Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-15
VALLEY FIGHTS
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NCOQtlIlueQ lEOm page ~
2. To work with the State Com
missioner OF Agriculture Terrell to-
ward a final test in the courts Of
the right Of the official to ban ship
ments to the Valley from Florida
and other sections where the Med
i~terranean fruit fly and other in
sects are said to exist
3. To use every available resource
through law and by means OF pub
Lefty, to prevent inferior or pest
threatened stock from entering the
Valley .
4. To obtain legal talent to fight
these battles and TO assist In pre-
paration OF legislation to be pre-
sented at the next session OF the
legislature.
Infected Fruit Here
Many rumors were afloat about
Florida shipments already reaching
the Valley but positive proof OF the
size and destinations Of them was
lacking. Members OF the Valley
Nurserymen'S association, while adj
hitting they had heard reports that
orders had been placed IN Florida
by Valley residents. were positive
none OF them had come from any
member OF their organization.
Nurserymen said, however. that
right now they are hopeful but not
confident that large shipments OF
Florida stock a be prevented from
being sent into the Valley. They
declared that. although thorough
inspection Of Florida stock by Texas
agents Is permitted before 1t leaves
the state. still there is danger oil
pests escaping detection by exam
liners.
They were reluctant to accept the
suggestion OF Al Parker. prominent
land man, that Valley nurserymen
buy all available sour orange root
stock in Florida che estimated the
available supply at $4,000 trees) and
either sell or destroy them. The
nurserymen thought the latter idea
too expensive They were reluctant
to tryout the first, since they die
not feel justified in running the
risk OF bringing the Mediterranean
fruit fly into the Valley.
Present at Meet
Mr.. Parker declared he was pres
ent at the recent sensational hear
ing in Florida, before a COMPRESSION
al committee. at which charges
were made that reports OF the pres
ence Of the pest in the Palmetto
state were 'trumped up" in order
to obtain federal money for waste
full distribution. He said he visited
nurseries in ever section Of the
state, that the available supply OF
sour orange root stock was COM
pa~ratively small but Of rough lemon
stock was unlimited.
The suggestion for cooperative
purchases OF Florida trees. he e.
planned, came after careful con-
sideration and as a result OF his
belief that under present court rul-
ings, it will be difficult TO prevent
importation Of the Florida stock
into the Valley.
Those who differed with him tool
the the position that 1t was q bac
idea to bring Florida trees here
under any circumstances. They be-
lieve the latest ruling on Florida
shipments (by District Judge Cal
houn in Austin) Is stringent enough
TO enable state inspectors to pre-
vent shipments.
Fly Rediscovered
Emphasis was laid by one or
two speakers upon the fact that
responsible sources have reported
within the last two or three week:
the ~rediscovery OF the Mediterran'
can fly in Florida, the pests hav'
ing remained dormant. according x
its custom during the winter months
8. r. Ewing, Harlingen, who acted
as chairman of the meeting, re-
viewed the fight he and other mem.
bers of the special committee hac
made against importations from
infected citrus areas. "Al OF u;
down here are interested in citrus
in some way" he said, land w
should protect II for the future b.
careful scientific steps. The Cover
nor and the legislature are prouC
OF the Valley, its citrus and its sol
and / am sure they will back any
reasonable legislative proposal ",
present"
DR.. "A. r. Potts gave a detailed
report Of the committees activities
He urged the necessity for a perma-
nent organization with a committee
which would be active the year
around. He said the injunction sui
viii be carried to the highest court
as soon as possible and predicted
final enactment and enforcement
Of laws which eventually viii end
for all time danger of importation
or fruit pests into the Valley through
the bringing In Of trees and fruit