East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-12-03

Many Members Present.
With many sheepmen present from
all parts OF the wool sections Of the
state. the Oregon Wool Growers as
socatlon opened its 18th annual
convention here at o'clock this aft
ernoon. Owing to the fact that Sec
retary John G. Hoke of Medical
Springs did not arrive until noon to-
day, his delay being caused by Ill
ne@, the morning session was not
held Instead the many sheepmen
were taken by local business men in
autos for a visit to the Eastern ore
gon state Hospital.
The convention was called to order
by President Falconer this afternoon
soon after Q o'clock In behalf Of
the citizens of Pendleton j. Roy Ra-
ley. IN a few appropriate words, vel
coined the sheepmen back to Pendle-
ton.
The most interesting feature OF the
early part OF the program was the
annual address Of the president
His first remark was very sig
nificant one, at no time in the his
tory OF the association" he said "has
the general welfare OF the sheepmen
been rs good as It is today,
I'VE have received record break
ing prices for lambs and good prices
for wool We have improved the
quality or our sheep and the manner
in which we fatten our lambs for
market. We have learned little
concerning the proper manner in
which to prepare our wool for mar
ket although there Is probably a
vast field for improvement yet in that
line. We have learned to adjust our
differences with the forest service
au.gapk In most all cases
We have gained the confidence OF
our bankers which is probably the
most important thing OF all. We have
proved to them that clear-headed
business men. with energy and stam-
ina. could stem the tide Of adversely
until the lean years are past and the
rat ones come again.
And in addition to all this good
fortune we have the prospect o. a
tariff being placed on wool by a dem
acratic congress, which would IN
decd be very acceptable TO sheepmen
and believe to the west generally.
One of the questions Of paramount
inheritance. he said, is the pure TAB
ric hin which is to be discussed TO-
morrow by Charles Coopey OF Port
land one OF the minor difficulties
10 be overcome he said, is the pres'
ept difficulties in feeding and water
ing lambs en- route to eastern mar
kets. He suggested in this connee-
ton that the railroad companies
would probably listen to requests to
insprove the feeding stations at Mort
peIier, Idaho and Laramie, wyoming
Another thing that shippers have
to contend with is the theft Of sheep
from railroad yards and from freight
trains while in transit" he said I'VE
should adopt measures that Will ala
in The speedy conviction Of the guilty
PARTIES, and just what part the rail-
roads should take In this matter /
am not prepared to say, But II seems
10 me that they should at least aid
ns IN the detection Of the criminals
lie commended the organization Of
ths Columbia Basin Wool Warehouse
40. of Portland. the primary pur-
nose of which is to assist in the IL
fnancing of the wool growing indus
try. This company, he said, has
made It possible for growers to hold
their clips until the market prices
became acceptable. Though there has
been n decrease in the number oil
sheen in the state for the past few
.carg President Falconer expressed
great faith in the permanency OF
ihe industry as one or the states big
assets.
Tie endorsed the suggestion of the
national association that the month
pf February be set aside each year
Tor a campaign against the eoyte He
deprecated the reducing of the state
bounty from $3.50 20 75 cents after
January l.
There is no feeding business that
viii pay more profitably than the
feeding of mutton and he recon-
mended thlsAo the farmer as mean'
Of adding to his profits. He advocat
ed the proper tagging of wool, bet
ter shearing methods and the care
lul tying and grading of wool.
President Falconer in speaking o
lamb producing urged the grower tC
watch his lambs carefully in ordel
10 market them at their price, HI
paid a tribute to the sneepherder dnC
advocated good wages for him, II
closing he asked that all member
unite In working for the best inter
fst, of the industry