The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1939-01-26
OPEN LETTER TO
SENATOR HARRY T. MANN
Dear Senator:

Lear
Relative to recent meeting:
The announcement of your APP
pOintment to the chairmanShip
of the legislative livestock
commission was gratifying 10
the membership present.
Attendance was approximately
300, or about 100 percent of the
livestock interests in the vicin-
ity.
Much discussion dealt with
the features of the brand in
spection law covering double
branded stock, whereby cattle
with newly healed brands
passed inspection without other
evidence of ownership from Old
er brands. This was generally
regarded as tending to make
illegal appropriation easier, as
absence of a record of older
brands stopped investigation. It
was also observed that cattle
could be easily cached for the
short period of healing, and
that even newly applied brands
could be given the appearance
OF age.
It was generally agreed that
when inspection revealed dOu-
ble-branded cattle, shippers
should show release OF owner
ship from previous brand.
Consideration was also given
to the fact that it would be ex-
| tremelW difficult to put into Ell
feet the newly planned rigid
inspection of stock through the
county with only one inspector
provided by the county budget,
and mileage expense tob e as
Sumed by the association. The
point was brought out that on
sale days at the Billings market,
one man could not handle the
rush. The possibility of having
one or more deputy inspectors
who would be available for rush
period requirements and range
work generally was discussed.
The question of funds was
raised, and it was considered
probable that the county would
continue its present contribu-
ton, since the commissioners
conceded that SO percent of the
county revenue is derived from
livestock taxes.
Mr.. Tschirgi expressed the
opinion that it was largely a
matter of police regulation. In
view of the fact that Stockmen
not only paid state taxes on
cattle and land, but also a
special tax on cattle alone, the
industry was entitled to police
protection through taxes paid.
He suggested Investigation of
the legislative livestock COM
mission as to the proper diStrib-
ution of funds created by the
special levy and discussed the
possibility of creating an appro-
priatiOn for this purpose, es-
sential to the livestock industry.
Senator Wheeler's bill before
the United States senate be-
came public too late to receive
consideration at the meeting.
With 300 present, it is evil
dent that there were many small
owners in attendance. It is al
so apparent that the small OPP
orator was the principal reci-
pient of feed loans to enable
preservation of the foundation
of the highly developed beef
type range industry.
To the end of securing pos
sible support for Senator Wheel
er'S measure both by your live
stock legislative committee, Or if
possible by a senate resolution,
7 am asking consideration of
thu justice and merits of The
The provision for rehabilita-
ton of the livestock industry
through financing by credit as
SOciatiOns sponsored by congress
is restricted through non-pay-
ment of these loans, and there
for defeats the purpose of con-
gresS and deprives the industry
of this aid. Constructive pur-
pose would seem to ~necessitate
cancellation, or loans made
coordinate to credit association
financing. Cancellation has 9TH
er merits to justify it.
Wholesale bankruptcies and
mission at Washington, D. c.,
not later than February 7 1899.