Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1910-01-14

of weakness. The loyalty of the wool
producer has been encouraged and de-
veloped the fears of the wooden manu-
faeturers have been quieted the efforts
of the wool buyers trust have been
frustrated, and the credit of this move
ment has been sustained and improved,
until at the present time the National
Wool Warehouse company is enable to
secure ample funds to do business. AS
| have said before, the continued sue
cess of this independent movement de-
pends solely upon the wool grower, in
large sense, l believe, its continued
tion at this time. A proper expression
of faith in the wisdom of the plan now
being carried out, and of confidence in
the ability of this company, will go far
to make the succeeding years as sue
cessful as the one just closed has been.
One of the most important reforms
that this association should attempt to
secure in my opinion is the amendment
of the 36-hour law, so that II mile-an-
hour speed provision for trains loaded
with livestock shall be, adopted at the
present session of Congress. Some
four years ago the American National
Livestock association was opposed to a
minimum speed limit for livestock
trains, and agreed that the extension
of time for livesto ok trains from %
hours to SO hours would cure the evils
then existing. A law was passed ex-
tending the time, but the minimum
speed clause was cut out Of the bill at
therequesto of the association mentioned.
This association, at it's convention held
in Los Angeles year ago, adopted a
resolution asking Congress TO pass a
minimum speed limit law for all stock
trains. At the present time all the
stock interests of the United States
are demanding that such law be
passed Secretary Wilson of the agri-
cultur Al department is willing to assist
US in securing the passage of this i'm
portant measure.
When Mr.. Roosevelt was President, a
on him at the White House and ex
planned the matter to him, and he then
agreed to lend us all possible assistance
toward the passage of the measure.
Should the matter be fully explained tc
President Taft, | am quite sure we
could get his active cooperation. The
humane societies of the United States
are in full accord with this movement
and will aid and assist us with all then
influence in the passage of this most
humane law. A bill providing for the
16-mile- e-an-hour minimum speed limit
for all stock trains has been prepared
by the president of the National Hum
ane society, which in its provisions
meets the approval of all stock associa-
tions. 1t is this measure which it is
hoped and believed the present Con-
gress will enact into law
A shrinkage of from two to -four
pounds on each sheep can easily be lost
by reason of poor run. This means
a total loss of at least So car. Idaho
alone ships more than 5000 cars of
sheep a year. A loss of $50 a car
means loss of $3.50, OO0 year to the
sheepmen of Idaho alone. Taking this
as a basis for the rest of the country
land in my judgment it is very
low estimate), it can be easily shown
there are millions of dollars of loss eve
ry year to the western shippers of live
stock. Not only do we lose in weight,
but in the price we receive in the mark
ct on arrival, it is not in prime con-
dition as it would be with good run.
The tonnage system inaugurated by the
railroads is largely responsible for the
slow runs we are getting today. Stock
trains on weastern railroads are treated
as freight trains, and apparently given
but little more consideration. | firmly
believe that this is the opportune time
to get this most important measure
passed, and thus save to the shippers
millions of dollars now lost annually.
The forestry question is an all-ab-
sorbing one with the western stock
men. This association has never OPP
posed the policy of conservation
the creation of national forest
reserves, nor do | expect that it ever
will. But we have opposed certain
rules and regulations that we deemed
unwisa and unjust to the great stock
of the United States. The
judgment of incompetent forest rangers
in control of the Nationol forests as to
the carrying capicity of the great
ranges lying within the national re-
serves, has been the principal bone of
contentious between the stockman using
the ranges and the forestry bureau.