The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 22, 1979 Page: 4 of 16
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Pharr Press and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Pharr Memorial Library.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
f
Pag® 4Af Tha Pharr Press, February 22, 1979
;c. -
||
||
II
5$
•jO*.
0
*>,3*
St’.
Press
Viewpoint
£•-
|r|
*
W'« '■'•
W*> *£•
je; «
&
SF’'’
|
I
p
t“. ’■
ft
Editor’s Comer
EMS in Pharn ^
Medical Care
A community deserves the best medical services it can
find. To get adequate treatment, it takes more than sitting
idly by and waiting for something to happen. Citizens must
take an interest and get involved.
There is an obvious need for emergency medical service
training in Pharr. The PSJA area is looking for more and
better-trained personnel in this field.
To spread knowledge about emergency care, the city
holds a training course every year. This year the Region 8
(South Texas) Emergency Medical Services Supervisor Jack
King taught the comprehensive course. The 28-hour session
attempts to give students a grasp of how to deal with
fractures, head injuries, childbirth, belligerant patients, and
a number of other topics.
Ambulance attendants, firemen, a policeman, and a
number of other citizens went through the training session.
Now they are better-versed in the intricacies of dealing with
emergency cases. They should be better able to serve the
community. It is only a shame that more did not take the
course.
c:
5*
H ;;
, ;fi ;
S*. ‘
5| v
|g
•*£
SR
£
1
8
I
'•f.*
§
Tourism
Valleyites well know that travel is one of the most
rapidly-expanding industries in the nation. Last year, the
number of Mexican visitors to the United States jumped
more than 10 per cent. And the Valley, with its superb
recreational and shopping facilities, felt their impact as much
as any- region.
During j^he first three months of the current fiscal year
(Sept., Oct., Nov.) the 3 per cent state lodging tax yielded
more than $6 million in revenue to the state’s coffers. This
represents a 22 per cent increase over the same period
during the previous year. Clearly, the tourist industry is on
the move and has brought Texas the greatest income
increase of any single business sector.
There may well be no place Texas can put more money
with the prospect of greater return. But what is true for the
state is just as true here. We know that the Pharr, San Juan
and Alamo area is a popular destination for visitors from
both north and south.
There appears to be a concerted effort on the part of
Pharr area organizations to boost tourism development.
TheChamber workshop held February 3 illustrated this
quite well. Brochures, trade show participationa and the
promotion of the city as a trucking center were only some of
the categories discussed for further expansion.
I n addition, Pharr’s occupancy tax has brought in a good
deal of revenue since its inception. The monies are pumped
back into tourism development, which results in more
visitors, which means more tax revenue. I f well-managed,
the growth potential seems virtually limitless. As more of
us get involved with the promotion of tourism in the PSJA
area, the benefit to all will be felt in even the most
unexpected places.
Mexico:
Contacts
The president’s trip to Mexico started on a distant note,
then Mexican leader Lopez Portillo and President Carter
appeared to move closer together. If the understanding
lasts, it will serve us all better.
At the same time the presidents were talking, Pharr
citizens embarked on a three-day trip to Mexico while others
joined their Reynosan counterparts in Hidalgo.
The three day trip to Mexico, the Inter-American Council
of Cities meeting, and the performance by the folkloric
groups from Matamoros show how Pharr is reaching out to
Mexico for closer contact. These new avenues of
communication are what will make the crucial difference in
the intensified dialogues emerging between nations north
apd south.
Jack Lowry
s
The Pharr Press
Established February 20, 1933
Second Class Postage Paid
at Pharr, Texas 78577
Published by Pharr Publsihing Co., 203 S. Cage Street,
Pharr, Texas, J. Tom Graham, president and publisher.
Phone 787-2291
Jack Lowry
Frank Graham
Mrs. Pauline Hobbs
Dick Glover
Silverio Flores
Published each Thursday morning at Pharr, Hidalgo County, in
the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Subscription Rates;
Editor
Advertising Director
Business Manager
Press Foreman
Chief Typesetter
7Q2Q3Q49 Years Ago:
Pharr Newspapers Date to 1972
10 Years Ago--February 20,
1969
The Webelo Den of Boy
Scout Troop 168 of San Juan
had their annual father-son
A committee from the outing at the Dreibelbis deer
Council for Spanish American lease near Encino, Texas.
Ministries came into the Valley Scouts participating were; Jay
last week to quietly secure the Dreibelbis, Jeff Doss, Matthew
facts about the firing of Rev. Bailey, Steven Trammell,
Edgar Krueger as the director Terrill Swanson, Steven Cantu,
of the Texas Council of Howard Coffman, Randy Morris,
Churches Migrant Ministry in
this area left just as quietly 20 Years Ago-February 13,
without making a public 1959
statement. Heading the
committee was Alphonso Ro- This issue of The Pharr Press
driguez. Another who came was a 50th anniversary issue of
here was Miss Kay Longcope, Pharr, containing many fea-
executive committee member tures and special articles about
of IFCO, New York. the early history of Pharr. The
issue contained more complete
history about Pharr than had
The Webelo Den of Boy ever been published in one
Scout Troop 168 of San juan newspaper. Among the articles
had their annual father-son were two by Henry Newton
outing at the Dreibelbis deer Pharr, who was the co-founder
lease near Encino, Texas. of the city and after whom the
Scouts participating were: Jay city was named; a feature about
Dreibelbis, Jeff Doss, Matthew John C. Kelly, co-founder of the
Bailey, Steven Trammell, city, and many special articles
Terrill Swanson, Steven Cantu, t about the early days in Pharr,
Howard Coffman, Randy Mor-j as seen thru the eyes of the
ris, Alton Slayton, Nacho pioneers of that day still living
Pecina, Carlos Casso, Wade in Pharr. The issue was
Airington, Bobby McKinnon. dedicated to the pioneers, who
Fathers participated in the made Pharr possible.
over-night. The highlight of the
trip was the trapping of a
bobcat, which was sacked and
brought back alive.
A new business to open in
Pharr is the Pan-Am Equip-
ment Co. on North 281 highway
at the former site of the Valley
Builders Supply block manu-
facturing plant. The company
purchases old school busses all
over Texas and' renovates
them. This is the first of its kind
in this area.
The history of newspapers in
Pharr dates back to 1912 when
W. E. Cage started the first
newspaper before the city was
incorporated. The name of the
paper was the Pharr Clarion
and he continued to publish this
paper until 1925 when Ben
Gordon Whitehead came to
town and this volitile writer
became the editor and he
changed the name to the Rio
Grande Valley Sun. He
continued as editor until his
sudden death in 1929.
30 Years Ago-February 18,
1949
The PSJA High School band,
composed of 90 pieces, will
present a concert in the High
School auditorium with all
proceeds going towards the
purchase of band uniforms,
announces Band Director Ed-
win .L. Holt. A. M. Dennis,
director of the American
Legion band, McAllen, will
be guest conductor for one
TREE PLANTING-PSJA Vocational Week take part in the festivities. This was one of
Activities ended with a plant-a-tree ceremony to many activities to help celebrate the tenth
serve as a continual reminder of the significance anniversary of the high school vocational
of vocational/career training. Representatives programs in their current facilities in
from homemaking, Ag, DE, ICT.CVAE Coop, conjunction with National Vocational Education
EAR, Auto Mechanics, Office Duplication, Metal Week.
Trades and Building Trades were on hand to
Sen. Longoria Reports
number, A Pretty Girl Is Like •
A Melody.
The biggest .and befct
minstrel of them all, the annual
Tri-City Minstrel, sponsored by
the Pharr Kiwanis Club and the
Lions Clubs of Pharr, San Juan
and Alamo, will be presented
February 28th, March 1st, 2nd,
at the High School auditorium.
Marvin Jones of Alamo is the
director and Theron Kirk,
PSJA director of music, is in
charge of music.
E. L. Calhoun is keeping
close check on the construction
of the new Methodist Church
, (which is across the street from
his residence) and frequently
helps out the foreman on'
translation. He is one of the,
best Spanish speakers in this!
section.
Private Leonardo Sanchez,
Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo
Sanchez, Sr., has graduated
from the medical technician
school at Brooke Army Medical
Center, San Antonio.
49 Years Ago-May 29, 1930
[From Files of Tri-City Sun]
The Missionary Society of
the Methodist Church met at 1
the home of Mrs. N. L.
Davidson with Mrs. Malmstadt
as co-hostess. Program subject
was Rural Problems for Church
Workers, with Mmes Maule,
Ballard Horn and Hansen
speaking on the subject.
Others present were Mmes
Moss, Roscoe Frazier, Buelah
Ury, 0. H. Archer, Ed
Kreidenweis, George Slayton,
Fed Ruecking, Watts, Dick
Brader, G. R. Mann, Claude
Adamson, Belle Wiley, Preston,
Cliff M. Epps.
Control of the Hidalgo
County Democratic organiza-
tion restored to the people,
with the old executive
committee having resigned and
a new executive committee was
to be named at a mass meeting
May 31, at the McAllen Athletic
Field. This ad appeared in this
issue of the Tri-City Sun,
signed by about 175 Democrats
of the county. D. F. Strickland
of Mission was listed as
program chairman.
Ad in Paper: Marlin,
Texas -The Hope of the
Afflicted, the Mecca of those
who need mending. Majectic
Hotel and Bathouse. Where
Kindness, Care and Courtesy
Keep Step With the Finest
Service. Where Health
Returns to the Earnest Seeker.
E. E. Fannin and John Earle,
managers.
$5.00 per year in county
$5.50 per year outside county
[Note: The following is one
of a continuing series of reports
on the 66th Legislative session
by Sen. Raul L. Longoria of
Edinburg. It is provided as a
service to the people of South
Texas, in hopes that more
relevant and useful information
might reach the people of
Texas.]
You may recall that in my
last report I discussed two
topics: first my bill recreating
the Good Neighbor Commis-
sion, and second, the contro-
versial issue of constructing a
prison facility in the Valley.
Each of these topics in some
way directly affects the people
of South Texas, and as your
Senator I will attempt to keep
you informed of all new
developments concerning
these, as well as other,
important areas of legislation.
In this report, however, I
would like to discuss a new and
important topic which has
arisen since last week. I am
referring to President Jimmy
Carter’s visit to Mexico.
During his trip President
Carter discussed various issues
with Mexico’s President, Jose
Lopez Portillo. Many of these
issues will directly affect the
people of South Texas and this
is one reason I feel it is
important that I relate them to
you.
Another reason I feel it is
important to discuss these
issues with you is that the State
of Texas can be highly
instrumental in creating and
maintaining good, sound rela-
tions with Mexico. People from
South Texas, and especially
those from the Valley, can be
particularly helpful in estab-
lishing and maintaining these
good relations through their
constant commercial and social
interaction with the people of
Mexico.
With this in mind I would like
to explain some of the topics
revolving around the Presi-
dents’ meeting, and point out
some of the basic arguments
involved in each.
Heading the list of important
topics is that concerning the
new-found oil and gas reserves
in Mexico. Mexico has recently
become the focal point of many
nations seeking new sources of
oil and gas because experts
have estimated that Mexico’s
oil and gas fields may be as
productive as those found in
Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is today by far
the leading supplier of crude oil
to the United States, sending
us 3.3 billion barrels every
year. So if the experts are
correct, Mexico is indeed a
prime candidate to supply us>
with petroleum.
We must realize that our
relations in the Middle East are
threatened by unrest in that
American Council Meets in Hidalgo
The folkloric groups that
performed Wednesday were
discussed at the last Inter-
American Council of Cities
meeting.
Rep. “Tony” Garcia, Zack
Barreiro, Minnie Radzevicius,
and Jack Cronkhite attended
last Friday’s meeting in Hidalso
as Pharr delegates.
They told the
representatives from Reynosa,
Mission, Hidalgo and Edinburg
about the folkloric ballet and
rondalla from Matamoros that
performed in Pharr February
21st.
The guest speaker at the
meeting was Dr. R.N. Mc-
Michael, dean of the School of
Business Administration at Pan
American University.
Newt Dyer ~ farmers are going
>to be eaten up
Pharr People You Should Know:
Dyer: Holding Out
As A Farmer
area and we may be forced to we buy Mexican gas, we will
look elsewhere for our oil and almost be assured of getting
gas. And we must not forget their oil later,
that a petroleum supplier so Another topic of great
close to us geographically as concern to both President
Mexico, would be much more Carter and President Lopez
economically advantageous Portillo is, of course, the illegal
than importing from overseas, alien problem. This no doubt
I am sure that the vision of 1 directly affects the people of
obtaining Mexican oil has South Texas because as it is
become engraved in the minds right now the Valley has an
of many leaders of various unusually high rate of unem-
nations, but making that vision ployment, and this, coupled
a reality may prove much more with the increase in competi-
difficult than one may imagine, tion for jobs caused by the
One major obstacle we must inflow of Mexican aliens, tends
overcome before we obtain to compound the problem.
Mexico’s oil and gas is reaching But I must say that you
a mutually agreeable price for really cannot blame these
those products. people from Mexico for seeking
Over a year ago, negotiations to provide food and money for
could not be reached because themselves and their families.
Mexico wanted $2.61 per Still, the problem remains,
thousand cubic feet of natural and I hope that President
gas and the United States Carter and President Lopez
would not pay over $2.16 per Portillo can find a solution to
thousand cubic feet, the price this problem which both
paid for Canadian gas. countries face.
Again I invite you to express
A second obstacle in our way your opinions to me and ask me
of getting Mexican oil and gas is any questions you may have
the United States’ indecisive- regarding the topic of this
ness as to whether or not we report, past reports, or any
should even purchase Mexican other area you may feel is
gas. important to you.
Some U. S. officials agrue I would like to give special
that because of deregulation, thanks to The Pharr Press for
the United States has a surplus allowing me the space to
of natural gas in many markets, present these weekly reports
and we therefore do not need to which help me tremendously in
buy from Mexico. The other my attmepts to better serve my
side of that arguement is that if constituents.
It was also learned that
Irapuato, Mexico, will send
representatives to the Spring
Fiesta this year.
The next meeting was
tentatively scheduled for
March 16th in McAllen.
“My biggest pleasure in
farming comes from getting the
field ready, planting, and
watching the plants come up.
The rest is a lot of hard work
and waiting. The first part
makes it all worthwhile.”
So says Pharr farmer, Newt
Dyer. Like many local farmers,
Dyer is not a native of Pharr.'
Born in Oklahoma in 1930, he
went to California with his
parents during the Depression.
The family later found its way
to Pharr where his father
worked for a life insurance
company and eventually ac-
quired a restaurant and some
citrus groves.
Dyer went to college at
Texas A&M, where he studied
citrus and vegetables. Five
years after graduating, he
began farming with his
father-in-law from whom he
finally bought the farm.
Today on his 1,100 acre
spread, Dyer raises a wide
variety of crops, including
cotton, sugar, broccoli, cab-
bage, citrus, pecans, squash
and peppers.
Dyer explains that the
profitability of the numerous
crops varies greatly for him and
other Valley farmers.
The sugar situation, from
example, is grim here in Texas.
Although the Rio Grande
Valley has good *soil and
“perfect” light days for cane, as
Dyer phrases it, “cheap sugar is
eating the farmer’s lunch.”
Since local growers formed
the Santa Rosa Sugar Coop in
1971, government allotments
for sugar growing have ended.
Consequently, “growers are all
going broke.”
Another problem lies in the
fact that Valley growers, unlike
those in Hawaii and Louisiana,
are using new equipment, for
which they are still paying.
Dyer depends on cotton as
his staple crop. He rotates it
with vegetables, the market for
which depends upon California
and Florida crops.
“We have to think evil
thoughts,” he remarks, “and
hope for bad weather in
California or Florida. We are
simply from our markets.”
When asked about the
much-publicized American
Farmers Movement, Dyer
comments, “If they get Uncle
Sam reinvolved in our prob-
lems, they’re going to lose more
than they will gain.”
He also believes that most of
those involved are “younger
people who came into it when
times were real good-three or
four years ago. Their philo-
sophy doesn’t fit in the Valley.
However, Dyer does agree
that farmers are entitled to
parity. “If farmers were getting
100 percent parity, we could
live decently, and our laborers
could live well, too.
“Disgruntled laboring people
states. “If UFW leaders
weren’t so corrupt, I’d back
i them.”
Continuing on the topic of
farm laborers and their various
unions, Dyer says, “Neither
Tony Orendain nor Chavez are
doing anybody any good-not
their people or workers.
People on the crews dislike
both these union groups [UFW
and Texas Farm Workers]
more than I do. They want
mordidas, bribes, that is, for
choice labor spots. There’s no
fair play.”
Dyer recognizes many prob-
lems inherent in the present
labor system. “The govern-
ment says we have to pay
regular laborers by the hour.
But these people have to make
house payments, car payments,
etc.” ON an hourly rate, the
weather determines a laborer’s
income.
Consequently, Dyer explains,
“We have to make our good
workers officially foremen in
order to pay them straight
time. I know they will catch up
for the days they can’t work
due to the weather.”
The issue of the proposed
international bridge elicits
strong opinions from Dyer.
Frankly, he say, “It will be a
pain in the neck.” Farmers, he
says, will only suffer as
increased traffic makes it more
difficult for them to cross
highways to reach their fields.
He goes on to predict that a
lot of Mexican trucks “will
travel on this side because their
own highways are so bad.”
Traffic will cross over here and
head south only to reenter
Mexico at Matamoros.
They’re only going to give
Pharr the revenue of bridge
crossing.” Traffic headed for
industrial sites north of town
will just mean a lot of noise in
the town’s center, and malls
will still get most of the
business.”
“Town folk” Dyer concludes,
“would like to have business
comparable to that of McAllen.”
“Why do they want to
compete with a larger city?” he
asks. However, Dyer did go on
to lament the fact that the City
has to seek outside revenues in
order to suvive.
According to Dyer, the
future of farming in the Valley
is not a bright one. “Little by
little we farmers are going to
be eaten up by two kinds of
people, Mexican-Americans and
rich gringos.”
As land values increase,
farmers sell off their lands. He
cites the example of McAllen
where “there are groves that
people don’t bother
with because its easier
to sell them.”
“I’m adaptable to change, but
I like to drag my feet where I
can. I feel that I can help the
U.S. and the Rio Grande Valley
by holding out as a farmer.
“Sure, I can gain financially
by the bridge, but that s not
what I want.”
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View four places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Lowry, Jack. The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 22, 1979, newspaper, February 22, 1979; Pharr, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth867000/m1/4/?q=music: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Pharr Memorial Library.