Gunnison news-champion., 1916-05-05
/ REVIEW or THE NINE
TEENTH AMERICAN NATION
Al LIVESTOCK CONVENTION
IT FL PAs0, texas

By Ralph R Allen. secretary of the Gun
nison County Stock Growers Assn.
This address was prepared by Mr..
Allen for the banquet program. held in
Gunnison. April Is. 1915.
There were 80 many splendid address,
es at the nineteenth annual convention
of the American National Livestock
Association held at Ell Paso. Texas, on
January 25. 26. q, 1916. that l shall
only attempt to briefly review the
report Of the Marketing Committee on
/. Livestock, since consider it the most
important to US.
Our committee had hoped to have Mr..
De Ricqles with US this evening, whom
l assure you could have done justice to
this interesting and important subject
But as he had another engagement, l
shall endeavor to tell little of what
he, and others said at the convention.
For one thing, he claimed that the
price Of beef was no longer regulated
by the law of supply and demand. In
proof of this he declared that the aver
rage price Of native steer in 1915. was
$40 per cwt., while in 1914 it was
$3.50. And Was this decline DE 10 a
smaller demand? No. we all know that
there was no comparison in the pros
perity Of the United States in 1914 and
in 1915. Mr.. De Ricqles also had figures
to prove that the supply Of cattle in
this country was half million less in
1915 than in 1914. Then if the supply
was much less and the demand much
greater, why was there fall in the
cattle market?
That is what the feeder Of the Middle
west wanted to know when he market
ed his heavy stuff in February. March,
and April-the time Of the year as you
know, when the bulk Of fattened cat
tie are turned in at IN enormous price.
On the other hand. the statement Of
tho-p psekeFs. showed that they had done
the greatest business in their history.
For instance, Swift 4 Co.. show ont Of
i've hundred million dollars worth Of
business, net profit Of fourteen mil
lions, and when We realize that only
ten years ago. their total volume of
business amounted to only two hundred,
we feel that their gains were more than
miraculous.
Then, when we also consider that the
ordinary consumer of beef is completely
misled about the cattle raisers-thinks
of him as cattle baron who raises
cattle at little expense and care on free
grass etc, and that the high price of
hay-fed beef steak is caused by the
producer, we realize that both pro-
ducer and consumer are played against
each other.
Now, of course the American Nation
al Livestock Association does not object
to large business, as such, in fact, they
want the packer to continue profitably
handling our cattle, but it does object
when the packer makes fortune. while
the feeder sustains heavy loss.
Nor can We afford to say that the
losses Of the feeders do not concern US.
for - Mr.. Burlor Of this same commit
tee said, We feeders of the corn belt
have felt the Iron Fist first. but ! want
to warn you men of the West. that
your time is at hand. Do not dwell in
. FOOLS Paradise because the feeders,
for few years, have been paying you
fancy prices for your cattle. Their
problem of today will be yours of to-
MORROW.
The convention finally passed resolu-
tons, recommending that committee
Of five men'be appointed to investigate
theee unjust Auctusiions of the market.
toNecure the best legal advise. and. If
necessary. to secure toe aid Of the gov
sfnment and ofi1he several states.
The purpose cf'this investigation is to
And out the margin between the price
rid for cattle on the hoof and of
dressed beef At the butchers.
We believe. that after several years
Of investigation. this question can be
fairly placed before the public. whose
cooperation we must gain.
Then, may odd. that since the con-
vsntion, President Heard has appointed
the following men Of National reputa-
tion on this committee: H. H. Jastro,
]. 7. Pryor, l. B. Kendrick. E. l. Burke
and A. E. De Ricqles. all Of whom, Of
eourse, serve without compensation.
Ar. De Rieqles, ths secretary and
treasurer has opened oiiees 10 The First
National Bank B'ld'g., In Denver and
has appeinted J. B. Killian Of Dslta,
assistant SECRETARY.
The eminent services Of Walter L.
Fisher of Chicago. have bssn secured =
attnfnsy for H. assoeiatiua-
You have ~ doGbtless reeeived eiFeu-
c.noAfaa6 - Firth PnRa