El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12

CECURITY and prosperity Of the livestock industry
- national not sectional issue Every state IN the union
raises cattle hogs and sheep for food purposes and the
wool industry is almost widely distributed We often
think Of the livestock industry distinctly western, but
while that is true Of the 0pen range NOV fast disappear
ng) it is not true Of other phases Some Of the oldest
farming states among the greatest producers Of finished
meat animals ard wool
The present convention In FL Paso is nationally repre-
sentative Of the livestock industry whole Yet it be-
trays the very lack Of cohesion and intensive organization
that has been responsible for much Of the difficulty the
industry faces today And Of the first and most in
porsut purposes this convention Is to perfect the
tonal organization and make II powerful that its spokes
at Washington must command the attention and
respect due them by reason Of the basic importance Of the
livestock industry IN American economy.
Wide differences Of opinion prevail to the nature Of
the difficulties now harassing the industry and wider
differences the best remedies TO apply. The present
convention VII have up for discussion all the wider phases
Of livestock situation considered only nationally
but Internationally Production, finance, transport
lstng al VII be thoroughly considered. Some VIII blow
hot and some cold but out Of the multitude Of counsel
there VII cone wisdom.
Soma producers regard the packers as their enemies;
othe regard them jointly interested. Some producers
hostile to the banks and to the federal banking system
having 1et what they deem undue pressure others bring
praise Tor what they deem eecual cooperation The great
question Of cost of production VIII be thrashed out and with
i, the question Of a fair price.
The ramcati0ns of the livestock industry wide and
many; they touch land and forest policy of national and
state governments; railroad rates and service; shipping;
farming n ways affecting the production and
pee Of cattle feedeven the price Of cotton and cotton
seed is Of vital interest to the stocman as is the con
non Of the sugar industry beet and Cost Of land and
housing handling Of stock at terminals, regulation Of
slaughter houses and psckeres pure food laws butter sub
sutute clothing fabrics, leather products fertilizer de-
7elopent Of underground water supplies the cost Of
fencing shortage Of competent abOr-one begins to realize
that the livestock industry not stand alone but that
has direct interest IN many other industries and IN
many phases Of governmental policy and practice.
Not the least Of the big problems coming up for thorough
discussion at the e Paso convention Is that Of foreign
petition When II is realized that Argentina alone has
cattle than the United States that cattn Argentina
number two to of the population while in the United
States there only three head Of cattle to four Of the
popuson when is realized that the cost Of production
that shipping conditions such that South American beef
undersen United States beef in United States markets.
It IS not hard to comprehend Why the catemen Of the
United States are asking for compensatory tariff on
dressed carcassss as well as On live animals
There VII Be some who VII contend that the
entitled to buy IN the cheapest market the world affords
This old story, and such reasoning has been proved
aous and over, but It continues TO brought
ward # the answer TO II IS the rnation Of any basic
American industry II Is certain to be n time, this
Try Is the loser It is to national advantage make
ourselves and keep ourselves nearly self supporting
possible. Money sent TO foreign markets at the expense Of
American basic industries is wasteful costly drain
widely hurul N the end, though persons may
imagine they are deriving present benefit
Sound American prosperity demands that produce
what re need and make surplus for export. Foreign
ports TO ~ must be principally commodities cannot
produce to advantage. And It VIII never pay US 10 destroy
basic industries by encouraging foreign invasion
at their expense even though may sometimes seem at the
moment to be TO the public interest to encourage Imports
from debtors abroad and break American prices.
There is partisan politics the national convention
Of the livestock industry but necessarily It's discussions
must deal with government administrative policies and
therefore must indirectly bear upon party policies This
true not from choice OF the livestock men, but from