Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1920-07-09
MARKET SYSTEM
PLANS FOR |. R.
Y. co FORWARD
Meetings Which Promise Sue
cessful Organization Are
] Underway at Mercedes.
(By DR.. n. n. Harrington)

There was a notable gathering Of
representative business men and
farmers at Mercedes last Friday eve
ming with an avowed purpose of en-
listing the business men and business
interests of the Valley, as well as
the farmers, in putting over, sue
cessful marketing association to han
die the Valley crcps.
No one any longer doubts the ne
cessity for such an organization, and
very little time was given, or needed
to be given TO the advisability of
such an association. The gathering
, which assembled at Mercedes con-
sisted of veteran residents of the
alley, who have withstood the storms
and the advcrsities of the off years
and who have shared the prosperity
and income of the fruitful years; as
well as of men, who have not been so
long in the Valley, but who are begin
ming by supporting their investments
here with interest and enthusiasm,
protected by caution, which forecasts
their success; and who will be able
to profit by the mistakes of the ear
lier settlers.
Mr.. J. J. Elliott, president of the
American Rio Grande Land e. lrri-
cation Company, was the moving
spirit in this new decision to bring
the entire interests and talent Of the
Valley together for cooperation in
perfecting a marketing plan. Those
present met as the guests of Mr.. FL
lott at an informal dinner, and after
the dinner. all adjourned to the Of
fices Of the American Company,
where full and free discussion was
had as TO the methods and plans of
operation. 1t was a foregone con-
clusion that the meeting would profit
as far as possible by the work which
had already been done by the Valley
representatives of the various organ
izations in Hidalgo and Cameron
counties; but, in addition TO this, it
was believed necessary to enlist the
active support of the business men
in the Valley. in order that the ef-
forts of the farmer might be crown
ed with complete success.
II was clearly established during
the discussions Of the evening that
the business men were entirely awake
to the fact that the farmer is the
producer of the Valley, and that the
business interests and business men
prosper only as the farmer prospers.
Therefore, the material welfare Of
every man, woman and child in the
Valley is intimately and directly tied
up. with the interests of the farmer
and his success on the farm.
Mr.. Elliott was elected president
of the meeting. Jim Bowie Of San
Benito was elected vice-president and
Dick Gaines Of San Juan temporary
secretary. An executive committee
was appointed, consisting Of one rep
resentative from each of the shipping
stations represented; which were
practically all of the stations in the
Valley; and the executive committee
was given authority TO appoint rep
resentatives on their committee from
other towns that were not represent
eu that night. The executive COM
mittee was also given power to ap-
point subcommittee. one on fin
ance, one on legal matters, and one
oL membership, these subcommittee
10 consist mainly, when thought de-
sirable. of farmers or business men
not belonging to the executive com
mittee proper, but to report TO he
executive committe, who would re-
port later to subsequent meeting
Of the Valley organization. The
members Of the committe so far an
pointed consist of the following: John
Gordon. Mission; Frank Crow, Nc
Allen; Prosser. Pharr; X. J. Gaines,
San Juan; +. II. Griffith. Alamo
N. NJ. Baker, Donna; Fred Rives,
Continued on mage ski