Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-11-07
VALLEY-WIDE
LABOR BUREAU
MOVE STARTED
Serious Labor Short
age In Sight IF De-
portations Continue,
Meeting Told.
Especial 70 The Heraldl
IAN PENTTn Nrv THE fs~~


SAN BENITO, 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 meeting Of about
30 leading Valley citizens in the
chamber OF commerce office here
Wednesday afternoon.
The meeting was called by John
7. Lomax, president Of the San Be
nitO Chamber of Commerce.
After "a thorough discussion OF
the situation, IL which conditions
Of mistreatment, intimidation. and
general Generalization Of the Mexi-
can people along the border. result
ing in the departure of thousands
OF them, we're described, a commit
tee was selected to work out a
method Of procedure. and To report
back at another meeting
The method to be followed. ac-
cording 10 indications at the meet
ing, viii be the formation Of one
or more immigration bureaus III
the Valley, the employment OF le-
gal talent to represent the Mexi-
cans, and q general effort on the
part Of Valley people TO check the
movement across the Rio Grande.
Labor Shortage
The seriousness of the situation
from the point OF Valley prosperity
was emphasized I'm the statement
that this Is ts,e first time In years
tfiar the valley has had a labor
shortage in November, with prcS-
poets Of a serious shortage when
heavy harvesting begins in March
and April.
The committee appointed l. head
ed by Lamar Gill of Raymondville.
and includes Tom Hester of Donna,
AL Parker OF La Feria, John Phe-
Ian Of Mercedes, and w. Z. Thomas
Of San Benito.
It met Immediately after the gen.
eral meeting. and arranged for a
meeting at Harlingen Tuesday af-
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 depOrtatiOnSt
and another general meeting will
be called for final action.
"a budget OF $500 a month will
be necessary for operation Of the
bureau. 1t was indicated. and those
present said no trouble will be en-
countered in raising this sum.
Attorneys of the Valley, includ-
ing County Attorney M. r. Hall OF
Brownsville. volunteered their SER
vices in giving any information de-
sired by any Mexican.
Bowie on Legion
The meeting was opened by Mr..
LOmax, who presided. He explain
ed its purposes, and introduced
Charles Bowie, commander of the
local Legion post. which has taken
a determined stand in the protec-
tion of Mexicans over a period OF
months.
Bowie told how Mexicans living
here % years are being deported
They came when scarcely any i'm
migration regulations were in ef-
feet. and when only the undesir-
ables we're being depOrted, and now
1|~141[ lAAIL 4A0fG AA0oo| ~AAAG 4AfNA
even for an instant I'm the past
five years, they are subject TO de-
pOrtati0n.
Bowie said the Legion has taker
a part both 10 protect the right,
Of Mexican people here. and x
save the labor for the Valley.
The Legion is at its ropes end,
now, he said, and urged the mat
ter to be passed on to some one
else.
Col. Sam Robertson was called on
and stressed the enmity which ths
deportations are arousing I'm Mexi.
co, where boycott Is beginning x
be carried out against American
goods. The results OF this, he said
will be TO hurt manufacturing II
America, and cut down the marke
for Valley produce.
Praise Officials
He told OF labor shortages In thi
west. and said those sections ma.
invade the Valley to carry off la
Dor.
Col. Robertson praised ID. w
Brewster, Ports Gay. Dave Fergu
son, Jack Smith. and several othe
immigration and border patrol Of
ficerS. but said there are SOM
members OF the force who ar
"hard boiled" with Mexicans. II
related the difficulties he wen
through In securing freedom 70
Continued on Page Seven)