The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-08-12
Member of The Associated Pres.
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UNION Fl LACED
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A DIFFICULT PROBLEM

On another page of this issue of the Evening
Telegram there is published communication from
|. L. Mackey, dealing with some of the phases
of the cattle industry in Florida. In the consid-
eratcn of this subject it would be well if those
who discuss the matter follow the same line adopt
ed by Mr.. Mackey, that Of dealing with facts
and conditions as they are and frankly and hon
estly weighing one fact against the other with the
sole and ultimate object in view Of solving what is
admittedly difficult problem 1t is possible there
have been rather fanciful and cxtravagant state
ments made by both sides tc the controversy but
that is now ancient history and We would be will
ing 10 bank on the good sense of Floridians in
general to do the right thing and arrive at just
conclusions.
eFrom Mr. Mackey's statements, ii is evident
the cattle men know that conditions have changed,
that the old order of things passing if not indeed
already passed and that from now on they must sci
their faces toward new things and new conditions.
The building Of hard-surfaced roads through
Florida has been the missionary agent in opening
up vast areas of rich lands hitherto used exclusively
for range purposes These lands have been
brought under cultivation either for general farm
ing, fruit growing or garden trucking. Then there
followed contraction of range privileges until to-
day there is some sort of more even balance be-
tween the cultivated and the uncutivated areas.
In the value of product the balance is tremend-
onsly on the side of the varied agricultural inter
esis. But the fact must not be overlooked that in
Florida there is still an empire untouched by the
hand of man unless it be the hand that yields the
axe or the saw. Over these areas cattle continue
to roam in large numbers but in many instances
far-seeng cattle men have taken the precaution to
fence then property, especially those who are
seeking to improve the grade Of stock that they
may reap the reward which comes from the market
Ing of heavier cattle than the native animal But
the proportion Of fenced ranges is yet small COM
pared to the unfenced areas.
This leads up to the proposition that the cattle
men realize the federal authorities have laid down
certain rules and regulations governing the ship
men of cattle from tick-infested areas 10 points
outside the state of Florida The edict is that
cattle cannot leave Florida; that Florida cattle
must be marketed in Florida until such time as
tie whole state is tick-free. Mr.. Mackey makes
il plain that there is no objection to the eimina-
ton of the tick as proven by the trouble and ex-
pense many have gone to in fencing their ranges
and erecting dipping vas The real obstacle ap-
pears to be not any objection to the dipping re-
dunement but how 10 comply with that require
rnent. In the letter referred o concrete examples
are given of the actual difficulties encountered so
that herein is problem requiring the best thought
of men capable of working out solution that
will be fair to all concerned Florida has not yet
developed sufficient population to cultivate all the