164 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



In discussing the old and new system at South Omaha, I do not 

 wish to be understood as comparing Omaha with Chicago. The system 

 at Chicago of weighing over automatic scales is, beyond question, more 

 rapid than the old system used at South Omaha. The thought I wish 

 to present has to do with applying the new system at South Omaha to 

 the Chicago situation. While this new method has only been in effect 

 since March 16th, last, not one with whom I came in contact in South 

 Omaha would give any consideration to a return to the old system. 



There is one feature of this new system, however, that appears to 

 be open to criticism. While the plan as a whole appears to be prac- 

 tical and sound, the amounts deducted from the sale weights as fill 

 allowances are open to question. The stock yards people admit this part 

 of the plan is a bit crude and uncertain. They started with the best 

 information they could obtain, and are anxious to secure accurate and 

 reliable data that will make these tariffs less liable to question. Once 

 this matter is adjusted on a basis equitable to all concerned, there ap- 

 pears to be no serious objection to some such plan being generally 

 adopted at all of the principal markets, so that shippers can have a 

 uniform method of weighing that will avoid delays and jolts and come 

 somewhat more nearly recording the exact weight for which they should 

 be charged freight. 



An informal discussion in regard to the manner of taking 

 Aveights followed, participated in by I\Ir. D. D. Cutler, representing 

 the Chicago and North Western Railway; Mr. Will Drury, and 

 Mr. R. ]\I. Gunn. 



President Sykes announced the appointment of the following 

 committee on resolutions : Will Drury, Sac ; R. M. Gunn, Black- 

 hawk; F. D. Steen, Muscatine; W. L. Drennan, Adams; F. A. Stil- 

 well, Poweshiek; W. T. Hamilton. Washington; R. A. Lenocker, 

 jMadison; W. S. Bassett, Benton; J. C. Oliva, Iowa; D. P. Hogan, 

 Cass; T. W. Webb, Ida; A. W. Pilmer, Cherokee; J. T. Chandler, 

 Henry. 



The convention thereupon adjourned to 9 :30 a. m., Wednesday. 



THE BANQUET. * 



On Tuesday evening, the annual banquet of the association was 

 held at the Savery Hotel. This was the most largely attended ban- 

 quet that the association has ever held, and was a most thoroughly 

 enjoyable affair. Following is a report of the different talks made : 



President A. Sykes: Friends of the Meat Producers' Association 

 and Fellow Banqueters: We again celebrate the annual banquet of the 

 Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association, I think in a very pleasant way. 

 I wish to say in behalf of the officers of this association that it has 

 been very gratifying to them to see the splendid audience here this 



