Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-04-28
OUTLOOK FOR
FARM LABOR
IN VALLEY
DEMANDING
ATTENTION

The fact that many Mexican farm la
borers are going to Mexico and will be un-
able to return to the United States be-
cause Of the new immigration law, with the
literacy test, which goes into effect on
May /, is considered by DIR. II. ii. IIar-
rington, of kingsville, agricultural direc
tor for the Gulf Coast lines, as giving
promise of n serious farm labor shortage
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. DIR. Har-
rington urges the people Of this section 10
act immediately in an effort 10 have con
gres postpone the law until 1918 in view
of the food shortage.
DIR. Harrington discusses the situation
in letter TO The Herald today, in which
he says:
Il notice in your issue of the 26th in
Stant,a communication from Dean Daven-
port of the Chicago university. Mr.. Day-
enport Is one of the highest authorities
in this country on grieultural problems,
and whatever he has to say should com
man attention anywhere, at the present
time
"llemakc- some suggestions that have
been in the minds Of many people il not
IN the press. for sometime: namely. the
necessity for mobilizing the labor Of the
country for farm work, especially boys
too young Ia enlist in the army, and older
mcn disqualified for regular military ser
vice. | have myself thought of some such
plan a. this, but believe that the labor
should be mobillzed from the cities, rather
than from the country. Boys on the farm
together with older men. farmers diSqual-
flied for military service. will do their du-
~ toward raising food products, il once
they fully appreciate the situation. But
there are Il number SlackerS and idlerS
hangingaround every city Of any conSid
crahlc size. without any visible means oi
support who should be mobiIized and ear
red to the country TO produce food stutis.
Dr.Dayonport says: The camp should
be under military discipline, and frequent,
but not exacting drill This is "a matter
of detail but it seems 10 me these men
should not be required TO drill nj all. A
man who does days work on the farm.
is in no condition to drill. and should not
be expected to do double duty.
"But | allude to this article, primarily,
To call the attention Of the public to what
promises 10 be a scarcity of labor in The
Magic Valley Many Mexican laborers
from this side have been leaving for
sometime They probably do not realize
that they cannot come back. unless they
should be able to comply with the require
menis of the new immigration law, which
goes into effect May 1st. Many of them,
therefore. are no doubt leaving for toe 9TH
er side of the Rio Grande under msap-
prehension. | believe il would be well for
bankers. and other businessmen in the va
rious towns Of the Valley, TO advise these
prospective emigrants, in every case where
possible. Of the difficulties that they are
likely 10 encounter in returning. OF
course. there i only little more time left
10 do this, hut the word might lac PASSED
To the immigration agents at the different
points along the river. to explain this mat
ter To those intending Ia go over.
I'll will be unfortunate for the Valley. ia
my Judgment. when the immigration law
-bf~ Hip flAtft. f-tt'idfiN NilttI AHi
present yield Of food and feed products.
] believe the operation of this law should
be suspended until the 1T Of january
1918; or during the continuation Of the
war. and believe that some concerted ct-
fort should be made bv the people along
the border to have congress pass bill au-
thorizing such suspension"