390 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



I am again posing as your president, and imposing myself on your valu- 

 able time to make this brief annual report. 



On account of the lateness of the season when I accepted the work, 

 and because of the fact that I was busi'y engaged in supervising my 

 own farming and feeding interests, and had made no provision for tak- 

 ing on so much additional work, there was some delay in getting started 

 — but I am glad to be able to report that as soon as I could arrange my 

 affairs to get into the field, the work moved off nicely, and I was ex- 

 ceedingly gratified at the hearty response I met from the farmers and 

 stockmen wherever I went, in securing renewals and new members on 

 the five-year pledge system. It is encouraging to note that the farmers 

 and feeders have come to look upon the Corn Belt Meat Producers' 

 Association as a permanent fixture, and to realize that it has fully 

 justified its existence and is entitled to their support. This sentiment 

 CO manifestly apparent everywhere, makes it much easier to build up 

 the association than in the past, and explains why we were able to 

 double cur membership in such counties as Lyon, Scott, Dallas, Madi- 

 son, Union and others, besides making a substantial increase every- 

 where- we worked. 



I was also able to collect many of the delinquent pledges and turn 

 the funds in to the secretary. So that, as a whole, I feel that your 

 association is in a very good and satisfactory condition, considering the 

 unfortunate condition that it was forced to meet during the year. 



The general accomplishments of your organization during the year, 

 so far as rate matters are concerned, have not been of a spectacular 

 nature. The fact is that the unbounded prosperity of the railroads, and 

 their tremendous net earnings, have had a rather quieting effect upon 

 their restless officials, who have been continuously clamoring for higher 

 rates and more revenue, and they seem to have forgotten that the 

 Interstate Commerce Commission has, on its own motion, decided to 

 make a general investigation of a'-l live stock rates, rules and practices 

 affecting the live stock industry all over the United States, and that it 

 docketed the same for hearing about a year ago. So far as we are 

 informed, the carriers have not insisted on an early hearing in this 

 case, but your association has gone right ahead wifh its preparations, 

 on the theory that the commission will make this investigation in the 

 near future. iWhen it does come, we must be prepared to defend our 

 interests, or we will suffer seriously in the end. 



So, to the end that you may be ably represented in this very im- 

 portant case, your board of directors have employed your old friend and 

 stand-by, Hon. Clifford Thorne— the man who in the past has won so 

 many victories for you, and assisted in giving to the Corn Belt Meat 

 Producers' Association a national reputation. I am sure you will all 

 be very much gratified to know that he is again very intimately con- 

 nected with us, and will take the leadership in our rate fight. On the 

 other hand, I want you to understand and appreciate the fact that the 

 employment of Mr. Thorne will increase the expenses of your organiza- 

 tion, and it behooves each and all of us to exert our every influence to 



