THE PACKERS AND THE CATTLEMEN 47 



sented as an exhibit before the Interstate Com- 

 merce Conmiission in a rate-case hearing during the 

 winter of 1914-15. The year 1915, despite the Eu- 

 ropean war and the high prices prevaiKng, is said 

 by the cattlemen to be one of the most disastrous 

 in their history, and the statement presented to the 

 Interstate Conmierce Commission, and sworn to by 

 the farmers from whose accounts it was taken, 

 seems to substantiate their claims. The investiga- 

 tion covered 56 Iowa farmers who had marketed 

 2,025 cattle between them, or an average of 36 head 

 per farmer. Of the total 56 feeders all but 3 lost 

 money, and the latter made a profit of only $667.78 

 on the sale of 137 cattle. The other 53 lost on an 

 average of $19.32 per head on their operations. 

 And the expense of labor and care was not included 

 in the cost. It was stated that these cases were 

 typical of the industry. 



The exhibit was for the year 1915. Yet, while 

 this was one of the most disastrous years in the his- 

 tory of stock-raising, it was a most profitable one for 

 the packers, who made the largest profits in their 

 history. 



A committee of the American National Live Stock 

 Association was created for the puipose of securing 

 some sort of relief. The committee prepared a 

 comprehensive report on the subject, which showed 

 that it cost to raise and feed steers for market (in 

 the Panhandle of Texas) $S.10 per 100 pounds, while 



