Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-27
QUOTA FIGHT
ORGANIZED
California Newspapermen
Touring Mexico Change
Stan d
Ry Z I. Y T


terests of the entire Southwest will
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
r~esentative Albert johnson, chair
man OF the committee, that the
hearings will continue TO Feb. i,
and that all interested sections
will be given an opportunity TO
present their opposition 10 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 OF pro-
pagsnda disseminated oy 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 10 present opposition
to the quota Ian. 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"
Growing Section
The Valley representatives IN
formed the committee that the
population Of the four counties OF
Hidalgo, Camera Willacy. and
Starr l. now in excess OF ZOO 900
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 s-litieS Of the
lower border section. The Valley
delegation urged the committee TO
withhold action until II could as
certain all facts relative TO econ
omic conditions in the entire bor-
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
I One Of the features of the hear
ing was the reading OF a telegram
signed by 328 California newspaper
men who are now on a tour OF
Mexico studying economic and
commercial conditions. They rep
resent the most important news
papers Of California. all Of which,
with the exception Of the Los An
gelcs 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
tho Latin American countries.
we stopped IN every important
commercial center in Mexico" was
the statement Of r. Z. Kelley Of
Los Angeles. I'VE found that Mex
lean business interests are prepar-
ed TO throw their entire trade TO
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 che Three-for-one
feature of the Johnson bill Is par
ticularly obnoxious 70 them. II
either OF these quota bills becomes
a law il will result in driving
American business out Of Mexico
IS well as all other Latin Amer
lean countries.
Other Nations Ready
German, English and French
manufacturers are preparing 10 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 L CONNER
ciaI relations with the southern
republic. The California newspaper
men, who have had their eyes open
ed on this trip. are convinced that
in addition TO the injury 10 South
western agriculture every branch
az Industry in the United States
win Eel the affects OF Latin Amer
lean resentment
Additional representatives. Of the
entire border section from Browns
v.ile 70 san Diego. California, are
schedulsd 10 anDear before the
commit.se. ana the belief IS pre-
yalent that as 2 result o. their
REPRESENTATIONS tine committee may
be induced to either send q SUB
committee 10 tire border or TO join
ryi.h The senate committee in a
request that special commission DC
appointed t. male q thorough sur