670 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Whereas, The adjustment of such claims has been delayed — and often 

 seemingly wilfully — so that millions of dollars in such claims are now 

 outstanding and will not be paid during the short remaining period of 

 federal control; and, 



Whereas, The President of the United States has proclaimed the ter- 

 mination of federal control and the return of the carriers to corporate 

 control at the close of the present calendar month; and, 



Whereas, In the event of such return without the necessary legislation 

 to provide a fund for the payment of such claims or machinery for their 

 adjudication by suit; and. 



Whereas, No such funds will be available nor can suit be brought 

 against the government after the termination of federal control, nor can 

 the corporate companies be sued for acts or omissions during the period 

 of federal control; therefore, be it 



Resolved, by the members of the Corn Belt Meat Producers' Associa- 

 llou, in convention assembled, That we do hereby urge upon the congress 

 of the United States, that they take the necessary action to protect the 

 shippers of the country by providing the funds under which voluntary ad- 

 justment of valid claims can be made, and to also provide the machinery 

 by means of which suit may be entered and judgments enforced on such 

 claims as will not be voluntarily adjusted; and that the text of this reso- 

 lution be telegraphed to Iowa's senators and members of congress, and 

 a copy of the resolution mailed in confirmation thereof. 



Resolved, That the railroads should be turned back to their owners 

 with the least possible delay consistent with justice to the railroads and 

 to the public. Government operation has been most unsatisfactory to the 

 farmers and stockmen, and we condemn both government ownership and 

 government operation of the railroads as impracticable under present 

 conditions. We condemn the so-called Plumb plan. We favor restoring 

 the railroads to their owners, and restoring also the power of the Inter- 

 state Com'Vnerce Commission over railroad rates and practices, as well as 

 the power of the various state railroad commissions and state regulations. 

 We are opposed to government guaranty of earnings. If, after the rail- 

 roads are restored to their owners, it becomes evident that they have 

 become so badly crippled by war as to need financial aid, we favor such 

 aid in the form of loans by the government, on such time and rate of 

 interest as it may be found wise after investigation by the Interstate 

 Commerce Commission, and on such security as will make government 

 advances safe. 



Resolved, That we go on record as favoring the establishment of an 

 agency to which complaints on train service could be made direct, with a 

 view to concentration of effort and control for the purpose of effecting 

 immediate and general relief in any particular territory. 



Resolved, That we condemn the practice of selling local stock yards 

 scales to local stock buyers, which practice is being followed by at least 

 one railroad in Iowa. We consider it the duty of the railroad to maintain 

 satisfactory scales and stock yards at all shipping points as a part of 

 their equipment. 



