The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-03-27
Fixing to Wage War on
The Pink Boil Worm

W Hile LOulSldHd is taxing no pIdC-
teal steps to make determined fight
against the Mexican pink boil worm,
which has appeared in Cameron, Cal
casieu and Jeff Davis parishes, other
states, realizing the menace threat
ening them if Louisiana fails to con-
troll the pest, have declared drastic
guarantees against Louisiana, and
Florida has appealed to the federal
horticultural board to declare a fed
eral quarantine against Texas and
Louisiana, covering not only cotton
seed, but lint and linters.
The American Cotton Association
Louisiana division took the initiative
in the steps to combat the pest, and
when the action of the Florida plant
board was taken on March IL, Chair
man W. B. Thompson wrote to DR..
C. S. Marlatt, chairman of the fed
eral horticultural board, pointing out
that such drastic quarantine as pro-
posed by Florida, was unjust and UNI
necessary that this state was already
taking steps outlined by him and DIR.
Hunter as necessary to meet the sit
uation, and that referendum of the
newly elected legislature was being
taken upon the question of the neces-
sary laws, and compensation for the
planters of cotton in the region to
be declared nOn-cotton zones.
Commissioner Of Agriculture Har-
ry Wilson wrote the senators and
congressman from Louisiana urging
this view of the matter also.
This morning DIR. Marlatt wired
Mr.. Thompson as follows:
"Notiee of public hearing to be
held by department of agriculture in
Washington, April 6, was issued yes
terday, to consider advisability of
quarantining all or portions of Texas
and Louisiana account of pink boil
worm infection. The occurrence of
this insect in Louisiana and its reap
pearance in. Texas makes this action
necessary. It is my hope that the
steps already taken by Louisiana to
give full cooperation in control meas
ures, and particularly the prohibition
of the growth of cotton in the areas
known to be infected, will make it
possible to limit the restrictions un-
der federal quarantine to such areas
in Louisiana. Copy of notice and
statement issued by department mail
ed to you today.
&C. L. MARLATT,
Federal Horticultural Board"
Mr.. Thompson Immediately took
steps to arrange for delegation to
go to Washington and present the
situation before the board. Among
those who will comprise this delega-
tion are: Clarence Ellerbe of
Shreveport; John P. Parker of Mon;-
roe; N. G. Williamson of East Car
roll; w. M. Davidson of Tensas; and I
E. Q. Payne of Natchitoches. Com
missioner Harry D. Wilson will also
make the trip.
The referendum of the newly elect
ed legislature, taken by kilograms
from Governor Pleasant, Governor
elect John M. Parker and Chairman
is almost completed. More
than a majority of both houses have
responded by telegraph or mail, all
fayoring necessary legislation to COM
bat the pest, and all but a very few
favOring some form of compensation
% the cotton producers who are thus
deprived of the opportunity of grow
ng any crops.
On Thursday the Texas chamber
# commerce took up the question at /
big meeting held in Dallas, to con- S
ider the guarantees that had been |
'laced against the state by other
outhern states and it aroused the au- :
horities to determined action to CO. q
perate with the federal entomologists i
a graduating the pest from the in
ected areas. The main question in !,
'exas is providing the compensation o
or the farmers who live in the non v
otton zones. There is law provid- a
lg for this compensation but no APP :
ropriation was made to meet it. +
The failure to recognize the men, o
,e at this time will-result in a worse s.
saster to the South than the boil :
eeyil infestation, which could have F
ZEN prevented if proper steps had h,
zen taken. The authorities are alive fe
the situation, but reports from :.
me sections of the state indicate a Al
epticism which is most dangerous.
he
he Rata Around My Place Were M
WISE" Says John Tuthill co