The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-23
RAILROADS FAULT
ACCUSE TRANSPORTATION Co,rPA-
 MES or UNFAIRNEss.
Usjust Freight Rates Have Bees Con- tinuea While Time Limit and Car Supply Laws Are
 Not Observed.

Denver. Colo, Jan. 22.--President Murdoc Mackenzie's annual address was the main feature of the opening session of the tenth annual convention of the American National Live stock Association, which assembled here to- day, A report on Legislative ques- tions. of vital interest to all the mem hers was made by 8. H. Cowan or Texas, attorney for the association.
 Mir. Mackenzie referred to previous grievances stock men had against the railroads. saying that one of them-- exofbitant freight rates--had been cor rected by the passage of the rate piii' but the only way shippers could de- rive any benefit from the measure was to carry their complaints Of un- just trates to the interstate commerce commission without delay. He told or efforts to have, amended the law which requires that live stock in tran sit be unloaded for feed and rest ev- cry twenty-four hours and said that only partial success was had. The law was changed so that by written request of the shipper stock could be held on the cars for thirty-six hours. Continuing MT. Mackenzie said:
 During 1906 there have been to my knowledge more complaints or poor service by the railroads than In any year in the past, and unless some thing is done to compel the railroads to give reasonable speed limit to per- isifable goods in transit, such as live stock, 1t will create such loss that ultimately stock men will have to abandon the business.
 T would suggest that all shippers who are members of this association keep a record of the rate of speed made by the railroads of all ship pnents of stock in transit and when ever it is found that loss has been incurred through failure on the part of railroads to make reasonable time, suit should be instituted for the damage sustained by the shipper.
 There is another question which has forced itself upon our notice during the past year, and that is the absolute failure of many of the railroads to supply cars for the shipments of stock on proper notice.
 There are some people who contend that regulating the rates by the federal government retards the building rail- roads, but would go step further; I would like to see a law passed pros hibiting the extension of a railroad now interpretation until first the own CTS of such railroad 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 railroad which it intended to. build.
 T would also like to see a law passed prohibiting railroad companies from paying any Dividends on stock, especially water stock. until they first could show that their roads were prop erly equipped.
 "A bill is pending in Congress that I believe will give us the necessary relief. Said bill penalizes railroads for failure on their, part to supply cars on receiving reasonable notice and also provides for penalty of $25 per car per day for every day In which the railroads fail in this respect"
 Mfr. Mackenzie said that the mini mum car load weight for all classes of live stock was too high and should be adjusted. He spoke of the bill in- troduced 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