Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-01-24

They Were Presented BY Mssksrsis
and Q. n. ccwsn

They Were Presented BY mscNsnxse
and o. n, ccwsn.
Denver, Jan. 23.--President Miirdo
MacKenxie's annual address was the
main feature OF the opening session ~
the tenth annual convention OF the
American Cattle Livestock association
A report Of legislative questions Of
vital Interest 10 all members was made
by s.a, Cowan Of Texas attorney for
the ss1tt.ntipn.
Mr.. Mackenzie referred TO previoug
grievances stockmen had against the
railroads. saying that one OF them r
exorbitant freight rates--had been cor
rected by the passage Of the rate BIZ,
but the only way shippers could derive
any benefit from the measure was .
carry their complaints OF unjust rates
10 the interstate commerce commissi .
without delay.
lie told OF efforts to have amended
the law which requires that livestock
IN transit be unloaded for food and
rest every twenty.four hours. and said
that only partial success was had. The
law was changed % that by written
request on the part OF the shipper
stock could be held on the cars for
thirty-six hours. Mr.. Mackenzie said
during 1906 there have to his knowi-
edge been more complaints OF poor
service by the railroads than In any
year In the past. and unless something
II done TO compel the railroads TO give
a reasonable speed limit TO perishable
goods in transit. such as livestock. II
will create such loss that ultimately
stockmen will have to abandon the bus
mess.
Il would suggest that all shippers"
he said. who are members OF this as
ISOLATION keep a record OF the i's;s
Of speed made by the railroads OF all
shipments Of stock in transit. and
whenever II IL found that loss has
been incurred through failure on the
part OF the railroads 10 save suitable
time. suit should be Instituted for the
damage sutained by the shipper
There is another question which
has forced itself upon our notice du-
ring the past year, and that is the alb
solutc failure OF many OF the railroads
20 supply cars for the shipment OF
stock on proper notice.
There are some people who contend
that regulating the rates by the FEEDER.
al government retards the building of
railroads. but would 60 a step far
ther. would like 10 see law pass
ed prohibiting the extension OF rail.
road now In operation until first the
owners OF such railroad could show
that they had equipped the railroad al
ready built. with cars and motive
power 10 supply the demands 6f the
public. and that 81 had sufficient funds
to equip the railroad which II Intended
TO build.
Il would also like 20 see law pass
ed prohibiting railroad companies from
paying any dividends on stock. es
peciaily watered stock. until they could
first show that their roads we're prop
erly equipped.
"A bill Is pending In congress tina
l believe will give MS the necessary re
lief Said bill penalizes railroads TO
failure on their part 10 supply cars ol
receiving reasonable notice. and alsI
. provides for a penalty Of s25 per ca
per day for every day In which thu
railroads fail in this respect"
Mr.. Mackenzie said that the mini
mum carload weight for all classes o
livestock was too high. and should b
adjusted. He also spoke of the bill In
troduced In the present congress q
amend the meat inspection law adopt
ed by the last congress so as TO max
the packers pay for inspection. Tn
objection stockmen had TO the pre-
posed amendment was that they woul'
have TO stand the cost themselves
something like $4,000. 900 annually.
; The Cooperative Livestock Commi;
! sion company. organized by the stock
men for the purpose OF fighting the at
vance in commission rates. Is n sue
ces. Mr.. Mackenzie declared.