East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-01-20

Denver; Col, Jan. 2O.-It is like
ly that congress will hear a few
things about the need for additional
railroad regulation before the 11th
annual convention Of the American
National Livestock association is
ended. Hundreds Of delegates ar
rived IN Denver today to attend the
meeting, which opens tomorrow
morning, and nearly every one has a
bone II pick with the railroads. The
shortage Of stock cars, which has
resulted I'm a loss of thousands Of
dollars to western cattlemen in the
Last year. is the principal source Of
complaint
Another matter which will be ar
gued pro and con is that Of the ma
tional administration policy in re-
gard to forest reserves and pubic
grazing grounds. A majority Of the
stock raisers are decidedly opposed
to the Roosevelt reign. in this matter,
and will likely give expression to
their opinions in vigorous language.
The subject Of the extension of for
eign markets for the meat prod. rs
OF this country will also receive mucn
attention. Government meat inspec-
ton and the cost thereof will be full
ly considered. The financial strin-
gency and its remedy, from the stand
point of cattlemen, will afford an in
teresting discussion.
If the number of delegates already
here and the interest they are man.
ifesting is a criterion, II Is certain
that the convention will be most
largely attended and important IN
the history Of the organization.
Western stockmen are confronting
many problems of vital interest to
their welfare and prosperity and are
determined to use every means in
their power to secure relief. AS a
political force the stockmen OF the
country and their dependents are no
insignificant factor, and they will
probably take advantage of this fact
to urge congress to action.
1t is declared by prominent Texas
cattlemen that the railroad service,
both in the matter Of supplying suf-
ficient cars and in the proper trans
portation OF livestock, is more demor-
allied today than ever before. Hun
dreds of thousands OF cattle which
had been fattened and put into prime
condition for the market have had
TO be turned back to the ranges on
account OF the inability to get cars
for their shipment to market. All
the labor and expense of stockmen
in fattening these cattle was wasted.
involving a loss of hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars. Laws for regulat-
ing the service performed by rail-
reads are even more important than
of prominent stockmen, and they will
demand that congress pass a bill at
this session affording relief.
Other laws which congress may be
asked to pass for the benefit of the
stockmen, include an act preventing
railroads raising rates without first
securing the consent of the commits
sion; a bill providing for reciprocal
trade agreements with foreign coun-
tries and the establishment of graz
ing districts upon the unreserved and
unappropriated lands Of the govern
ment.
The western stock show, which will
be held through the week. has now
become national event and entries |
have been received from all over the
country. The new features of the ex-
hlbition this week are carlot exhib-
it's of range horses and displays of
grain and forage used in fattening |
livestock The association is offering |
about $4,000 in premiums, and spec
ial prizes by associations and indi- |
vduals will more than double the |
value of the offerings.