Ill 



THE GRASP OF A FRIENDLY HAND 



Contrary to general understanding the estab- 

 lishment of the International Live Stock Exposition 

 was not the first move made by the present man- 

 agement of the Chicago Union Stock Yards in the 

 interest of progressive animal husbandry in the Mid- 

 west states. The comparatively inferior character 

 of the bulk of the cattle receipts at central markets 

 quickly attracted attention. The one effective blow 

 to be struck at this obvious weakness in cornbelt 

 production was the elimination of the scrub or native 

 sire, and the substitution of purebreds. 



ARTHUR G. LEONARD is nothing if not direct in his 

 instincts and methods. He had easily diagnosed the 

 disease, and the remedy to be applied was indicated 

 so plainly that anybody could write the prescription. 

 With characteristic celerity he had soon evolved a 

 comprehensive plan for distributing well-bred bulls 

 on terms that would insure their being placed at once 

 in service in various farming communities. The idea 

 was of course similar to that upon which JAMES J. 

 HILL has acted in Great Northern territory. Prom- 

 inent railway managers were approached and inter- 

 ested in the project. This was before the era when 

 baiting the transportation companies became such a 



11 



