TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 123 



carriers produced a great mass of data and exhibits in the case. The 

 farmers' and shippers' interests were represented by Judge Henderson, 

 Commerce Counsel, who had charge of the case, and your president 

 and secretary. A great amount of testimony was taken from farmers, 

 feeders and shippers concerning the proper minimums to fix on these 

 cars. The Sioux City Live Stock Exchange and Stock Yards Company, 

 the Sinclair Packing Company, and the Morrell Packing Company also 

 sent representatives, who furnished very material testimony and ex- 

 hibits in the case. And at the conclusion of the hearing I think there 

 was a general feeling that the stockmen had made a strong case, and 

 that their interests were well cared for. The final arguments will be 

 made in the case in January, and it will then be taken under advisement 

 by the commission, to determine whether the orginal decision and order 

 shall stand, or whether they will amend their decision. 



It will undoubtly be months before the commission reaches a con- 

 clusion, as there is such a great mass of evidence to analyze and digest. 

 But while this decision is pending, remember that you are still pro- 

 tected on light shipments within the state, if you order a small car. 

 And just here let me say that I know of no better illustration of the 

 value of your association to the farmers and shippers than this very 

 case. For the last three years had you not been organized, you would 

 have been paying the minimums applicable to the thirty-six foot car 

 on all your local shipments. This would have increased your freight 

 about $2 per car, and it looks very much like your association will have 

 plenty to do in the future, as the railroads have just filed with the Iowa 

 commission a petition asking for an increase of twelve and one-half per 

 cent on all live stock rates. This is the first time the railroads have 

 asked the commission for a direct advance in rates on any staple com- 

 modity, and it will no doubt be one of the most bitterly contested cases 

 In the history of your association. So with the cases now pending and 

 the new ones that we may expect to come up, your organization will 

 certainly have plenty to do for some time to come. 



The most important matter taken up by your association was the 

 fight to prevent the general advance on stocker and feeder cattle and 

 sheep, which the railroads attempted to put over on us during the sum- 

 mer. You are aware that stockers and feeders have been shipped for 

 twenty-five years or more on a rate that was seventy-five per cent of 

 the fat stock rate, and all of a sudden the carriers discovered that they 

 were losing money on that class of business and got together and de- 

 cided to advance the rates up to the fat stock rate, which meant an ad- 

 vance of thirty-three and one-third per cent. But before the advances 

 went into effect the officers of your association, in conjunction with the 

 officers of the live stock exchanges, filed complaint against the ad- 

 vances with the Interstate Commerce Commission, and asked for a sus- 

 pension of the order of the railroads, and an opportunity to present the 

 stockmen's side of the case to the commission. This request was grant- 

 ed, the advances suspended, and October 20th was fixed as the date to 

 open the hearings at Omaha. Three of these hearings were held — each 

 one of two days' duration — one at Omaha, one at Kansas City, and the 



