Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-24
lNHUMAN METHODS OF UNLOADING
CATTLE CAUSE STORM OF PROTEST
HALF STARVED ANIMALS HAULED BY NEcKs FROM HOLDS OF
VESSEL AT SAN PEDRO
Choking Gaspng Breath Beasts Are Dragged Forth More
Dead Than Alve-Revolting Brutality to Be Exposed
When Case Is Called in Justices Court

to slip a moose about the animals neck,
SO that trargulation seemed 1mmi-
nent, and to lift them out bodily, by
means of d, derrick pulley attached to
the mainmast, swinging them high up,
so as to clear the deck, and yanking
them over toward the landing, drop
ping them then on the dock by the
chute, or gangplank-the animal in
each instance being held with its entire
weight on it's neck, struggling, kicking
and almost strangled, SO that when
released from the awful process 1t
would fall to the dock unable to stand
"That Is the way cattle have been
unloaded at San Pedro for fifteen
years.
ever beheld. The animals were weak
from starvation, their bones almost
sticking through their hides and their
tongues, covered with blood and swol-
len, protruding from their distorted
mouths, while streams of blood trlckleo
from their eyes, ears, mouths and nos
trils.
"Their eyes were bullying from their
sockets, and rolled back until only the
whites were visible. presenting an aw.
full spectacle, which I will not forget
to nv last day. The women In the
party could not stand 1t. Several OF
them screamed and turned away. hid
ing their faces in their hands to shut
out the terrible spectacle.
'sI rushed forward -as the third or
fourth animal was being lifted out
with its whole weight swinging to the
big rope at its neck, and asked one
of the men how many more cattle they
were going to pull out that way. when
he turned upon me with an oath and
began to abuse me. I insisted, how
ever, that IL this system of unloading
was continued would have the bunch
of them arrested, whereupon they
asked to see my badge. told them
/ did not belong to the s. p. c. A., but
would surely have them arrested II
they continued their brutal work. the
men dared me, but big, rougn-necKeu
brute, who had given me the most
flippancy and who seemed to have
charge OF the unloading, reluctantly
changed his methods. and going down
into the hold of the vessel fastened the
rope about the hind hoofs, thus, OF
course. alternating the animals sur
fefing,S but only to a slight degree. IN
this manner the rest of the cattle were
unloaded.
Shipped from Island
"On questioning the captain OF the
Edith I learned that the stock De
longed to the Holland brothers OF Los
over at San Clemente island, where
they had been rounded up in a half
starved condition, because Of the al
most barren nature Of the range there,
and loaded-presumaby by the same
process-into the hold Of the schooner.
"When every animal that the boat
possibly could hold had been stuned
into 1t, the trip to San Pedro began,
and for forty hours the cattle had lain
1 living
one upon another, unable to stand OF
move during the long hours OF the
tourney, part Of which time the engine
was broken down and the boat driftec
about on the water Off Catalina.
with not a drop to drink or a bite
to eat, the animals were unloaded py
the neck and hoofs, as I have de-
scribed. and presented most norri.
tying spectacle-bony, tottering ana
covered with blood, with their eyes
protruding and their tongues swollen
and sticking out
at undoubtedly was the intention to
take the animals Immediately to their
owners, but insisted they be fed and
watered, and with the women In my
party following, we drove them to 9
corral, some distance from the wharf,
and turned them in. I will never for,
get what followed. Before we could
give them hay or grain, the animals
made a staggering stampede for a pile
of offal in the corner of the pen, and
ate It ravenously. Picture II you can.
the torments Of such a hunger-and
among animals unable to indicate by
word or sign, except by their pro-
truding bones and gaunt eyes. the ter
rible suffering and pain to which they
are subjected!
after reporting the matter to HUI
name officer Rambo OF San Pedro, he
Immediately swore to warrants and
the four men were arrested by Officer
Carlson. They will be tried May 2s
at 10 a. m. before Judge Stiglitz, q
very humane judge, whom am sure
will do all in his power to put O stop
to this cruel system Of cattle shipping
and unloading. at least In the port OF
San Pedro"
Sailors and longshoremen, who last
night were interviewed by reporter
of The Herald concerning this system
of unloading. invariably replied:
"It's the only way stock can be taken
out of the hold of a small vessel. II
man goes into the hold to unload
wild steers with q canvas bellynet, as
has been suggested, he is sure to gel
badly hurt by the animals. II the
people don't like this system, they
had better make 1t unlawful to carry
cattle on small craft, for it's the only
system possible on these boats.
"It's been going on for fifteen years
and there ain't been no kick before
There's nothing wrong with 1t, anyway
Cattle don't know no different, no mat
ter how you unload EN-"
And that seemed to be the prevalent
| opinion.