Tombstone epitaph., 1922-12-17
cATTtEMeN EXPERIENCING UNSETTLED CONDITION
 OF CATTLE MARKETS

settled condition of cattle markets that have been known for many ycars back. This uncertainty Of markets and market prices for cattle coming from feed lots and ranges of our state seems due to very great extent to the present chaotic condition of the Los Angeles stockyards.
 The Union Stock Yards in Los An geles have been the direct cause for holding back of several cattle buyers who heretofore have worked through. out this state and as a result not nearly as many cattle have moved from our ranges as in years back. Since the opening of the stock yards November 1st. hundreds of head of cattle have moved into Los Angeles from Texas. New Mexico. Colorado, Utah. Wyoming. Idaho and Montana that have formally gone to eastern pens. These cattle are thrown on the open market in the coast city and in many instances have sold for great sacrifice. being unable 10 move else where. This condition added to that o' holding back buyers from adja- cent states to California have result ed in fewer cattle being sold through out Arizona than for several seasons previous. It directly forces Arizona cattle 10 compete against the ex- tremely heavy steers and COWS from those northwest and Rocky mountain states.
 At present good heavy beef steers are selling from Ger 1-ic per pound in Los Angeles. wheeras the same steers bought on the ranges and talk en to plants in San Francisco will cost buyers from 7c to Sc laid down in the Bay City This materially re. fleets a much. weaker market in Los Angeles today over that of the prices paid by San Francisco buyers Many shipments of cattle have been forced to feed several days in Los Angeles before a buyer makes a bid on them and this extreme expense of cars is borne by the owner who ships to that market. Furthermore. the freight charges and the shrinkage as well as the feed during transit must be met by the owner. This coupled with the I delay at the yards in finding a buyer makes much reduced market price |! for cattle in Los Angeles. Even after ! a buyer is found the owner must pay a very high commission for the sale. ,
 It is a deplorable condition indeed i and cattlemen not only in California, |, but over the ranges of Arizona are feeling the heavy effects Of the de. ! pressed conditions. The stock yards ! thus far are proving no salvation 1, whatsoever 10 the cattlemen of this I state and it will be interesting to ] watch the progress of those yards 1 upon the cattle industry of the entire | southwest
 The cattle growers are loathe 10 i give up the present fair system Of selling their herds at the ranches ! where "cutbacks" can then be left 1 at home and never be shipped if not | sold. The buyers thus handle t1e shipping as the cattle leave the | ranges. and the cattlemau himself is | in this way not forced 10 play :he other mans game on the open market
 From a feeder standpoiu; which is
 
 California-the stock yards so far l prove of no value whatsoever and the | same respect as on fat cattle are de. pressing conditions materially.
 Arizona cat.lemen should watch constantly the progress made by the | Union Yards in '.ps Angeles and the | effects they are bringing about Cali | fornia receives practically all of Ari- | zona cattle and if the Los Angeles | 1ards continue to prove a hiadranee | me cattlemen should do all within l their power to keep away from u.Ai | system of marketing. Should they ! prove a success, of course cattlemen i will welcome the change of condi- | tions.
 The Arizona Cattle Growers asso- 1