Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-12-29
BROWNSVILLE PLEA
FOR MILITARY ROAD
GOES TO WASHINGTON

~. "A. OBricn. secretary Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce today mailed ID Sen
ator Norris Sheppard III Washington
three petitions which have been circu-
lated here. asking the government TO
take >cuh action as l. necessary looking
on the construction of a national high
way along the Rio Grandc from Browns
vi lc 10 FL Paso. The p. tiions contain
the names of many prominent people of
this city.
Similar petitions have been signed at
other points along the border. and al
are being sent TO Senator Sheppard.
who has already brought before con
grcSs the necessity for 4 gnnd highway
along the Rio Grandc To assist the Gus
toms collectors i'll enforcing the laws
against smuggling. The proposed road
would be considered valuable also for
troop movements along the border.
The petitions were signed by about two
hundred, and were accompanied by the
following letter to Senator Sheppard:
The people of Brownsville and Cam
eron County are deeply interested in the
movement for the construction of a mil
itary road from Del Rio 20 the mouth Of
the RIO Grande
That the construction ~ the proposed
highway as military necessity il JUS
tilted by past events. as well as exist
ing conditions, il known 10, eyerr citizen
Of the Rio Grandc country and should
be apparent to others. As We see il here
the outlay is not only warranted. but as
an investment is certain to Weld sat
isiactUry returns
ut is BY no means q reflection upOn
anyone TO state that at present our bor-
der is not amply protected As you
know, the Rio Grande is Il tortuous
stream flowing for hundreds of miles
along our border and skirting territory
which by reason Of its undevclopcd con
ditlon and great stretches nf almost I'M
pcnctrahlc brush affords not only abun-
dant protection I'd Smngglcrs. but safe
asylum for outlaws and rcnrgaics from
Mexico. We believe the proposed high
way would result not only in the elm.
ination of smuggling and a consequent
increase IN customs receipts. but that :t
would also enable the authorities to rid
the country Of the lavless characters
which nfest this and every borcerland
NHPte pFoIcrton - lUatPuuale.
THAT such road is essential to the
early successful development Of the fer
tile lands along the Rio Grande l. self
evident. That il would bring about an
Immediate settlement of th Rio Grandc
country We have not the slightest doubt
Not only this: il would bring the towns
and communities along the river into
closer relationship and be of vast benefit
to the farming and commercial interests
already established. 1t would be the
main artery from which other roads
would he built into the R.o Grande Delta
and Gulf Coast Country. some of which
would eventually be extended to the
great commercial ccnterS within and
without the confines Of our state.
"The accompanying petition. signed by
some Of the best citizens Of Brownsville
and COmeron County. voices the Scnti-
mentS and wishes Of all Of our people bv
whom al your efforts in bchSlf of this
great project are heartily appreciated.
"Wc thank yOu most sincerely for all
YOU have already done ard feel confident
that before many years shall have passed
we VII be able to point with pride to
the completed highway traversing the
richest section of the United States and
opening mp territory that will furnish
happy homes for tens of thousands OF
our countrymen.' VI.