Imperial Valley press., 1925-02-13
KEEPING THE BORDER CLOSED

In communication from Congressman
Phil Swing he points to the following facts as reasons
why, in his opinion, the treasury department will
shortly announce its determination TO keep the nine
O'Clock closing order in effect.
'One year ago this month government put
into effect the present hours for closing the line This
the elimination OF vigorous and victorious fight
Waged by the women's clubs, churches, and law en-
forcement officers with the aid of many business men,
TO protect American communities from the baneful
and injurious consequences Of the vice conditions which
flourished along the Mexican side OF the line.
Recently, the CaeXco Chamber of Commerce
started the whole discussion anew by petitoning the
government to restore the old hours and to reopen
the line until midnight on the ground that the present
restrictions hurting business The Mexican re-
sort also have been exceedingly active, exert
ing every possible influence to get the Washington
authorities to withdraw the present order since has
been conservatvely estimated that their profits at
Tijuana and MeNicali have been reduced since the
order went into effect fully S250,000 per month Pc
ttions have been circulated and signed in both these
border towns and appeals have been made to Wash
lngton through men who were supposed to have inlu
ence.
Opposed to this effort has been arraigned the
same forces Of decency that made the fight and
the closing order year ago. Petitions, resolutions
letters and kilograms from public officials WonenS
clubs, churches, business and professional have
poured in the treasury department protesting
against any backward step. In the meantime the gov
ernment has been quietly making an investigation OF
its Out Of this investigation and out Of the
of evidence produced pro and CON- these facts stand
out clear and indisputabe.
Public officials in both San Diego and Imperial
counties unanimous in favor of the present order,
saying that it has materially reduced the number of
crimes committed that there has been less drunken
and fewer accidents on the public highways.
Welfare workers report improved moral and hygienic
conditions along the border, especially with refer
ence Juveniles The bankers Of Imperial Valley out
side Of CaleXico, unanimously of the opinion that
the present order has kept many thousands of Amer
lean dollars at home which would otherwise have
been squandered in dissipation and vice across the line.
'One Of the principal arguments advanced in ask
ing 10 have the line reopened that the present
order had served its purpose and had forced an i'm
provemen in conditions across the line notably in the
suppression of gambling. This contention it
seems made too soon recent press dispatches
carry the that gambling has reopened in Tiauna.
The fact that it is at present restricted to soc2led
clubs is of little consequence inasmuch member
ship in these clubs is free and easy, and quickly OBJ
tanned by any one who has dollar to SPEND
After review of the numerous letters, petitions
and resolutions which had been sent him and which
he in presented to the treasury Department. Con-
gressan Swing declared that while there had been
casional instances of inconvenience caused to legltl
mate business yet the nine o'clock closing order had
in general worked we'll that it was impossible TO
believe that the government would return to the old
order Of affairs He predicted that the treasury de-
partment would shortly announce its determination
to continue the order in effect.