Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-05
SIMPLE RITES
new
BRIDGE HERE
Structure Is Named by
Miss Creager After
Short Service; Radio
Broadcasts Meet

80
% 100000 international bridge
: Wednesday afternoon in the
ddle Of the silver p before a
CUP Of civil and military author
tiles and prominent citizens of
Brownsville and Matamoros.
News reel cameras photographed
and a remote control microphone
picked up the ceremony as Miss
Creager broke the bottle and dubbed
the structure Gateway Bridge" amid
applause.
A large crowd, covering the entire
ramp on the American side, tugged at
a rope strung across the runway in
an effort to be among the first to
cross the bridge. People extended
from the foot Of the bridge around
the bank of the river to the old ferry.
The chamber of m park was
filled with q surging crowd listening
TO a loud speaker radio picking up
words Of dedication from the dividing
line of the two countries on the
bridge.
The dedication got under way with
City Commissioner Burt r. hinkley
Of Brownsville and Antonio MARTINEZ,
president of the Matanoros munich
pality. shaking hands across a flag
draped table in the center Of the
bridge. To emphasize the friendship
angle of the new structure, they
changed sides, the American in Mex
leo and the Mexican in the United
States and shook hands again. Cheers
broke out all along the river bank.
Above, the picturesque old ferry
that has been in operation for more
than a half q century and sanctioned
by a special treaty between the
United States and Mexico, was doing
a big business; a f~ull-noted swan
song that was cut short when the
barriers to the bridge were flung
open.
Commanders of the military garri-
sons, Col. McH. Ely Of Fort Brown
and General Cevera Of Matamoros mad
to shake hands twice because a
cameraman got left. Color guards
with Old Glory and the bright yellow
banner OF the 18th Cavalry stood az
rigid attention as the military chiefs
shook hands.
R. b. Creager, president Of the
Gateway Bridge company, introduced
Father Frigon OF the Sacred Heart
Church OF Brownsville who delivered
the invocation in Spanish and Eng
lish. He spoke Of the bridge as 2
Symbol Of friendship and one TO be
thankful to God for.
at is always meet and just that
we should publicly return thanks to
God. for the special favors he rs
pleased TO bestow upon US, His chill
dren," Father Frigon said. Every
good gift we enjoy in this world,
comes through His kind, bountifa!
providence, and we gladly n CRATE
fully acknowledge it. This wonder
full bridge is surely something TO be
proud Of and greatly thankful for.
The more so because in spanning the
Rio Grande, it becomes a symbol OF
the friendship, sincere and cordial,
which should and will unite our
neighboring countries in a mutual
understanding, which will spell
peace, happy relations and prosper
ity on both sides of the river.
1T is with these sentiments and
glorious hopes in mind and heart,
that / confidently pray that the
blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
come down upon this Gateway Bridge
and remalan forever. Amen"
As he finished the Twelfth cavalry
band struck up the Mexican national
air and this was answered BY the
"Star Spangled Banner BY a band
on the Mexican side Of the bridge.
Creager spoke briefly expressing
hope that the bridge would strength
en-, even though in a small way, the
friendship that should exist between
the two sister republics" He also
praised and thanked several Of his
associates in the bridge project.
Especially did he emphasize his re-
spec: and thanks 10 F. ]. Betanzo Of
Mexico who died about a year ago,
saying that "The bridge j. due to his
efforts more than any other single
man."
Others mentioned were W. f. Gala
han, president Of the Callahan Con-
struction Co.. Roy r. Miller. presi-
dent Of the Puget Sound Bridge a.
Dredging Co, and Clarity Fraser,
vice president Of the Gateway Bridge
Co, who supervised the construction
OF the bridge. Praise also was given
Carl j. Elem. construction foreman
Of the Puget Sound company for his
excellent work.
ID. W. Glasscock OF Mercedes was
introduced by Creager. He addressed
the gathering saying that "a bridge
has been built where a bridge be-
longs" and emphasized the friendship
angle Of the structure. He spoke Of
Creager as standing high in the con-
fidence Of the two countries and was
himself, a bridge Of understanding
between the two people" The adj
dress was completed by naming IA
nous bridges Of the world and giving
the new structure the appelation Of
"The Bridge az Peace"
Creager presented Abelardo A. Ire
vino of Matamoros as an associate in
the project. Trevino addressed the
group in Spanish and introduced inn
portant authorities az Matsmoros.
Antonio MARTINEZ. president Of the
Matamoros municipality, General &C.
vera. commander of the Matamoros
garrison, DR.. NJ. Rodriguez Braida
and Jose NJ. Ramirez we're presented.
Each drew n burst 81 applause from
the group.
These introduction were followed
bv the dedication BY Miss Beth
Creager.
shortly after the ceremony was
completed the ropes were taken from
the ends Of the bridge and the
crowds swarmed across. Heavy traf-
fic continued far into the night over
the bridge.