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From Pioneer Paths to Superhighways - The Texas Highway Department Blazes Texas Trails 1917-1968

Statement of Governor Ross Sterling, July 21, 1931

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Ross Sterling statement on Red River Bridge "tomfoolery," 1931July 21, 1931

My attention has been called by a United Press dispatch to a
purported statement by Governor Murray of Oklahoma, suggesting that an
army of 150 women of Texas and Oklahoma hold a quilting and gossiping
bee on the free bridge which has been closed by injunction order of the
United States district court; the object being to open the bridge under
the protection of masculine chivalry.

I do not believe the good women of the two sister states will
permit themselves to be incited by any such tomfoolery, but rather think
they will be amazed at the implied reflection upon their integrity, com-
ing from the Chief Executive of a sovereign state.

I regret exceedingly that Governor Murray would suggest
that Mrs. Miriam A. Ferguson, a former governor of Texas, lead a feminine
army from  the Texas side in a movement involving possible illegal procedure,
the purpose of which is to break down or render ineffectual a federal court
decree.  Texas believes in law and order, and the womanhood of the state
have shown themselves to be the foremost exponents of that principle.
As Governor of Texas, I trust they will not be led astray by such a
questionable proposal.

Texas is very anxious to have this bridge opened, and it
would have been opened already, but for the federal court injunction.  The
State Highway Commission is exerting every effort in its power to bring
about the speedy dissolution of the injunction, and to have the bridge
opened to traffic according to law.

R. S. Sterling

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Statement of Governor Ross Sterling, July 21, 1931. Records of Governor Ross Sterling, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.



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