El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-11
CITY AND COUNTY
TO SHARE EXPENSE
River Bank Near Washing
ton Park to Be Protected
from Damage by Flood.

For the purpose of protecting the
land in the vicinity of Washington
park from the flood waters Of the Rio
Grande, the city and county. jointly,
will bear the expense of constructing
protection work, to cost approximately
$4,000, TO run along the banks of the
river from monument 16 to monument
19, distance of 1900 feet
The order appropriating $500, the
amount the county is to pay, was
passed at the meeting of the county
commissioners held Monday afternoon
after the proposition had been male
by mayor c. z. Kelly, who argued that
the section to be protected was within
one of the cOunty'S road improvements
districts.
The proposed work is to be done IN
accordance with the plans and specifi-
cations prepared by Herbert Num-, city
engineer, who explained them to the
commissioners. Capt Num- stated that
the water was cutting into the banks
at Washington park and that unless
something was done to throw the cur
rent away from the Texas side, the
land would be greatly damaged. Mayor
Kelly stated that Felix Martinez, at
whose property line the work is to
start, would contribute $1,000. PilinS
and rip rap. similar to that employed
on the Mexican side of the river, will
form the important feature of the pro-
lection to be afforded.
Island Work to Continue.
Until the bonds recently voted by the
residents Of the island are sold. the
road work underway in that vicinity
was in danger of being stopped Tor
lack Of funds. Robert II. Rinehart. one
Of the property owners on the island.
who was before the commissioners
Monday afternoon secured the permits
tinue. H. D. Camp, another property
owner, agreed TO carry the warrants
for the work, the amount to be de-
Quoted from the amount to be realized
from the sale of the bonds. Mr.. Camp
stated that since the beginning OF the
road work, prospective settlers had
visited the island.
In the work Of building the roads
and bitches on the island, the residents
Will be assisted by the purchase of a
traction engine jointly with the county
The agreement was reached during
the session Of the court, and consisted
Of the residents paying half the pur-
chase price and the county the other
half. In the event the engine proves
satisfactory to the county. the county
has the option Of buying it outright by
paying the entire purchase price. The
engine to be purchased is to be so con-
structed that it can be turned into a
road roller, OF be used for hauling pUr-
poses
Discuss Buying an Auto.
The expenditure Of the S35O.OOO for
pies the time and attention of the COM
missioners. The actual construction of
the roads is expected to start in about
six weeks Judge A S. J. Eylar expects
to spend almost all of his time visiting
the different sections where the road
gangs are employed, and to take over
the pay rolls, handling all the money
himself 1t was suggested that with
the road work started and in view CT
the numerous trips that judge Eylar
would necessarily have TO make the
commissioners purchase an automobile.
They argued that in rents alone for
autos one could be purchased saving
money thereby. Judge Eylar expressed
the opinion that the purchase of an au-
would subject him to criticism
Ind IL an automobile were absolutely
necessary he might purchase it with
his own funds.
The proposition Of the county pur-
chasing lots on which to erect ware
house in which to store tools and ma
chinery belonging to the county. was
discussed The matter was left in the
hands Of judge Eylar, commissioner
lanes Clifford and county surveyor J.
". Eubank.
The commissioners approved the
bills Of the county, and repaired to the
bank to count the cOunty's cash on
hand. amounting to S1O3, $3.50, as rep
by the various county funds.