The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-04

A. Murphy OF ST. Louis, a well known
horse lover, has a scheme for furnish
ing remounts for the United States
army that commends itself to officers
OF the Quartermaster generals de-
partment and officials OF the bureau
Of animal industry Of the department
of agriculture who already are expert
menting with Morgan horses on q farm
in Vermont, endeavoring to again
popularize that sturdy breed.
Mr. Murphy has served for many
years as sporting editor OF influen-
tiad newspapers and has had wide ex-
! perience among horEemen and with
thoroughbreds. At present he is gen.
eral manager Of the universal exposi-
ton at ST. Louis. Mr.. Murph was one
of the officials of the recent racing
meet at Laurel, Nd, twenty miles from
Washington. While in the vicinity OF
the national capital, he conferred with
Quartermaster General Aleshire OF the |
army, Col. ID. G. Stanley, an army |
horse expert and A. d. Melvin, chief |
| Of the bureau Of animal industry, and /
George M. Rommel. chief of the dfvi-
sion Of animal industry Of that bureau.
AS finally outlined by Messrs. Rom |
mel and Murphy, the plan Is to call /
upon congress during the next session
to include an item Of 100000 In the
agricultural appropriation bill, max
ing 1t an annual provision, for use in
establishing and maintaining remount
bureaus or stations In various CEN
ters throughout the country. Under
such provision the division Of ami
mai husbandry would conduct oper-
atoms looking to the breeding of prop
he -
the army being assigned to assist in
the work.
The plan contemplates keeping a
number OF thoroughbred stations at Il
the various bureaus and sending them
out to farmers in horse raising coun-
ties of the various states during the
breeding season. The farmers. under /
the proposed arrangement, would be {
required to give the government a | j
lien on the product of the stations at !
9 years old, or could secure full pos
session of the offspring by paying a '
stud fee.
The tendency Of farmers every r
said Mr.. Murphy, 'fs to run t
more to draft animals for general S
work. Comparatively few of the fine t
road horses OF few years ago arel t
now to be seen. The automobile the a
electric trolley lines and other modern t
inventions have been largely respon- h
sible for this development The farm n
srs DO not feel the need of raising n
The lighter draft horses designed for i,
speed and endurance on the road.
III congress will provide the funds.
however / am sure 1t viii be COM
'aratively easy matter to interest
armers generally In the matter, more
those who live in horse
a1s1ng communities. In this wav IT
VIII not be difficult to provide all
4 the remounts the army requires,
IN the present peace footing the army
equires about $500 remounts an 4
lually. During the civil war the '
waste OF horseflesh averaged 500 head
day, which would aggregate 1872.
90 In full year If this country
hould be obliged to go to war at
ONE future time it would be abso- 9
ntely impossible to supply suitable q
orses under existing conditions. .
My idea Is to have the thorough r
red stations returned to the bureaus a
uring the OF seasons an exhibited ar y
tate and county fairs and horse !
nows. This would enable hundreds
thousands of people to see them
very year. / have already received u
ssurances from prominent horsemen q
hat they win donate thoroughbred a
-allions to the government for the q
lrpose named. In my judgment. many o
vers Of the b1ooded horse will come y
inward with similar offers at the 4
roper time" =
Mr.. Murphy win shortly call a con- :
renee OF horsemen OF all classes 3
Their in ST. Louis or some other CEN CT
ally located city. to discuss the prop q
ntion In a general way. At the meet
g he expects to form the National r.
rmy Remount Breeding association. II
10 OFFICERS Of which will be horsernen !,
national prominece. :.
Some OF the army officers think ~ -
ould be well TO keep the stations =
army posts during Off seasons. h1t tn
r. Murphy does not agree with this 81
ew. feeling that only limited
lmber Of persons would have an on
'rtunity to see them there. He MB
inks as many as possible should see !"
EN- every year.
X was much impressed with tina 30
owing made by the races for army
icers at Laurel" said Mr.. Murphy.