Semi-weekly herald., 1911-03-16


playing havoc with the Chinese troops
at Ginning according to Japanese sta
tistics, the death rate of the town
being sixty daily.
force is concerned. The reading of cat
tie brands requires expert knowledge
on that subject, and the inspection
composed OF men who have grown up
IN the live stock business, and who
have peculiar fitness for the posi-.
ton they occupy. Most of these men
nave been in the service for many
years, and every year they serve adds
to their value as inspectors When
the present law was passed 1t fixed the
limit of salary that should be paid
these inspectors at 800 per month.
Many OF these inspectors are compell-
ed to own horses, and are put to other
| expenses in connection with their
services, and the board has, In some
instances, allowed additional stated
sums from the funds at their com
mand. to cover these expenses. This
was done with the knowledge and con
sent and at the desire of the stock
men. and this extra money paid them
to help pay their expenses is paid
from the funds which belong to the
stockmen of the state, having been
derived from the sale OF unknown es-
trays, which belong to some unknown
stockman in this state.
The business of cattle and horse
growing in Colorado is one Of the most
extensive and important industries OF
the state. The withdrawal of the in
spection tax would mean the with
drawal of police protection for this
class of property. While the large
stock owners might be able to band
together and pay for this police serv-
ice out OF their own pockets, they
would naturally confine that service
TO their own live stock, and the small
stock owners. being unable to afford
this expense. would be at the mercy
OF thieves and rustlers. 1t will thus
be seen that the withdrawal of this
protection fund would work very Sc
we're hardship upon the industry. and
would force thousands OF small stock
owners out OF the business. As long
as cattle and horses are raised in this
state, this protection will be abso-
lutely necessary.
The present stock laws of Colorado
have been largely rewritten during
the past ten years by the legislature,
through the influence of the Colorado
Stock Growers association, which is
composed practically OF all the local
live stock organizations In the state.
The present laws have been very care
fully considered and discussed, and
in operation have been proven most
satisfactory to the stock interests.
They are administered by stockmen,
and the only objection to these laws
comes from politicians and officeseek-
eIs who. under the present system,
are debarred from lucrative positions
they once occupied. The present agi-
tation has been largely. If not entirely
due to this class of critics.
The only funds handled by the stock
inspection board are created out OF
money received direct from the stock.
men, which in no sense belongs to the
state and should under no circum-
stances be deposited in the state treas-
ury. The stockmen of Colorado, who
are the vitality interested citizens. are
satisfied to have these funds handled
as at present. They are administered
for the protection and benefit Of every
person engaged in stock growing in
Colorado. The books, accounts and
records in relation to these funds are
public property, and are open to the
examination of any and all citizens
at all times.
This association, representing the
stock interests Of the state, is con.
stantly maintaining supervision over
the conduct OF the business Of the
stock inspection commissioners. We
feel confident in our ability to rectify
and prevent any misuse of these funds
All the officers who handle these funds
are under good and sufficient bonds
and every possible safeguard ia thrown
around the operations of the inspec
ton board and its corps OF inspectors
The turning over of this board into a
political office would be nothing less
than a calamity to the stock interests
OF the state. This statement is made
for the information OF the general pub
lie, who may not thoroughly under
stand the objects of this board and
the manner In which its business IL
conducted
B. F. MONTGOMERY, Chairman,
B. A. BANTA.
w. s. WHINNERY,
S. p. SLOSS, Committee.