Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-01-08
OBSERVANCE OF
RECULATIO
TOBE REQUIRED
Government Will Close Inter-
national Bridge to Night
Traffic Unless People Com
ply With Regulations

Unless there is more cooperation
shown by the people of Brownsville in
assisting health officials of the govern
ment at the international bridge in en-
Forcing the rules aud regulations of the
health bureau. the bridge will be closed
altogether at night. according To- DIR.
q. II. Fairbanks. acting assistant surgeon
fthe Y. :. Public Health Service. sta
toned here. DIR. Fairbanks based his
announcement on letter received frou
the surgeon general mt Washington.
Citizens "f Brownsville do not show
the right attitude IN their actions III
regard to the regulations. Dr Fair
banks said. and unless there is change
ia the attitude Of number of them,
the action threatened viii take place
Without much further warning
The violations consist in drivers Of
automobiles crossing the International
bridge without stopping in order 20 al
low Officers 10 question them or take
other steps 10 examine the ears or per
sons. ia accordance with the rules of
the health department. made for the
purpose of keeping contagious diseases
out rf this country
The attention Of all citizens ~
Brownsville il called To- this condition
aud their cooperation ansi aid i asked
IN rrm-dying IL. Those who hurry past
the bridge without waiting for the nee
essary inspection or questioning do not
show the right American spirit DIR.
Fairbanks continued. We consider
they are not abusing uS hut are abusing
the tnited States government. The
rules aud regulations were made by the
government and are for the best inter-
estS of all the people. The government
viii see flnssshsrr rules are ss.t violated.
4 one hundred per cent American viii
not show contempt for the governments
by ridiculiug the regulations Of the
government. Those who do - are mere
~ another kind Of Stacker. The gov
crnment has determined to stop this con
dition and viii d. il by closing the bridge
altogether at night. IL II cannot be done
otherwise"
Dr Fairbanks pointed ou, that there
are a number of contagious Diseases
the government i trying to gurrd
against, particularly for those people
vho live III Brownsville AMI other parts
of south Texas. Only few more warn.
ings will he sent out before the govern
ment takes definite steps 10 control the
matter. he sisted.
personal letter which Dr. Fairbanks
received recently from DR.. n. S. Cum
ming. surgeon general of the health bu-
reau, In reply to a communication from
pr. Fairbanks ia regard 10 the cDnhi-
tion here reads:
Receipt Is acknowledged of your let
ter of December 13. relative to the diff
ficuliy YOU are encountering in the en-
forccmcnt of regulations governing in
spection due TO the attitude Of certain
citizens of Brownsville. In reply u is
suggested that you let il be known that
the bureau is seriously considering the
advisability of closing the international
bridge ~ Brownsville on account of the
fact that quarantinablc disease is prev
alent at certain places IN Mexico and
unless the citizens arc willing 20 CO
operate with the service 10 the extent
Of obeying the regulations. il may be
necessary to further restrict communi-
cation with Mexico by the closure Of the
bridge or other appropriate measures.
II Is also suggested that in any instance
when disobedenee OF the regulations
occur that the offending person be r..
ported to the customs officers for mp
propriaie action under the rules and
regulations.
Respectfully.
III. s. Cumming. Surgeon General
"The issue has been placed an 10 the
people squarrly." the doctor added. at
is in their hands either TO obey the
regulations or 10 continue 20 violate
them and have the az SIR
them with the consequence " having the
bridge closed. The government would
regret the necessity 10 close the bridge
hut would not hesitate To do il in case
the rules aud regulations regulating
crossing Of he bridge during open
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