Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-07-15
LABOR SUPPLY
IN VALLEY now
HARD PROBLEM
Cotton Growers Report Short
age Apparent. Valley
Towns VIII Permit No
ldlers on Streets

That there is serious shortage Of
labor in the Valley becomes more ap-
parent each day as the demand foi
cotton pickers increases, and growers
are decidedly pessimistic in regard to
he situation. Up TO Friday morning
practically every Valley community
reported supply sufficient to meet
the demand, but by Saturday night
practically every available laborcr had
been placed, and IL II evident that with
the big rush beginning early in the
week. the supply will be far short Of
the demand. To complicate the situa-
tion, the cotton bolls are opening rapid.
~, the leaf worms having dcnudcd the
plants of foliage and left the bolls ex-
posed TO the full rays Of the sun. with
the result that in practically every cot
ton field the bolls are opening at a
rapid rate. making the employment of
more than the usual number Of per-
sons necessary
Estimates made by growers who
have made careful survey Of the
labor situation place the number of
rickers available at between 5000 and
10000, and they state that at least
$4,000 are needed - pick the crop
They point out that raising the price
to be paid pickers will not in any way
relieve the situation: that the best
thing FOR the growers 10 do Il to main
tain the present scale. and secure cv-
cry available picker that can be in
duced to 20 into the fields.
VIII Permit No Loiterers.
Officials in the various Valley towns
state that in view or the general de-
mand for cotton pickers. no idlers or
loiterers will be permitted that
every man or boy who can pick cotton
but refuses to 20 into the cotton fields
will he arrested for vacrancy unelss he
can produce evidence that he in physi-
cally incapacitated for the work or il
ENGAGED in some gainful occupation
"Idling in the streets will not be per
nitted while the VALLEY farmers are in
need of cotton pickers." WAS the
statement Of Brownsville police Of
fetal. sand II every officer in every
town IN the Valify viii adopt the same
policy. there will be several hundred
picters who would not otherwise be
aNst'NIAf- htUoIfN liotl
every town in the Valley indicates that
the snmc policy will be pursued in re-
gard to the habi.ual loafers. and there
ere several hundred individuals in the
Valley who are expected 10 receive
their first initiation into the mystcr-
les OF manual labor.
Brownsville Board Helps.
velopment has been assisting farmers
or the Brownsville section in securing
labor. but early Saturday afternoon
reported that the available supply was
exhausted. Secretary Latham is en-
10 make arrangements
whereby additional laborcrs may be
secured. but is net very optimistic over
results. "We are endeavoring TO
round IN every person we can find
who Is able TO get into the cotton fields.
and may be able to secure some more.
The police and shcriffs departments
are cooperating in the effort to secure
laborers for the Cameron county farnr-
ers. and we may be able to secure n
few more" Mr.. Latham said.
May Use Prisoners.
Sheriff Sam Robertson stated that
he has a number of prisoners held on
and minor charges, who
would b. available for any grower
who would 60 their bonds. and intimat-
ed that arrangements could be made to
secure them n very reasonable terms.
Farmers residing near the river re-
port that they have a sufficient supply
of pickers. but in the Los Fresnos.
Rio Hondo and northern Harlingen
the shortage Is pronounc-
cd. In Hidalro county the same condi-
tion exists. the growers furtherest re-
moved from the river reporting the
great st shortage.