Burkholder, Ralph 1973-09-20
Ralph Burkholder, farmer in the Pecos area for many years and former director of the Trans-Pecos Cotton Association, discusses his many activities in the cotton industry and labor problems in that industry.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ralph Burkholder
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: September 20, 1973
Location: Pecos, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Gives background information,
Was born in Iowa in 1904,
Family migrated to Texas in 1912,
Description of country then,
Discusses schooling,
Started farming after high school,
Ranch in New Mexico leased,
In 1926 began work in oil fields,
Returned to Pecos area in 1931,
Worked in filling station,
In 1934 elected as commissioner of Foard County,
Describes his farming adventures,
Machinery business noted,
Comments on growth of Pecos after World War II,
O. B. Johnson started cotton farming,
Financing for growth in Pecos came from Anderson Clayton,
Trans Pecos Cotton Association mentioned
Tape 1, Side 2:
Business in real estate deals remembered,
Continues discussion of Trans Pecos Cotton Association,
Main problem confronted with is labor,
Talks about Braceros,
Trips to Washington, D. C., explained,
Voices opinions on labor problem in cotton industry,
Bracero system recounted
Tape 2, Side 1:
Discusses his children and their employment,
Texas Employment Commission presented no problem to cotton industry,
Comments on Labor Department,
Anecdotes about Mexicans told
Tape 2, Side 2:
Blank
Range Dates: 1912-1973
Bulk Dates: 1912-1930s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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