Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-20
Valley Loyalty

The situation created in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley as a result of heavy shipments Of California
potatoes into this section and the collapse OF the local
market for Valley potatoes IS one that demands the
serious consideration of every individual who is sin
cerely interested in the Valleys future.
Valley potato growers lost thousands Of dollars
when the eastern markets collapsed at the peak Of the
shipping season and there Is no indication that eastern
or northern markets will recover. Scores Of carloads
of Valley potatoes were placed in storage. and the
growers were confident that local consumption would
take care Of at least part Of the production and thereby
reduce to some extent their losses.
But the Valley consumers, evidently without real
izing the damage to one Of the Valleys principal in
dustries, have persisted in buying the Csuifornia prod.
net, paying q premium Of l to l Ice cents per pound,
and the local market for the Valley potatoes has prac-
tically disappeared.
The retailers and commission firms are in no way
responsible for this situation. They state that the
consumers are demanding the white potatoes of Cali
fornia in preference to the red potatoes Of the Valley,
though the latter are superior in practically all re-
erects.
The same situation has arisen in connection with
the Valley lemon crop. Hundreds OF consumers de-
msnd the artificially eolored lemons of California,
which are treated with sulphur = give them the bril-
liant yellow the trade demands. Valley green lemons,
which do not "stand up" under the sulphur treatmens,
go begging on the market. though practically all users
assert they are superior In every respect to the sui
phur-colored product OF California.
There arc also many consumers who never think 20
demand Valley canned vegetables when purchasing
their supplies, and some even demand products of
Maryland. Wisconsin or Missouri canneries. The great
majority Of Valley housewives know that the products
Of Valley canneries have no peer, but they merely
neglect 70 order the Valley product. As n result scores
Of carloads Of foodstuffs Of various kinds are shipped
into the Valley and sold in competition TO Valley grown
or manufactured products.
II the Lower Rio Grande Valley IL to develop its
agriculture and industries the lesson of patronizins
home industries must be thoroughly learned. Califor-
MIA will not permit citrus fruit from other states 81
their local markets. Californians are loyal to their
state and its industries. and Nalley-grown potatoes or
vegetables receive a very cool reception whenever an
effort is made 10 invade the California markets. A
4 result Of this cooperation between the consumers
and growers California has established excellent local
markets. and the system results in the distribution IF
millions of dollars annually among California grower,
every dollar OF which aids IN development of the state.
resources.
1t is y duty the Valley people owe the Valley to de-
mand Valley vegetables, fruits or other products. Ev-
cry dollar expended for California potatoes means a
loss to the Valley and bigger bank accounts for Cali
fornia. There is no logical excuse for such a situation
and the people Of the Valley should see that it is cor
rected without undue delay.