The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1907-11-06
THE INLAND WATERWAYS
CONTENTION

more than passing importance tt
Texas. The Improvement of, the
inland waterways of Texas and es
pecially the construction of the in.
Eercoastal canal are subjects which
should enlist the interest of every
person having the welfare and
Erogress of the estate at heart.
The wonderful development of the
agricultural and other resources oil
the state now in progress promises
such a tremendous increase in the
output of these industries within
the next few years as will un-
doubtedly tax the comparatively
Jew railroads of the state to their
utmost capacity. Moreover, the
rapid development of the state and
particularly of that vast region
known as South and West Texas
will demand the development of
the waterways for the accommoda-
ton of the immense traffic which
will result therefrom. On the
other hand, the development of
transportation facilities will natur
ally promote the growth of all
other industries. That many of
the streams of Texas are suscep-
-Gible of dredging so as to make
Them navigable, there is no doubt,
and it only requires concerted and
intelligent action to secure govern
uzent aid in doing the work. With
sEar less natural advantages and
less promising material, the gov
eminent has developed water
transportation in other states.
As to the proposed inte1coastal
canal, this project has already re-
ceived the endorsement of the
treasury department and of con-
gress in part, but that part of the
coast lying between Corpus Christi
and the mouth of the Rio Grande
mas for some reason not been en-
Clorsed as yet. This was doubtless
due either to lack of understanding
on the part of the government en-
gineers as to the actual possibili-
ties and needs of this coast, or
else to the fact that the people
living In this region have hereto
fore shown such indifference, even
apathy, in regard to the matter as
TO have failed to make the correct
impression upon those government
agents who have visited this coast
20 investigate the subject. Now,
however, that Brownsville is
awakening to the vast importance
of having this improvement made
and has begun to take an interest
IN the matter of securing govern
uent aid to do the work, it may
De hoped that more favorable ac-
ton viii be taken by the next
congress. The convention at Hous-
Son will have its effect in arousing
our congressional representatives
50 the fact that South Texas is
demanding these improvements.
aud the facts and general informa-
non regarding the matter which
will be brought out at this conven-
@ion will enlighten the whole coun-
Gy as to the justice and vast i'm
portance of the demand for these
improvements.
The Brownsville country is in
zeresGed vitality in this subject, as
the tremendous development of the
resources of this region now in
progress will demand the stimuli
4aneous development of our tran
facilities to their utmost
possibilities. It would seem absurd
TO handicap the growth of this
wonderfully fertile and productive
legion by restricting its transpor
cation facilities to one line of rail-
road, when nature has provided
such a feasible and convenient
means of reaching the markets as
she SutarcoaSta1 laooOnS and havs