Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-01-25
WOOLMEN PLEDGE
AID TO COUNTRY
ENTIRE RESOURCES OF SHEEP
AND WOODWORKING INDUS
TRY PLEDGED TO AMERICA.
Number Of Subjects OF Importance to
Flockmasters Discussed Mt Ma
tionaI WoolurOwers Association
Convention nc Salt lake.

Salt Lake Clty.-The entire re
sources Of the sheep and wool-growing
Industry of America are pledged to the
service of the United States govern
ment, to the end that the great world
war may be won for liberty and jus
tee
This was the keynote OF broad pa
triotism sounded by President Frank
J. Hagenbarth In his annual address
before the opening session of the fifty
fourth annual convention Of the Ma
tional Woolgrowers' association in this
city on January IL.
That the wool producers OF the
United States are behind the president
and the administration for victory is
the sentiment that Pervaded the con-
vention, and the thread that ran
through every address by officers and
delegates to the convention.
President Hagenbarth treated a
number of subjects of vital Importance
to the wool interests of the country,
and among them three Of national inn
port, including possible action by the
government in fixing and controlling
the price of wool, the federal food ad-
ministration meatless day program
with relation to consumption Of NUT
ton and lamb, and operation of the
640-acre homestead law with its rela-
ton to the fioekmasters of the western
states.
Opposed Government Plan.
He voiced for the convention a SEN
timent against the government fixing
the price of wool unless It first grants
hearing to the wool producers on the
matter of cost of production before at
tempting TO establish price. Mr..
Hagenbarth gave assurance that Ehe
wool producers are perfectly willing
that the government shall. If war me-
cessity requires, fix price and estab-
fish control over the price of wool, but
declared that the wOOlman only asks
the consideration of being heard on
the subject of cost of production be-
fore such action was taken. The wool
producers, he said, did not want the
government to fix price ON wool upon
advices and restrictions of mlddlemen
and dealers, who know nothing of pro-
dNction.
In relation to the governments
meatless day program, the president
of the association called attention 10
Its effect upon the consumption of
mutton and lamb and urged that there
should be a change in this program
which would relieve the restriction
upon this class of meat. He pointed
out that no mutton or lamb is export
ed for military use and that the ex.
portation of lamb products from this
country is practically nothing Refer
ring to the general impression which
went out over the country that there
was a government bar upon the con-
sumption of lambs even outside of the
meatless day restriction, President
Hagenbarth noted that this misunder-
standing of food regulations hud re-
suited In serious loss to the producer
of fed lambs. He urged that the gov
eminent food administration should
take prompt and effective measures TO
counteract this serious idea, and to Sc
cure and encourage greater consump-
ton of fed lambs, to relieve the pres
ent condition and as a means of fur
Their conserving pork and beef prod
ucts.
The Homestead Law.
Effect of the 64O-acre homestead law
upon the sheep growers was treated
at considerable length by the presi-
dent of the association. He saw In
this law and its operation the ultimate
destruction of the sheep and wool In
dustry in the western states where
this law is effective and urged the ne
cessity for government action suspend.
Ing the operation OF this measure. at
least during the period of the war.
The fifty-fourth annual convention
opened with an attendance of more
than 1000 delegates and visitors.
Swift Is Speaker.
Louis f. Swift. head Of the Swift
packing interests In Chicago. was one
of the speakers of national importance
who addressed the convention. urging
the necessity for cooperation In every
way possible between the producers
and the packers In the matter of meat
food conservation and increase to meet
the demands of the war conditions.
Joseph 2. Cotton of the meat di.
vision of the federal food administra-
ton also addressed the convention.
emphasizing the necessity for consery-
/ ing the country's meat supply. Dr.
John Il. Mohler, chief Of the bureau OF
animal industry of the government.
told the convention of the work being
done by the federal bureau I'm It's ef-
fort TO aid the sheepmen In the matter
of increasing the production Of sheep
| and wool.