The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 2, 1969 Page: 1 of 6
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Pharr Memorial Library
130 E. Caffery
Pharr, Texas
---£
The Weather
Mild, sunshiny days, with cool
nights. Moderate winds. No rain
forecast for next few days.
THE PHARR PRESS
VOLUME XXXVI—NO. 40 PHARR, (HIDALGO COUNTY), TEXAS, 78577. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1969 5c PER COPY—$2.50 PER YEAR
DON'T BE A
LITTERBUG!
Don’t throw trash on the streets
or on the sidewalks.
' ’-----
Border Inspection *
Criticized Severely
(A NEWS ANALYSIS)
Operation “Intercept”, the all-
out inspection drive along the U.
S. Mexico-border, to slow down
or halt the flow of marijuana
and other narcotics into the Uni-
ted States, was still in “opera-
tion” by U. S. Customs at mid-
week.
Many high officials on the lo-
cal and state level and many
border civic groups and individ-
uals have protested the operation
as damaging U. S.-Mexico rela-
tions, and reducing trade and
bridge traffic without accomplish-
ing the No. 1 objective—confisca-
ting marijuana.
Among the officials who have
asked a change in the plan have
been U. S. Congressman Henry
Gonzalez of San Antonio and
Congressman James Kazen of La-
redo.
Congressman Kika de la Garza
of the 15th District has endorsed
it, saying it is necessary if the
marijuana menace is to be curb-
ed at all.
John R. Peavey, now retired
and author of a best sell-
ing book, and former U. S. Cus-
toms inspector, has condemned
the procedure, saying it will not
stop the big operators, who smug-
gle in the weed by the hundreds
of pounds. They do not use the
regular crossings to bring in their
cargo, he said. They bring it a-
cross in the dead of night using
small skiffs or boats. The boats
and cargo are quickly scuddled
if apprehended, he said.
The most criticism has come
from officials at Brownsville and
Matamoros, Laredo, and Eagle
Pass. The traffic is slowed up
from 30 minutes to 45 minutes
during the peak traffic times.
Little, if any “official” criticism
has come from the operation at
the McAllen bridge. The slow
up at Hiladgo has been much less
than 30 minutes, and at certain
hours, cars have passed through
in 5 minutes or less. The Hidal-
go bridge has 6 and 8 inspection
lines.
One high official in the U. S„
Customs did give a ray of hope
to the protesters of the operation.
He recognized the inconvenience
that the inspection has caused
the traveling public and said it
would be “reviewed” in the very
near future and a determination
made whether it would continue
as is, or modified. He intimated
that some changes might be
made, but did not say in what
way.
Whether the inspection has
caused any decrease in the
available supply of marijuana at
the main sources, the metropoli-
tan centers of the country, is
still a moot issue, as of this
week. Most in the know think
this type of operation will re-
quire several months before any
change can be noticed.
Classes Begin at New
Austin Junior H. S.
The PSJA school trustees and
various school administrators
and dept, heads met at the new
Austin Junior High School at
, San Juan Tuesday for a lunchon
and inspection and tour of the
new $1.1 million school facility.
All trustees were present with
Pres. Paul Wagner presiding over
the informal get together.
Monday, Sept. 29th, was the
first day of school at the new
93 Highway Dept.
Employees Receive
Safe Driver Awards
At the annual Texas Highway
Dept. District 21 safety and ser-
vice award presentation and bar-
becue, a total of 93 employees
,(received safe truck driver awards
varying from 1 year to 25 years.
Because of lack of space, only
the names of those who listed
Pharr as their home town are
listed. They are as follows:
1-year—Cesario Munoz, Manuel
Saurez, Jr., Pedro Villescas, Jose
Ybarra.
. 2-years—Victoriano De Leon,
Pedro Soto.
3- years—Justo S. Vela.
4- years—Jose N Bazan, Balde-
mar Garza, Carlos Rodriguez, Fi-
del Saldana.
5- years—Manuel Molina, Mar-
ciano Rico.
6- years—Rodolfo Rosales.
7- years—A lberto Gonzal-
ez, Clyde W. Stout.
9- years—Andres Guerrero, Ana-
staiso Luera.
10- years—Alonzo Elizondo.
14-years—Roberto Zamora.
Two received 25-year awards.
They were Oscar Garcia, San Die-
go, and Rodolfo Martinez, Laredo.
building and there were some
adjustments that needed to be
made, before the school could
be called “normal” or running
“smoothly,” Supt. Dean Skiles
said.
The building has not been
'acepted as complete, as the gen-
eral contractor and the sub con-
tractors have not completed the
“punch list” as prepared by the
architect and school officials.
This was just an inspection and
tour of the building and was not
to accept the building as com-
pleted.
Bill Downs, representing the
architects, was present.
The building is 99.5% com-
plete but there are many minor
adjustments and corrections,
states Supt. Skiles, 1 before the
building will be accepted and
1
jjv “'Hlf j j__ p*
THIS IS THE PSJA BEARETTE FRONT tha t you see perform at halftime at the PSJA foot-
ball games. They are the leaders of the famous Bearettes Drill Team. Left to right, are Conny
Garfield, Cindy Moseley, Janiece Longoria, Beth Doedyns, Drum Major; Tommie Reichert Ass’t.
Drum Major and Head Twirler; Barbara Whistler, Kathy Taylor.
RWHtew u.-6«. Bears-Cards Open Dist.
Kiwams ciubs Play Here Friday Night
The first three games played t
bp the PSJA Bears have been for
the prestige and the fun and
now comes the games that count
in District competition, the first
against the potent Harlingen
Cardinals at Bear Stadium this
Friday night.
The Cardinals have been a high
scoring outfit scoring 76 points
in three games, but have allowed
their opponents a few scores too,
a total of 48.
final payment
made.
to the
contractor
WEATHER REPORT
High Low Rain
Sept. 26 ......
.. 91
71
Sept. 27 ......
....91
66
Sept. 28 ......
...89
70 .13
Sept. 29 ......
...89
63
Sept. 30 ......
....89
60
Oct. 1 ........
...90
58
Oct. 2 ........
...91
68
Readings are
taken
from Carl
Schuster Weather Reporting Sta-
tion.
Dennis Riddle has been elected
Lt. Governor of the Texas-
Oklahoma District, Division 26,
of Kiwanis International. Division
26 is made up of seven clubs
in Edinburg, McAllen, Palm City,
Pharr, Mission, Weslaco, and
Mercedes. Riddle succeeds Ken
Healy of Mission as of October
1st. j T i .
Riddle, a CPA and partner in
the firm of Smith, Fankhauser,
Voigt & York of Edinburg, has
been a member of the Kiwanis
Club of Edinburg for 11 years
and served as president of his
club in 1967. He is native of the
Valley and received his BA de-
gree in accounting from Pan
American College, Edinburg, in
1965. He has served as secretary
and is immediate past president
of the Rio Grande Valley Chap-
ter of Certified Public Account-
ants and is currently serving as
vice-chairman of the. Administr-
ative Board of the Pharr United
Methodist Church.
McAllen Law Firm
Opens Office Here
The law firm of Rankin, Kern
and Martinez of McAllen have
opened an office in Pharr in the
Hartley Bldg, on East Park, as of
October 1st.
In charge of the Pharr office
will be Ramiro B. Martinez. The
other partners in the firm are
H. H. Rankin, Jr. and Robert H.
Kern, Jr.
Martinez is the attorney for the
city of Pharr.
The office is in the same space
as the late Willis Perkin, who
passed away in early September.
Day Care Center
Will Re-Open Here
A new Day Care Center in
Pharr is to re-open in a few days
at a location to be announced.
The Day Cara Center is for
children 3 to 5 years of age,
from low income families, whose
mothers are employed, are in a
job training program or are seek-
ing employment.
Mothers who ‘ualify may en-
roll their npw at
Pharr Information and Referral
Center. 309 North Cage.
A director for the Day Care
Center is needed at this time.
The applicant must be a resident
of Pharr. For further informa-
tion, call Miss Garcia, 383-5315."
Hidalgo Property
Owners Get
Tax Statements
The Bears have slapped a few
points on the scoreboard too with
a total of 92 and have displayed
an outstanding defense, holding
their opponents to only one
touchdown and one feild goal.
The Cardianls have a 2-1 re-
cord, with victories over two 3-
A opponents and a loss to a 4-A
school.
All of the PSJA victories have
been over 3-A competition, but
two of the teams, Donna and
Mission, may be contenders in
their division.
PSJA and Harlingen always
play a thriller and this year’s
game is expected to run true
to the pattern. Last year, the
game ended in a 14-14 deadlock.
The Bears made a desperate ef-
fort to win with a field goal at-
tempt in the final seconds but
the kick was wide.
Head Coach Charlie Williams
said this week “this is a tough
one. They are our strongest op-
ponent up to now.” Coach Wil-
liams said before the season be-
gan that Harlingen ha4 one of
the stronger teams in Ihe Dis-
trict and it appears that his pre-
diction is coming true.
Coach Williams said the Bears
are “looking good” Jimmy Deaton
who missed the entire game last
week, is ready to play again.
Several of the other “cripples”
j are back to normal.
The Cardinals are a very ver-
! satile team and .can score in
' many different ways. They threw
a lot of passes last week against
the big Moody team but they
are not apt to throw so much
against the smaller Bears. They
State and count}' tax state- ! use three different quarterbacks
ments will mailed to 130,000, with about equal success.
A full house is expected for
Valley Community
Center News
The board of directors of Valley
Community Center has called a
public meeting for Tuesday, Oct.
7th, 7:30 p,m., at the Center, to
hear suggestions and ideas on
how to use the many facilities
at the Center.
The Community Center is loca-
ted at 413 East Clark and has a
gym, club rooms, kindergarten
equipment, playground, kitchen
facilities and a staff of workers
to supervise and assist in some
of the activities.
The entire family is invited to
attend.
Beautification Report, Cherokee St.
It so often seems to be the
case that properties near the
business district of a town are
not so well kept. This is not so,
however, with the R. Owen place
at 126 West Cherokee, where the
grass and shrubbery are in ex-
cellent shape, the curbing clean,
and no litter.
There are three properties at
the intersection of S. Aster and
W. Cherokee that have grown up
in high grass and weeds and
need shrubbery and curbing at-
tention badly. There is a report
that both husband and wife at
one of these places are in a re-
tirement home. This could be an
opportunity for some real good
neighborhood help.
The home at 221 W. Cherokee
needs much attention. Some litter
showing in the 300 and 400
blocks, mainty at the curbs. The
homes of R. Solta (412 West);
Mrs. Fred McGehee (418 West);
and Fred Ruecking (426 West)
earn top ratings because of their
well-groomed lawns and clean
curbings.
Some litter showing at the
curbs in the 500 and 600 blocks,
and a vacant lot at 516 needs
mowing.
The lawn and shrubbery at
634 belonging to M. A. Bell are
beautiful. Mrs. Bell takes care
of a vacant Lot adjoining him as
if it were his own. He has won
the “Yard-of-the-Month” award
more than once.
On East Cherokee, the pro-
perty at 116 needs yard attention
as does that at 329 East.
The following homes belong at
the top of the ladder because
of well-groomed grass, clean
curbings and litter free lawns:
401 (John Gerloff); 406 (E. R.
Walton); 409 (E. E. Clark); 417
(Mrs. Ray M. Henderson); 426
(M. R. Jennings); and 430 (Glen
C. Koch). Again we say, WHAT
A DIFFERENCE CLEAN CUR-
BINGS MAKE!
Quite number of properties on
East Cherokee were showing
some litter. This is something
that the FIVE-MINUTES-A-DAY
treatment will eliminate.
Next week - Kelly Street.
PHARR BEAUTIFICATION
R. B. Berrie
the game, with standing room
on the sidelines at a premium
too.
The season records for the two
teams:
PSJA 21, DONNA 3.
PSJA 28, R. G. C. 0.
PSJA 43, MISSION 7.
HARLINGEN 34, RAYMOND-
VILLE 7.
HARLINGEN 20, WESLACO 12.
HARLINGEN 22, MOODY 29.
PHARR RAINFALL
owners of Hidalgo County pro-
perty on or soon after October
1, Bob Lyon, Co. Tax Collector-
Assessor announces. Not all of
the statements can be mailed in
the same envelope. The oil and
gas statements will be mailed
separately in about * ten days.
These statements will go to
property owners locally and to
those who reside all over the
United States and in many for-
eign countries of the world. A
3% discount is allowed for Octo-
ber payments, 2% for November
and 1% for December.
Notices along with the state- Rainfall measured in Pharr
ments advise the taxpayers that I since last publication has been
all properties are to be assess- I as follows:
ed at a 30% ratio of market value J Sept. 27.......................40
in the future.----
For example, land which sells!
for $500 per acre would have an
assessed value of $150 per acre;
$400 land at $120; $300 land at
$90; $200 land at $60; $100 land
at $30; $75 land at $22.50; $50 land
at $15; and $30' land at $9 per
acre.
VOTER REGISTRATION
FORMS will be mailed either
with the real estate -or automo-
bile statements, to get all ac-
quainted with the new system.
This year the law will require all
people to make written applica-
tions for voter registration. FILL
ALL THE BLANKS CORRECT-
LY. Give your name, precinct
number, correct mailing address
your age, years in State, County,
City, your occupation, where
born, native or naturalized. SIGN
AND RETURN BY MAIL BE-
FORE JANUARY 31.
Cotton Harvest
Totals 304,000
The final count on the cotton
harvest in the four Valley coun-
ties for the 1969 season shows
a total of 304,951 bales.
This is a substantial increase
over the very poor crop of 1968
which was only 242,899 bales.
The 1969 crop was harvested
at a far less cost price per acre,
besides producing more bales per
acre.
The totals for the four coun-
ties for 1969 and 1968 years are
as follows:
Hidalgo 133,177; 97,779; Camer-
on 114,070; 94,098; Willacy 54,-
199; 48,038; Starr 3,505; 2,984.
Pre-season estimates on the
crop were very accurate with
several predieting a 300,000 bale
crop, or close thereto, and some
as high as 325,000 bales. The
latter figure might have been
reached had the rains not start-
ed in late August and early
September that delayed the
harvest and prevented scrap
Repr. Longoria Is
Named to Texas
Leg. Council
Speaker Gus Mutscher has
announced the appointment of
Representative Raul Longoria of
Pharr to the Texas Legislative
Council.
The Legislative Council is a
permanent legislative service
agency with a full-time profes-
sional staff, which conducts
studies requested by legislative
resolution and other sources,
provides bill-drafting services
during sessions, is charged with
the statutory revision function,
and staffs many of the special
interim committees created by
the Legislature. Members of the
Council, who determine policy
and direct the work of this im-
portant agency, are appointed by
the presiding officers of the two
Houses. The Speaker of the
House of Representatives serves
as vice chairman of the Council.
Representative Longoria is
serving his fourth term as a
member of the House of Re-
presentatives from Hidalgo
County’s District 47 1. He has
served on a number of important
House standing committees, and
is presently vice chairman of the
Rules Committee. He is also a
member of standing committees
on Appropriations, Liquor Re-
gulations, Youth, and Oil, Gas
and Mining.
MEN IN SERVICE
DENVER — Airman Dolores
Perales, duaghter of Mr. and
Mrs. Dolores Perales of 821 W.
Acacia, Alamo, Tex, has gradu-
ated at Lowry AFB, Colo., from
the training course for U. S. Air
Force Supply inventory sped-/
alists.
Airman Perales, a 1968 gradu-
ate of PSJA High School, Pharr,
is being assigned to Sheppard
AFB, Tex., for further training.
picking.
The 1967 total was 316,328
bales: Hidalgo, T35,054; Cameron
121,026; Willacy, 55,935, and Starr,
4313.
In 1966 ginnings were 253,226
bales. Cameron led with 108,895;
Hidalgo, 94,846; Willacy, 45,379,
and Starr, 4,106.
The Valley Chamber compiled
the ginning reports in coopera-
tion with the Valley Ginnersr
Ass’n., issuing weekly reports dur-
in the busy harvest season.
SEEN ’ROUND
THE TOWN
All Valley Cities Show Increase In
Revenues From Local Sales Tax
HEALTH UNIT REPORT
The Hidalgo County Health
Unit reports the following com-
municable diseases for the week
ending September 27. 1969: Strep
throat 23, influenza 8, infectious
hepatitis 3, venereal disease 4,
tuberculosis 1.
All Rio Grande cities who have
the city sales tax showed an in-
crease in revenue for the three
month period ending June 30th
compared to the same quarter of
the previous year. This indi-
cates that retail sales have been
good and that sales have increas-
ed in every area.
McAllen led all Valley cities
in sales taxes collected with
$219 000 as they have every time
since the sales tax started. Har-
lingen was in second place, but
down some $90,000 from McAl-
len’s total.
Brownsville, the largest city in
the Valley, did not have a sales
tax at that time.
Even several of the smaller cit-
ies have had a high collection
of sales taxes, like Donna with
$8 800; Port Isabel with $16,000
and Elsa with $6,000.
Corpus Christi had a substan-
tial decrease for some reason.
Collections for 1969 were $695,000
compared to $843,000 a year ago,
a drop of nearly $150,000.
Here are figures for various
Valley cities for 1969 June 30th
compared to the same period of
1968: (Cents omitted).
McAllen—$219,235 and $200,000.
Harlingen—$129,753 and $117,-
241.
Weslaco—$36,192 and $28,393.
Edinburg—$36,170 and $31 243.
Donna—$8,863 and no tax.
Elsa—$6,208, no tax in 1968.
La Feria—$2,883. no tax in 1968.
Mercedes—$10,453 and $8,632.
Mission—$24,381 and $21,575.
Raymondville—$16 768 and $15,-
218.
Roma—$4,464 and $3,803.
San Benito—$19,448 and $15,431.
Santa Rosa—$l,lol and $709.
Some figures for other cities
in South Texas of interests are:
Alice—$67,000 and $61 000.
Corpus Christi—$695,000 and
$843,000.
FaUurrias—$14,000, and no tax.
Kingsville—$59,000 and $48 000.
Laredo—$302,000 and $233,000.
Victoria—$154,000 and $131,000.
There are many viewponits
and ideas about “Operation In-
tercept”. DU ONG LEE ,0f the
Chung Mei Kitchen says it has
improved his restaurant business
—instead of eating out in Rey-
nosa, they are eating out over
here! One thing that no one will
deny and that is this slow up
of the traffic is the BEST
ARGUMENT EVER for another
bridge across the Rio Grande.
Not only here, but at Laredo and
maybe some other crossings . . .
Every Valley city showed an in-
crease in sales tax income for the
quarter ending June 30th com-
pared to corresponding quarter
of 1968. Weslaco registered one
of the largest percentage in-
creases—about 25%. McAllen col-
lected $219,000 in sales tax,
which is more than ALL the
sales taxes by all the other cities
in Hidalgo County and the city-
of Harlingen thrown in too . . .
Sec. Op. 33 in to say that he
predicts “operation intercept”
will not continue in its present
form too long, because there are
too many people who are more
Interested in making a dollar
than in stopping any marijuana
traffic. Also, the traveling public
does not want to be inconveni-
enced. They have crossed the
border freely for so long they
will not tolerate any inconveni-
ence without raising a howl.
And have you noticed, at least
TWO congressmen have de-
nounced the operation? ... In
1966, 10,000 lbs. of marijuana was
seized at the border. In 1968,
70.000 lbs. was confiscated—a
700 % increase! No wonder the
use of narcotics has increased
so rapidly!- There is mare of it
readily available . . . Friends
were glad to see the smiling face
of MRS. IDA MARTIN at the
Cafe this week, after an absence
of nearly three weeks. She is oui„
for only a few hours at a time
now. . . A man pays cash and
gets no discount but he canT
charge it on bis credit card and
his payee pays a 3% service
charge to get the money. So it
looks like the man who pays
CASH is discriminated against!
BOB CARTWRIGHT of Cart-
wright Oil Co. has noticed this
little descrepancy, and be has
advertised from time to time that
“we accept cash’" as well as
credit . . . Several Valley cities "
are making a big noise now a-
bout the proposed RIO GRANDE
VALLEY GAS CO. rats increase.
Where were these people when
the City .of Bharr was trying ter
argue the case before the RR.
Comm.? Not a single one would
assist or send an attorney to that
hearing. What they are trying to
do now is like closing the barn
door after the horse has been sto-
len. At the Austin hearing, the
Co. asked for a 13 cent rate in-
crease. Pharr was the only one
present to make a protest. The
RR. Comm, did grant a 8-cent in-
crease. Everyone will have to ad-
mit that the cost of doing busi-
ness has increased severely the
last few years and the Gas Co.
is no exception. The rate increase
they are seeking seems to be in
line wTith other price increases
the last few years. . . A lot of
people had to do some “adjust-
ing” this week when Jefferson
Jr. High went off the 2-a-day
sessions. This included students,
parents and teachers, who have
had this half day business for
three years. Some parents have
had students in the school for
all three of the years. . . Parents
are the happiest of all. Students,
of course, preferred it to the all
day—especially the P. M. school.
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Glover, Lloyd H. The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 2, 1969, newspaper, October 2, 1969; Pharr, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth715066/m1/1/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Pharr Memorial Library.