242 BOARD OF AGRICULTTJKE. 



in attempting to arrive at a basis of understanding. Texas cattlemen arc 

 opposed to it. Tliey have been fighting the railways through the Inter- 

 state Commerce Commission. They think they are almost on the verge 

 of success. We would not stop a movement of that sort. They have 

 been fighting the packinghouses. Neitlier would we stop tliat. We want 

 an organization that will settle these questions in a more pleasant, a bet- 

 ter, more Intelligent manner. War is becoming unfashionable. It is go- 

 ing out of date, and arbitration is beginning to take its place, both na- 

 tionally and individuallj'. We are going to work out a plan to this end. 

 We think they will be willing to pay what is necessary to bring this 

 about. As Mr. Rankin has well said, it is quite true that most of the 

 expenses of anything like this fall heavily upon a comparatively few 

 men, and yet the expenditure of one dollar per annum per member would 

 be all that you could possibly be called upon to give in oi'der to support 

 this movement. Of course if it does not prove beneficial in the course of 

 two or three yeai's, it will be abandoned, but no intelligent man in view 

 of the situation today can say but that it is the right road to travel. The 

 ditticulties in the way are simply to be overcome; they were made to be 

 overcome. That is the way we look at these things. 



I am truly glad you are starting this organization. I wanted to 

 call your attention to what is going to take place in Denver next week. 

 I hope we Avill be successful there and that similar organizations to this 

 will be formed all over the coiiutry. We have a very strong one in Kan- 

 sas; also in Illinois. Iowa and Nebraska. I will lie in Nebraska the end 

 of the month. Yes. we have a good, strong organization there. 



I want to say to you that this is the situation that confronts this 

 great organization, which is the foundation of everything. As I have 

 said before, were it not for agi'icultui'c llicre would he nothing. 



(Jcntlemen, I thank yon wvy niucli for your kind attention. 



I'resident Rolibins: If anyone has a remark conccniing either oi 

 these addresses — the one of Colonel Harris or Mr. Itiinkin--on ;iny point 

 of this subject, we will now hear him. but 1 should like to ask you to 

 be as quick about it as possible, as it is getting about the time we are 

 in the habit of eating. 



Secretary .1. 11. Skinner: I do not want to be spokesman for this 

 body, but it does seem to me that we have had our duty pointed out pretty 

 clearly by Senator IlaiTis and Mr. Hankin. It looks like we ai'e not in 

 this for fun; the need of .-i good organization has been eniphnsized. I have 

 t'iiJoy( d listening to these men, .-iiid 1 think we all r(>ali'/e the possibili- 

 ties of the State Live Stock Association in a way we never did before. 



Now in regard to one i)oint that Senator Harris ninde. He stated 

 that tli(\v could not imt tiieii' linger on .-inyone thiil r( iireseiitcd the live 

 stock Interests in the States east of the Mississipj)!. Th;it is tlu' thing 

 we are getting in the State orgauizatlou, and it seems to me that these 



