Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-12-22
NO |NTERCOASTAL
CANAL EXTENSION
UNITED STATES BOARD OF EN-
GINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HAIR
RORS SAYS EXTENSION WOULD
BE PREM NATURE.
WILL NOT AFFECT HARBOR
DECISION OF BOARD PROBABLY
WILL NOT HINDER PROPOSE
TION FOR IMPROVEMENT AT
BRAXOS SANTIAGO.

Stating that it seems premature to
extend the untestcd IntcrcoaStal canal
from Corpus Christi to BaflnS Bay at
this time. the United EtateS Board of
Engineers for Rivers and HarborS in
Il notice just received here announces
that it is not believed that present or
immcdiatcly prospective commerce is
sufficient to Justify the United States
in undertaking an improvement at that
locality that will cost 40 90 to make
and 10000 a year 10 maintain The
board says the amount seems excessive
when compared with the probable re-
SuIting benefits
When asked what effect this decision
of the board would have on the prOpoS-
ed harb0r at BrazoS Santiago. Louis 90
bOlinl. secretary of the Waterways com
mittcc of the Brownsville Chamber of
Commerce stated that il would have no
effect on that Improvement. notwith-
standing that the tentative plans for
the extension of the intercoastal canal
had its terminus in the Laguna Madrc
near BraZOS Santiago harbor. There
was another proposition on foot with
reference TO the construction of can
al from the Arroyo Colorado to the
BraZoS Santiago pass but this improve
mrnt il is said is not absolutely nrccS-
Sary.
The river and hlrbor act approved
july -. 1872. contained Il provision for
a preliminary examination of Inland
waterway on the coast of Texas from
Corpus Christi to a suitable point on
Bat1in Bay. The required examination
was made by the district engineer. and
pcrSuant to favorable recommendations
thereon a survey was authorized. The
report of the district officer on the sur
vey is favorable for the improvement of
the locality to the extent of recommend
ing channel five feet deep and forty
feet bottom width through the Laguna
Madrc.
The report was submitted to the
board of engineers for river and harbor
for consideration and recommendation.
in accordance with law.
h' pOolh VI NlS III ltS Ntdlt-
mentmcnt says the improvement of the
most promising sections of the inland
waterway along the coast of Texas has
been gradually undertaken. and some
of the sections have been completed for
years but as yet little commerce has
developed. and the merits of the i'm
provcmcnt have not been fully dctcrmn
ed The present southern terminus of
the waterway is at Corpus Christi.
which has good rail and water facili-
ties.
The board as one Of its reasons for
turning down the improvement Claims
the country through which the canal
would have to be constructed as sparse
~ settled at this time. and since the
canal is as yet not fully tested. it seem
ed premature to extend il into that see
ton Of country. 1t seems probable. also
according to the notice. that if the wat
erway is constructed. the main source
Of its commerce could only be in the
country already in rail connection with
Corpus Christi and the board knows
of no instance where any amount of
commerce is transferred from rail TO Il
shallow waterway for transportation to
Il point reached further on by the same
railroad"
In closing. the board invites all par
ties interested to submit within per
iod of thirty days statements and ar
guments bearing upon the necessity for
the Improvement in the interests of com
mercc and navigation.