South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-08
NEW e. HOUR LAW
HELP To SHIPPERS
Handled HumaneIy Will Give
Better Facilities for Feeding
and Watering Stock.

As result OF the so-called "2S-
hour" law regulating the interstate
transportation of live stock, many
railroads have improved the yards
and pens into which animals are I'M
loaded for feed, water and rest, and
have brought about conditions for
the handling Of cattle more hu-
namely The bureau Of animal in
dustry Of the United States depart
meut of agriculture says that since
the enactment of the present law n
1906, there have been more than -
100 violations of the statute reported
for prosecution, and a total of sass
SO has been collected for penalties
The administrative officials, however,
are more desirioUs of securing COM
pliance with the provisions of the
law than the imposing of penalties.
Purpose of Law.
The 2S-hour law was enacted pri-
narily for humane reasons. It's pur-
pose is to reduce TO minimum the
cruelty incident to the transportation
of live stock. and TO have the stock
reach the market as nearly as pos
sible in the same condition as when
it leaves the farm. If animals are
confined in cars for an excessive pc
riod without feed, water or rest. or
if when they are unloaded il is into
pen too small for them 10 rest or
move about, or if the proper kind
and amount of feed and water are
not supplied or if 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
provided with proper feed and wa
ter each IS hours. The owner by
written request may authorize the
railroads TO extend this to q period
of SO hours. This privilege is so
generally taken advantage Of that
the statute is really a 36-hour law
instead Of a 2S-hOur law from the
standpoint of practical application.
Suggestions Adopted ChecrfuIIy.
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 by some carriers. In other
cases il was necessary for the bu-
reau to resort to prosecution. on
some railroads there has been much
Improvement in general conditions,
and violations now are comparative
ly few as compared with the past
Improvements have been especially
noticeable in 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 COW
cred and entirely inclosed on three
sides. but as a general rule for the
entire country it is believed by the
bureau that yards or pens partially
covered on the side exposed to the
winter winds will furnish sufficient
protection 10 the animals. Roads
w here improvements have been made
have been able 10 reduce materially
their claims for injury to live stock,
and by better train schedules have
cut down the train crew cost.
While there has been much i'm
Trovement. the bureau believes that
I if the carriers viii cooperate with
/ the government more generally even
better results will be obtained and
fewer prosecutions will be required.
The bureau of animal industry Of
the United States department of ag-
riculture is always glad TO furnish
the carriers and others with sug-
gestions and information as 10 the
best methods of handling live stock
So as 20 comply with the terms of
the law. Some of the larger roads
already have sought such advice.
and the department in a number
of cases. has sent an Inspector to
feeding points i'm company with the
railroad officials and given sugges-
tions as to the construction Of yards
and their equipment.