Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-25
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE


That fruit and vegetable shipments from the Lower
Rio Grande Valley this season will exceed 10000 cars
nov seems a foregone conclusion. The 10000 car mark,
the high peak Of the 1923-24 season, has already been
passed. and shipments are rapidly forging toward the
$4,000 car mark attained last year. Present indications
are that ali records viii be broken, both in quantity Of
shipments and returns received BY the growers.
In this connection it is rather interesting to note
that 10 date the Missouri Pacific Lines, despite the fact
they now have competition in the Valley. have moved
1000 more ears than at the same date last season. an
increase Of 25 per cent over the shipments for the same
period last year. The Southern Pacific has shipped
$500 cars. and shipments in the territory served BY this
line viii increase steadily until the closing weeks Of the
shipping season.
one Of the principal arguments presented in oppo-
rition to the entry of the Southern Pacific was that 4
would reduce the business Of the Missouri Pacific e q
point where the Valley lines Of that company would be
a liability instead Of an asset. The opposite has been
true. The percentage Of increase in Valley shipments
over the Missouri Pacific Lines this year Is greater
than any previous year. Practically all shipping points
on the Missouri Pacific Lines are showing a substantial
increase over previous records.
The existing status Of the Valley railroads exempl-
flies the basic truth contained in that old axiom that
progress begets prosperity" The Southern Pacific
Lines have opened large areas Of fertile agricultural
lands. which in the course or two or three years will
produce immense tonnage. At the same time this de-
velopment has resulted in more intensive development
and cultivation of the older areas served by the Mis-
souri, Pacific. and the latter railroad Is reaping the
profits Of increased business.
A study Of the. vegetable and fruit movement from
the Valley indicates there has been practically no d.
vision Of business except at Harlingen and Edinburg,
and at both points the shipments over the Missouri
Pacific equal or exceed those Of previous years. In
fact. the Southern Pacific is creating its own business
by developing new territory. and has added 70 the
business OF its rival By aiding in the promotion Of more
intensive development OF the older areas.
However, there Is another factor which should be
taken into consideration in connection with the rapid
increase in tonnage produced by the Valley farms and
that is the service Valley shippers are receiving from
both railroads serving this sectien. Handling Of per-
ishable agricultural products is radically different from
handling ordinary classes Of freight. Special organiza-
tion. an abundance OF refrigerator cars, icing facilities.
trackage which permits high speed are among the
requisites, and these are requisites in which both the
Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific excel.
The Southern Pacific will move over 1000 cars Of
vegetables cut Of the Valley this season, more than
the Gulf Coast Lines were moving from the entire
Valley ten years ago; and it is safe to predict that
within a comparatively few years the annual shipments
over that line will exceed the $4,000 car mark and that
the Missouri Pacific will continue 10 show the same or
a greater ratio Of increase.