Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-23
EIGHT HOUR LAW
CAUSES MORE HUMANE
HANDLING OF LIVE STOCK.

AS result of the so-called "2s-
hour" law regulating the interstate
transportation Of live stock, many rail-
roads have improved the yards and
pens into which animals are unloaded
for feed, water, and rest and have
brought about conditions for the hand
ling of cattle more humanely. The
bureau Of animal industry of the
United States department of agricul-
ture says that since the enactment uf
the present law in 1906, there have
been more than 7,100 violations of the
state reported for prosecution, and a
total off s3SSS70 has been collected for
penalties. The administrative officials,
however, are more DESTROYS of securing
compliance with the provisions of the
law than the imposing OF penalties.
Purpose of Law.
The twenty eight hour law was en-
acted primarily for humane reasons.
Its purpose is to reduce to a minimum
the cruelty incident to the transport
tation of live stock, and to have the
stock reach the market as nearly as
possible in the same condition as wheh
it leaves the farm. If animals are con-
fined in cars for an excessive period
without feed, water. or rest, or If when
they are unloaded it IS into pen too
small for them to rest or move about
or if the proper kind and amount OF
feed and water are not supplied, or IL
in the loading or unloading process the
animals are brutally treated, they can
not reach the market in good condition
The statute requires that animals in
interstate transportation shall be pro-
vided with proper feed and water each
twenty eight hours. The owner BY
written request may authorize the rail-
roads to extend this to a period or
thirty-siX hours. This privilege is so
generally taken advantage OF that the
statute is really a thirty-s six hour law
instead Of twenty eight-hour law
from the standpoint Of practical appli-
cation.
Suggestions Adopted cheerfuIly.
Suggestions offered by the officials Of
the bureau of animal industry as to
the construction of yards and pens to
meet the requirements of the law have
been adopted cheerfully and gladly b.
some carriers. In other cases it was
necessary for the bureau to resort TO
prosecution. On some railroads there
has been much improvement in gem
eral conditions. and violations now are
comparatively few as compared with
the past. improvements have beer
especially noticeable Ii the northwest.
and no yard oF consequence in that
section now lacks a reasonable amount
of shelter for the stock and paving for
at least a part Of the yard. On some
roads pens have been provided with
concrete floors and sufficient feeding
space for all the animals to eat at one
time. with ample watering troughs and
sewer connections. Some pens in the
northwest are covered ard entirely in
closed on three sides, but as a gen.
eral rule for the entire country it is
believed by the bureau that yards or
pens partially covered on the side ex-
posed 10 the winter winds will fur
nish sufficient protection TO the ami
mails. Roads where improvements have
been made have been able 20 reduce
materially their claims for injury to
live stock, and by better train sched-
ules have cut down the train crew cost
While there has been much improve
ment. the bureau believes mat IL the
carriers will cooperate with the gov
eminent more generally even better
results will be obtained and fewer
prosecutions will be required. The bu-
reau Of animal industry of the United
States department OF agriculture is al
ways glad to furnish the carriers and
others with suggestions and inforrna-
ton as to he best methods OF hand
ling live stock SO as to comply with
the terms of the law. Some OF the
larger roads already have sought such
advice, and the department. in num-
Der of cases. has sent an inspector I"
feeding points in company with the
railroad officials and given suggestions
az TO the construction Of yards and
their equipment.