Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-27
QUOTA FIGHT
ORGANIZED
California Newspapermen
Touring Mexico Change
Stan d
Ry r L. SEXTON

kEIEcLH % LkAG GAAkAC . a.
be adversely affected In the event
the proposed quota restriction Is
placed upon Mexican immigration
is the contention OF agricultural
and industrial representatives from
California, New Mexico. Arizona,
and Texas who are in Washington
to appear before the immigration
committee OF the house in oppose
ton to the Box and johnson bills.
Announcement was made by Rep
resentative Albert johnson. chair
mar Of the committee, that the
hearings will continue TO Feb. !,
and that all interested sections
will be given an opportunity to
present their opposition TO the
quota plan.
Study Asked
All Southwestern representatives
have been unanimous IN reSqueSt-
ing that a thorough investigation
Of the economic situation IN their
respective sections be made before
final action is taken by the COM
mittee, asserting they are convinced
that the North and East have been
misled by the great mass or pro-
paganda disseminated by various
organizations interested In impos-
ing a quota upon Mexico, and that
the committee should ascertain the
real facts before recommending
legislation which would do irrepar-
able damage TO the great fruit and
winter vegetable producing sections
Of the country.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley
was the first to present opposition
TO the quota Slan, when a delega-
ton OF Brownsville, San Benito,
Raymondville, and Corpus Christi
citizens appeared before the COM
mittee. II. L. Yates OF Brownsville,
selected as spokesman for the de-
legation, asserted that application
OF the quota to Mexican immigra-
ton, which would cut Off the sup
ply OF agricultural labor. would
practically halt development in the
Valley, which he characterized as
the most productive area in the
United States"
A Growing Section
The Valley representatives in
formed the committee that the
population Of the four counties OF
Hidalgo, Camera Wilacy, and
Starr T. now in excess OF 100000
and that under intensive develop
ment this area is capable Of sup
porting a population OF a million
and a half. The committee chair
man was inclined to question the
latter figure, but later was pre-
scented with facts and figures out
lining the poten'i-li.ies OF the
lower border section. The Valley
delegation urged the committee TO
withhold action until IL could as
certain all facts relative TO econ
Omic conditions in the entire Dor
der area and the necessity which
exists for a supply OF labor adapt
ed to the climatic and other con-
ditions OF that section.
Representatives OF the FL Paso
section. who were heard by the
committee Immediately following
the appearance OF the Valley de-
legation, also urged investigation OF
conditions before taking action, as
serting that without Mexican labor.
agricultural production in that part
of Texas would be almost negligi-
bic.
View Changed
One Of the features OF the hear
ing was the reading Of a telegram
signed by 128 California newspaper
men who are now on a tour or
Mexico studying economic and
commercial conditions. They rep
resent the most important news
papers OF California, all CT which,
with the exception Of the Los An
geleS Times. have been staunch
proponents of the proposed quota.
The tour through the southern re-
public completely changed their
views. and they urged the commit
tee not to recommend a quota Tor
the Latin American countries.
I'VE stopped in every important
commercial center in Mexico" was
the statement Of r. K. Kelley Of
Los Angeles. I'VE found that Mex
lean business interests are prepar-
ed 10 throw their entire trade 10
European manufacturers in the
event the quota is applied 70 that
country. The Mexican people TO a
man will resent the application OF
a quota, and the 'Three-for-one'
feature Of the johnson bill is par
tlcularly obnoxious TO them. II
either OF these quota bills becomes
a law IL will result in driving
American business out OF Mexico
as we'll as all other Latin Amer
lean countries.
Other Nations Ready
German, English and French
manufacturers are preparing to take
advantage OF the situation. They
have their statesmen in Mexico
ready TO grab up the American
business. and the day that the pro-
posed quota bill becomes q law will
mark the decline Of our CONNER
cial relations with the southern
republic. The California newspaper
men. who have had their eyes OPEN
cd on this trip. arc convinced that
in addition to the injury to South
western agriculture every branch
of industry in the United States
will feel tho affects Of Latin Amer
lean recruitment.
Additional -.DrescntativeS OF the
entire border section from Browns
vile to San Diego. California, are
scheduled TO appear before the
committee. and the belief is pre-
vaient that as a result OF their
representations the committee may
be induced to either send a sub
committee to the border or 70 join
with the senate committee IN a
request that special commission De
appointed ID make a thorough sur
vcy OF the situation.