Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-07-18
WM. DOHERTY'S ADDRESS.

Your program committee asked me to
discuss. The relative value Of valley land
and cr0pS,' from the standpoint of the
land owner. | assume this to mean the
owner Of large bodies Of land rather than
the actual settlers or owners Of small
tracts.
Il believe it is fortunate that YOUR
committee had the courage to outline \
program that will pave the way to the
very heart Of our problems; as for a
long time public gatherings have evadpd
the discussion of many topics that will
bc discussed 1T this meeting. because
they feared to he cIaSScd aS knockers
II have faith enough in this country
to believe that We can talk frankly and
without fear about it, and analyzG and
discuss It's problems heart to heart with
the end in view Of Our mutual interest
and benefit and as factor in the further
Development Of our country.
'Thfrcforc let it be clearly undprtond
in the beginning. that what have To say
must not be construed as an attack upon
ihc land owner; but an unprciudiced
opinion expressed only for the interests
of The pcopc Of the Ro Grandc Valley
- believe firmly that in time this iand
will be worth much more than the prices
now asked for it. provided it is allowed
TO develop. ! do not say that too much
is asked now: although that is the opin-
ion Of thoughtful men. In fact Mr.. :. A.
Robertson of san BcnitO. Texas. one of
the largest operators in the valley. and
one of its most progressive and enter
priSing citizens. was 50 convinced Of this
fact that he voluntarily reduced the price
of land offered by his company from
$50 per acre to $l15 per acre.
We often hear Of the lands of the
middle western states selling for prices
greater than that asked here and the
point advanced that these lands are bet
ter. That is true. We hear of the fab
ulouS prices paid for California lands
and the point made that this land il bet
ter and this climate better That is true
but my friends there is something more
to be considered than the mere fertility
Of the soil
THE high priced lands with which
these comparisons are made are not sold
a higher prices on account of the intrin.
sic worth Of The land, but upon the value
OF the surroundings Fertile soil il not
all that must be considered in connection
with profitable farming nor does the ad
dltIon of splendid climate to fertile
soIl make the sum total necessary to sue
cfSsfuI farming. We must have Other
thing. many other things before farming
can be made to pay
1T is poor business Judgment to sclcc
farm solely FOR its fertility and III.
clImate IN which It is located. Proximit,
10 market. transportation facilities
, roads schools, churches. social condi
tlons. all are important. all must be con
; SIdcred III placing value upon land. al
: play an important part in making th
farm profitable, and unless a farm caI
, be made to pay. it has no value
Ihat this country will eventuall
have all the advantages of the olde
; communities, ! do not doubt. but the pic
ncerS who have come here must max
2 them and until they are made they shoul
not be added to the price of the land
Pioneer conditions Justify pioneer price,
, fear that we have been so confident q
thcSe things as a natural development
> that we have already added them to tn
2 value Of our lands.
t When this section has all of the M
vantages that older communities enjo,
..,G TO ha Il