Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-11
ROTARYFLAYS
OFFICIAL FOR
Ban ON FLOAT
{. of c. Directors Join
In Apology Sent to
Matamoros Club and
Residents of City

meree building, unanimously voted to
Jo.p with the Brownsville Rotary
club in their complaint 20 o. D.
Deputy, chief inspector, department
OF agriculture, who refused to allow
the Matamoros Rotary float TO cross
the International bridge to take part
II this city's Fourth of July parade.
Letters OF regret and apology are
also to be sent TO the Matamoros
Rotary club and the Matamoros
chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday the directors Of the
Brownsville Rotary club unanimous
~ adopted a draft Of a letter Of pro-
test TO be sent Deputy and one Of
regret and apology e be sent the
M~atamoros Rotary and Chamber OF
Commerce organizations.
In referring TO Deputy's action in
refusing to allow an assistant per-
mission to let the float pass, the
Rotary letter declares: HAD you
taken 1t upon yourself (and surely a
matter Of international relationship
between u two countries is suffi-
lciently important to warrant your
Eoing SOD TO have appeared personal
ny IN the matter and to have made
yourself acquainted with the circum-
stances we feel that you would have
Passed this float and a great deal
offeeling On the part Of our friends
across the river and ourselves and
other Brownsville citizens could
I'VE been avoided"
We realize" the letter continues,
! that you were within the strict let
ter Of your jurisdiction in refusing
admission to this float because il was
decorated with some green painted
oranges but we also feel that even a
jealous government officer must
erai.ze that there are exceptions TO
nearly all rules and that this particu-
lar instance was undoubtedly one of
those exceptions. There could not
enter into the matter any idea of
importation of fruit in his instance
Tor commercial or other purposes, ex-
cept to pass through some Of our
streets and to return back to Mata-
moros.
This float was the result of much
time, effort and expense on the part.
OF those preparing it, they having
worked through the night getting il
ready. The young ladies who were 10
have ridden on the float had spent
much time and money in preparation
OF elaborate costumes for the oc-
caaon, all to be stopped by an off
handed decision without apparently
knowing the facts and circumstances
surrounding the case.
The oranges with which this car
was partially decorated were all
green and were painted yellow to re-
semble the ripened fruit and If you
had been on the ground or had made
some investigation OF the case we feel
certain that you would have let ii
cross even If you had felt il neces-
sary e send a guard along with IT,"
In another paragraph, the letter
says; In sending this float, the Mex
lean people were acting purely in q
spirit Of good will and friendship
4 toward US; IL was not their celebra-
ton; 10 was not their day Of indie
pendeace, but a feeling Of friendship
and cooperation moved them to take
part In our fete. In one petty action
you have done much to destroy or to
materially set back a feeling OF
friendship and cooperative relation
ehip between the two cities and coun-
tries that has been molding itself
into It's present condition for many
AMears. Discretion and tact, it would
Fseem 70 US, are two of the outstand-
ing qualifications for a government
executive or any other we'll meaning
Nmt1zen in any border country 70
possess and we believe you will agree
1 nth Us that you have DISPLAYED no
evidence Of either Of these aualifiea-
hons in the case"
An explanation vas demanded Of
Deputy in the closing paragraph of
the letter.
Expressions Of regret and APOLOGIES
for the action Of the federal authori-
ties made up the letters TO the Mex
lean organizations.
Following is the letter 70 the Mata-
rnoros Rotary club in full:
"The Brownsville Rotary club and
all OF its members wish TO express "a
you how very much we deplore the
action Of the federal Inspector in re-
husing to let pass into the United
states the beautiful float YOU dec
lrated for the international parade.
A our request you kindly con-
Y Asnted 70 enter a float in the parade
hd spent much time. thought and
Y fnergy in Its preparation, and 10 have
Its admission to our country refused
on account Of a few range used in
its decoration, hurts Us more than
we are able 70 express 70 Won.
mo doubt, the federal inspector
thought he was acting within his
rights; as we all know that II "
against the federal laws for citrus "
enter the United States from Mexiro
but we n excuse his hastv indr-
ment, under the circumstances. il
holding to the strict letter of the
law in this exceptional instance.
Should we have had more time We
possibly could have shown the in
spector his error and persuaded him
TO change his decision. or IL neces-
sary we could have taken the matter
up with his superior officers. but the
time was so short and his action Sd
unexpected that we were HELPLESS.
but We assure you that we are roine
to leave n1thing undone 10 avoid
repetition Of such a lsmentable oc-
eurance.
"Please accept our sincerest apol-
logies. We trust that this explanation
viii permit you to hold nothing
against US that We may continue 10
be the good friends and "companeros"
that we hsve always been. We plead
with you that you will not consider |
the act OF one of our government en-
ployees as representing the sentiment
, Of this club and the citizens of
Brownsville.
eve are enclosing herewith carbon
copy Of a letter we are today ad-
dressing 10 the chief Of the local de.
partment OF agriculture on this sub
feet which Is self explanatory"
The letter to the Matamoros Char-
Der Of Commerce was drafted along
| similar lines.
I Heal Those Sore Gums