trains OF livestock: his
losses by bad handling and slow runs
are not considered, but how much can
be made out OF handling this train OF
IN n ta bait
first consideration--at least It looks that
way TO the shipper. Things look differ
ent when you get on road with plen-
ty of competition. For instance. take
the North Western. Milwaukee, Bur-
lington, from the Missouri river points:
you are whirled nearly 800 miles In
less than "a hours. The extension of
time from IS to 80 hours has not
brought the relief to the western ship
pers we had anticipated It would. and
In my opinion not until we can get a
law with the speed limit In It will we get
any satisfactory results over the pres
ent conditions. l firmly believe we can
get the present 2S-hour law amended to
include this speed limit clause should
we all work together.
A GOOD CLAUSE.
II might speak OF one good clause
In the present law that we should ask
the government to enforce: that is
the clause forcing the unloading of
livestock In humane manner into
properly equipped yards for rest, water
and feed. To my knowledge, sheep
have been unloaded into yards where
II Is almost impossible for more than
one sheep In 100 to drink because
troughs provided are for cattle and
horses and are too high for sheep to
drink from. There being very little
chance, II any, for grazing, they are
forced 10 eat hay and without wnter
this hay Is practically thrown away
az far ms sheep are concerned.
speak particularly OF the Rawlins
yards and the old yards at Grand Is
land: there may be yards on other
roads In the same condition. making
II much moro inhumane than when
shippers or sheep were allowed to use
their own judgment. Therefore 1
would suggest that we ask the governs
ment to place an inspector In the feld
for the purpose OF inspecting these
yards and have them condemned for
the handling of sheep.
1.-THE agricultural department OF our
government seems to be made up OF
departments for instance the depart
ment or forestry; the bureau OF ami
NAL Industry department, and others,
In my Judgment. we should have a de-
partDlent for the shipping OF live stock
with practical man who has wide ex-
perlence In shipping especially from
this western country, and law elns-
tic enough TO give him power 10 treat
freely with transportation companies
and shippers, and at the same time