[Press statement and telegram from Ed Idar, Jr., to E. M. Dealey - 1951] Page: 1 of 6

                                
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STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
FROMi Ed Idar, Jr., State Chairman, American GI Forum of Texas
310-311 NaXle Building
Austin, Texas
Ci«o
The Dallas Morning News in a story "by Roy Rody today has attacked
by innuendo the Lulcs and the American GI Forum of Texas as following
the "old party line" in their opposition to wetback labore Attached is
a copy of telegram sent today to the publisher of the News on this matter.
The Forum has always opposed wetback labor because it depresses
wages, forcing native citizens to seek employment elsewhere over the
state and nation.
It is not a matter of whether the labor unions want dues and
certainly it has nothing to do with what the reds and picks want. It
is simply a matter of wages paid the wetback and the displaced popu-
lation which suffers from it .
We fail to see anything ml-American about seeking a living
wage for our people? indeed, it is the spirit of initiative and free
enterprise which makes us want to raise our standard of living.
The wetback has no recourse to law either in this country or in
Mexico. He is here illegally and is exploited, regardless of what
Valley ranchers, farmers, and the News say.
As far as charges of following the Wparty line" are concerned,
this is but an attempt to discredit these two organizations which
are not only helping our people but are molding citizens to assume
their responsibilities in this democracy.
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