Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-03-10
IN OUR
VALLEY

u "stung" by more fly by-n .
advertising and similar projects in the
last year than in all the previous years,
possibly, in its history.
Our people seem to be psychologically
right for anything that happens along.
They are enthusiastic about their coun-
try So much so that they never inves-
tigate strangers and their projects but
it they happen to have a plausible ar
gument. our folks just "fall" for it
and write check for space in this
thing that's going to put the Valley
over in the way of advertising it to
the world"
The Valley Chamber of Commerce is
to be commended for it's action last
Friday in taking note of this situation
and naming George Toolan of Harlin-
gen committee of one to investigate
all such projects. All business firms
are asked. before they enter such
schemes, to communicate with Mr..
Toolan.
There was "a recent case in the VAL
ley. An energetic young man drifted
in from somewhere outside. He con
ceiyed the idea of issuing an illustrated
book showing photographs of scenes,
etc. from all parts of the Valley.
He prepared . splendid prospectus
and began selling advertising space at
around 500 to $3.50 page. He had
no money of his own. and had no f.
.nancial hackers. Any job printing con-
Germ in the Valley knew that it would
require from $4,000 to $4,000 to issue
the book he proposed. He expected to
put it over by collecting as he went
The young man worked energetically
on his hook for several months. He
contracted with San Antonio printing
firm to print It. The firm bought a
carload of paper on the strength of his
prospectus at cost of perhaps $4,000.
Another San antonio firm made ~the
cuts at "a cost of $1,000. possibly more,
possibly less.
To make long story short. the book
was. to have appeared about the middle
tf February. It failed to appear, and
the yorng man disappeared. We un-
derstand that TIE sheriff is looking for
him with wsrrant in connection with
the mortgaging of an automobile.
We believe that the young man in
guesioi, was quite honest in his ;rten-
tions. But, to use colloquialism. he
4.hit off more thanShe could chew" and
Valley firms helped to pay the bill. Any
one who knew anything about the print
ing business knew that he must fail
unless he was adequately financed.
Valio estimates have placed his col
jections at around $4,000 1t is not be-
lieved that he benefited directly, ex.
cept perhaps for his ordinary expenses
But the point is that he was doomed to
: fail from the outset.
There isn't a newspaper in any Valley
town that is not son" to these gentry
But they are backward about exposing
,their projects for several reasons, one
being that their purposes will always be
misunderstood. They only hope that the
day will come when business firms will
see the light and do little more to-
ward supporting their home newspapers
thus helping the home newspapers Is
produce better paper. In producing
a better paper they are more adequately
reflecting the community in which they
live. And that's good advertising for
the community. 1t will win in the long
run. And the money stays in the
country, helps to pay the printers and
support their families.
We might also mention certain trav-
cling charity workers. Many Of these
Continued on Page Two)