TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VII 511 



Concerning the important work which Mr. Harlan has been doing, 

 I am not going into detail, as he has a very interesting report of his work 

 to submit to you later on, but will state for your information that this is 

 the first organization to place a statistician in any of the big terminal 

 markets to secure definite information and data concerning the marketing 

 of live stock in the corn belt, and I consider the statistical data and 

 information which Mr. Harlan has compiled of the greatest value to the 

 live stock producers of this territory, and believe that plans are now in 

 the process of formation that will tend to place the business of feeding 

 live stock on a much sounder and more profitable basis. 



Now as to the condition of your association, we consider it healthy 

 and vigorous. It never was as easy to secure renewals or new members 

 as during the past season, and wherever we were able to get into a com- 

 munity or county, the memberships were substantially increased; but my 

 field work was very materially reduced on account of many other impor- 

 tant matters that were forced upon me, and as a result your organization 

 suffered on account of not having a number of solicitors in the field in- 

 creasing your memberships. In the opening of the season, we had promise 

 of some very efficient help from a member of your board of directors, 

 but later on a shortage of help to take care of his own farming operations 

 developed, also sickness came in the home and finally he himself became 

 incapacitated for the work, leaving us without any assistance whatever 

 in the work, which very greatly militated against the splendid increase in 

 membership which we had confidently hoped for during the year. How- 

 ever, I think that the reports of your secretary and treasurer will show 

 a very gratifying situation and will denote a good, healthy condition. 



In closing, I wish to say that I have had the fullest co-operation not 

 only from the officers but from the members in the various localities 

 where I have worked, and to all these I want to express my most hearty 

 appreciation of their helpfulness and to thank one and all for their very 

 loyal support, and to thank Wallaces' Farmer and the Daily Drovers' Jour- 

 nal, of Chicago, and all other weekly or daily periodicals that have given 

 such full and free publicity to our work and in this way contributed to 

 the upbuilding of your organization. We want, in this public way, to 

 express our thanks to you and to assure you that we will always appre- 

 ciate your hearty co-operation. 



And finally let me say to you that your organization is looked upon 

 as a permanent fixture and that the sentiment prevails that there is an 

 urgent need for the continuation and strengthening of your association, 

 ond its functions and activities should be directed along the most helpful 

 lines in the future, to protect and encourage the live stock producers of 

 the corn belt. 



Mr. Thompson: Mr. Chairman, I should like to just interrupt 

 the proceedings of the Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association a 

 moment by asking one question to clear up a matter. Do you con- 

 sider the excuse of a railroad that stuff was delivered at the terminal, 

 that that excuses them from liability as to paying the claim, v^hen it 

 was turned over to the terminal — I might occupy a few more sec- 



