Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-03-14
WOMEN DISPLAY
AT
MEETING TODAY
Spirit Was Enough to Con-
vince Most Skeptical Of
Their Deep Interest

Hundred per cent $. o. $. meeting was
that held at the First Baptist Church by
the women Of Brownsville this morning,
when they were addressed by ID. A. o.
Brien in behalf of our seaport cause.
There were forty women present. be-
sides a number OF prominent men of the
city. who dropped in perhaps 20 see how
the ladies would handle the matter. The
enthusiasm displayed by every woman
there must have been enough 10 CON
vince the most skeptical that the ladies
are earnest and sincere in their sup
port Of the cause for which Brownsville
4. fighting so hard today.
Mr. O'Brien never spoke more clo-
quently. than at this meeting, and he
probably never had a more sympathetic
or more attentive audience. Every word
came right from his heart and went
straight 10 the hearts OF his hearers.
Referring 70 his talk 10 the high school
students just preceding this meeting
he said II was one Of the proudest mo-
monts Of his life when he was privileged
tn stand before those four hundred
students and enlist their aid for our
seaport cause.
The very hearts az Brownsville were
IN that audience" he declared and the
eager enthusiasm shining in those young
eyes had given him fresh courage for
the fight TO save our harbor project.
1t was for the children of this Lower
Rio Grande Valley hc had struggled 20
hard for ten long years 70 put over our
great water and rail transportation pro-
ject.
And here. continued Mr.. O'Brien, II
have before me the very soul Of Browns
ville, in this splendid gathering Of wo-
men With the women and the child
rem Of Brownsville on his side. he de-
I Shared. no opposition could avail against
our cause.
For il must be said that we have op-
position right here in our very midst.
] am ashamed 10 admit il. but il il true.
The most Shiny. sordid, contemplate or
position of a project which has for its
object nothing but the good Of every
person living in this Valley. Repre-
scntativcs of corporate interests that
would destroy our deep water port and
hold this Valley in subjection. Men who
actually dare to urge people not 10 sub
scribe 10 the s. o. $ fund.
II am here to fight the oppression.
which is grinding Gown the people Of
/ Brownsville and this Valley. To fight
| for our merchants who are in hard
straits today largely on account az the
excessive freight rates that they must
| pay. To fight for our farmers who are
| kept in poverty for the same reason.
This fertile soil has produced such an
abundance Of crops a. 70 have kept all
| Of these in plenty ard 10 have enriched
those men. had il not been for the fact
that we have been paying two 10 one for
| freight charges a. compared with the
returns for our products. This j. what
il keeping our Valley in the red
The total value which the Valley now
| has in the Rio Grande railway and har-
/ Dor project. Mr.. O'Bricn told his hearers,
amounts to $4,000. This includes the
| actual value az the reconstructed rail-
road and its terminals when completed
which will hc fully S5n0.0o0. sixty per
| crnt of which belongs "a the people NJ
/ the Valley. and also the congressional
\ appropriations Of Sl25 600 for five years
I maintenance of the pass and S65.000 for
| dredging. besides the fund Of $4,000
! already raised by the Valley 20 construct
! the inner channel. All Of which ~ now
in jeopardy. because Of the lack of just
/ $50. 900 10 complete the amounts required
\ for the railroad and channel fund Shall
we let this value he lost 20 us and to our
children now. when by only a little more
/ effort we can put this project over
I Only $4,000 II needed now 70 open the
gateway at Brazos Santiago pass 10 Gods
great highway On the ocean TO all the
ports OF the world"
The time has come. he declared. when
/ every man in this country can stand up
V FOR his rights. Men are no longer driven
to the polls and voted. And here where
our forefathers fought for liberty and
v independence. the men and women are
now fighting for freedom from the op-
preston which has made poverty and
/ want where there should bc nothing but
prosperity and happiness
! No place on earth he said. has ereateT
onnortrritv than Brownsville he told
\ how in 1882 Ne visited FL Paso. and that
usare then was merely a small hamlet
comprising handful Of skack~ and a
few thousand inhabitants. Laredo at the
same dp.e was about the same size.
Brownsville then was larger and far
| better towr than either Today. ri Paso
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