Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-11-07
MEXICANS In
VALLEY TOBE
OFFERED help
Serious Labor Short
age In Sight liz De-
portations Continue,
Meeting Told.
Especial to The Heraldl


SAN BENTTO, Nov. THE first
organized Valley-wide move to pro-
tect the Mexican in this section,
both as regards his legal rights
here. and to retain him for labor,
was launched at a meeting nf about
50 leading Valley citizens In the
chamber OF commerce office here
Wednesday afternoon.
The meeting was called by John
T. Lomax, president OF the san Be-
nito Chamber OF Commerce.
After a thorough discussion OF
the situation. In which conditions
OF mistreatment, intimidation, and
general Generalization of the Mexl-
can people along the border. result
ing In the departure of thousands
Of them, were described. an commit
tee was selected w work out N
method of procedure, and to report
back at another meeting
The method to he followed, &C.
cording TO indications at the meet
ing, Will be the formation or one
or more immigration bureaus IN
the Valley, the employment 0f le-
gal talent To represent the Mexi-
cans and IN general effort ON the
part Of Valley people to check the
movement across the Rio GFande.
Labor Shortage
The SeriOusncss or the situation
from the point of Valley prosperity
was emphasized I'm the statement
that this Is ..ae first time in years
that the Valley has had labor
shortage in November, with pros
poets of a serious shortage when
heavy harvesting begins In March
and April.
The committee appointed Ais head
ed by Lamar Gin VI RaymOndviilp.
and includes Tom Hester of Donna,
Al Parker OF La Feria. John Phe-
Ian OF Mercedes, and wv. III. Thomas
OF San Benito.
AZ met Immediately after the GEN
eral meeting. and arranged for a
meeting az HarlinEen Tuesday ar
ternoon OF next week, with immi-
grafton officials present. At that
time each member OF the commit
tee will offer his suggestions as tO
meeting the problem Of deportations,
and another general meeting will
be called for final action.
"a budget on $500 "a month will
be necessary for operation OF the
bureau. IL was indicated, and those
present said no trouble will be en-
c0untered in raising this sum.
Attorneys of the Valley. inciud-
ing County Attorney M. R. Hall w
Brownsville, volunteered their SER
vices III giving any information de-
sired by any Mexican.
Bowie ON Legion
The meeting was opened by AEr.
Lomax, who presided. He explain
ed itS purposes, and introduced
Charles Bowie, commander w the
local LegiOn post, which has taken
a determined stand III the prOtec-
ton Of Mezicans over a period OF
months.
Bowie told how Mexicans living
here 25 years are being deported.
They came when scarcely any Inn
migration regulations were III ef-
feet, and when only the undesir-
ables we're being dsported, and now.
because they have crosse dthe river
even for an instant in the rast
five years, they are subject. to de-
portation.
Bowie said the Legion has taken
a part both 70 protect the rights
OF Mexican people here, and tD
save the labor for the Valley.
The Legion is at It's ropes end"
now, he said. and urged the mat
ter to be passed on 10 some one
else.
Col. Sam Robertson was called Un,
and stressed the enmifv which the
deportati0ns are arouSing in Mexi-
CO. where "A boycott is beginning to
be carried out against American
goods. The results uf this. he said,
viii be 70 hurt manufacturing IN
America. and cut down the market
for Valley produce.
Praise Officials
He told OF labor shortages In the
west. and said those sections may
invade the Valley 70 carry or L.
Dor.
Col. Robertson praised ~. w.
Brewster. Ports Gay. Dave FerRu-
son. Jack Smith. and several other
immigration and border patrol or
ficerS, but said there are some
members of the force who ARE
hard boiled" with Mexicans. . He
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