Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1908-03-04
srocKMEN WORK FOR RAILROAD
RATE LAW.

tcCting the grazing on pubic IandS "
the conviction of Murdo Mackenzie,
Former president of the American Ma
tionsl Livestock association and now
first vice president of that body.
Mackenzie went 20 Washington ~
chairman Of committee appointed by
the association TO appear before Con
gress in the interests Of western ship
pers. While in Washington Mackenzie
and the committee were given hearings
by congressional committees on the
fhilroad service and Fulton bills, which
are designated TO regulate the supply
Of cars and the shipping rates from
points west Of Denver TO the Missouri
river by taking out the fced.in. transit
rate, which has been in force for years.
BY so doing the railroads increase the
rate 10 the shipper sl5 ear without
hearing, not to speak of numerous adj
vanees which nave been made in the
past two years.
In discussing the work of the com.
ssittee at Washington Mackenzie said
"while in Washington ! appeared
on behalf of the association before the
Senate and House committee on inter.
state commerce, relative TO the Culber.
son.Smith bill, which requires railroad
companies engaged in interstate com.
merce 10 promptly furnish ears and
ether transportation facilities. This
bill has met with general support from
all commercial organizations through.
out the country, and the prospects for
ats passage look very encouraging.
"Both these committees of the Sen.
ate and House also have under con.
alteration bills preventing any advance
in interstate commerce rates. fares and
charges, except upon approval Of the
Interstate Commerce commission, and
IL is expected that these bills will be
acted upon favorably by these com.
nit,ees and will be enacted into law.
These measures are of great import.
snce TO the livestock industry Of the
west.
"The failure Of the railroads to
furnish ears and 10 move them prompt.
ly has cost the livestock shippers thous.
Ands Of dollars, and we believe the only
way 10 secure good service il through
sueh law. Further, il is nothing
more than right that the railroads
should not be permitted to advance
their rates, which have been long in
eject, without securing authority from
sAe Interstate Commerce commission.
"For several years this association
sas been requesting Congress to au
thorize the President to negotiate re
ciprocsl trade agreements with Other
countries, so as to give the United
States "A greater foreign outlet for il,
livestock and meat products. While
in Washington the committees from
the American National Livestock as
ISOLATION appeared before Speaker Can
non and the chairman Of the ways and
means committee Of the House on thi,
very important question. While nj
tariff legislation is likely at this SEES
sion, we secured assurances from the
chairman Of the ways and means com
mittee that the matter would be taker
up at the next session, and ! am hope
full Of something substantial beinl
done.
"in the past the western agricul
tural and livestock interests have
never paid much attention to this tar
IN question, and naturally the manu-
facturers and eastern industrial con
Germs who have watched the matte,
closely have secured many favors nj
the expense Of the west. We propose
TO be represented ut the next read
justment Of our tariffs and see that the
west IN fairly treated.
"Tne bill recommended by the Amer.
lean National Livestock association
providing for federal control of the
unappropriated grazing lands Of the
west, has been introduced by Senator
Curtis, Of Kansas, and in the House by
Representative Scott. Possibly some
hearings will be had on this bill later
on in the session, and at the next ses.
sion OF Congress, which opens in De
oember, we will make a concerted effort
TO have such legislation enacted.
There will be no change in the
paying for the cost Of the federal in.
speetion Of meats. At the last session
of Congress Senator Beveridge intro.
duced bill which put the cost of this
inspection on the packer, but which
would in reality be stood by the stock.
man Another attempt to place this
expense on the packers has been made
mt this session of Compress lint 10 will