The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-05-17
INJURIOUS RAE LAWS.

Since the free entry of thoroughbred
horses for breeding purposes in this
country began. the value OF the horse
stock of the United states has been
Increased by the vast sum of s1,J43, 000.
and the statistics of the agricultural
department show that the average price
Of horses on the farms has Increased
more than 100 per cent in the last ten
years. from s4461 to s95.64. Percheron,
Belgian. Shire and Clydesdale stations
are 10 be found all over the country,
and the scrubs are rapidly passing out
Of existence. 1t costs just $50 60 i'm
port a scrub worth 5000. and that class
Of animals is effectually shut out The
law in this respect has been of great
benefit TO all concerned.
But the railroad rate laws enacted 10y
congress and several Of the states work
a hardship upon the livestock interests
OF the country in another direction. The
idea of taking away the right II fix
their freight charges from the common
carriers was no doubt for the purpose
of preventing rebates and other abuses,
but at the same time the laws prevented
the railroads from granting special
rates for cattle, horses and other i'm
proved livestock shipped to shows and
fairs for exhibition purposes. In times
past the roads have been only too viii
ing to make such concessions, and it is
manifestly not their fault that such
rates are not allowed today.
The Canadian government not only
permits the railroads to give special
rates for the shipment of animals of
the improved breeds. but through its
department Of agriculture it prOcJres
sweeping reductions in freight charges
/ for all registered livestock, with a V'ew
70 encouraging farmers to keen pure
bred horses, cattle. etc, in place of
scrubs. The machinery for carrying
out this purpose is simple and effective.
I Coupons are attached to the registry
certificate isSued for each animal, and
one Of these. when presented with the
certificate of pedigree, ownership and
identity is authority for the agent of
any railroad to bill the animal at the
reduced rates agreed TO with the de-
/ partmert of agriculture. These rates
are just one-half the rates charged for
/ scrubs. and they apply to all regis
tered animals, and to all shipments,
whether for exhibition, breeding pur-
/ poses or change of ownership. They
/ are giving the owners of pure bred live
stock in Canada an advantage which
operates like a two-edged sword in
driving the scrubs out of the country
and filling their places with animals of
/ the improved breeds. Fairs and stock
shows are springing up everywhere and
hourishing under the influence Of a pol
/ icy which enables exhibitors to ship
their fine horses double the distance
they could otherwise afford to go, and
it is the boast of Canadian breeders that
some of these exhibitions now surpass
anything in the United States, except
ing the Chicago International. in their
displays of pure bred livestock Of all
kinds.
/ Perhaps when we settle down and
matters are adjusted, the breeders OF
blooded stock may be taken into con-
sideration and some allowance made.
! Our northern neighbors are constantly
on the alert and each season sees sonle
/ improvements. Unless We wish to fall
/ possible means to raise the grade of -he
! horses, cattle and sheep. In this par
/ ticular instance, it is apparent that we
have too much Of a good thing in the
way of railroad laws.