Benavides Facts (Benavides, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, February 16, 1940 Page: 2 of 4
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BENAVIDES FACTS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1940
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trained Roller Pigeons d .
LOOP POLL AMD SP/m/ 'M
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•There's a 'crack-up" #; •;
WHEN A BIRD Jr /
LOSES CONTROL JBSgM
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THE BENAVIDES FACTS
Established in 1925 in Duval County
PUBLISHED FRIDAY OF EACH WEEK
P. O. Box 842* Benavides, Texas
J. L. C. BEAMAN, Sole Owner and Editor
P. 0. Drawer i.20 Alice, Texas
Entered as second-class matter at the postoffice at Benavides*
Texas under the Act of March 6, 1879.
Subscription Rate: $2.00 Per Year—Paid in Advance
Advertising Rates on Request
NOTICE—all classified advertising, obituaries, cards of thanks,
legal notices, poetry and readers are published in the EPCO Publica-
tions at the rate of two cents (2c) per word for first insertion and
one-cent (lc) per word for each susequent insertion. ,A minimum
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items.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1940
CAN MEXICO PAY?
Mexico has seized oil properties
belonging to Americans, British,
and Dutch citizens valued at hun-
dreds of millions of dollars. The
owners have demanded that Mexi-
co pay for them. Mexico, so far,
has failed to do so. '• •
This naturally raises the ques-
tion: Can Mexico pay?
The answer is to be found ;by
examining Mexico’s financial pos-
ition and the history of its past
promises to pay.
When Mexico took the proper-
ties it announced that they would
be paid for within ten years. If
the obviously modest valuation , of
$400,000,000 be accepted for
these properties—and according to
previous valuations of these for-
eign-owned oil companies made by
the Mexican government they are
worth more—this would mean an
annual payment of $40,000,000
a year. This, translated into terms
of the Mexican budget, would be
equivalent to two-thirds of the
average revenues of the Mexican
government during the last five
years. Even one-tenth of that sum
limit, which now stands at $45,-
000,000,000. Either course is pol-
itically dangerous and unwise—
either one might cost votes. So,
say the Capitol Hill observers,
there is an excellent chance that
Congress will make an attempt to
pass the buck to the next session.
If that happens, the outlook for
this country will grow materially
darker. We have passed the buck
on fiscal matters, and deferred
the day of reckoning, for close to
ten years. In that’ time, we have
increased the national debt by
around $25,000,000,000. We have
EYE OPENERS
- by Bob Crosby
____
| ^ r ____ A TjfS /I
ITS NAME
from Mosul
in Mesopotamia
where The CudTh
originated
DURING THE
MIDDLE AGES*
A 200 VfAR OLD SWISS STove
DISCOVERED BM COLLECTORS
HAS THE SAME T/PE PoRCELAlN
FINISH AS USED ON TO-DAV'S
GAS RANGES,-AND ITS FINISH-
/S UAJ&LEM/SMED/
tax money to the counties each
year for five years, violates five
j different sections cf the State
; constitution, ruled the law is void.
' The decision reversed one by Dis-
; trict Judge John Rawlins, one of
j Dallas eight $7500 a year district
j judges, who evidently hasn’t read
j the constitution lately. It also left
’ the Dallas county commissioner's
| court, which disregarded Attorney
j General Gerald Mann’s opinion,
and included $160,000 expected
from the fund, in the county bud-
get, in an awful hole. With an
$800,000 overdraft in its general
fund, Dallas may have to suspend
hospital and relief service.
This columnist, who is no, law-
yer, pointed out repeatedly while
the Legislature was considering
the bill, that it was unconstitution-
al, but the prospect of getting
$8,000,000 a year to play with
was too strong for the county
courthouse lobby, which put on
powerful pressure for the bill and
pushed it through the Legislature.
Incidentally, the court ruling, ex-
pected to be upheld without ques-
tion by the Supreme court, main-
tained Attorney General Mann’s
perfect record. When Mann gives
a ruling, so far, it has turned out
to be the law on that subject, re-
gardless of the politics of the
situation.
How Tax Money Is Wasted
In one East Texas county, a
$90,000 bond issue was voted in
1923, to build a road. The bonds
were issued serially, but the first
series didn’t mature until 1939.
They boi'e 5 percent interest. So
the taxpayers paid $70,000 inter-
est on the $90,000 debt before (
any payment was made on the
principal. Meanwhile, the road I
became obsolete, and has been re-
placed by a modern highway, in
a different location. The taxpay-
ers of that county were amazed
when a survey made by the East
Texas Chamber of Commerce’s
tax department, in its program
of eliminating waste in East Tex-
as county government administra-
tion, revealed the facts. The East
Texas counties are responding to
the tax control work, as only
three out of 70 counties increased
tax rates in 1939, while 24 other
counties reduced rates. Farmers
and business interests in East Tex-
as, benefiting by these reductions
are loyally supporting the East
Texas Chamber’s tax work, ably
directed by Curtis Morris.
An Eagle Scout ranking is often
considered the equivalent of two
years of college training.
FIRE ENGINES GO BY
Few of us ever get over that
juvenile urge to follow the fire
engines. It’s a thrill to hear the
sirens, and see the great red wa-
gons clang by.
But that thrill wouldn’t last
long if the fire engines led you to
your house, and you found it in
flames. And the surge of excite-
ment would die an early death if
the fire razed the factory or the
store in which you worked.
Every fire, grdat or small,
brings trouble to some one. And
a high percentage of frees leave
stark tragedy in their wake—loss
of life, loss of employment, loss
of possessions which never can be
instilled in a dangerously large i replaced. There are no mitigating
qualities in fire. It is the great
destroyer.
More than that, the effects of
fire are exceedingly widespread.'
A fire of which you never heard
may deprive you of an opportuni-
proportion of the people a belief
that the country owes them a liv-
ing, no matter how lazy or im-
provident they may be. We have
created a class of ‘‘relief bums”
(individual and public) whose sole
ambition seems to be to keep j ty for doing business. It may raise
hand-outs from the ^treasury com- i y°ur taxes and your insurance
ing regularly. And the national | rate- It may adversely affect your
morale, to say /nothing of our old I future life and income,
time American spirit of independ- j Here in America fire destroys
ence and self-reliance, has taken I some $300,000,000 worth of prop-
a terrible beating. j erty directly each year. The in-'
Just how long we can continue! direct loss is estim*ted at close to
to pass the buck and get awayj ?2’°00’000’000• The« can be no
would call for an increase of re-; with it is no longer an academic j excuse ^or that waste, no alibis,
venues of at least 16 percent—a I question. It is, instead, a burning I I''Tine fires out of ten are the result
large increase for any government i issue which gets hotter all the of huTnan ignorance, human care-
to bear. j time. If the present Congress ! lessness’ human thoughtlessness.
Cash payment is thus out of again puts politics before the na-j ^ne -*res out of ten could have
the question. j tional welfare, and like its pre-! ^een prevented had someone not
But Mexico has said she is will-' decessors, approves more billions; faded to take the simple precau-
ing to pay in oil—provided a sumj of deficits without knowing where j ^ons that W11 chec ma e mos
is agreed upon which represents; the money is to come from, it will fir^
perhaps three cents on the dollar! simply take us closer to national
of the true value of the proper-
ties.
Leaving aside the justice of
such a settlement, and the ques-
tion of whether Mexico could pro-
duce and deliver enough oil to
make such payments, let us look at
Mexico’s past promises to pay.
Mexico borrowed millions of
dollars from American and Bri-
tish investors. Its foreign loans
have been in default for years.
They are quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange at a fraction of
a cent on the dollar. Mexico twice
promised to resume payment, and
bankruptcy. There is no use try-
ing to hide the fact that, from the
fiscal point of view, this country
is and has long been insolvent.
And every year we defer taking
steps essential to restoring our lost
solvency, the more difficult the
problem becomes.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
Think of this next time you see
fire engines go by or smoke and
flames rising from a home or a
building. Then ask yourself if fire
prevention is worth while.
In 1929, agricultural products
provided one-fourth of Texas’ to-
tal cash income while minerals
amounted to one-fifth. In 1938,
agriculture including government
subsidies yielded but one-fifth
while minerals principally oil and
Every one in America, includ- j gas> furnished one-third,
ing the myriad employes of gov-,
eminent even in its experimental j
efforts in business, is, in the end, j
twice ceased paying after resump- the beneficiary of private enter-j
tion. I prise; in fact, he lives by private!
Mexico began seizing the farm j enterprise no matter wliat his oc- j
properties of American citizens in j cupation, private or public. It is Scudding high thru silvered sky
Contemporary
Poetry
MOONLIGHT AND CLOUDS
Mexico twenty years ago, promis-
ing to pay for them. For years it
paid not a cent, only made a
settlement when forced to do so
by the American Department of
State.
Under the circumstances what
reason is there to believe that a
promise to pay with oil for the
stolehv oil properties would be car-
ried oiit?
The answer is clearly that the
chances are slim indeed.
All of which leads to a simple
conclusion—that Mexico: cannot
and will not pay for the stolen oil
properties.
Under the circumstances there
is only one just solution^—that
Mexico return the properties
which it has confiscated..
That is the fair way and the
square way. It’s up to Mexico.
well to remember this when the. Of grey and gold and blue,
Washington theorists talk about
government enterprise. . .
Private enterprise did not create
our natural resources—they exist-
ed here in the time of primitive
man. What private enterprise did
was to develop them. A ton of coal
beneath the earth’s surface is of
no use to anyone. Not until it has
been mined, processed, shipped
I saw you trail your wispy veil
Of light across the spectre hue.
Then soft you came abed, a flame
Of gold and darkest blue,
Shook out your tresses, tucked
your dresses,
Hid your face away from view.
I lingered yet, despite your threat
—Mildred Williams.
POLITICS AND DEBT
Congress, as it settles d.own to
consider debt and taxation, finds
itself in a difficult position. This
is an election year, and, unhappily
for the nation, many Congressman
of both parties are taking a
straight political approach to the
issue before them. If Congress
approves another heavy deficien-
cy budget, it must either soon levy
new taxes or raise the legal debt
and distributed does it contribute! To lock your veil and golden hair,
to the maintenance and progress j Thru lacy curtain saw you flirting,
of society. That is what private | First with me, then gods up there,
enterprise does—it takes the re-1
sources nature has given us, and
uses them to give us jobs, oppor-
tunities, necessities and luxuries,
and a constantly rising standard
of living. . .
Private enterprise has nothing
to do with size. The man who runs
a shoe-shine stand of his own is
as much of a private entrepeneuh
as the man who runs an electric j
plant. Private enterprise is an j
ideal—a way of life—dedicated i
to the proposition that every man j
shall have the right to the fruits j
of his labors, and shall go as far i
NOBODY'S
BUSINESS
By JULIAN CAPERS,
Important political develop-
ments in connection with the 1940
race for Governor of Texas were
under way in Austin over the
weekend.
A group of politically powerful
friends of Lieutenant Governor
Coke Stevenson, of Junction, in
an unpublicized caucus at the
Driskill Hotel, laid plans for a gu-
bernatorial ticket to be made up
of Stevension for Governor, and
Senator Will Pace of Tyler as
Lieutenant Governor. The plan
hinges upon Gov. W. Lee O’Dan-
iel’s decision on whether he will
retire or offer for re-election.
Stevenson’s friends seem to think
O’Daniel will not run, lending col-
or to rumors current here for
weeks. The lieutenant governor,
close friend and at times political
advisor to the Governor, ought to
be in position to know what O’-
Daniel is going to do.
Lee Discouraged?
The governor is said to be dis-
couraged over failure of his pens-
ions, taxation, industrial, poll-tax
repeal and capital punishment
abolishment programs. Continued
criticism of his official acts and
record are said to hav,e affected
him seriously, particularly the lat-
est fiasco of his appointees on the
board of control, in connection
with the San Antonio hospital in-
vestigation, which has reacted un-
favorably throughout the State.
The Governor’s wife has been re-
ported urging him to quit at the
end of his first term. Stevenson
has announced he will seek re-
election as Lieutenant Governor,
“unless Gov. O’Daniel does not
stand for re-election,” lending col-
or to the belief he may have rea-
son to think the Governor may
be out.
Albert Derden, House leader of
the anti-sales tax fight, has an-
nounced, and held a rally in his
home county. Both Ernest O.
Thompson, rail commissioner and
runner-up last time, and Harry
Hines, highway commissioner, pri-
vately insist they will run this
year. Doubtless other candidates
will enter, to make it a wide open
governor’s race. Although he has
lost much strength, O’Daniel is
generally regarded by best ob-
servers here as an odds-on fav-
orite, at present, if he seeks a sec-
ond term.
Tax Remission Loses
The Fifth Court of Civil Ap-
peals at Dallas, holding the coun-
ty tax remission bill, under which
the Legislature sought to donate
$8,000,000 of State ad valorem
LITTLE WANTS
BABY CHICKS: Straight run
or sexed, from our acclimated
stock. Less loss of hens in lay.
Wallace Hatchery, Corpus Christi,
Texas. Phone 4698. 34-tf.
WANTED—A German or Czech
girl to keep house during hatch-
ing season. Write to C. C. Hatch-
ery, Box 72P, Corpus Christi,
Texas.
WHEN NIGHT COUGH
UPSETS WHOLE HOUSE
Take “One Dose” Relief For
That Cough From That Cold.
This “One-Dose” relief for coughs
due to colds is Mentho-Mulsion, the
medicine that has relieved the mis-
ery, muscular strain, and loss of
sleep for thousands of families in
the United States.
Mentho-Mulsion is the fast-act-
as his own brains and energies J ing, scientific compound of nine im-
can take him. Private enterprise j portant ingredients that pleasantly
made this nation as we know it.
And if ever private enterprise is
killed, this nation will die with
it.
and joyously ease your cough from
colds quicker, faster and better.
Just as you open the big bottle of
Mentho-Mulsion' you notice the
soothing vapors, and as you swal-
low a spoonful you feel the sooth-
ing, easing, nerve-tension-lessening
results that are accomplished with-
out narcotics or opiates. Get Men-
thp-Mulsion today . . .See how it
helps you tonight.
Money-Back Guarantee
- Remember this ... When you buy
Mentho-Mulsion you get a cough
medicine that has accomplished so
much for people that the manufac-
turers state: “If the first dose does
not give you speedier relief than
you have ever felt, your druggist
will refund your money.”
Mentho-Mulsion is endorsed by
your neighbors and guaranteed by
leading druggists everywhere.-adv.
No Wonder Southern Select Sales Climb
FAR TMF FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR!
WU CAN ACTUAUV
smell that extra
QUALITY!
Make the Side-by-Side
AROMA TEST
With a friend ... compare the aroma of
any beer you choose with that of Southern
Select. Note the complete absence of
strong off-odors in Southern select!
That’s proof of a perfectly brewed beer
in perfect condition. Only all-grain in-
gredients, plus longer fermentation, are
used in Southern Select. Every drop aged
months. Costly for us— but it’s what
makes Southern Select taste so good!
GALVESTON-HOUSTON BREWERIES, INC.
Galveston. Texas
Even the water used in the brewing is dis-
tilled ... and everyone knows that costs
money. But it helps us produce a perfect
beer aroma—a faint aroma, not a strong
odor—the aroma that marks a fine beer in
perfect condition,
San Diego Distributing Co., Inc.
♦ STAR fOR STUMS
I#**
LP " 9 Feast your eyes
on the smooth-flow-
ing lines and contours of
this best-selling Chevrolet for
’40, with New “Royal Clipper”
Styling. . . . Note that it’s the
longest of all lowest-priced
cars, measuring 181 inches
from front of grille to rear of
body. . . . Yes, eye it and con-
vince yourself that it’s the “star
for styling”—the outstanding
beauty and luxury leader
among all cars in its price
range!
r. \ - r.
♦ STAR MR PERFORMAN
If**
0&A* Just touch
Chevrolet’s Exclusive
Vacuum-Power Shift and
feel the hidden power cylinder
supply 80% of the shifting
effort automatically, as no
other steering column gear-
shift can do. ... Step on the
throttle and see how Chevrolet
out-accelerates and out-climbs
all other low-priced cars. . . .
Relax as you enjoy “The Ride
Royal”f — the smoothest,
safest, steadiest ride known.
. . . Yes, try it and then you’ll
know that Chevrolet’s the
“star for performance” among
all economy cars!
fO/j Special De Luxe and Master De Luxe Series.
STAR FOR VAWB
If**
^ See your Chev-
9 rolet dealer and learn
how very little it will cost
to own a new Chevrolet for ’40
with your present car in trade.
. .. Yes, buy it, and you’ll own
the “star for value,” because
“Chevrolet’s FIRST Again!”
The 1940 Chevrolet gives
higher quality at low cost!...
Low Prices... Low Operating
Costs . . . Low Upkeep.
No other motor
car can match its
all-round value
Chevrolets FIRST Again
||
Oil Belt Chevrolet
wrr __
J’ /CHEVRO
J . B. DONOHO, Manager
SAN DIEdQ, TEXAS
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Beaman, J. L. C. Benavides Facts (Benavides, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, February 16, 1940, newspaper, February 16, 1940; Alice, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth884643/m1/2/: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Duval County Library.