Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-23
VALLEY SHOUL MAKE
READY FOR AMENDMENT
BY I'll. L.. SEXTON

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 23.-
The Lower Rio Grande Valley in
terests should make preparations
for an amendment of the immigra-
ton laws imposing a quota on Mex
lean immigration, Harry E. Hull
commissioner general Of immigra-
ton stated, in commenting upon
numerous protests against alleged
wholesale" deportations Of Mexican
farm laborerS from South Texas.
Numerous kilograms from cham
bers of commerce, shippers, farmers
and others protesting against activ-
tiles Of immigration officials, were
received by Representative John N.
Garner and filed with the immigra-
ton department.
Commissioner Hull extended the
assurance he would telegraph Dis
trict Superintendent Whalen at San
Antonio requesting he be as lenient
as possible with respect to deporta-
ton Of farm laborers. He added
that the border interests should
make every possible effort to meet
the situation which will be created
by placing Mexico upon a quota
basis, stating he is confident the
amendment will be passed at the
regular session.
Cannot Contract
The commissioner pointed out
that the law does not permit an
American citizen to contract alien
labor. In other words, an American
nnop1oy,or oorno+ nov +ho hood TOW
for a Mexican laborer with an I'M
derstanding such laborer is to enter
his employ as soon as legal entrance
is secured. Mr.. Hull stated, however,
that it would be no infringement OF
the law if an American farmer, who
had employed certain MeXicans for
some time, paid a bonus for faithful
service and urged them to return to
Mexico and gain legal entrance to
this country. He asserted that il
must be understood that such en-
ployer cannot give the alien the as
surance he will re-employ him, OF
in any other way enter into con-
tract. If the alien secures legal en-
try and presents himself for en-
ployment, there would be no in
fringement Of the law in employing
him.
According to estimates, the Lower
Rio Grande Valley has, in addition
to the vegetable crops now being
harvested, approximately 100000
acres planted to cotton, with pros
poets Of a 200, 000-bale crop under
normal conditions. These laborers
heretofore have been available fol-
handling both the vegetable and
cotton crops.
Protests against the unusual &C
tivities of the immigration officials
have been filed by the McAller
Chamber of Commerce, Weslacc
Chamber of Commerce, La Feria
Booster club. Donna Chamber Of
Commerce, Harrington Chamber Of
Commerce, Edcouch Chamber Of
Commerce, Gulf Vegetable & Fruit
Co., Inc, of Weslaco. Raymondville
Chamber Of Commerce and others.
One Inspector Active
1--WE urge that you use all means
possible to bring about a change
whereby these aliens may be deport-
ed gradually and at such seasons a.
will least disturb agricultural inter.
ests," the Gulf Coast Vegetable &
Fruit Co., Inc. stated in their pro.
test. Others cited instances in which
fathers yer being separated from
their families, and where farm ten
ants had been deported leaving theil
crops to rot in the fields.
S. Lamar Gill of Raymondville
Willacy county, stated that Mex.
leans are being deported from thu
Valley at the rate Of over 1000 nel