2 BULLETIN 589, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
convenient places on their lines, separated in distance according to 
running schedules, so as to be able to unload the stock each 28 hours 
during their journey to destination. In the construction of the 
inclosures or pens into which the animals were to be unloaded little 
if any consideration was given to the habits, requirements, and com- 
fort of the different classes of animals handled. So long as the pens 
were inclosed by a fence and the animals were unloaded within the 
28 hours, the transportation companies considered that they had 
complied with the law. Fences of sufficient height and strength to 
restrain the animals were not provided in many cases, and a round- 
up of cattle which had either broken down or jumped over such 
fences was necessary before reloading could, be commenced. Water- 
ing troughs often were not provided, and the absence of feeding 
racks was very general. No thought whatever was given to the com- 
fort of the animals in the way of providing a dry place to lie down 
for rest. 
On account of the poorly constructed pens and inadequate resting, 
watering, and feeding facilities and the frequent unloading of the 
animals, considerable dissatisfaction arose among the shippers. This, 
together with the changes in the way of improved railroad transpor- 
tation and the increasing size and importance of some of the live- 
stock markets, led to the repeal of the act of 1873 and the enactment 
of the present law, commonly know as the 28-hour law, which was 
approved and became effective on June 29, 1906, and was committed 
to the Secretary of Agriculture for enforcement. The new law cor- 
rected some of the defects of the act of 1873 and made possible the 
elimination of some of the abuses practiced under that statute. 
PURPOSE OF THE LAW. 
While the 28-hour law was enacted primarily for humane reasons, 
to reduce to a minimum the cruelty incident to the transportation 
of live stock, it also protects the interests of owners of animals and 
of the public, in preventing the health and condition of the animals 
from being injured while in transit. To have his stock reach the 
market in as nearly the same condition as when it leaves the farm or 
the ranch is the object of every stockman and shipper. This can be 
accomplished only by giving the animals while the}^ are in transit the 
care, attention, feed, water, and rest to which they have been ac- 
customed, or as nearly so as possible. If animals are confined in 
cars for an excessive period without feed, water, or rest, or if after 
being confined in the cars for a period of 28 or 36 hours they are 
unloaded into a pen too small for them to rest or even move about, or 
too muddy to lie down, or if the proper kind and amount of feed 
and water are not supplied, or if in the unloading or reloading 
