Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-06
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Adveytisiru Penraxanfaftxa~
No Relief for the Valley

The hope of the Valley growers and shippers that
some relief would be granted in the form Of lower
freight rates on agricultural products has apparently
gone a-glimmering.
The recent announcement Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission that the enforcement Of the blanket
order in the southwestern rate cases would be post
poned from April 8 to May is, signifies that should
the commission decide to grant no further delays the
reduction will not come in time TO benefit the Valley
growers this year. The new rates were originally or
dered in effect in December. and postponement was
then granted until February 3. Upon the petition Of
the carriers and shippers whose interests would be ad-
ve-scly affected by the new rates, a further postpone
ment until April 8 was granted. with another addi-
tionsl IS days eventually added by order Of the COM
mission. II is now the opinion Of many shippers that
the commission will eventually order a re-hearing and
the entire new rate structure, which would have eff
fected a saving Of at least a million dollars annually
for the Valley growers and shippers, will be deferred
Indefinitely.
Adjustment OF the southwestern rates was started
pver two years ago. The rate problems Of the ~
vidual communities were studied. and the blanket or
der, based upon a zone and mileage basis, was eventu-
ally compiled and ordered into effect. That the order
contained numerous errors cannot be denied. The po-
tato minimum, which placed new and old potatoes in
the same classification. with a car minimum Of $4,000
pounds, was merely one of them. This was manifest
~ merely a clerical error, and most Of the others
were of the same type. However. cumerous red tape
OF the commission must be unreeled slowly, though II
costs the people OF the Valley and other southwestern
sections millions OF dollars.
It cannot be denied that the suspension OF the or
der is a severe blow to the Valley interests. Had the
commissions order to place the new rate into effect
on April 8 been enforced Valley growers would have
had the advantage Of much lower rates on their pro-
ducts during the period Of heaviest vegetable move
ment. from April to the last of May. Should the new
rate 20 into effect on the date now ordered, 1t will
come at a time when practically al the Valleys crop
has been moved, ard will be Of no benefit to the Val
ley growers.
The action OF the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion in thus. for the fourth time, delaying enforce
ment Of the lower rate. should accelerate the move
inert inaugurated in the Valley for deep water at
Point Isabel. So long as TIE transportation situation
remains as it is. the carriers and such shippers as may
be adversely interested in low rates on vegetables and
increased rates on non-essentials, can maintain a per-
petual fight with the probability that the Valley grow
ers will hang onto the losing end. However. the in
auguratson Of water transportation will almost auto
matically adjust the situation by creating competition
Of which the Interstate Commerce Commission must
take cognizance.
According to very conservative estimates the Val
ley this year will lose at least a million dollars as a
result Of the delay in rate reduction. There Is no in
dication that it will not lose a corresponding OF larg-
er amount next year and for many years to come I'M
less water rates are provided. That million dollars
would 60 far toward constructing the Valleys port,
and when the port is constructed the rates will prob
ably be forced to a far lower level than that establish
ed bv the Interstate Commerce Commission in the or
der which they are so hesitant about placing in effect
The Valley should not be forced TO perpetually
fight for fair rates. 1t has a weapon at hand whereby
it can emancipate itself and force the carriers and the
Interstate Commerce Commission to recognize its
rights. That weapon is deep water at Point Isabel
and there should be no delay on the part Of the Valley
in organizing to utilize il.