The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1908-10-29
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 20. 1908.
THE MOST IMPORTANT.


While it is vastly important that
Brownsville should secure whatever
railroads may be constructed to con-
meet the Lower Rio Grande Valley
with the interior trunk lines. yet
there is a still more important matter
which demands the attention of the
people of the valley and especially of
Brownsville. That is the construction
of the intercoast waterway With such
a feasible project offering itself al
most at our very doors for the cheap
Transportation of most of our staple
products and equally SO for the i'm
portation of lumber, coal and other
products OF similar heavy and bulky
nature, as that offered in the pro-
posed intercoast canal. it is absurd
for the citizens OF Brownsville and
this region in general to neglect it
longer. That the project is extreme
~ feasible aad advantageous is prov
en- by the fact that its construc-
ton has been recommended by
competent engineers and the fact
that the work is already in
progress upon certain sections of the
canal. Furthermore. the construc-
ton of this channel all the way
through the Laguna Madre to Point
Isabel has been recommended more
than once by government engineers.
Military authorities even have rec
commended the construction of the
lower end of the proposed waterway
TO Point Isabel. as a military neces-
sity. and an appropriation Of
$3.50. eco for this particular sec
ton, from Arkansas Pass TO the
Rio Grande, was recommended
TO congress as far back as 1898 But
ror some reason. probably because
those who should have been most in
terested did not exert themselves to
push the matter. the appropriation
has never been made for the con-
struction of this part fthe channel.
In the interview of Hon Clarence s.
E. Holland of Victoria, who is presi-
dent fthe Waterways commission.
published in The Herald several days
ago, it was urged by that intelligent
and progressive gentleman that a
united effort be made at the ap-
preaching meeting OF the commits
sion in New Orleans to secure the
construction of the proposed coast
waterway throughout its entire
length, to connect New Orleans with
Brownsville. as originally designed
This suggestion should fire the peo-
pie of this entire section to follow Mr.
Hollands lead and push the matter,
as it should be. 1t win be to our
shame, if the people of Brownsville
longer allow this exceedingly import
ant means of insuring the early de-
Velopment of this town and section to
pass unimproved. That success would
would crown an effort along this line.
If made with the proper tact, intelli-
gence and insistence is not 20 be
doubted. 1t is equally certain, that.
until we do make such an effort, we
cannot expect anything to be done
70 rthis end of the line. Now, if ever,
Is the time 70 rthe people of the
lower Rio Grande valley to awake
20 their duty in this vitality import
ant matter. an dto see that nothing is
left undone to secure the long neg
fected and hitherto sacrificed rights.
OF this region to governmental aid in
obtaining water transportation, and
thereby securing lower freight rates
So long as other towns in South
Texas enjoy such immense advant-
ages over this place in the matter of
cheap transportation. as at present,
Brownsville cannot hope to build up
the trade which should come to it
by rights and yet no improvement
can be hoped for except through the
deepening of the channel of LaguRa