The Wagner post. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1912-current, 1912-04-19
OF THE OPEN
RANGE IS STORY TOLD
BY SECRETlRY'S BOOK
Live Stock Association to Con.
tinue Active in Spite of the
Black Outlook.

Black OuIlOOk.
Rapid City, S. D.. April 1s.-The fol-
lowing officers were elected by the
Western South Dakota Live Stock as
ISOLATION after a harmonious and sue
cessful meeting In this city: President
James Craig, of Belle Fourche: vice
president, Charles Ham, Rapid City;
secretary and treasurer, F. NJ. Stew
art, Of Hot Springs. Executive COM
mittee, Al Taddiken. 4. /. Field,
Charles Hardy, Oliver Rose, VIM.
Borst, George Mcfarland. I. NJ. Hum
phrey, Ed Stenger, w. H. Reed, Fred
III. Sears, C. F. Coffee, c. B. West, G.
E. Lennon, w. d. Driskill, Matado
Sutro. B. C. Mossman, j. ID. Hale.
s~ecretary's Report.
Secretary Hewart, in his annual re-
port reviewed the live stock situation
In its present and future aspects. Ow-
ing to the present low stage of the
industry he proposed to serve in future
at one-half of his past salary The re-
port is in part as follows:
1.-THE 21st annual meeting of your
organization witnesseth manv and va
rious changes n the paralyzed con-
dition of the live stock interests Of this
portion of the state is more notice
able, more thoroughly realized and re-
GREETED today than ever before. There
is something pathetic, even sad, in a
comparison of the meetings of a few
years ago with that Of today. The old
time hearty unconfined enthusiasm
Is conspicuous by its absence, many
familiar faces are missing and the
future of o u organization and the
industry it represents is very much in
doubt.
Dry Farming hoo-Doo2
AT your annual convention two
years ago the privileges of h floor
were extended to an advocate OF
dry farming, which may or may not
be responsible for the hoodoo which
has followed the live stock business
since that time. About five years
of the large herds were numbered,
and a general reduction in the hold
ings were commenced. but 1t re-
manned for the drought stricken years
Of 1910 n 1911 to cause the market
ing of fully rs per cent of the cat
tie of this portion OF the state, and
complete the practical elimination of
the industry. While it is not prob
able that South Dakota will ever
again be classed as n of the great
range states, yet with its natural adj
vantages in the matter of nutritious
grasses and rough and rugged u
try, which cannot be successfully
utilized for agricultural purposes
under the most favorable weather
conditions or most improved systems
OF farming, live stock must always be
relied upon as the dependable produc-
ton of the state.
I'm the face of the fact that this
section has never been blessed with
uniform rainfall and has experienced
several seasons of drought, the over
crowded condition of eastern states
has compelled a s-ea. many people
to seek new fields and they have
taken a chance Inc are now living
in the hope that in South Dakota he
climatic conditions will change the
same as they did in Kansas, Mis-
souri, n other midwest states. How
ever, in any event., live stock must al
ways be the medium through which
our hay and grain can be most profit
ably marketed, as the great distance
from a large market is prohibitive of
the shipment of cereals.
Restocking Important.
"Ninteen hundred and twelve viii IN
all probability demonstrate to what
extent the ~unoccupied portions of the
state can be utilized for grazing pur-
poses but the most serious proposition
which confronts the today
is the restocking of his range or pas
lures. The prices demanded for south
ern cattle and at which sales are being
made to buyers from more favored
states are almost prohibitive to this
state. Contracted ranges and the in
creased expense of a purely pasturing
proposition which necessitates ex-
tensive winter feeding means quality
I'm place of quantity Of our live stock
In the future and aus hesitation on
the part of our most optimistic stock
men to again start a breeding herd
with southern stock as a foundation.
TT is probable that the prospects for
Il - oynoc nrnr anHnr haitian fhan
at present and 1t would appear the
part of wisdom to prepare to take adj
vantage of such conditions yet the
shortage of and excessive demand for
money suggests caution. While the
range and pastures OF this portion of
the state are almost devoid of cattle 1t
is fair to presume that under favorable
conditions. within two years there will
be at least 10 animals for every one
there Is today. This reasoning is log
ical by virtue of the a~daptability of
the country and the experience and
preference of a large percentage of the
residents.
Future pro5lematicai.
"Your organization mas suffered to a
marked degree by the depressed con-
Gition of the country for the past two
years and its future is problematical.
From a membership or 554 in 1909 re-
duced to 300 in 1911 and a correspond
Il 1IIS uepEeGldtlOIl III the uuIlD6T OF STOCK
listed for assessment the income has
been seriously affected. The revenue
derived from dues and assessments for
1911 was Sc. 033.4 Al. while the expenses
of operation were $s,904.42 showing a
deficit for the yea of $2,S71.01. The
rocks show a balance on hand of $14,-
6yi.S3, hut the major portion of this
amount will be disbursed during this
meeting as the proceeds of animals,
the ownership OF which was I'm doubt
at the time of shipment.
AT no time during the life time of
the organization has there been such
carclessness by members in the matter
Of selling and re-selling stock without
counterbranding or issuing bills of
sale. AS a result the work of the in
3pectors has been greatly increased,
much dissatisfaction created and a
large amoun OF money neld at the
market points and in the office of the
secretary. pending an adjustment of
differences. This condition will likely
prevail for some time owing to the
L 1890 ,,,r,1..- -F [,o,.tk nl.AA- --I%l