Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-24

\ nation OF meat eaters Is confronted
by the problem of securing beefsteak
and bacon for tOmOTrow's breakfast. The
established custom OF long years is
about 10 be interfered with and our
standard OF living lowered. Conserva-
lion is abroad IN the land and every one
IS being blamed tor the existence OF
situation Tor which the. people as a
whole are responsible. 1t is indeed \
grave condition and may be said to con-
SgiruIe a national crisis for which there
IS no apparent or immediate remedy IN
sight. The sudden rise in the cost 5f
meats and their relative scarcity is not
something which has occurred over
night. but represents the elimination of
a situation which has been developing
for twenty-five years. One Individual
after another has tried from time 10
time 10 raise the signal flag Of danger.
but they have all been met with either
a storm Of abuse or derision. 1t was
hardly thought possible in a country Of
such vast extent that the range would
become OvercrOwded, restricted, and in
many sections well-nigh effaced by the
development of a more intensive type or
agriculture Nevertheless. this very
thing has happened. and hence the de
crease in the number OF our meat-prO-
: ducing animals is likely to continue IN
less the land owners as a whole take
vigorous action 20 avert what must be
regarded by every sane citizen as a ma
tional calamity. In this connection. Il
is proper to point out thar the task will
be a very difficult one for Europe has
been busy for more than two years now
destroying her animal rood. and even
should peace be declared Immediately.
IL would be several years before she
could hope to again supply herself with
the proportion OF meat she has hereto
fore obtained at home
What we can do under existing condi-
tions is naturally a question OF great
importance at the present moment. Is
there any section Of the United States
from which relief may be anticipated:
Is there any undeveloped section cor
responding in some measure TO the west
in which livestock can be raised. sue
cessfully and economically? If so.
may we not look for some relief pro-
vided the opportunity such a field affords
is properly embraced?
IL is my pleasure and privilege to re-
port that such a section does exist. and
am gratifed that am permitted to in
troduce to the public the great new,
southeast. a territory of marvellous po-
tential resources for the raising OF live
stock but which was overlooked in the
great sweep westward which took place
fifty to one hundred years ago. Through
out this period the great territory in
question has been neglected. its re-
sources little studied. and its possibili-
ties ignored Infested By. the cattle
tick. IL seemed an unfriendly and IN
profitable region to the stOckman. But
during recent years il has been found
that this pest could be. relatively speak
ing. easily controlled and eradicated, and
now that something over a half million
II A..
been freed forever from the cattle tick.
and the whole south will in a period OF
i've 10 ten years be rid OF il. this great
cattlemen's paradise Is again attracting
public attention. and promises to be
capable Of sustaining animal industries
on a scale not only commensurate with
her own needs but which viii ultimately
AFFORD a very considerable surplus Of
meat for distribution TO other parts OF
the country. IL is self-evident that IL
the great section in question with at
least zoe. 00O. 900 acres OF land available
for range or semi-range purposes had
been developed as IL could and should
have been. the present period of stress
need not have arisen.
As pioneer worker with reference to
tick eradication. am in position to state
that it has taken twenty-five years OF
the most arduous and persistent effort TO
dicated above. The whole task could
easily have been accomplished in FIVE
years and the job could now be complet-
ed in one or two were there enough mon
sy. interest and energy back of the en-
terprise. L make this statement advis-
edly. for / desire to focus public atten-
tion on the fact that the opinion OF
scientists and economists has too fire.
duently been the subject OF jest in
America. whereas. a failure TO act
promptly and with all the power ana
force which the national and state gov
ernments could bring to bear on this
question has resulted in the fearful pun
ishment of the people for sleeping over
the privileges OF their birthright. Judged
from every angle. the south is now about
TO come into her own as a meat-prOduc-
ing section. and is destined. if animal
industries are properly fOstered and de-
veIoped, 20 become an important factor
in increasing the meat supply of the
United States. and I believe 1 am right
IN saying that we can look with greater
hope to this quarter for relief from ex-
listing conditions than to any other Sec
ton OF our country.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SOUTH.
The advantages of the south as a meat
producing section are not generally
known CT appreciated. I shall attempt
to summarize them as briefly as pOssi-
BILE: First. there is a vast extent of ter
r-itOry now but indiTerentIy utilized for
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