Arizona republican., 1909-02-23
THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN
 HORTICULTURAL BILL
An Appeal to the Legislature te Take up the Measure.

To the Editor of The Republican: | Sir:-Will this legislative assembly enact horticultural protective measure? There is such bill now known as Council Bill No. 5, re- posing, somewhere in the archvies of the Capitol building, At the begin ming of the session there was ev- cry assurance of its early passage. Members of both council and house were loud in it's praise. It is a meritorious measure and will pass unanimously was the criterion of the sentiment of not a few of the mem bers But today how different! Few champions of the bill are to be found. The handwriting on the wall is not an encouraging sign to the owners of fruit lands throughout the territory. There, too, perhaps is a feeling that the benefits from the proposed enactment of this land will be too localized. But let us look at the cardinal points of this horticul- tural bill before we pass judgment. We will see at the outset that in that it asks a like protection for both the vineyardist, the apple, peach pear and orange grower, it is broadly l copy of the California law in toto. It demands that nurserymen must ship clean nursery stock into this territory. Surely this far, there can be no objection. But let us go on. The bill provides for the establish ment of horticultural districts to be afterwards established where the fruit growing is large enough to justify. And as far as is known Yuma, Maricopa, Graham and parts of Yavapai counties would become horticultural districts. The bill fur ther provides for a commission of I3 members who may employ in- spectors, etc, in the various estab- lished horticultural districts. The members of this commission must of necessity be the highest type of citi- zens actuated only by principles of altruism and public spirit of the bet ter sort. For they are to serve without remuneration and their trav- cling expenses are not even provided for They also give a bond to the territory for the faithful performance of their duty. In a word the mem bers are to diviate their time and money to the furtherance of the hor- ticultural interests of the territory. If, however, it is impossible to find in any of the counties above men, tioned, three such caliber men, then the bill must of necessity pass back into the oblivion of things futile. We believe, on the contrary, the men can be found who appreciate the responsibility and are willing to make the sacrifices if necessary tol ad- vance the industry, the pOtentials of the greatness of which are already apparent The industry that has done so much for California will it not, if properly stimulated and fost- cred, do equally as much for this territory where the conditions are admittedly superior to those of our neighboring state? Surely this is not fallacious reasoning.
 But let us now pass to the pos sible vital fault of the bill; namely, the appropriation of $30O0 annually. There is something of objection here for other counties not vitally inter ested in fruit growing do not wish to stand any pro rata charges wherein no benefits can accrue to their vicinity But did not this same situation come before the California legislature years ago? Then there were many non-fruit growing dis tricts in California
 The bill however, passed evidently because of a long-sighted belief that any measure highly benefitial to one section must react for good on the whole state.
 Is Arizona alone benefited by the Salt River Project? Is it wholly a localized affair or does it tend to the wealth and progress of the great west?
 But let us go back and ascertain whether the Maricopa people are asking the territory for funds to ad- vance selfish interests? We have no citrus scale here according to the expert advices from California, but are told of the impinent danger of the establishment of pest diseases unless precautionary measures are soon taken. The warning has been ample the risks are well known, the danger signal is in writing from the experts now in the desk of Council man O'Neill at the Capitol building.
 Are we, or are we not, to profit by the experiences of California?
 Happily we need none of this appropriation to pay for the in spection of our groves or the fum- igation of our orchards here. We only want and merely need an in spector at the rate of s4 per day to carefully inspect the few car loads of trees shipped in here during the short tree planting season. The entire expense of same would amount to less than $20O. The balance Of the appropriation we gladly hope will go to our friends in need-the Gra- ham county apple growers-who have, we are told, the utmost need of a house cleaning in their apple orchards We orange people of Mari copa county believe they should re- ceive help.
 Now, gentlemen of the legislature it is before you. Commissioner Cundiff of California, after a recent visit here is on record in a printed statement that "the people of this territory are singularly loyal and progressive" Shall the words of this good man prove to be mere sophistry?
 And shall Arizona continue to be the dumping ground of infested nur- sery stock and remain the only fruit growing section in the U. S. without a horticultural law?
 FOSTER H. ROCKWELL,