Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-04-27
ROSS DENIES CHARGES
VALLEY CHAMBER HAS
FUND TO CHECK PROBE

Vigorous denial Of allegations made
ia "a telegram read into the record. of
the Senate Committee investigating ai-
legged land frauds in the Rio Grnndr
Valley of Texas Friday purported to
have com. from Ivan White, secretary
of the iIidalgo County Tax Payers As
sociation. in which il was charged that
the Rio Grande Valley. Inc Valley
chamber ~ commerce. had raised fund
" SlOu.uoO t. prevent a thorough in
vestigation " tLr alleged land fraud.
was made Saturday ~ d. = v. Ross. un
III recently So rrtary manager Of "a.
chamber. The denial was contains
in letter addressed 10 White, which
was made public
The former secretary denied specific
ANY that amy solicitation ha- been made
~ The chamber of commerce for funds
or for cooperation for or against the IN
veStigation. or that any action had been
taken. except To pass resolution invil-
ing the committee ~ visit the Valley AMI
investigate conditions personally.
=. Il. Couch ~ Wc~laco, present prrsi-
dent ~ the chamber Of commerce. has
also made formal denial of the charge.
Following j. the text Of the letter 20
White. a. given ont ~ Mr.. Ross:
Mr.. Ivan 4. White, Sec'y IlidalE
County Tax Payers Assn. Ncslaeo.
Texas.
~ Dear Sir:
Under date Of April - in the
brownsville Herald. appeared mn A.
sociatcd i'reSs dispatch from Washing
ton. II. I'll. quoting you a. having sent
the following telegram to Senator Het-
lin:
Word has reached ~ that certain in
tcres;~ working under cloak of VALLEY
Chamber uf tummeTc. has raised Sl,H
Wup fund ~ prevent thorough nvrsfi-a
iion IN your committee. The IIdHlIp
County Tax Payers Association in Iarg.
assembly voted "a earnestly request youc
committee io come To- Valley at early
date and make thorough investigation Of
faaudulcHt land deals independent of
selfish interest now trying ~ stop same
Give farmers and taxpayers chance ,o
present evidence direct
~! am taking il for granted that thi.
Associated Press report i correct and
il 80 | want most emphatically 70 dcnv
that the Valley Chamber nf Commerce
has raised any funds fnr any one with
reference W the investigation BY the
Senate prial 'IIcflinl Committee.
Furthermore want To- specifically
deny that any letter has been written by
the Secreiary'S office Of this Associa
iinn or by any Directors soliciting funds
for the above purpose nr for that matter
requesting any one 4" cooperate with
this Association for or against the
Ileflin Investigating Committee
The only thing the Valley Chamber OF
Commerce" did was to nGSS resolution
cordially invitn 1 the committee ~ come
~ the Valley and investigate for them
selves. feeling confident that the more
thorough M" investigation ic greater
the benefit the VALLEY would Give.
Il trust YOU will give this letter 81
much publicity as you gave 70 the charge
you make in>inuaiin- that the Nallef
Chamber ~ Commerce has raised >iMl
coo ~ prevent this investigation.
My term uf office a. secretary ~ tho
I Valley Chamber OF Commerce ceased On
/ Friday April NJ which time the Office
was transferred 10 Harry J.. Sexton ~
\ liarlingrn and | am confideui that h.
vill cnrroboratc with cv ri have
v written YOU. ~
| n am forwarding a copy q. this letter
to Senator Shepard. Congressman "
rcr. Secretary Sexton. and T.. 4. Coz. II
President pf the Valley thatnber of
I Commerce. and for publication in the
Brownsville Herald.
Yours very truly.
q. :. v Ross"